Peter Sandberg

Peter, it’s so great to have you playing at Kings Place on Saturday. How does it feel to be playing back in London?

It’s so good to be back after a couple of years. I love London, it’s one of my favourite cities and I always get a warm reception playing here. After all that’s happened it’s heartwarming to be playing in front of a live audience especially one that loves Contemporary and Jazz music as much as I do.

Tell us more about Midnattssol. What inspired you to make the album?

The height of the Swedish Midsommar is a magical time for everyone in my country, filled with memories, folklore and the incredible scenery and nature. Being a country that borders the Arctic circle means that in June sometimes the sun never sets. I wanted to tap into that special experience that not everyone in the world gets to be a part of and to translate that through music. Each song captures a moment, a feeling, a memory. Myself and my creative director Simeon took a two-week trip up the very north of Sweden to get all the visuals for the album and Simeon created this ‘Sun’ sculpture that lights up the surroundings which we revealed through all the music videos. Unfortunately it’s too big to bring to London with me(!) but we’re in discussions to install it somewhere special in Sweden.

You’ve got some amazing collaborators on the record – Aquilo, Siv Jakobsen, Jake Isaac… How was it working with them?

I really enjoyed working with a vocalist on my last album and so I wanted to explore what the concept of Midnattssol means to other people from different countries – Siv is from Norway (check out her music, she’s awesome) and Jake/Aquilo are British of course. It was really interesting to get their perspectives and it was fun to write virtually since we were all in the Corona lockdowns, something I’d never done before, and most of us had never done. I’m really excited Aquilo and my other good friends, Arctic Lake are joining me for Saturday’s performance, the first time we’ll play the songs live, as well as a song I did with Arctic Lake a couple years ago.

Who is your favourite artist playing at EFG London Jazz Festival this year?

There’s so many so it’s an almost impossible question to answer but it’s gotta be Bill Laurence and his band, I love Snarky Puppy and he is just awesome.

Finally, why should someone come and see you on Saturday?

If you’re into something a little more relaxing and contemporary with some amazing vocalists and guest artists, I’ll be sure not to let you down! And a great start to your Saturday night too.