Welcome to the website of Swedish drummer/composer/etc Johan Björklund. With ongoing extensive work as a musician/bandleader and a driving force for several different bands/projects since 1999 (Mess, Johan Björklund Dynamic Flavours, Thymeshift, Thymeshift United, Parallel Activity, Yoleeyo, MIRE III, Monochromatics a.o) Johan is regarded as a strong and sought after profile on the Nordic jazz/impro/rock/whatever music scene.
The release ”Island Song” (15 September 2023) has got some really nice reviews.
Here is a couple of them:
MIRE III:
Joona Toivanen – piano
Thomas Markusson – bass
Johan Björklund – drums
Buy CD on BandCamp
Apple Music
Spotify
ETERNAL DARKNESS RECORDS proudly presents:
Johan Björklund – ”Pjäxeröd 2.0” (EDR001)
Bandcamp
Release date: November3, 2023
Johan Björklund -drums, electronics, nord drum, synth, rhodes, grand piano, electric guitar, electric bass, objects
Arve Henriksen – trumpet, voice, electronics
Thomas Markusson – double bass, electronics
Armand van Wijck – chromatic harmonica
Maria Palmqvist – voice
John Lönnmyr – synth, organ
Thomas Gunillasson – electric guitar
”Embracing and finding inspiration/irritation in my youth and background on the Swedish countryside is the source forcreating this music.Ever since starting my journey in music as a kid this has been an integral part in everything I have done, the fact that Igrew up in a certain, really special place in Sweden. The cultural, social and geographical background is there whether youwant it or not. These conditions forms you in certain ways, for good and for something to explore, challenge and be challenged by.
And the nature! Such a beautiful place that I see with totally new eyes now as an older and perhaps wiser person.
An old word for nomad/beggar in Swedish is Piekker and the farm were I grew up from 5 years old, is called Pjäxeröd (in really old days “Piegs Rudi”, the beggars place), close to the village of Hedekas in North East Bohuslän, Sweden.
I am no beggar but definitely a curious and adventurous nomad.”
-Johan Björklund October 2023
Recording & editing: Johan Björklund
Mix & mastering:Kristofer Göransson
Layout: Thomas Gunillasson
With support from the Swedish Arts Council
Press contact: johan@johanbjorklund.se
”ISLAND SONG” CAMJ 7972-2
Release date September 15 2023.
”Jazz is a restless music that moves ever on, sometimes seemingly impatient of its own past. MIRE III is a superb improvising trio that manages to balance innovation and history in equal measures, creating a consistent musical mood round ideas of change, emergence, maturity, self-sufficiency and proper but not slavish respect for past achievements. Island Song, the trio’s new album on CAM JAZZ, will not remind you of any of the jazz greats, but it will make you aware of them, even as it unfolds its own wings and takes flight. Pianist Joona Toivanen, bassist Thomas Markusson and drummer Johan Björklund inhabit a compelling musical atmosphere that doesn’t rely on shallow eclecticism to make its impact. This is music that has emerged fully formed into the sun of the present.”
(Brian Morton)
Under the supervision of music producer Ermanno Basso, Island Song was recorded and mixed in September 2022 by Stefano Amerio at Artesuono Recording Studio in Cavalicco (UD), Italy, and mastered by Danilo Rossi.
Available on all major streaming platforms and on CD.
Title track ”Island Song” from upcoming album (15 September 2023) by MIRE III
CAM Jazz
Joona Toivanen – piano
Thomas Markusson – double bass
Johan Björklund -drums
New release June 2023 by an international ensemble consisting of some great musicians!
Johan Björklund (Sweden) – drums
Adrian Barstad Andresen (Norway) – trumpet, goat horn
Edvard Sundquist (Norway) – guitar
Tomas Gubbins (Chile) – guitar
Georg Morten Gismervik (Norway) – guitar
Alicia Lazaro Arteaga (Spain) – piano, voice
Mattias Sigurdsson (Iceland) – clarinet
Please enjoy! Spotify-link below but also available on all major streaming platforms.