Robin Pahlman

Take a little Bruce Springsteen’s ‘Dancing In The Dark’, mix it with The Handsome Family along with some Finnish blood and you get ‘Feedback & Static’, the first single from Robin Pahlman’s forthcoming album Temporary Everything.

“Bruce and Handsome Family? I’ll take it!”, Pahlman responds when he hears my first-listen reactions to the song.

– I wasn’t really happy with it at first but after a lot of layers and lots of 80’s synths it became my favourite song on the album. It was the last song we recorded and I actually made the last arrangements the night before and wrote the lyrics in the studio.

– I guess the song is about someone who lives backwards and views the present through another person.

It’s been a busy few years for the Finnish songwriter who relocated to New York in 2014. Before that he lived in Vienna, released his debut solo EP in 2013 and toured around Europe. Besides writing new material lately he’s been actively playing solo shows in and around New York and touring the states as a guitarist for Brooklyn band Howth.

Temporary Everything is Pahlman’s first full-lenght album, which he wrote and produced in New York. This time Pahlman wanted to explore some new territory outside of his usual folk inspired style.

– I wanted more electric guitars on this album. Initially I wanted it to be some sort of folk-rock affair but it didn’t turn out that way. I listened to so many different kinds of music while making the album. There’s a lot of dream pop and Creation Records/kraut rock influnces on there, Pahlman says.

– Nostalgia is a recurring theme on the album. I was allergic to that kind of stuff before and it’s always made me uncomfortable when people want to sit down and remember the old days. But during the writing process I realized that I had to own my nostalgic thoughts instead of pushing them away, in order to move forward instead of backwards.

Temporary Everything is released March 11 on Monkey Records. . - In Between Songs

Our man in New York, Robin Pahlman, has a new album out and available. Temporary Everything is the title and it came out today on Monkey Records as a digital download / limited edition cassette. I’m just spinning it for the first time and I’m liking it a lot. Robin has drifted towards modern times since the lovely folk-tinged EP and there’s definitely more sonic adventures and indie rock vibes on the new full-length album. The EP probably was closer to the core of my music taste, but it sounds like Robin Pahlman can pull this off just as well. This is the excellent lead single Feedback and Static from the new album. - One Chord To ANother

The Finnish alt-rock creator Robin Pahlman will be releasing the LP Temporary Everything on the 10th of March.

The first track to be released from the album, Feedback & Static, was made available a few hours ago.

Bowed Strings give the track a symphonic presence, whilst the underpinning percussion ensures Feedback & Static doesn’t wander off course. The guitar sparkles with melody and the slightly shadowy vocal provides a haunting intangible to the four and a half-minutes of intriguing composition. - Emerging Indie Bands

This is a nice piece of work. Pahlman was formerly of Agent Kooper, but has eschewed their altogether more plugged-in sound for a chance to explore his folky, gut-string side. The departure isn’t that radical, if truth be told: there was frequently a reflective and somewhat lyrical sensibility to some of Agent Kooper’s work (Road Song, for example). But with their demise, Pahlman temporarily relocated to Washington State, USA and welcomed an infusion of lo-fi acoustic west coast vibes.

Pahlman is a n experienced songwriter and it shows: there are plenty of influences to be heard underpinning his change of direction, but they are largely worn lightly and with confidence. The opening track (and single) Miss Lonelyhearts is redolent of The Low Anthem in its gently loping Americana opening, but broadens its palette pleasingly.

Ghosts lopes along with promise and decent musical changes of direction, let down by intermittently clunky lyrics in the verses (“since you’ve been gone old buildings were torn, new babies were born/the world keep on turning”). Waves is a pretty, pared back affair: its simple melody and handclaps-and-whistling instrumental break get the best out of Pahlman’s voice that by turns evokes Mercury Rev and Giant Sand.

Man Overboard manages a nice alchemy – none of the individual ingredients is a head turner, but the totality of the song draws you in to something warming, nourishing even. Dreams in the Headlights has less to commend it than the other tracks: too much Springsteen-lite perhaps?

