This time, we get to know Mats Dernánd, &Tilly. a songwriter, producer, pianist, singer, harmonica player, trumpeter, and his music ranges from instrumental cinematic to pop, progressive rock, and folk. His latest release "Liar", a collaboration with &Tilly, leans to dream pop. 2022 Artist of the Year, Swedish public service radio P4 Örebro.
2023 Finalist, International Songwriter Competition, "We'll Be Together".
The track "Liar" is featured in the New Artist Spotlight Family of Playlists.
Link To New Artist Spotlight Playlists:
1. Tell us a little about where you are from and what you are currently doing.
Singer/songwriter from Sweden. Now hooking up with Slovakian duo &Tilly for the first time. We have never met in person but have had a wonderful time creating this song.
2. What inspired you to start playing and making music?
Don't know actually. Can't stop myself. :) Have to do with the natural drive to create something and express myself. I think it is a natural thing for every human being. When I was a kid there was a piano at the kindergarten. It was almost magnetic to me, even though I couldn't really play. I guess that makes music a very genuine interest and gift. Then learn to play the trumpet (lessons), but later learn to play harmonica and piano on my own.
As a teenager, I started a band with my friends, and that was when it really took off.
𝟯. Who are your biggest influences?
Bruce Springsteen, Jose Gonzales, Sting, Paul Simon, Coldplay, Luna Keller, Supertramp, Jazon Mras, and many more.
4. What are your goals in the music industry?
I want to make and share my music. Have fun. Dreaming of once in my life writing a song that really flies and becomes much bigger than myself. I want people to be touched in some way.
5. Tell us about your creative process when you make new music.
Usually start with a little fragment of a melody or a chord progression. The next step is what should the song be about.
6. What is your all-time favorite song?
Born to run, Bruce Springsteen. Has some kind of energy that makes me want to fly.
7. What is the best advice you have either given or received in terms of music?
Follow your heart. Believe in your own musicality. Also, if your heart is not in your music, success won't mean anything at all. So striving too much after success is really a bad thing. I won't make you happy anyway.
8. Proudest accomplishment?
Two prices in USA Songwriting Compton (Honorable mention award for "She's Called Grace" and First Category Prize for "Judas". 49 000 entries). Now my song "We'll Be Together" is in the final in the International Songwriting competition with is very exciting. In May we'll know how it goes.
9. Just for fun! What's been your most embarrassing moment so far?
Oh, every time a r e a l l y miss a note when performing live. It happens! Also, I once jumped off a train when it started to move. Had booked time in the studio and the train start to move before I had finished work on my laptop. Panicked and somehow managed to get off the train at the station while it was moving. Landing among a bunch of people on the platform.
𝟭0. Tell us about your lowest and highest points in music so far.
I think I have answered that in 8 and 9.
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