HM Johnsen - An Ear For New Sounds

Aged 22, HM Johnsen has already developed an extraordinary style of guitar playing and song writing. He grew up with the guitar as his closest friend and playing has been his passion since the age of 9. His ear for new sounds and details makes his songs tell stories. In his music one can detect a modern take on Pink Floyd, alongside genres like pop and indie. With his background as a long time Iron Maiden - and metal lover, heavy guitars and drumbeats are also recognizable in his music. We caught up with him to find out more about his music tastes, by asking what song makes you...

Smile

Sky Full of Stars (Coldplay). This song is just adrenaline for my heart. The beat and the vocals on this track just makes me smile every time I hear it.

Contemplate

Life on Mars (David Bowie) One of the greatest songwriters and composers of all time, I think that this song is one of his best works. The mixture between the lyrics and the melody makes me always think new ways of why he wrote this song, and what inspired him and maybe what he means.

Cry

Burning House (Cam). Its the harmony between the beautiful acoustic guitar and Cam's beautiful voice that makes me cry. I heard the song for the first time when I was 19, I was just through a heartbreak. Well, it returned the moment I heard the song.



Laugh

HOCUS POCUS (Focus). It's a clip of Focus playing this song Live on YouTube, from the 70´s. Its just hilarious to see the band just go crazy with this song, while the audience is nowhere near being ready for what comes out the PA. Its a great song with fantastic riffs and vocals, I just don’t think that commercial TV was ready for this kind of experimental in the 70´s.

Want to work out

Flying Whales (Gojira) The song makes my really angry and fills me up with adrenaline! I usually run much faster with this tune.

Reminisce

Shine on you Crazy Diamond (Pink Floyd) I remember sitting on the floor in the living room when I was about 10 Years old. My father had put on Pink Floyd's Pulse live on the telly, I remember the blue lights and the strange but very interesting sound appear out of the speakers. It left me wondering what kind of movie this was (I had never seen a live concert DVD before) When Gilmour started to play that famous riff from Shine on you Crazy Diamond, I experienced my first goosebumps. I wondered how he got that guitar to sound that way, in fact it was a mistake made by David Gilmour as he missed placed one of his fingers in a chord. They listened to the recordings, and decided to make Shine on you Crazy Diamond based on that mistake.

Relax

Caught Up (Caleborate) I love the vibe in the song, the Rhodes and the production of the song! Mid day, curtains halfway up, a bit hangover from last night and a dark fresh brewed coffee right from the pot.

Feel Determined

Lose Yourself (Eminem) ! Oh man! The lyrics, the story, the beat! It always reminds me to never give up and just keep on trying. This song always comes on my headphones every time I feel unmotivated.

Dance

Revelations (Iron Maiden) Few songs make me dance, but many make me move. My long time favorite band Iron Maiden doesn't make music associated with dancing, but when Iron Maiden plays Revelations live in front of 40 000 screaming fans, and I’m in the middle of it. I jump like a maniac.