The basis of Bowmont's dreamy sound is comprised of fluid vocals filled with soft lyrics layered on tight beats and groovy melodies. We were blown away by the simple and soulful sound that filled Chez André last week when we attended soundcheck to interview the guys. It was easy talking with Emil Bovbjerg, Danish born writer and lead vocalist, who has an extensive background in music. Bovbjerg began taking lessons at age sixteen before attending Berekeley College of Music in Boston. He then went to a conservatory in Amsterdam where he studied jazz and classical arranging and composition, his area of expertise.
He has a nice smile and dresses just like what you'd imagine a sensitive electro rocker from Brooklyn would: dark jeans and a gray graphic tee that exposes his lower back. One is instantly engulfed in the sweetness that radiates from this tall, curly haired, scruffy faced boy.
STANDARD CULTURE: How did Bowmont come together?
EMIL: Bowmont came along the minute I moved to New York about three years ago. I started writing new songs and new material. I linked up with Jeremy Loucas who is an amazing producer and old friend of mine from school, and we started putting a few recordings out there. We kind of dropped them out on the Internet and it turned out that there was a lot of interest and a lot of people liked it. We were like, “Oh shit.”
What inspires you guys when you go into the studio?
I think what’s fun about is despite the fact that we’ve all been friends for over 10 years, we’ve all taken different paths for a while and come back together, having all learned very different things. I have my classical background, but now I’m also into a bunch of dance music and indie rock. A few of the other guys are into other types of music so we have a very interesting sound.
How would you describe that sound?
A lot of my wind writing, and big band writing, kind of creeps in. But I’m using different instruments. Instead of using a string ensemble, I use synths and electronic elements. It’s a mix between acoustic playing and singing. I am basically writing simple songs, focusing a lot on the lyrics. It starts there.
What inspires your lyrics?
They come from my life. The come from situations that I have been in. I don't really write love songs, but some of my songs are about relationships with other human beings; about friends and people I meet, and observations about what is happening in society.
There are a bunch of young kids now sitting in their basements making music on their laptops. Do you respect that?
Yes! I totally respect that. I think that everyone should just make the music that they want to make. Just jump into it. For the first ten years I didn't have any idea what I was doing. In many ways that's when you really learn, that's when your foundation is made.
Any insight into the Brooklyn rocker scene?
It's rough! I mean, it’s not easy, I can say that. It’s a lot of work. It’s very DIY. It’s really inspiring also because there are so many amazing bands out there. I have so much fun doing it, even though it's not the easiest path. It’s so much fun, I love it.
What's your life philosophy?
This might sound cheesy, but go for your dreams and be kind to others. It’s all about empathy, and I feel like it’s a big thing not only in music but in life in general. It’s really the simple things. I just try to keep my focus on things that are important and try to speak up about the things that I think are wrong.
What's one thing about you that no one would guess?
I love soccer! So much. That’s probably something that no one would guess about me.
He has a nice smile and dresses just like what you'd imagine a sensitive electro rocker from Brooklyn would: dark jeans and a gray graphic tee that exposes his lower back. One is instantly engulfed in the sweetness that radiates from this tall, curly haired, scruffy faced boy.
STANDARD CULTURE: How did Bowmont come together?
EMIL: Bowmont came along the minute I moved to New York about three years ago. I started writing new songs and new material. I linked up with Jeremy Loucas who is an amazing producer and old friend of mine from school, and we started putting a few recordings out there. We kind of dropped them out on the Internet and it turned out that there was a lot of interest and a lot of people liked it. We were like, “Oh shit.”
What inspires you guys when you go into the studio?
I think what’s fun about is despite the fact that we’ve all been friends for over 10 years, we’ve all taken different paths for a while and come back together, having all learned very different things. I have my classical background, but now I’m also into a bunch of dance music and indie rock. A few of the other guys are into other types of music so we have a very interesting sound.
How would you describe that sound?
A lot of my wind writing, and big band writing, kind of creeps in. But I’m using different instruments. Instead of using a string ensemble, I use synths and electronic elements. It’s a mix between acoustic playing and singing. I am basically writing simple songs, focusing a lot on the lyrics. It starts there.
What inspires your lyrics?
They come from my life. The come from situations that I have been in. I don't really write love songs, but some of my songs are about relationships with other human beings; about friends and people I meet, and observations about what is happening in society.
There are a bunch of young kids now sitting in their basements making music on their laptops. Do you respect that?
Yes! I totally respect that. I think that everyone should just make the music that they want to make. Just jump into it. For the first ten years I didn't have any idea what I was doing. In many ways that's when you really learn, that's when your foundation is made.
Any insight into the Brooklyn rocker scene?
It's rough! I mean, it’s not easy, I can say that. It’s a lot of work. It’s very DIY. It’s really inspiring also because there are so many amazing bands out there. I have so much fun doing it, even though it's not the easiest path. It’s so much fun, I love it.
What's your life philosophy?
This might sound cheesy, but go for your dreams and be kind to others. It’s all about empathy, and I feel like it’s a big thing not only in music but in life in general. It’s really the simple things. I just try to keep my focus on things that are important and try to speak up about the things that I think are wrong.
What's one thing about you that no one would guess?
I love soccer! So much. That’s probably something that no one would guess about me.