Pahlman (who is touring middle Europe at the moment) promises much with this EP and listening to an album in the same vein would be no hardship at all. - No More Workhorse

Robin Pahlman – Miss Lonelyhearts

Well this is a first for WFM as this is Finnish singer/songwriter who currently lives in Austria, and I don’t think this will be ever emulated again. Acoustic songs are very hit and miss, because most people that play guitar can write a song on acoustic and whack it up on soundcloud, which is the reason why we have a lot of tosh on there. However, Robin Pahlman has very much hit the spot with ‘Miss Lonelyhearts’ demonstrating pop sensibilities within his extremely folky single. A catchy little Banjo part introduces you to the song, lifting the mood and setting the tone with this single intricate part.


The song has all the major components of a pop song, the most important of those, a fetchy chorus as Pahlman sings “With the tears of Miss Lonelyhearts, come soaking through’, you get the feeling it’s slightly personal and close to home for him. An acoustic artist always has to have a strong/distinctive voice because it makes up most the song, Robin has this, perhaps not the most distinctive, but definitely a solid voice to sit on that acoustic bed. Pahlman has received a number of good responses for this song, which is rightly deserved, as this well put together song could make the grumpiest of people submit to a sneaky smile. - Words For Music

ROBIN PAHLMAN - EP REVIEW
Robin Pahlman - Robin Pahlman EP (Monkey Records)

Robin Pahlman - Robin Pahlman EP

Release Date: 15th November 2013

Here's an odd one for you. Finnish fella Robin Pahlman used to be a member of Agent Kooper but a while back he eschewed the electric guitar, adopted the acoustic version and relocated to Seattle, WA to write gentle, wistful folk songs. This EP represents a new start for Pahlman and it's a privilege to be able to get in on the ground floor with this music. Opening with 'Miss Lonelyhearts', Pahlman has a Royksoppian (it's a word, get over it) quality despite his instrumentation being largely acoustic guitar, banjo and muted horns. Pahlman's voice is smooth, almost chewy and, if t'were a food, t'would be a dense caramel - t'is that good. 'Ghosts' has an oddly upbeat beginning for a song about dead folk but the sparse, expansive sounds that Pahlman creates with simple instrumentation are nothing short of enthralling. Third track 'Waves' is potentially named after my local pub but in all likelihood it's probably related the motion of the ocean and the music has a gentle but persistent rhythm that mirrors the rolling seas beautifully.

Disturbingly, straight after a song called 'Waves' comes a song called 'Man Over Board' - there's that famously dark Finnish humour. Once again, Pahlman creates space and distance with minimal instrumentation whilst creating an aura that makes you want to stare out to sea and think of all the mermaids that never learned to swim (seriously, the sea bed must be littered with them). Finishing up with 'Dreams In The Headlights' suggest perhaps a track too far for this EP as it's an overtly middle of the road affair that does nothing for my senses but an 80% hit rate on an EP is good enough for me and so consider me a fan of the Finn.

More information: https://www.facebook.com/rpahlman?fref=ts

Live Dates:

16th November - Black Horse Inn, Vienna
18th November - Krone, Darmstadt, Germany
19th November - POP IN, Paris
20th November - Le Sombrero Cafe, Amiens, France
21st November - LR6, Brussels
23rd November - Barrock, Maastricht
24th November - Hannekes Boom, Amsterdam
26th November - House Show, Leverkusen
27th November - KINGKONGCLUB, Berlin

28th November - Laika, Berlin - Listen With Monger

Robin Pahlman is a man after my own heart. A former lit student, he counts among his influences a Moist Melodies favorite, Edward Sharpe and the Magnetic Zeros, and several others, including Kurt Vile and Iron & Wine. From Finland originally, Pahlman has moved around a good deal throughout the years.

On how this informs his music, Pahlman said, "Maybe since I have moved around quite a bit in the past few years, I write songs about space, place, and travel." He also seems to know exactly what elements are surefire ways to get me to like a song, with a heavy use of horns (in Miss Lonelyhearts) and whistling (in Waves). He's hoping to release his first album later in the year, so keep an ear out for him. Listen after the break. - Moist Melodies

So why don’t you introduce yourself?
Hi, I’m Robin, a singer-songwriter hailing from Finland, currently residing in Vienna, Austria.



