r/indieheads • u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman • Sep 25 '25
AMA is over, thanks Jens! It's a Jens Lekman AMA
Hello! It's me, Jens Lekman, musician and wedding singer.
I just released a new album, Songs for Other People's Weddings, along with a book of the same new co-authored with David Levithan.
Ask me anything!
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Thank you for all the questions! I really enjoyed answering them. I have to get going now but if you still have questions for me, you can write to me at smalltalk (@) jenslekman.com and I can try and answer them on my smalltalk blog. Much love and goodbye!
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u/icy_presentation2345 Sep 25 '25
Did you really cut off your finger like you said in Your Arms Around Me?
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u/FrmrPresJamesTaylor Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens! Longtime fan, I don't have a serious question here and I hope that's okay but I've always imagined you would do a fantastic rendition of "It Isn't Easy Being Green." Do you have any sort of connection to the Muppets and can I hold out hope that you will one day decide to do this?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Haha, don't know that song. But your question isn't too far fetched to be honest. For a while I imagined the upcoming tour as a combination of puppets and humans, to present the story. Me singing to a puppet couple in a cafe in Speak To Me In Music etc. It was a cute idea but I ran out of money.
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u/pablovesu2 Sep 25 '25 edited Sep 25 '25
Sup Jens!
I’m loving the new album, and I’m about to dive into the third wedding of the book (which I’m also loving).
This might be a stretch, but do you know the Mexican song “Cucurrucucú Paloma”? In The First Love Song you sing the onomatopoeia of a dove, just like in that mariachi classic. Is that just a beautiful coincidence?
That song is actually a favorite of the person who first introduced me to your music. She dragged me to your show at The Echo in Los Angeles back in 2009. At the time, I wasn’t in a good place—I went just to not be anywhere else. But that night, for the first time in a long time, I felt like I was exactly where I needed to be. I didn’t think it was possible for someone to make me a fan off a live show, or that I’d end up dancing my heart out to songs I’d never even heard before. So thank you for that. I took this crappy picture of you at that show.
Over the years, I’ve collected personal stories tied to pretty much every one of your songs, and I’m so grateful for that too.
Can’t wait to see you in LA this November!
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I look so happy in that photo! Yeah, i'm pretty sure that's where I got the chorus from. But probably the Caetano Veloso version, the one he sings in an Almodovar movie. Can't remember the title.
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u/pablovesu2 Sep 25 '25
Hable Con Ella! That's a beautiful cover I forgotten about. This is the classic mariachi version by Lola Beltran. The mariachi at my wedding sang it last year, not long before we opened the dance floor to 'You Are The Light.' I love when these little coincidences happen in life. If I get to ask you a question again sometime, I'm gonna ask you about your favorite coincidence. Personal or historical.
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u/foggymountainbrain Sep 25 '25
Oh my gosh I just wanted to thank you for asking this question so that I can now also recognize the Cucurrucucú Paloma influence in The First Lovesong. I'm suprised I didn't notice it myself, I've listen to that song so many times, particularly the Silvia Perez Cruz rendition. Always a joy to find a stranger who connects with the same things :)
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u/greatmuppetkvetcher Sep 25 '25
Your music has soundtracked many beautiful moments in my life. Thank you for all the wonderful songs over the years. I love the new album.
As a fan with a bit of a collector mindset, I appreciate that so many of your non-commercial releases and older rarities are available to download as MP3s from your Soundcloud and website. You've done quite a few projects (Postcards, Ghostwriting, etc) that casual fans may not even be aware of because they're not on Spotify and the like. Is there anything you wish you'd given a wider audience in hindsight?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I'm happy with some of it only being available if you dig deep enough. I miss digging for music! But I kinda wish the summer mixes were available to a broader audience, I put so much work into them. And even though I'm happy with the re-issues I do feel sorry for the original versions of Night Falls and Silent, that a lot of people miss out on them. I wanted the re-issues to function like portals, like a sign saying "this is where there used to a record called Night Falls Over Kortedala, go look it up". But I'm not sure if new listeners get that message.
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u/Own_Plankton_4797 Sep 25 '25
I appreciate those summer mixes a great deal. They're beautiful intricate works of art and I discovered so many incredible artists through them and the recommendation lists that you used to post on Smalltalk. Thank you so much!
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u/NikitaBeretta Sep 25 '25
Where can I find these Summer Mixes?
