Band der Woche: Torch

Torch ist ein dänisches Darkwave-Trio, das fantastische Debüt-Album Leaving me behind  ist im letzten Jahr erschienen. Vor einigen Tagen hat die Band ihren neuen Song „Atiit“ veröffentlicht – ein melancholischer und nachdenklicher Track mit einer einhüllenden Melodie und dunklen, warmen Vocals – wie „die Tiefen einer kalten, trostlosen Landschaft, in der Echos von Sehnsucht und Melancholie vor der rauen Schönheit unserer Umgebung widerhallen“.

Who is behind Torch? What made you decide to start the project?
Behind Torch are Benjamin Lind Holm, Ivik Rosing-Johsen, and Josefine Hjulskov Valler. The project stemmed from a shared passion for darkwave music and a desire to create something that resonated deeply with our personal experiences and musical influences.

Can you tell us a few things about the connection between you three and your journey into music?
Our journey into music began individually, with each of us exploring different genres and artists before converging on a common interest in darkwave and post-punk. Ivik’s early exposure to metal in Greenland eventually led him to bands like Bauhaus and Joy Division upon moving to Denmark. Josefine’s upbringing introduced her to bands like Depeche Mode and The Cure, while Benjamin’s father’s involvement in the industrial/EBM scene exposed him to electronic music from a young age.

If you had to describe your music in terms of not music … what would you say?
It’s like exploring the depths of a cold, desolate landscape, where echoes of longing and melancholy reverberate against the stark beauty of our surroundings.

What are you looking for in music? What are the boundaries that you look to explore with music?
In music, we seek to push boundaries and explore the depths of emotion and atmosphere. Our inspiration comes from a variety of sources, but we’re always looking to create music that evokes a sense of introspection and connection.

What is sound to you?
Sound to us is a powerful medium of expression, capable of conveying emotions and experiences beyond words. It’s a means of translating our innermost thoughts and feelings into something tangible and relatable.

What are your first musical memories? When did you first fall in love with sound?
Our first musical memories are varied, but they all share a common thread of fascination and intrigue. Whether it was Ivik discovering Joy Division’s „Closer,“ Benjamin’s revelation upon listening to Ministry’s „Twitch,“ or Josefine’s introduction to Japan’s „Tin Drum,“ each of us fell in love with sound at a young age, captivated by its ability to move us.

Which person, artist or incident inspired you when you first started making music?
We were inspired by the DIY ethos of the punk scene and the raw, emotive power of the bands we admired. Each of us brought our own influences and experiences to the table, shaping the sound of Torch in unique ways.

What impact do your surroundings have on your art?
Our surroundings, particularly the cold, atmospheric winters of Scandinavia, have had a profound impact on our art. The stark beauty and isolation of our environment seep into our music, influencing its tone and atmosphere.

Where does your inspiration for music come from? Which sort of mood produces the best song?
Our inspiration for music comes from a variety of moods and experiences, but we find that our best songs often emerge from moments of introspection and vulnerability. Whether it’s a feeling of longing, melancholy, or catharsis, we strive to capture the depth of emotion in our music.

How does the birth of a new composition happen for you? How does your compositional process work?
We often starts with a single idea or riff, which we then build upon collaboratively. Sometimes it’s a structured process, with one of us bringing in a fully formed song, while other times it’s more spontaneous, with ideas flowing freely in the moment.

How does the visual aspect relate to and reflect your music?
The visual aspect of our music is integral to our overall aesthetic and mood. We draw inspiration from the darker side of the 80s, both musically and aesthetically, and strive to create visuals that complement and enhance the atmosphere of our music.

How would you describe the world you are trying to create during your performances?
We aim to create a world that transports the audience to another realm, filled with echoes of longing and melancholy. It’s a space where emotions run deep, and the music serves as a vessel for introspection and connection.

What’s next for you? What are you most looking forward to?
We’re looking forward to playing more shows around Europe and beyond, sharing our music with new audiences and continuing to evolve as artists. We’re also excited about the prospect of writing new music and exploring new sonic territories in the future.

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