Behind the project is Ola Svensson; one of Sweden’s most well-known songwriters and artists. In 2010, Ola started his own record label Oliniho Records and by now he has cultivated a swarming basket of breathtaking pop fruits, both as an artist and songwriter. 

Among others, he has collaborated with producers and songwriters such as Shellback (Adele, Ed Sheeran, Taylor Swift), Klas Åhlund (Robyn, Teddybears), Fred Gibson (Ed Sheeran, Twigs, Stormzy, The xx), Patrik Berger (Robyn, Lana Del Rey), Coffee (Dua Lipa), and Elof Loelv (Rihanna, Tove Lo, Tove Styrke). 

Four albums, seven chart-toppers, European tours, Swedish Grammy nominations – and sublime pop for years and days. Brother Leo inhabits a world of his own, an alternate reality where he effortlessly blends genres and styles into his own bittersweet pop poetry.

The focus track for part one of the album, “Hello Life”, describes in many ways the journey that Brother Leo’s been on for the last few years, both personally and as an artist and songwriter. 

What’s your story as an artist? 

Generally, I’d say my story and journey so far has been about trying to find my own way to dig as deep as possible both in my artistry and songwriting. 

But also navigating in this industry has not always been easy. I’ve been on both major labels aswell as on my own. Looking back on this journey so far I’m proud I’ve always tried to do this my own way and let the creative energy decide what to do and where to go with it. 

The story about Brother Leo is that it started as an idea. A creative output of something I had inside, that I needed to get out. The whole idea behind Brother Leo was to create an honest and creative space that forced me outside of my comfort zone. An alternative reality where I can let myself move freely across the whole spectrum of emotions and expressions, to be able to create my own little world. As Brother Leo I feel that I’m able to challenge and push myself more as an artist and songwriter. Brother Leo is mainly about freedom to me”

What inspired this last release?

“Hello Life” describes in many ways the journey that I’ve been on for the last few years, both personally and as an artist and songwriter. In a way I’d say ’Hello Life’ is about me searching for answers, both inside and outside of my body. A search that in many ways became the start of Brother Leo and a more unafraid, playful, creative freedom. So it just felt right to open the album with that song. Some songs just come to you in an almost magical way. ‘Hello Life’ is definitely one of them. 

Do you get inspired by other art forms?

Definitely. Basically all kinds. The last couple of years I’ve been really into pop art like Keith Haring, Andy Warhol and Andreei Tapalaga to name a few. 

Or like watching Quentin Tarantino’s art takes me on a nice trip. 

What’s your favorite place or environment to write?

I’d say the best songs I’ve written is the songs I’ve written when I wasn’t supposed to write..

Like sitting on a bus… tipsy at some party… talking a shower… and when this idea, lyric or melody hits you, you just have to accept it and let it come.. 

It suits me better than forcing something on a scheduled session.  

What’s a record that shaped your creativity?

Oh there’s so many. I’ve always loved all different kinds of genres. I grew up in a family where there was everything from Classical music to 2 Pac in the speakers. 

Who is an artist or band you look up to today?

There are quite a few but what I think is in common for all the artists and bands I really look up to is that they’ve managed to find their own way.

Robyn and MGMT is definitely 2 of them. 

What excites you the most about what you do ?

To be able to express myself through the writing process aswell as being on stage.

And of course, those moments when you see how your music connects to other ppl is magic and the reason for doing this. 

What is your view on genres and music styles since you mix a lot of them in your music?

I listen to and get inspiration from a lot of different types of music, everything from Mozart to Paul Simon, MGMT and Miike Snow. 

It’s hard to be objective when it comes to your own stuff but I think that affects my own music in some way. 

I’m just trying to be as free and honest as possible in everything I do whether it’s in my lyrics, soundscapes or visuals. 

What I’ve learned about myself is that I need to be able to let myself move freely over the whole spectrum of emotions and expressions to be as inspired as possible. 

We are all prisms with a thousand colours, and I want to express as many of mine as possible. That makes it more honest for me atleast. 

When I listen to all the songs I’ve written for my upcoming album, it’s about everything from escapism, betrayal and instant love to questioning God, the society and myself. 

Brother Leo is mainly about creative freedom to me. 

What does music and art mean to you?

Alot, if not everything. It means leaving reality to find another one. 

It allows me to develop as a person, get to know myself, be truly present aswell as get some rest from reality and find a sometimes more pleasant one.

How would you describe your act in one word?

Bittersweet.