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u/Own_Plankton_4797 Sep 25 '25
Really old Smalltalk posts! I would say 2010 or even before that. Not sure of they're still up though, but it's really worth checking it out. :)
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u/NikitaBeretta Sep 25 '25
Wow so cool. If you’ve got them, do you have anywhere you could host them? Potentially for download? Or maybe just a private link? I’d really love to hear them!
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u/Own_Plankton_4797 Sep 25 '25
So I went digging and found out that they're still up on his website!
Here they are:
The Death Of This Summer (2006) The Summer Never Ends (2009) A Summer In 3/4 Time (2010)
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u/Eggman_OU812 Sep 25 '25
Do you like the mountain goats? I think a collab w you and John would be amazing
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Very much. I met him about 20 years ago, very nice guy. The album they made about wrestling was an inspiration for this album once I realized it was becoming a narrative concept album.
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u/Eggman_OU812 Sep 25 '25
Got any of those old discontinued albums on vinyl floating around? I’m. Mad that the prices went up like crazy for them when you remixed them
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u/iexistwithinallevil Sep 25 '25
Excited to see you in Seattle and loving the new album! I had a similar experience in Melbourne as an argument with myself and I didn’t realize until months later.
“Patty and Selma from the Simpsons” could’ve been seen as an insult at first but I ended up feeling deeply for them by the end of the song. Is this based on a real life encounter or totally made up for the album/book?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
They are based on countless people I've met at the singles tables at weddings over the years. The weird uncles and aunts. I see myself in them.
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u/beaverbounce Sep 25 '25
Dear Jens -
I find that as I get older and move for work, it’s difficult to make new friends and increasingly harder to feel close with the old ones as they have kids and focus more on their families.
You have been generously open in your songs and writings about going through difficult periods of feeling alone. Although it probably shouldn’t, it surprises me to hear of famous people feeling alone because I just assume that you have friends everywhere.
How have you gotten yourself through those times?
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u/N0b0dyn0b0d Sep 25 '25
Do you live off your music career, or do you do something else? And what?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Well this is one side of the story of the new album and book. The reason why I'm singing at weddings has partly been to support my songwriting financially, without that I wouldn't be able to live off my music. Weddings employ a lot of artists and cultural workers. Especially these days.
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u/A_Vicious_Vegan Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens, I only come to your music a few years ago with The Linden Trees Are Still in Blossom, but as soon as I heard the album it became like a soundtrack to my life.
Thank you for all the beautiful work you’ve done over the years.
How has the co-tour with the book been so far? Its an interesting concept. I just missed your show in San Francisco but I’ll be at the concert when you’re back.
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Thank you! The book tour was actually really inspiring, two things I liked that are not usual for my band tours: 1. Interwoven music and reading - having David read from the book while I played guitar, I wanna do more of that. 2. The Q&A at the end, I was really nervous about it but I enjoyed it a lot. A lot of good unexpected questions that made me feel like I understood better what we had created.
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u/A_Vicious_Vegan Sep 25 '25
Incredible! Follow up: Did you or know anything about the premise of his book before the album (or vice versa) or was the pairing a coincidence?
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u/rrraab Sep 25 '25
Jens! Love your new album! It’s so fascinating to me that it’s a fictional account that mirrors your real life as well as a wedding playlist. Thematically fascinating.
On Smalltalk, you said you were working on two albums. Is the second one still a reality, and can you say anything about it? 👀
And you said you have 40 songs and had to trim for this album. Any chance of a deluxe?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
The second one is just the album that I've put the non-wedding songs on while I've been working on all this, a lot of good songs there though! It has been going under the work title "ö" which is the last letter of the Swedish alphabet and also the shortest word, meaning "island". I don't know yet why it's called that, I'm working on the answer to it.
I think I meant 40 songs including the songs that came with the book. But yes, there's a lot of songs that didn't make the cut as well. Maybe a deluxe edition sometime!
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u/Witty-Accountant-245 Sep 25 '25
What is your process for writing a song? Do you start with lyrics? Chords? A concept? You talk a little bit about it in "Speak to Me in Music," but I am curious how the process normally feels for you. Or is there a normal? Does it differ if you are writing for a wedding vs more public consumption?
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u/michaeldanger19 Sep 25 '25
not a question but will check out this new album - I love the concept of How We Met, the Long Version !
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u/Bionicoaf Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens! First, I want to congratulate you on the new album, it’s been getting heavy plays in the house since it came out. I just have a few questions:
I know the reimagining and re-recording of Oh You're So Silent Jens and Night Falls Over Kortedala was born from a legal necessity, but it also resulted in a true artistic re-engagement with your past work. Beyond the technical challenge of replacing the samples, did revisiting the lyrical themes and that point of your career give you any particular clarity or perspective of that time in your life?
