5.5 Questions with Simon Hjortek of The Great Secret

Jan 29, 2015 by Randy Combs

Simon Hjortek of The Great Secret says their new recording, Deep Inside The Lungs Of A Whale, “sounds like James Bond’s dirty dreams and glimpses of dreamy soundscapes”.

Simon stopped by the JWS chat and while their song, Judy, rocked the airwaves twice, he answered 5.5 questions.

Tell us about the first time you heard yourself on radio.

The first time I heard myself was many years ago when premiering a track by my other band Red Nova. It was in Swedish radio, and I remember the feeling to be quite bizarre but of course only in a good way. I couldn’t help myself from start laughing when they played the tune, kind of thinking “Damn, we got that right!”.

What sound do you love?

I love so many sounds, and I think that can be heard on the full EP. While Judy is a rocking tune, none of the other songs on the record sounds like it. That’s kinda my thing, I’m a sound-junkie, I always try and want to invent new sounds on new tracks. I love bombastic sounds like Muse, small subtle quirky sounds like Björk, but to sum it up I love everything that sounds unique and strange. Something that pops my eyes wide open and makes the brain dance.

What’s the hardest thing you’ve ever done?

The hardest thing I’ve ever done is probably watched a magpie die in front of my hands. I have a huge love for animals, in particular magpies, and that poor creature looked so sad.

What is something you learned in the last month?

Something I’ve learned in the last month is that time is precious. It may sound super cliche, but boy it sure is. You have to, often, cut back at the importance of money and just allow yourself to do the things you love. I’ve also learned that cereals taste better with coco powder and that everything sounds best through a fuzz pedal.

If your life was a novel, what would be the title and how would your story end?

If my life was a novel the title would be “The marmalade conspiracy” and the story would end with a completely blank page allowing the reader to write his own version. This would be accompanied by an illustration of a sea monster.

What’s your favorite kind of sandwich and what would you wash it down with?

Oh I love sandwiches! My favorite is a piece of bread you cut a hole in, and put it in a frying pan. Then you fry an egg inside it’s hole, making the egg perfectly incorporated into the body of the sandwich.This I wash down with Chocolate milk. Always chocolate milk.

What one song never ever leaves your music player’s playlist?

A song that’s never allowed to leave any lists is Cotopaxi by The Mars Volta. Dang that song gets you every time. No matter if you’re tired or need to jump up from bed super quick. I also love the odd time signature in it.

Thanks Simon!

The Great Secret website