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8 Tracks: Of music for daydreaming with Johanna Knutsson

 
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Since relocating to Berlin in 2008, Swedish-born DJ and producer Johanna Knutsson has been keeping herself very busy. Alongside production partner and friend Hans Berg she runs UFO Station Recordings, an outlet for them to share their own productions, while with Luca Lozano she runs Zodiac 44, a concept label that with only put out 12 releases, one for each sign of the Zodiac. On top of regular sets across the globe and building up her own enviable discography, she helms a regular radio show on Cashmere with Kate Miller called High/Low Power FM. 

She's set to release her debut album on Kontra-Musik this month, which is a homage to her hometown of Tollarp in the south of Sweden. Produced during a period where she was experiencing a lot of stress, the process was a perfect escape from reality that helped her to unwind. Here she picks out her favourite tracks for turning off, zoning out and daydreaming…

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No Chance (Feat. Tuomo Puranen)

This tune makes me imagine myself walking up and down the streets in the night doing private detective work for someone. It has this old school jazzy vibe to it, and the subtle changes between minor and major are so enjoyable. Listening to this is like going back in time, I can totally imagine this being performed in a smokey illegal bar in the 1920s.

  • No Chance (Feat. Tuomo Puranen)

    This tune makes me imagine myself walking up and down the streets in the night doing private detective work for someone. It has this old school jazzy vibe to it, and the subtle changes between minor and major are so enjoyable. Listening to this is like going back in time, I can totally imagine this being performed in a smokey illegal bar in the 1920s.

  • Mudang

    For some reason this music brings me back to being comforted in my grandparents kitchen after a long day at school. The house isn’t there anymore, nor my grandparents, but listening to this I can almost feel the sun shining in my face and smell the smoke from my grandfathers smoke pipe. I love that in a track.

  • En Arm For Ut

    This artist Hans Appelqvist is one of my favourites when it comes to music for daydreaming. The way his music takes you on excursions in your mind is so refreshing. This particular track feels like going to the gym for the brain, in a very good way.

  • People You May Know - Vuelo De Rana

    I have had this song in my collection since the beginning of 2018, and I tend to come back to it a lot. It is filled with emotions and sounds from space animals (?), my two favourite things in the world. Putting it on makes me float away to outer space and imagine all of these cute curious creatures around me.

  • Matt Karmil - Sharehold [Sts327lp]

    Matt Karmil should be ruling the whole damn music scene if you ask me. So diverse and talented, I can’t get enough of his sounds. This is a track from his latest album, and this one is my favourite on the LP. Perfect to come home to after a long night and/or day out. Your mind wanders freely.

  • Colleen Lovett - Floating In The Clearest Night

    Colleen, she is my hero. The first ambient music that really worked for me was her album Everyone Alive Wants Answers from 2003, and since then I’ve followed her closely. I get the feeling she has an attraction to what has been and sounds from long ago, and then weaves them together to modern pieces. I think we would be friends if I ever met her haha.
    (The artist name on youtube isn’t correct though, it’s Colleen (not Colleen Lovett))

  • Khmer Lullaby

    This is a Cambodian Khmer lullaby, I don’t know anything about the lyrics or the artist who’s recorded this but it hits me right in the feelings. It’s very comforting and it somehow gives you the feeling that everything will be alright, whatever is on your mind.

  • Neon (Original Mix)

    Hans Berg is the winner when it comes to making music to daydream to. This is from his album Dream Maker and I think it’s a very accurate title. Listen to this and you’ll have a whole movie showing behind your closed eyes. If you like these experiences, look up everything that has Hans Berg behind it. I’ll never get tired of anything he’s made.