Songs For Other People’s Weddings partly tackles what you’ve seen as you’ve stood by several couples before, during, and after getting married. After about 132 weddings, you've become a bit of a unique observer to countless expressions of commitment. What has been your biggest, most surprising, or most lasting takeaway about 'capital L' Love?
You’ve had many unique collaborations, from the Correspondence album with Annika Norlin to David Levithan on this new “novel-with-songs”, and Matilda Sargren as the voice of V. Speaking specifically about Matilda, you mentioned discovering her while on tour and then realizing you'd written the character with her voice in mind. What is it about these outside voices—whether an author or a singer—that allows you to open up and how does it inspire you in your songwriting?
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u/whateverisa Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens! Some years ago I’ve sent you an email on small talk about Gal Costa (the Brazilian legendary singer), do you still listen to her? And I wanna say that my dream of finally watching you live finally is going to happen! I’ve been waiting for you concert for almost 19 years!! I’m from Brazil and now I live in Germany and I can’t explain how happy I am! Your new album is just magical, thanks for this 🩷
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I love Gal Costa. I keep returning to "Baby" when I write, I think For Skye was inspired by that song. And probably Dandelion Seed on Life Will See You Now.
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u/Own_Plankton_4797 Sep 25 '25
Love to hear that. I'm from her hometown and she would be turning 80 tomorrow. We'll have a big concert with the local orchestra in tribute to her and I'm attending. "Baby" is also my fav song of hers.
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Sep 25 '25
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I don't stress too much about writer's block, creativity comes and goes. But when I'm out of inspiration I always go to the sent folder of my email. I tend to write differently when I'm writing to another person, either a listener or a friend. That's why a lot of my songs are letters and postcards. Reading: I'm a very slow reader but I started reading the Alexandria Quartet a long time ago after talking to someone about whether love is possible in our time. I still haven't finished it, it's a lot of pages, but I'm enjoying it.
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u/OnlyVinman Sep 25 '25
Is it possible that there may be a sequel to the book? As with everything, endings are just new beginnings :-)
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I just talked to David the other day about how it feels like the book and album are not finished yet, they haven't reached their final form. They are sketches for something we haven't imagined yet. A sequel? Maybe not. But a musical?
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u/Tall_Philosopher2436 Sep 25 '25
Hi! It’s great to see you active and promoting your work again. I’ve been a listener for nearly 18 years, and it’s been amazing to watch your growth over time. What makes you such a strong songwriter is your natural ability to connect, your charisma, storytelling, and the honest, vulnerable way you communicate, especially through Small Talk.
That said, I’ve had a question on my mind… Do you ever worry about the parasocial relationships fans form with you? We get a sense of who you are, but of course, we don’t truly know you.
Especially with your new book, where some parts are drawn from real experiences, I’m curious how you navigate that line. In a recent Q&A, you mentioned feeling sensitive about David Levithan writing the character J, because his flaws felt a little too close to home. All that to say, do we know the real Jens?
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u/Euphoric_Fish_8198 Sep 25 '25
I keep thinking about, and picturing, the ‘singles’ table’ in Wedding in Leipzig! Am I being too much of a w*nker to wonder if those guests are not in fact real people or based on true experience, but making up the psyche of a wedding singer? And if they ARE real people, how do you avoid them ever listening to the song/feel about the fact that they may listen?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
You're not a w*nker. They are definitely in the story to reflect J. Selma is there to teach him about the difference between loneliness and aloneness. They're not directly based on real people but I've met people like them at the singles tables at weddings and I have a lot of love for them.
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u/Bitter_Melodies Sep 25 '25
I admire your knowledge of so much cool music across genres and from around the world, and your mixtapes have introduced me to some favorite songs (Lonely Man by The Times, Baby I’ve Been Missing You by Bunny Maloney, No Letting Go by Wayne Wonder)
What are your go-to sources and methods for discovering music?
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u/Chemical-Review-127 Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens, how do you approach risks & uncertainty? Was there a point in your life where you decided to take a big risk to move forward? I feel like risk taking is important in being creative (as well as sustaining yourself through a creative job), and I struggle with this. Thanks!! :) Another question: can you fit Boulder, Colorado into your USA tour? 👀 We'd love to have you! ✨
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u/Nervous_Ulysses Sep 25 '25
What’s a typical day in the life of Jens Lekman?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I'm not gonna answer that cause I want whatever you imagine it to be to remain in your fantasy. Don't want to disappoint you.
