Henrik Flyman

✮ I had the great honour to do an interview with the great Henrik Flyman, I hope you like it! ✮

You are from Norrland, which is the northernmost, largest and least populated of the three traditional lands of Sweden. What is so special about this place, and has this "lonely" place some impact in your music or life?

This is where I grew up and where my journey began. The raw, authentic nature of this place, and the way it encourages creativity to overcome limitations, have had a lasting impact on me. You could drop me anywhere in the wilderness and I would feel right at home. I'm connected to the elements here - the woods, lakes, rivers, mountains, animals, the ice and snow of winter, the four distinct seasons, the crystal-clear night skies with their stars, the northern lights. All of it is part of me, and I am part of it.

What made you decide to make music and what motivates you to continue?

It was never a conscious choice, it's just who I am. The possibilities are endless and that intrigues me. I guess my motivation comes from the curiosity to explore. Music is a big part of who I am, and it tends to show up in almost everything I do. I trust the stars to guide me well. For now, I'll just continue to embrace the journey, wherever it leads.

If I'm not mistaken, you've released 24 singles/EPs as a solo artist since 2021, where do you get all this creativity from?

I had to double-check to be sure. As of mid-January 2025, there are 26 releases featuring 70 songs, all from 2021 onward. And that number is only going to grow, as I'm constantly working on new music. Honestly, I'm not sure where creativity comes from. If I had to guess, I'd say it's always been there. The challenge is learning how to connect with it. These days, it's a lot easier because I'm in a much stronger, clearer headspace. In the past, my life was often chaotic, destructive, and filled with distractions. It's still not perfect, but the destructive patterns are mostly gone, and the distractions are more manageable. That shift is what's driving my most productive phase yet.

After playing in (and co-founding) bands like Moahni Moahna, ZooL and Evil Masquerade, what made you decide to realize yourself as a solo artist?

It all stemmed from my decision to leave Lacrimosa after more than a decade with the band. I took a brief pause to reflect and figure out where I wanted to go next, and it just felt like the right time to try something entirely new. As you mentioned, I've been in several bands where I played a key role, constantly having to keep things together as members came and went. In Lacrimosa, however, my role was more straightforward, as I was just the guitarist. The idea of putting my own name on the front cover was a first for me, and it took me out of my comfort zone in more ways than one. I've never been someone who craved the spotlight, and I had little experience as a vocalist. On top of that, I took on the full responsibility for the entire production process, which was a huge leap into uncharted territory. But it felt important to do. These were areas where I had often hit roadblocks in the past, preventing me from progressing fully. I had to quickly learn these new skills, and the best way to do that seemed to be to dive right into the deep end without a safety net. It wasn't always smooth sailing, but looking back, I'm glad I took the plunge. I'm still learning, and I'm enjoying every bit of it.

Are you planning to perform as a solo artist?

If there's enough interest, definitely. But I won't be putting a live band together until that happens. The days of touring without a solid fanbase are behind me. I've already played just about every type of venue, from tiny clubs to massive concert halls and festivals. I've performed in nearly empty rooms, and I've played for crowds that stretched as far as the eye can see. The music I'm creating now requires a top-notch lineup to do it justice, and a great lineup needs an audience. I love playing live, and I'm confident it will happen, but probably not this year. In the meantime, I'll keep doing what I'm doing now, which I really enjoy as well.

Your motto is 'Far from the Mainstream', so why are you on Spotify? - Is Spotify, although hated by many indie bands/artists, a good medium to bring music to the people?

It's not a motto, just an acknowledgment of the reality I'm facing. What I do doesn't really align with what's considered mainstream or popular. Spotify is what it is - it has its flaws, and I'm not sure how long it will last unless they change their business model. That said, it doesn't take much to see that, for now, this is where most people still get their music. That's why I'm keeping my music there for the time being. I'm pretty sure big changes are coming that will shift the way artists and fans connect. The current system is hanging on by a thread, and whatever comes next will include me. I'll be an early adopter. And I have a feeling that many of those who follow me feel the same way.

How much has the music scene, especially the alternative music scene, changed in the last few years/decades?

I think it has improved quite a bit in many key areas. The barrier to entry is lower, and the gatekeepers are slowly losing their power. Creativity and authenticity matter more than ever today. I focus on doing my thing for those who are interested, and they seem to find me, usually through word of mouth.

You have also worked with the rather unknown band Lacrimosa, both as a studio musician and on stage. How did that come about?

In 2009, I received a completely unexpected call when they had given up on finding a German guitarist to replace the previous one for the upcoming 'Sehnsucht' world tour. I'd never heard of the band, but I was at a point in my life when I felt ready for something new. Just as I was starting to explore those possibilities, the phone rang. If I remember correctly, they asked if I could learn about 30 songs before joining rehearsals in Germany, which would start in 4-6 weeks, followed by a long tour. I didn't know anyone in the band, everything was in German, the style was quite different from what I'd done before, and on top of that, I'd have to handle all the logistics - visas, extra passports, and getting the music ready in time. I had my doubts about whether it was even possible, but that's exactly why I chose to say yes. It felt like the perfect challenge.

With your band Evil Masquerade you covered the Lacrimosa song Revolution, why this song in particular?

I've always liked the song. It felt incredibly relevant then, and it still does. I was confident that I could make an Evil Masquerade sounding version, that would feel both fresh and exciting, while still staying true to the core message of the German original. Also, I had already played this song many times live, so it felt very familiar.

Will we see you on stage with Lacrimosa again in the future?

The great thing about the future is that it's still unwritten. Anything can happen, and honestly, I have no idea what's coming. Right now, I'm just doing my own thing and enjoying every bit of it.

Do you have any resolutions for 2025?

To be the best version of myself that I can be.

Anything else you would like to share?

I'm truly grateful for the continued support I receive from you and other Lacrimosa fans. Honestly, I never expected it, especially since I was often just a dark silhouette to the right of the drums, sometimes even hidden behind a huge keyboard. It really means a lot to me. I'll continue with my frequent releases, so you can expect plenty more music that's probably also going to land pretty far from the mainstream.

✓ Interview was conducted by Michael.
✓ All photos were kindly provided for the interview by Henrik. - Henrik at Facebook --- Henrik Flyman | Spotify<