Following on from the praise they received for their debut single 'Smitten By Love', which garnered support from the likes of GAFFA, SAVANT, and Bands of Tomorrow, Copenhagen-based outfit Sovereign are back once again to share their sophomore single 'The Chain'.
Mixed by well-renowned sound engineer Joël Krozer (Barselona, Smerz, Liss), 'The Chain' makes for an incredibly fun and bouncing return for the trio. With its blistering pace, sweeping melodies, and soaring vocals throughout, their newest gem is sure to see many more publications flocking to acknowledge them in the months to come.
So with their new single available now, we sat down with them to find out more about their origins and what has inspired them most over the years.
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What were the first instruments you fell in love with?
Frederik: As a child I fell madly in love with the video game "Guitar Hero" and used almost all of my waking hours playing it. But one day my mother told me that if I wanted to continue playing the game I had to try to play a real guitar as well. Today I'm shredding "Through The Fire And Flames" on expert level of course.
What has been the most prominent inspiration behind your music so far?
Louis: Our biggest inspiration is probably our common vision for what we want to achieve together. It keeps us sharp and motivated, as we hold each other up to it because we know we need each other to get there.
What kind of music did you love as teenagers?
August: For me it was music with guitars. Lots of guitars. Lots of guitar solos! We're talking about the likes of Guns N' Roses and AC/DC. I mean, which teenage guitar player hasn't dreamt of being Slash playing "Sweet Child O' Mine"? Amirite?
Can you remember the first song that made you want to pursue a life in music?
Frederik: I remember clearly picking up "No Balance Palace" by the Danish band Kashmir from a public library and listening to it in the car with my parents. The first time I heard the opening track "Kalifornia" it sparked something in me and I knew right there that I wanted to try and write my own music.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Frederik: The biggest inspiration for me musically must be Future Islands. The way their frontman Sam Hearing tears out his heart in their music really ignites something in me.
August: This year marks the 10 year anniversary of "The Suburbs" by Arcade Fire and I recently rediscovered it again.
Louis: "I listened to a podcast last year about Prince masterpiece "Sign o' the Times" and the hosts were discussing bands who are probably influenced by that album. The band Gayngs was brought up, whose debut album only consists of songs with 69 BPM. That makes for the most chilled tunes which are perfect for current summer nights.
How many of your songs have you written about people you’d rather forget?
Frederik: I rarely write songs about certain people in my life. I mostly get my inspiration from scenarios that I imagine or get told about by other people. I find it easier to be more honest that way because I can draw from my own emotions and experiences without feeling that I'm selling out someone else. But of course some of those people that I make up in my head stem from real people... I don't really know how many though.
What has been the most unusual moment in your career so far?
August: It could be that throughout our career we have played the same venue in Copenhagen almost 10 times despite having vowed every time to never come back? Or maybe that we once trespassed a castle in order to shoot a cover for a single? Hmm...
Outside of music, what are your biggest passions?
All: Football.
If you weren’t musicians, what other path do you think you might have taken?
Louis: If you consider the fact that we're all currently working part time in daycares, we would probably open up our own daycare home. Kids would not be allowed to be dropped off before 12 pm though. And we're only playing Guitar Hero!
And what advice would you give to other musicians looking to start a career in music?
Louis: Stop trying to figure out what the future holds - do what feels great in the moment and learn along the way.
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Sovereign's new single 'The Chain' is available to stream and download now. Stream it on Spotify here and have a listen to it in the player below.