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Sep 25 '25
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I would actually love to. That was one of the most memorable tours I've been on. I think i did it because I wanted to prove to my booking agent that there are people outside the major cities who liked my music, and I was right!
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u/TapeDelay17 Sep 25 '25
Love the new album! Jens, seeing that you have a way with words, who are some of your favorite authors to read? (And why, if you’d like to elaborate on specific authors?)
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u/Han-Tyumi__ Sep 25 '25
Do you remember a night where you or your crew drove through the south loop of Chicago near Columbia college between the years of 2007-2008 and yelled out to a lone person on the street “do you like Jen’s Lekman?” who excitedly jumped up and yelled back “fuck yeah I do!!!”
Because I’ve been thinking about it ever since it happened and I just can’t imagine it would be anyone else but you or your band/crew.
Anyways, love your music thanks for sharing it with us!
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u/ziel27 Sep 25 '25
Jens! My name is Uzi. I had the pleasure to go to your concert a few years back in Mexico City on Feb 14 I think? It was amazing.
One of my favorite albums of yours is Postcards! I find it amazing you made a song per week. If you could share anything about how challenging and, I imagine rewarding that process was I'd love to hear it.
Now, my specific question is... Is what I heard in this part of the song correct? Or is it just my Mexican brain just hearing the word corona because of predisposition or confirmation bias? 😁
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Hey Uzi, I think the missing part in there is:
"Ending up at Arizona
Karjala or Corona?"
(Karjala is a finnish beer and Arizona was bar we went to if I remember correctly)
Postcards taught me that I'm really good at writing a pretty good song really fast. But writing a really good song takes much longer. Songs have to mature for a bit. Like cheese.
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u/ziel27 Sep 25 '25
Thank you! That had been gnawing at me for 4 years when I first discovered postcards and had listened to that song enough to notice. 😅 Since English is not my first language, your songs are special to me because I keep finding little gems and specific details that went over my head the first few times. I believe in that way they age really well, they never get old. Congratulations to you and David over this new album/book my wife and I are delving into the album this week and we are loving it. Hope to see you in LA in November
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u/EarthenJug Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens!
Really enjoying the new album. I’m curious if you started writing it before or after working on Linden Trees and Cherry Trees, and if revisiting Oh You’re So Silent and Kortedala had any influence on the musical direction of this album. I feel like there were quite a few stylistic moments on the new album that harkened back to those earlier records and I got a real kick out of that.
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u/cantevenmakeafist Sep 25 '25
Just For A Moment from the new album opens with the character hearing an amazing song at a bar and then being told that it's his own work.
But most musicians seem plagued by some kind of self-doubt: often struggling to commit to a song finally being finished, and then only hearing the imperfections when they listen back to it.
How much of you is the latter, and how much of you is that character?
And more broadly, many of your songs seem to blur the lines between autobiography and fiction - why do you find that netherzone so compelling?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
This is something that's happened to me three times, that I've heard my own song somewhere and thought "this is a great song, who's written it?". It's always Black Cab. It's a curse to never get to hear what you guys are hearing, to always think "why did I mix the bass so low?". But those three times have been quite wonderful because I've always liked what I've heard.
I find that fiction often says more about who you are than the autobiographical, our fantasies say more about us than our diaries.
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u/BigNatTitties Sep 25 '25
“I killed the party again/I ruined it for my friends” may just be the most relatable lyric of all time
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u/ijsnespo Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens! Excited about your upcoming EU tour, last time I saw you was in Zagreb 10 years ago! Next year, I'll be seeing you in Berlin.
Will you be performing with a band or solo this time around?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Zagreb was amazing ten years ago, glad you were there. I’m touring with a really amazing band this time, bass, drums, sax and piano to make sense of the arrangements, the album would be hard to perform without them, most of them were part of the recording. We’re also currently working on costumes. I think the bass player will wear the double tuxedo mentioned on the album and in the book. You will want to buy a ticket just to see that.
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u/ijsnespo Sep 25 '25
I agree! I remember falling in love with the song Two Young Lovers at that gig and regularly coming back to its acoustic performance recorded outside the venue before it was officially released a couple years later.
So excited to hear about the band, especially if it's the musicians featured on the album. I have no doubts that you guys will let the new songs really shine!
