Nautiluspete, the project of Swedish songwriter Peter Jakobsson has just released a song about a love worth fighting for. “The Beacon” is uplifting EDM with a pop feel and a melodic drop. It felt like the perfect time to sit down with him to find out more about the song, his music and what the future holds.
Hi Peter, as always, can we start with a bit of background? How did you get started in music, where has it taken you, and who are some of your influences?
I realised early on that I could play the piano by ear, when I was 5 or 6 years old, and I kept playing all through my childhood. I started out making radio jingles for local radio stations and later helped other artists write music. Classical piano music has always been my foundation. The first groups that inspired me were ABBA and Depeche Mode, and more recently, of course, Swedish House Mafia.
Your latest single, ‘The Beacon’, is part of a song cycle; can you tell us about the story arc and why you chose to release your music in this form?
It’s an EDM saga built on the classic “boy meets girl” story, and telling it in six parts of uptempo music felt like a new twist. They meet in ‘Summer Fever’, followed by the separation when summer and the holidays come to an end in ‘Just Flow’, ‘Mayfly ‘, and ‘Fast Love’. In those songs, they are searching on their own, and then, in the second-to-last part, ‘The Beacon’, they are reunited. After that, they face the fact that now they have each other, but what happens if tomorrow never comes? That is the final part, ‘If Tomorrow Never Comes’, which feels very relevant in today’s world. Amor vincit omnia.
Musically, what can listeners expect from the song, and where does it fit in the musical landscape?
‘The Beacon’ is about never giving up on the strong love you once had. It is out there waiting for you, as long as you don’t give up and keep searching for it. Search, let your heart shine, and you will find each other. A positive message to manifest!
As Nautiluspete, you debuted with a song for the World Cup; how did that come about?
The World Cup song (‘Sveriges hjältar’, ‘Sweden’s Heroes’) was born out of the euphoria when we, as a team and as a nation, had hit rock bottom, but with strong faith and a few lucky breaks, still made it to the World Cup. It’s a tribute to all the heroes who made it possible, from Graham Potter’s strong leadership to the players and the rest of the staff. The lyrics tell the story of that journey.
And finally, what does the future hold for you? Any exciting plans on the horizon?
We’re working hard in the studio on some really interesting projects. People keep telling us that our music needs to reach more listeners, so of course our hope is to make that happen. The music industry is tough, so it’s about focusing on doing our own thing while finding the best way to reach out. We’re here to stay!
