Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends “Love Will Prevail”
Photo credit: Malin Floryd-Welin
On a dreadful night, Arn-Identified Objects and Alien Friends received a phone call in a dream from his brother who passed away several years ago. In the phone call, his brother confessed he was involved in the unsolved murder of the Swedish prime minister. The thrilling dream brought back memories of fear and worrisome that Arn-Identified Objects and Alien Friends was constantly facing as a young father earlier in his life. From there, “Love Will Prevail” was born as a prayer to prevail over darkness and fear.
The stormingly warmth immediately brushes against your cheek as the first note kicks in. A hint of group singing float-sinks amongst the reverberant guitar soundscapes. As Alien Friends’ voice comes in, the soaring waves have calmed for the story to unravel. The beautiful drums are provided by the great Andreas Quincy Dahlbäck.
“Love Will Prevail” is a calling from the heart, as emotive, urgent, and honest as it could be. The light could not be bright without darkness. The contrast between the powerful strand of hope and peace against the shivering dark night is what makes the track very special.
Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends spoke to us about his journey with music as one full of contrast as well. The hardship, the struggles, the self-doubt, and the pain seem to be the shadows that hover above his head sometimes, but there’s always the deeper calling and stronger belief that keeps him going. Below is the full interview:
Punk Head: The journey to pursue music is sometimes can full of challenges. Overall, would you say things have been easy for you?
Arn-Identified Flying Objects and Alien Friends: Easy? No, I wouldn't say that. In my heart, I can't stop believing in what I do, as if there's a voice telling me that there's a sort of higher purpose in what I do. At the same time, I'm full of self-doubt, and I ask myself why I keep playing, singing, writing songs, and recording when the process most of the time is quite tiresome, even painful.
Punk Head: Tell us more about "Love Will Prevail." What was the inspiration behind the song?
AFOAF: It's in part inspired by a nightmare I had: In the dream I received a phone call from my brother who died several years ago, confessing he held the gun when the Swedish prime minister was shot (in reality a murder still not solved). But there are also fragmentary memories from the time when I was a very young father, thinking about the insecurities of the world, the environment, the military madness - things you can't wipe off your mind when you become a parent. The song does, however, reach its climax in the flickering hope that love - and peace - will prevail.
Punk Head: What are you most proud of?
AFOAF: If you're asking about this song, in particular, I'm quite happy with the lyrics (which is not always the case). There's a sense of mystery there but in a meaningful way. The imagery, I hope, opens up for interpretation and association, rather than obscures. And the "message", if you see the tune as a prayer for peace and love (which I do), hasn't lost in significance during the last weeks. (I'm was also quite pleased that I managed to slip in a short sequence of notes borrowed from a classical work from the 19th century - without anybody noticing - but that's a minor observation)
Punk Head: What do you love most about music?
AFOAF: Good question! And impossible to answer. It's like contemplating what you like the most about the air you breathe, haha.
Punk Head: Has luck played a meaningful role in your life and music career?
AFOAF: My love for music has brought me in contact with people - i.e dear friends of mine - who have meant SO much to me during the years, on a musical level, but furthermore on a personal level. Was that luck? Who knows? Maybe it was!