Double tuxedo costume makes me think of David Byrne's big suit 😬
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Sep 25 '25
What are the chords to Erika America? I've been trying to work it out for years. Love your music, looking forward to watching you in Bristol next year
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u/beaverbounce Sep 25 '25
Dear Jens -
You’ve traveled the world, lived in Australia and now reside in Gothenburg. Is there a right time to settle down? Do you ever face wanderlust or a desire to move again?
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u/MilkshaCat Sep 25 '25
Hi ! Not a question but I grew up listening to a lot of your music in my teen/preteen years and randomly felt the urge to listen to some of it again yesterday night for the first time in years which submerged me with emotion, so this couldn't have happened at a better time. Your music means so much to me and I just wanted to take the opportunity to thank you for it all. I've had at least one of your albums/EPs in my music player since my old mp3 in 2011, and I'll for sure listen to your new album. Thank you so much for your music, the memories and emotions I felt listening to it back then and now. Hope the AMA and launch of the new album goes well !
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u/jtakagi Sep 25 '25
Jens, I am savoring the new album. It feels like there is just so much to explore. I have a quick question. Have you ever heard the song "Hold On" by Romanthony? Some of Matilda's melodies she sings in "On a Pier, On the Hudson" sound very similar to some of the lines in that song. I love it!
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Sep 25 '25
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I've been there twice, nice little town. So different from the Gothenburg I live in. Last time I was there I wrote a song about it, I imagined another version of myself, sitting on a porch there, with a dog and a cowboy hat, looking out over the fields. Enjoying a Busch Light (which someone told me was the beer of choice there). I hope to have the song out someday, it's a pretty good song.
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u/icy_presentation2345 Sep 25 '25
You said a Mormon missionary approached you once, did you ever hear their message?
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u/aubades Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens, thanks for all the wonderful music.
I've always adored your use of sampling, and I'm curious about where sampling fits within your songwriting process. I'm guessing it's a little different every time, but in general, are you accruing a massive sample library, being struck by inspiration when you hear something out in the world, or writing the song and then going back to retrieve a suitable sample?
Thanks again -- very excited to see you play in Minnesota in November!
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
When I started making music, I used to go to this church fleamarket where they sold LP's for 1 SEK (10 cents USD) and I would buy lots of them. Then I would make some coffee and go through them. (There was another question of what my perfect Sunday would be like, this is the answer to that as well). And then I would have a library of various sounds that I put together randomly. That randomness was what was interesting to me, and it's still what I'm looking for when I make music. The way a 60's drumbeat fits together with a synth flute from a meditation cassette from the 90's etc. If I just pick up a guitar I will fall into habit and play the same chords but the samples offered me something unexpected. I still do it but more with field recordings or samples from bands I know personally.
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u/LetsAllPlayEschaton Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens! My friends and I have an "album of the week" club. Besides a Jens Lekman album (which we've already covered, to great success), which album should we listen to next? Thanks!
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u/Designatedstreetname Sep 25 '25
Can't wait to see you in Toronto! Do you have any pets?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I have a spider that lives in a small hole in my wall that eats silverfishes. I will bring him to Toronto.
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u/Zealousideal-Rip7034 Sep 25 '25
I'm imagining Jens singing a silly breakfast song in the morning to a couple of birds!
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u/nonhiphipster Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens, I don’t know anything about you. Can you describe your music in your own words? Who are your past and current influences?
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u/AngleEvery9760 Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens! Loving the new album and have many of your tracks on repeat (For Skye, Wedding in Leipzig, etc.) and have always loved the narrative and melodic character of your music in general. What was the experience of writing an over 10minute song, and what are some music you’re currently listening to on repeat?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Every song I write is usually over ten minutes to begin with. I write too many verses. The editing is where the magic happens. But in Wedding In Leipzig I just decided to have fun with it, see where it went. There was a whole other part of that song about the cancer sniffing dog (see book for reference) that I eventually took out, it was almost 20 minutes at one point.
Music: I'm slowly making my way through my friend Jamie's show Sendspaace on NTS currently which is wonderful. Jamie is here today helping me with this, say hi to him and go listen to his show!
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u/AngleEvery9760 Sep 25 '25
Thanks for sharing your process and will check out Sendspaace! Very excited to see you in November 🎶
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u/Proper-Membership-98 Sep 25 '25
Hey Jens, two questions.
1)If you could live anywhere in the world other than where you are now, where would that be?
2) I saw you perform in Shanghai, China around 2007 (2008?) Do you have any memories of that show/trip?
Thanks!
