Swedish artist Eric OS has caused quite some stir this year with releases on Haŵs, Limousine Dream, Eya Recordings, Terrazzo or his own imprint Space Trace. With 2023 coming to an end the Malmo-based “jam-session planner“ has one more thing in store, probably the biggest one in his career, his LP Wandering Mind. A ten-tracker with which Eric Axelsson, Eric OS’ real name, takes his listeners on a spaced-out genre unbound journey delivering the soundtrack for various situations and moments on and around dance floors. Ahead of the release the artists speaks with Torture the Artist about the upcoming release, Scandinavian winters, keeping the momentum, how he got hooked with electronic music and much more. On top you can listen to Sonic Wave from the album in full.
Torture the Artist: Hello Eric, It’s awesome to have you with us. Tell us something about your day.
Eric OS: Hello, my pleasure! Having a proper chill weekend! Just finished watching the whole Lord of the Rings trilogy (extended version!) and had some homemade apple pie with my girlfriend.
Torture the Artist: You are based in Scandinavia, Sweden. How did you become involved with electronic music and what were the “legends“ of your early days musically speaking?
Eric OS: Yes, that’s right. I have always been listening to a lot of music. I’m not sure when exactly it started, but I remember that me and my friends used to send tracks back and forth using IR on our flip-phones since bluetooth wasn’t a thing back then. It was stuff like Justice, The Knife and Crystal Castles, basically the good times!
The real involvement in electronic music began later though. I think it was after I had gone to my first underground party. I really liked the sense of community and friendliness. Shortly after I started making music and instantly felt myself leaning towards Techno and House. And here we are!
I have always had a hard time sticking to just one thing when it comes to music. So my influences are drawn from a lot of different places and genres.
Torture the Artist: Moving on, we want to say a huge ‘congratulations’ on the album, it’s a wonderful smorgasbord of eclecticism. Taking the cue from the title, The Wandering Mind, this may (or may not!) be a reference to the musical mind-wanderings of your good self. As the album covers a broad range of sounds, can you give us a little insight into your main influences, specifically from an electronic point of view?
Eric OS: Thank you!! I’m so happy to finally share it with everyone! The album title is definitely referencing just that. <-laughs> I have always had a hard time sticking to just one thing when it comes to music. So my influences are drawn from a lot of different places and genres. Everything from old electro records and synth driven Indie/Punk to New House and Techno. Trying to get a little bit of everything I enjoy in there.
When recording a track I’m trying to have this simplistic approach.
Torture the Artist: Following on from the question before, your album delves into bleepy futurism, early/mid-90’s progressive beats, crunchy electro, deeper-ended House and even some slower live-sounding beats which would sit very comfortably on a Soulwax album. As a producer, what is your favorite vibe to create, and why?
Eric OS: Thanks, what a compliment! Speaking of myself, I usually like music where a few instruments create a whole lot of music and a vibe. Don’t get me wrong, complexity can be good but letting the instruments take up their space can create some timeless music. Just look at New Order’s classic, Blue Monday. So when recording a track I’m trying to have this simplistic approach and let the instruments and sounds really do the work.
Torture the Artist: You’ve had a pretty amazing 2023 on wax, with releases coming out through EYA, Haŵs, Limousine Dream and your own Space Trace, just to reference a handful. That’s one impressive list. What do you think has happened this year for the burst of love you’ve received?
Eric OS: Yeah right, I’ve had a crazy year! It’s so cool! I think it comes down to a few things. One having found confidence in myself and my music, but also not letting the momentum stop and continue to make new music. Most certainly, I’ve been a bit lucky about some circumstances too. <laughs>
Torture the Artist: How do you plan your releases, e.g. do you have certain labels in mind when you want to releases your music or do these labels request tracks from you?
Eric OS: I never really plan them label-wise. I make my music and then send it out to labels that I think could be interested. It’s that simple.
I’m a planned jam-session-producer.
Torture the Artist: Your day job is a city planner, how does it complement your artistic-being? Do you plan a track or are you more of a jam-session-producer?
Eric OS: Hmmm… good question! I would say that my job has taught me to be more patient with making music since I have less time to produce than when I studied. For a better or for a worse, who knows. <laughs> I very rarely get the ”out-of-nowhere-melody” in my head. Instead I get this feeling that I have something, but I don’t know what it is until I actually sit down and start making it. So in a way I’m a planned jam-session-producer.
Torture the Artist: What’s a label you would want to have your music released on, and why?
Eric OS: There are so so many great labels out there and I’m very blessed to have released music on some of them. It has helped me to gain a lot of momentum and I’ve met some amazing people. That’s something I definitely wish to continue doing. With that being said, I feel like the focus on which label you release on sometimes overpowers the music that is released, which is pretty twisted. In 10 years, the music is what stands out and not the hype around a specific label. I very much value the connection I get with the people behind a label. So that is mainly what I’m looking for.
Torture the Artist: Your own Space Trace label is also gathering momentum as you hit the third release with your album Wandering Mind. How does it feel to see the increase in the label’s following, coupled with the fact that the releases are all your own work?
Eric OS: It is such a great feeling, just total freedom! I’m very humbled by all the positive feedback and support I have gotten so far.
Torture the Artist: Sticking with the label, is this going to remain your musical baby, or are you looking to expand the roster at all? If so, can you give us any hints on who may be joining you on the imprint?
Eric OS: For now it is a one-man-show. But I’m definitely looking to expand in the future.
Torture the Artist: You’re based in Sweden, Malmo to be exact, a county which has provided some superb Leftfield House music over the years. How is the scene there at the moment and can you give us any pointers for artists whose beats we should be adding to our carts?
Eric OS: I’m still pretty new to Malmö so I haven’t really engaged myself in the scene here. But from what I’ve seen there are quite a few, Bolam and Per Hammar are some artists I have on top of mind. And as it is very close to Copenhagen I actually get two scenes to enjoy.
Isolating myself in the studio during the winter-months.
Torture the Artist: How’s the Swedish-lifestyle depicted in your music?
Eric OS: By isolating myself in the studio during the winter-months. <haha> I have so much time to make music and not feel bad about staying inside or at home.
Torture the Artist: Outside of your home-country, where can we find you gig-wise in the coming months and – should any promoters be reading this and think “I’d like a bit of that Eric OS at my event!” – what countries/cities would you love to play that you haven’t reached yet, just to get the word out there?
Eric OS: As of right now, I’ve got a pretty empty calendar! Some plans here and there in the EU but nothing announced yet. I’m very keen to get out there and play my records, so hit me up!!
Torture the Artist: Space is a common theme in electronic music, be it in artist names, track titles, label imprints and even just on artwork: What is it that fascinates you about space and how do you feel your work this into your musical ideas?
Eric OS: Yes, for sure. I mean, it is the most empty, yet maxed out place. It’s quite interesting if you ask me! Definitely guilty of binge-watching just about every documentary I can find about it. <laughs> Making music should not be limited to rules set by some people who wrote a radio hit. We’re literally on a tiny speck of dust floating in space, do what you want!
Torture the Artist: Lastly, returning to your album title: where has your mind been wandering today?
Eric OS: Haha, good one! Recharging the batteries for the week and hopefully finishing some music. Nice chatting with you. Ciao!
Words by Al Bradley
Cover by Ellen Kronberg
Picture 1 & 2 by Zackarias Lundblad
Picture 3 by Oskar Sandblom
Torture the Artist 