The Questionnaire with Junior Brielle

Junior Brielle, the indie pop rock duo composed of Gabriel and David Röhdin, is based in Stockholm and known for their distinctive sound and dynamic brotherly bond. This week, they announced that they were taking a break, only to reunite five hours later. Now, they’re preparing for a tour later this spring. Join us as they share their thoughts on their journey, the creative process behind their music, and what keeps them connected even after the ups and downs.

First one in the Questionnaire, what did you have for breakfast? – Gabriel: Today, I had breakfast at a café. When I do that, I go for the warm croissant stuffed with ham and cheese. But at home, I eat breakfast like a medieval peasant: boiled eggs and porridge. How would you describe your music to someone who has never heard it? – David: We think and hope that we sound a lot like a synthesized version of our main influences. Julian Casablancas, Sia, TTA, and The Cardigans, to name a few. But we probably don’t

The dynamics between the two of you seem strong – but after your five-hour breakup, how do you manage to stay together? – Gabriel: I think it’s fair to say that we’ve worked really hard to find a place in the business. It’s definitely not the top, but it’s more than we ever hoped for. I remember when the band “Wolfmother” split up. It was so confusing to me. These guys had everything I ever wanted and were willing to throw it all away just because they didn’t get along. I remember thinking that the music and the show have to be above that. So I guess we have to apply that to ourselves. What’s typically on Junior Brielles’ rider before a show? Any unexpected requests? – David: Our rider still consists of whatever our tour manager seemed fit for us when it was written six or seven years ago. The only exception being the addition of “a bag of Doritos Cool Ranch and a jar of Chunky Salsa.” If we know anyone in the crowd, we try to arrange a party backstage after the show. We’re considering adding a pack of Camel Blue to the next tour, and perhaps a bigger variety of cheeses.

Do you have a favorite show that really stands out? – Gabriel: Must be one of the first we ever did. A small, sweaty, speakeasy place in Stockholm. We lied and said we’d had material for a 30-minute show. Ended up playing the same song 4 times. Lollapalooza was pretty cool too. Is there a song you wish you had written yourself? – David: Anything with Sigur Rós. To have the audacity and taste to write stuff like that is something to look at with awe.

What’s your approach to songwriting? What makes a good song? – Gabriel: To me, there’s no code or trick to writing a new song. Recently, I’ve truly felt like every new song I’ve started is the first song I’ve ever written. But it usually comes down to the melody. If you can find lyrics that are true or profound, great! But to me, it’s more important how the words sound than what they mean. Beautiful poems rarely make good songs. What do you love doing when you’re not making music? – David: Making up to our girlfriends for centuries of men generally being the worst. We perform this fair but meaningful task by cooking, cleaning, and answering every call.

Do you dream? – Gabriel: Sometimes I dream of a girl. Recently, I’ve had a stuffed nose which has resulted in me dreaming that I can’t breathe. I also dream of one day buying a nice home for my family… also much like a medieval peasant.