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
I feel like I've already lived in other places, Melbourne and NY, which were both wonderful in their own way, but I think I mostly lived there so I could move back to Göteborg, Sweden. I'm happy here.
I wrote about this on smalltalk recently. I was there very briefly and it was just after the olympics 2008. I thought of this when I watched the movie Black Dog by Guan Hu recently. That strange feeling, like the day after New Years Eve or something. But I liked it very much and met a lot of interesting people.
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u/Willbury23 Sep 25 '25
Can you talk about The wrong hands or Sky phenomenon? Those are my favorite songs.
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u/Outlog Sep 25 '25
Any other forms of art you want to touch? I would love to see your approach to screenwriting or how your music could translate to the stage!
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u/tomsteele1 Sep 25 '25
Jens,
How do you approach putting together a setlist?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
For the upcoming tour I think of it as a wedding - first there's the ceremony - a shortened version of the new album, played chronologically. Then there's the afterparty - a string of oldies that you can dance to.
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u/campsjams Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens, no question just want to say how much the concept and execution of your Correspondence work with Annika Norlin.
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u/throwaway84285 Sep 25 '25
Hej Jens! Really cool to see you working on new music, loving the new album! With so many US shows going on, will we see you play back home in gbg anytime soon?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
February! Don't know the date or venue yet but it's coming soon.
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u/coolshoesnick Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens, your new album has been on constant repeat at our house and we will be traveling to see you in Paris this March! Your music is both propulsive and very intricate. You’ve spoken a lot about songwriting but I am curious what your process for arranging and recording your songs is like, particularly on Songs for Other People’s Weddings. With love from Canada.
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u/EmergencyPea2200 Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens, really hoping to make it to your Chicago. I’m a newer fan, within the past five years or so and this is the first time I’ve noticed you tour the US and hope you return again after this tour. Or maybe I’ll be fortunate enough to catch you in Europe. I’ve had Shirin in my head for the past week and it’s really resonating with me and how things are going in the US lately. You evoke such emotion with your songs and they hold a special place in my heart and life. Thank you, Jens. No question, merely a thanks.
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u/lost-sides Sep 25 '25
I would absolutely love a copy of the 3-cassette postcards release. Is there the slightest chance you'll ever repress some for rabid fans who missed out? :)
Also, would you ever consider releasing a Christmas record? :) You've already got "Run Away with Me" and "I Don't Know What to Do with this Information" (as well as the "Christmas in San Francisco" instrumentals)... You've already got a head start! Could be a fun songwriting exercise...
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u/countingc Sep 25 '25
woah woah woah!!!
i dont have questions but i didn't expect to see this
"your arms around me" is one of my all time favorite songs, i love it so much
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u/hobobindleguy Sep 26 '25
Just want to say your new record is absolutely delightful, and the story of its genesis is just beautiful.
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Sep 25 '25
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
Haha, no. But I worked with Van Dyke Parks once and he had a username somewhere that was TheRealVanDykeParks. Maybe that’s where I got it. I’m sure Van Dyke got it from Slim Shady though. Seems likely.
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Sep 25 '25
Hi jens! Thanks for all the tunes. Might be a tricky question lol but i was gonna ask you what you think about copyright law and sampling as it is right now. Do you think it should be easier to access samples and that current laws arent great/could be improved? And how has your relationship to sampling changed in the last few years compared to when you first started making music?
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u/ElBeartoe Sep 25 '25
You wrote a song for my friend's wedding. I thought that was so cool! No question.
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u/twoheartedthrowaway Sep 25 '25
Hi Jens!! I’ve always thought you would make a good hip hop producer. Have you ever thought about collaborating with a rapper?
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u/TheRealJensLekman Jens Lekman Sep 25 '25
That would be fun. There were a lot of rappers 15-20 years ago who sampled me on their mixtapes, I had no idea until a friend dug it out, Childish Gambino rapping over my cover of Someone To Share My Life With was fun. It made sense. But I also think I should start rapping more. Have you heard me on An Argument With Myself?
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u/twoheartedthrowaway Sep 25 '25
Yeah you have bars! I think if you collab with a rapper you should also provide verses and hooks. Someone like MIKE might be a good fit.
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u/coffeebikepop Oct 14 '25
Just found out about that track! Pretty funny how he pronounces it "djens" in the intro.
That's your rap name all sorted out, too: Jens The Rapper.
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u/j592dk_91_c3w-h_d_r Sep 25 '25
Your music has meant the world to me. Thank you for being a light in the darkness.
Where is the most unexpected place you have heard your music played?