What’s the story behind the group’s name?
With my new project, I’m recording and performing under my own name.



What are your musical influences?
I draw inspiration from various musical genres, and couldn’t name any direct influences. I grew up with Nirvana, Pearl Jam, and Alice In Chains, and have explored many styles of pop music over the years. I love classic country music like Hank Williams and Townes Van Zandt, and among my contemporary favorites, you will find bands and artists like Grizzly Bear, Beach House, Iron and Wine, and many more. Lately, I’ve been listening mostly to Phosphorescent, Willie Nelson, and hip hop.



How was the transition from your long-term band to soloist?
A bit scary at first, but the transition also brought a new kind of freedom to do what I want.



Did you always wanted to make Folk music or it just sorta happened by accident?
I have always loved that music, but mainly played in rock bands before. When my old band broke up, I picked up the acoustic guitar again, and my songwriting took a new direction.



Miss Lonelyhearts. Can you talk to us more about the track?
Miss Lonelyhearts was the first song I wrote after my old band broke up, and started the whole idea of a solo project. I was living in Seattle at the moment, and I found a cheap old guitar at the flea market. The thing was (and still is) in pretty bad shape, so I had to tune it a little bit weird to be able to play it at all. Miss Lonelyhearts was pretty much the first thing that came out of that guitar, and that’s when I realized this new project could be possible.



Your Self-titled album. How was the recording and writing process?
In order to become more self-sufficent, I made an effort to record the the songs on my own in my humble home studio. I probably have hundreds of demo versions of the songs. I play all the instruments myself, except the trumpets on a couple of tracks.



Where did you get the inspiration for the lyrics?
Perhaps since I have moved around quite a bit during the past years, I tend to write about space, place, and travel. As a former student of literature, I tend to read a lot, and I’m always looking for new stuff to steal.



Are you hitting the road?
Yes, following the release, I will go on a first tour of Europe with my backing band Ghost Town, and we’ll be playing in Austria, Germany, France, Belgium, and the Netherlands.



What’s happening next in Robin Pahlman’s world?
I’m very excited about the upcoming release and tour. I will be playing live as much as possible in promotion of the record. Then it’s time to start thinking about new songs and possible releases.



Where can we find more about your music?
More info and the latest updates can always be found on my facebook page, www.facebook.com/rpahlman - Vents Magazine

2015.05.17
Robin Pahlman
A Finnish singer-songwriter inspired by the breathtakingly beautiful Pacific Northwest

"Since you’ve been gone, old buildings were torn, new babies were born, the world keeps on turning."

-lyrics from Ghosts

After being involved in various bands and musical projects for more than a decade, releasing albums and playing hundreds of shows all over Europe, Finnish songwriter Robin Pahlman feels like he is only getting started. Robin was born and raised in the small coastal town of Pargas, Finland. He has played with various musical outfits and has explored genres ranging from punk rock to bluegrass.

Following the breakup of his long-term band Agent Kooper, Robin stored away his band equipment and moved to Seattle, WA. By chance, he came across an old, beat-up acoustic guitar at the flea market. Inspired by the instrument’s quirks and limitations, he challenged himself to step out of his musical comfort zone in order to take his songwriting to the next level. While studying American literature and mapping out the city and the breathtakingly beautiful nature of the Pacific Northwest on foot, songs about space, place, and travel were born.

After relocating again – via Helsinki, Finland, to Vienna, Austria – Robin spent most of his time in his modest home studio, recording demos with the intention to produce his debut solo album. After writing and recording music on his own for about a year, he assembled a live ensemble with three local musicians, and played the first show with the new backing band Ghost Town in early 2013. After touring Europe to promote his debut self-titled EP, Robin has since moved once again and now calls New York home where he is busy working on material for his new album and playing in Brooklyn band Howth. - Band Of The Day