September by Elsked
Our September playlist is now available on Spotify. This month's playlist has been curated by the Danish music trio, Elsked, based in our hometown Copenhagen.
Elsked consists of 3 members: Lead singer Jonas Ghodt, and producers Malthe Guldberg and Felix Skøtt.
"We got together in the end of 2022, where we began messing around with some synthesizers and stuff,
just experimenting with electronic music. Since then, we have released a number of singles as well
as our debut EP “Piratradio”. During the past six months, we have focused on our live performance,
playing some of the biggest festivals in Denmark and launching our new club concept, Plus-One."
Q: How did you come together as a band, and what’s the story behind your name?
A: We initially came together to produce some songs for Jonas’ solo project. Rap stuff. At one studio session we got bored and decided just to do something weird and explorative. Jonas had this idea of making an ambient, electro-infused track with a pitched-down vocal. So we made it, we liked it, and did some more. Pretty early on we were asked to make a soundtrack for a show at Copenhagen Fashion Week, which made us go, “well, there might be a couple of cool experiences from this side quest.” However, we still needed a name. “Elsked” stems from Danish street slang which lands somewhere in between calling someone “bro” and “my beloved.” It can be both. We just liked how everyone can relate to the word differently. It’s mystic and transparent at the same time.
Q: What emotions or feelings were you trying to evoke with the playlist?
A: We have tried to represent a small part of our field of inspirations, ranging from relaxing and groovy to more busy and engaging tracks. We also aimed toward showcasing some of the domestic talent found in Denmark as seen in names like BoaBoa, Main Phase, Eros for you, and Kenton Slash Demon.
Q: Having produced soundscapes for multiple fashion shows; how do you feel fashion and music intersect, especially in the context of your own style and sound?
A: What we really enjoyed about doing fashion shows is the opportunity to enter the thoroughly developed world of another creative mind. Have them narrate their thoughts of the shows, the collection, the styling, and decoration. It creates some dogmas which are exciting to move within. We always seek to create aural pieces that create a certain context; whether that is partying and being in love, or in a state of desperation and despair. In the same way, fashion narrates a storyline that the audience taps into in their own unique way.
Q: How did each of you first get into music, and what were some of your earliest influences?
A: Malthe and Felix started producing at a rather young age, sort of just falling into it out of interest. For Malthe, being in a high school class with music as a central course helped develop both his skill and deep interest in music. Upon graduation, Malthe moved to Copenhagen and came into the business by producing for a range of prominent artists. In the case of Felix, the DJ scene has always been an integral part of doing music; whether that be wild underground and semi-private house raves or playing hour-long sets at prolific nightclubs, Felix has always thrived in that connection between turntables and the dance floor. Jonas remembers being interested in musical deep dives since his iPod Nano days in the early 2010s, listing Justin Timberlake’s “FutureSex/LoveSounds” as an early love of his. Later, he got into songwriting and production through a rap music collective in Aarhus, before moving to Copenhagen where he met Felix and Malthe through mutual friends.
Q: What’s been the most memorable performance you’ve had so far?
A: This summer has really been packed with those! While it’s not easy to pick one from the other, it is no secret that Roskilde Festival has always been one of our biggest goals in music. You could say we had an awe of it. So to take on the stage in front of 15,000 fans who were amped to see us, playing this really tight set while also being able to take it in real-time—that was some next-level, otherworldly stuff. Hopefully, we get to revisit because it’s truly a wonderful place to perform.
Q: If you could collaborate with any artist, dead or alive, who would it be?
A: So many right answers here. We have a lot of love for Lord Siva, whose music has just been a huge part of our youth and early adulthood. Same goes for names like Jonas Bjerre (Mew), Troels Abrahamsen (Veto), and Nikolaj Vonsild (When Saints Go Machine). All amazing singers and very inspiring in their own right.
Some of Denmark’s strong female voices also come to mind: Bette, Pil, Ilma, and Coco O., for example.
It could also be interesting to collaborate with rappers. We’re thinking Sivas, Kundo, Emil Kruse. This new guy, Wicky, too. Even a living legend such as Orgi-E would be sick.
If we’re talking internationally, we could probably fill out the whole interview with names. Jamie xx, Nia Archives, Bicep, Sam Gellaitry, FKA Twigs, Stromae, Yung Lean, Grimes. List goes on. All cultural pioneers within their genres.
Q: Knowing you worked a lot on the flow of the playlist; were there any songs you initially considered but eventually decided not to include?
A: We started out by all including some songs to the list, but it was Felix who ultimately curated and selected the playlist, as the process is sort of reminiscent of a DJ. We also had some more non-electronic music on the list, but chose to narrow it down and keep it focused.
Q: Were there any songs you felt were essential to include?
A: Well, our new single “Telepati” of course! Jokes. Anyway, there is not one ultimately essential song on the list. But some of the songs are among our personal favorites, take “Is U” by Overmono for example.
Q: Finally, is there anything you'd like to share with the world?
A: The right thing is the weird thing! Your peculiar idea may seem incomprehensible at first, but it‘s always worth doing it. Even if you never succeed. Use it how you want. Have fun with it. And don’t forget to include your loved ones. It pays back times a thousand.
