Blackstrap frontman discusses album, bandmates and Sweden

Stockholm-native and Blackstrap front man Jonatan Westh answered a few questions for The Pitt… Stockholm-native and Blackstrap front man Jonatan Westh answered a few questions for The Pitt News and explained how it’s possible to survive cold Swedish winters. The Pitt News: The band was started by yourself and Maria Linden, correct? How did you two meet and decide to start a band together? Jonatan Westh: The band was actually started by me, David (drummer) and Maria. Me and David met in our early teens and started to play in different bands together. Blackstrap was born around 2001. Maria was my girlfriend by that time, and she joined us from the start. We later broke up our relationship but managed to stay friends and focus on doing great music in Blackstrap. We all hail from the other parts of Sweden, and we couldn’t avoid meeting each other when we all were into the same music … sort of. TPN: Your album has a really interesting blend of genres. How would you describe your sound? JW: I think that this question and answer comes together with the other question you asked me before. Our sound is a mix of many genres. Think our sound is kind of monotone and bombastic pop. A dark feeling without being depressive. TPN: Can you tell me a little about your experience recording Steal My Horses and Run? JW: It was recorded during cold weather in a bunker outside of Amsterdam. We had to wear our winter coats to keep us going. Otherwise it would be too freezing. It was an intense period. Most of the songs were written during the summer and fall, and then we started recording in late fall/early winter. We recorded our basic tracks live in the studio. Did some overdubs. We recorded mine and Maria’s vocals in my apartment in Stockholm by ourselves. Our friend Sebastian Forslund produced and mixed the record together with me. It took a very long time until I got satisfied with the mix. Almost half a year, so it was a relief when the record finally was done. TPN: Sweden has been exporting a lot of great bands these days, Blackstrap included. What do you think it is about the country’s environment that makes it so conducive to making music? JW: I think Sweden has an old tradition of getting kids into music. We all had to do some music during school, and almost everyone picked up an instrument (for a while) and took lessons that were supported by the Swedish government. I also think our dark winters make us creative. You don’t wanna be outside that much during the cold and dark winter, so you stay in and do other things. Like music.