Ho, ho, ho Carl Utbult, songwriter and producer, as well as a teacher at Ingesund. It's that time of the year again; you have been the supervisor for the first-year students in the music production program as they wrote and produced this year's Christmas song together in the regular songwriting course. This year, the students drew inspiration from Musikhjälpen and the theme that everyone should have the right to survive their pregnancy, which gives the production a serious message.
What is the recipe for a really good Christmas song harmonically? Is it enough to just add some sleigh bells?
“You need to have certain elements, such as bells. The feeling in a Christmas song should ideally be happy, but they are often melancholic with a large portion of nostalgia. I can't help but think of old classic Sinatra songs and that type of Christmas music. Then there are also technical parts, certain chords that should be included, as well as instrumentation like bells and chimes to get the right harmony. The message is also important, what do we want to say? Should it be the religious perspective or the family perspective, loneliness, togetherness, exclusion?
According to music journalist Jan Gradvall, the most played Swedish Christmas song in 2023 was "Tänd ett ljus" by Triad, written by Niklas Strömstedt and Lasse Lindbom in 1987. What is it about that song that makes us play it over and over again 37 years later?
“It's probably that it has stuck in our minds, it's a bit of luck what becomes a hit, a lot depends on coincidences. But it's in Swedish, has appealing lyrics, and is performed a cappella, which stands out. Then the intro is very catchy, and it contains all the previously mentioned ingredients, as well as hope, which we all want to hear.”
Are we more affected by a Swedish text, or is it harder to write in Swedish?
“A Swedish text is harder to write because it becomes so personal and has more impact. In English, as a Swede, you become more distanced from the text.”
This year's Christmas song is in Swedish and very strong as it carries a serious message. How would you describe it?
“Our Christmas song is based on Musikhjälpen's theme of the year that everyone should have the right to survive their pregnancy. They collect money for care before, during, and after childbirth. The lyrics are inspired by this serious topic, which aims to promote women's rights worldwide.”
Students in their second year of the music production program are responsible for marketing, PR, and the launch.
”This is something new for us, so it has been educational and at the same time very fun. We have divided ourselves into groups to work on PR, marketing, cover art, social media, media contacts, and so on. This is an important part of the job as a music producer – to have knowledge of how to package your music to get it out there – so it is important to practice this part as well. It has been busy days, and after contacting the major newspapers in Värmland, we hope to get some editorial text. We have also reached out to Musikhjälpen, from which we borrowed the theme this year, and we hope they will play "December Rain"!
On Friday, December 6th, when this year's Christmas song is released, you can enjoy "December Rain" as well as Christmas songs from Ingesund School of Music from previous years at the square between buildings 11 and 1 on the Karlstad campus. The songs will be played from 8:30 in the morning and at several other times during the day. Bring a cup of coffee and get into the Christmas spirit.
This year's Christmas song is written by the first-year students in the music production program under the direction of Carl Utbult.
Participants
Elin Emanuelsson, artistic bachelor's degree in music
David Persson, music teacher program
Ingesund string orchestra under the direction of Magnus Eriksson.
