Tor Lundvall Seasons, Structures and Solitude

The seasons have a profound influence on my life and work. Subtle things like breathing in the first scent of spring rain, freshly mowed grass, fallen leaves or chimney smoke alter my perceptions and awaken old memories and emotions. These changes flow naturally into my music and painting. Autumn will always be my favorite time of year, however I’ve grown fond of the late Winter in recent years, mainly because everything is usually settled and quiet. I can concentrate on my work without the pressure of Holidays or other distractions.

My interest in architecture and how man-made structures interact with their natural surroundings started back in the late 1980s when I used to travel by train between New Jersey and Washington D.C. I’d stare out of the train window while listening to music on headphones. The music became tied in with images of scrapyards, snow covered fields, churches and warehouses passing by in the changing light. I knew that one day I would record my own soundtracks for these unique landscapes. Many of my paintings also explore imaginary architecture balanced with Nature, a glimpse of how I wish the world would be. I lived in New York City for a short time in the early 1990s and it was not for me. I’d rather observe the city from the shelter of a park or from a distant hill.

My painting and music come from the same creative place. I approach a recording the same way I approach a blank canvas, by starting with something very basic and refining it over time. Occasionally a painting will inspire a piece of music or the other way around, but I never analyze the creative process. In the end, it really boils down to the work involved. Both disciplines require the same amount of time, patience and dedication.

My figures and landscapes are certainly influenced by my memories, experiences and surroundings, however they ultimately exist in a world of their own. When I’m painting, I never know what the final outcome will be, even when I’m working directly from the landscape. The imagery just makes perfect sense in the end.

I prefer silence and my lifestyle reflects that. Although I live in the country, I dread the sound of leaf blowers, noisy neighbours or construction echoing through the woods. I occasionally incorporate loud or dissonant sounds into my recordings, but these elements are always balanced by softness and stillness.

I never analyze what the figures represent, they just make sense on a powerful and instinctive level. When I was a child, I remember playing with a toy that had interchangeable heads. One of the heads resembled a cat and the other resembled a bird. I would also see faces and sense personalities in clocks, fire hydrants, tree branches, wallpaper, etc.. This is the only light I can shed on the possible origin of some of my figures.

Solitude is a more prevalent theme than loneliness in my work. I am much more content when I am alone than when I am around others. I strongly believe that if a person is not genuinely at peace in their own company, they will never find happiness or contentment elsewhere. My music is created in solitude, so naturally I feel it is best experienced in a quiet, intimate environment.

My inspiration comes from Nature, above anything else. Taking a walk outside or riding my bike to the local park is all I need to get my creativity flowing. Visiting the Metropolitan Museum of Art in NYC always makes me eager to paint, I just wish I could get there more often.

If my work represents anything it’s the bond that exists between myself and Nature, and that in itself is beautiful. To me, the highest form of beauty is kindness, something there is not enough of in the world. The love I get from my dog or watching the birds at the feeder are the most beautiful things to me these days.

One of the working titles for my recent box set was “Nature Laughs As Time Slips By”. Nature goes by it’s own clock. Man is merely passing through. Sadly, I’ve met very few people who seem to have a genuine connection with Nature. They’re either busy ignoring it or foolishly trying to destroy it. I wish more people would spend their time sitting in a quiet field or walking through the woods. Perhaps the experience would make them more aware of the things that really matter.

I’ve been talking with an old friend about possibly doing a live performance at some point in the future. Playing live is not something that appeals to me, but it would be interesting to see how my music translates into a live setting.

My next instrumental album has been completed for some time and is entitled “The Park”. Hopefully this album will see a release date in 2014. I’m also currently working on a new vocal album.