Behind the piano: Rikard Mathisson

Behind the piano: Rikard Mathisson

I first came across Rikard in a facebook group for “bedroom producers”. He needed help with mixing and mastering after he recorded his debut EP “Piano without my name”. And now he’s about to make several new releases! Right?

Well, I’ll let him tell you the details about that.

Where are you from? And where do you live?
I am from Hässleholm in Skåne county, Sweden, and now live outside Ronneby in Blekinge county, also in Sweden. 

How long have you been playing the piano?
Since I was 4 years old.
How long have you been making piano music?
Since recently, I never finished any songs or made public releases but in 2016 that changed with my first EP, and today I’m more productive than ever. I probably always had it in me, but it just took me a few decades of playing the piano before I “came out” as a composer.
Tell me something about that moment you realized you could make songs yourself!
This was something that happened because it just had to happen. I had just become a parent and the music started to grow slowly on the inside, and when my boy was born, so was I – as a composer. The music on the inside eventually so loud that I had to express it real life, and then I figured out how realize it into music productions. The realization itself was overwhelming, and sudden, but also something that came natural. The process of learning music production required lot of effort and the learning process will ever go on… Still, it feels like “hey, what happened?”
Have you made music in other genres before?
I have performed music in many genres; jazz, country, folk, pop and classical. The last two years I’ve spent most of the studio time in producing pop music in style of Coldplay and Coeur de Pirate with my dear friend Alexander as “Aleco and Mathisson”. So in short: yes. I think one can work cross-genres in general, and that also promotes personal development when one goes beyond the comfort-zone.
What are your favorite artists in this “piano genre”?
“This piano genre” is what I would interpret as “romantic”, “neo classical” or “nordic folk” and then my answer is: Yann Tiersen, Béatrice Martin (a.k.a Coeur de Pirate), Benny Andersson and the late Jan Johansson (as seen in co-op with Georg Riedel or Monica Z). Also I’m influenced by some Swedish expressionst, do not recall the name right now…
Is there one song which you play over and over again as soon as you sit down by a piano?
Honestly and simply: Most played is my own “Erika’s Song” because it’s deeply connected to my work, my love and inspiration in everything. But also, on repeat, goes “Visa från Utanmyra” as played by Jan Johansson, Kanon by Pachelbel and a few Chess pieces by Benny Andersson.

What song inspires you the most when you’re making music? Can you name just ONE song/composition?
Visa från Utanmyra!

Tell me something about you latest release.
There’s been a lot of piano pop music the last two years, and latest release is actualy pop “Falling” with Aleco and Mathisson, our most recent piano production is “Someday” released during the summer and in this “piano context” I think that one is relevant. That song is built around a mostly left handed piano riff that actually frames the song rather nicely with the sensation that the lyrics are intended to bring even without the words. And I need to go back to early 2016 to point out my latest piano record. But in the studio lots and lots of songs lingers waiting for the right mood and context… which brings us to the next question.
What’s happening next? New releases etc.
Ah yes, this is an exciting question! I’m currently finishing a bigger composition of a moody piano solo suite and I’m planning to let it out during 2019. And as we go there will be a few other songs related and unrelated to the piano suite released as well. In parallell, I’m also working on an album with some ballads with swedish lyrics that will address the local audience. So there’s a lot of things going on right now.
Anything else you want to share? 
Every song has it’s own soul! It is vital to take the time to explore each melody and track before letting it go. It is worth the effort, some even say that music is spiritual, but at the least it may lead you and the audience to places you never knew existed before. If I touched a heart once, that’s plenty. And so have the music touched my heart!
Thank you Rikard!
You can find more info about Rikard and his projects here: