PGH is all about helping artists highlight their most recent projects, so let us all know what your latest project is – and tell us about how it come into the world. What has the initial feedback on it been like?

“Life Insurance” is a collection of personal songs about life, about family and about how I view the world. Like “Who Do You Say I am?” which is basically about the eternal existential questions ‘where do I belong, where is home, and who am I really?’ Or “My World” which is a song about wanting what we cannot have or envying things we are not. But also about learning that we can be content with what we have and who we are or even better, what we can become.

The project really only came together because I was fortunate enough to run into Winston Hauschild who embodied the perfect producer, engineer, arranger, fellow song-writing partner and musical cheerleader. I hadn’t been in the studio for a very long time so I was quite anxious that the experience would turn out every bit as magical and fun as it always has been for me. I love creating harmonies and counter-melodies, stack vocals and invent in the creative process. So with Winston’s help, “Life Insurance” allowed me to do that and more; it allowed me to return to that sacred place of music creation and listening to the muses again.

Are there any particular songs on this project that are special to you or communicate a message that you’d like to share here?

“All of My Life”. I left my family and friends in Sweden for a new life in North America when I was 17. My dad drove me to the airport that day and saying goodbye to him through the windows that separated us was by far the hardest moment in my young life that far. Now, after living my life for over 30 years away from “home”, I wanted to explain that somehow, despite the distance, my family and I were still growing closer. Strangely, the distance moved us closer and still the bond is growing so strong.

 We would love to hear what your plans on with your next project – Are you going to a full CD, an EP or just release songs as you finish them? Release them digital only or combine physical with the digital or what?

I am working on new music, have a bunch of songs written, waiting for a theme to emerge and/or the inspiration to make a collection of it all. I’m completely open to whatever form this will take. I have no deadlines so just letting the process happen organically …. So we’ll see what happens, wont’ we?

What are you finding that is working well for your music right now that others may find interesting to hear about?

Write without inhibitions. Be honest. Don’t try to write for others or try to second-guess yourself. Just be brutally honest. And if it sounds great to you, then that’s good enough. That being said, pop music can sometimes be a little tricky because we tend to fuss about being catchy, trying to rhyme our lyrics and try to find great grooves or melodies. In the end though, it’s about connecting with other people and making sure we communicate something genuine (with or without lyrics). When we’re honest and true, people listen.

Is there a particular musician(s) you’d love to collaborate with – and why?

Hawksley Workman ‘cause he seems so totally wrecklessly honest and pop. And ‘cause he’s Canadian! Jeff Lynne because he’s pretty much a musical genius and my harmony hero. I would love to record a few songs with him someday! He produced Ringo Starr’s album at the time when I was with Private Music/BMG down in LA. And we had asked Jeff if he would be interested in producing our second album – (my not so secret past with ‘bounce the ocean’). This never came to be but it sure was an exciting idea. And we still have all those songs yearning to be heard someday! In fact, “Strong Enough” was written for this album and I’ve always loved that song so I was thrilled to be able to re-record it and include it on “Life Insurance”.

Advance apologies: the so-called ‘classic’ questions. What other artists and bands have influenced your music and any particular reason why? Also, push come to shove: “Your Top 5 Albums Of All Time”? (Pop Geeks really are interested in this, trust us!)

I grew up with ABBA, 10cc, Sibelius and ELO. Lots of harmonies in other words. And melodies. Oh man, melodies just carry me off into harmony land.
ELO – Out of the Blue
10cc – Deceptive Bends
Thin Lizzy –Live and Dangerous (yes, I belonged to their fan club and saw them live at least 5 times)
ABBA – any album really
Cityboy – Book Early

Where can we hear more of your music and any other releases you have? Oh, you can find “Life Insurance” on iTunes or CDBaby.com if you want the old-school CD. Feel free to stream the whole album on cbcmusic.ca if you just want to listen.

You’ll also find “Life Insurance” the official video on YouTube:

And for those who want to relive ‘bounce the ocean’ here’s the official video for “Wasting My Time”:

 And, of course, pop fans can stay up-to-date on my various mischiefs on FaceBook.