Tre Folköl is the slightly odd name of a punkgroup from Malmö. I love their style which is somewhere like Bäddat för Trubbel and that type of music and here follows an interview done in November 2024.

Tell us a little about the band, how you started, members and what you have released? Previous bands for each member or bands besides Tre Folköl?

-We are three unknown Malmöites who have known each other since elementary school and we have always loved music.

Sebastian "Lågprislegenden" Svahn – Vocals/guitar/Lyrics and music

Joakim "Hawe" Harvyl – Bass/Vocals/Music and Mixer

Orlando Pastene – drums/music and film

We played together in a band called Johan.P, about 10-12 years ago. I, frontman Sebastian "Lågprislegenden" Svahn, didn't really write any music with direction for several years after that until one day it turned over and songs just poured out of me. After being involved in the Swedish Construction Workers' Union, a new way of looking at the world began to take shape. At the same time, I went through a major life crisis with separation, alcoholism and work-injured hands that gave me pain both physically and mentally as it was no longer sustainable for me to continue working in the construction industry as a fitter. It was, and still is, a great sorrow for me. Orlando asked one day if I could whistle on a song in a solo project he was doing. Hawe mixed that project. Something woke up and I started recording demos on my phone and sent them to. Then I asked if they wanted to help me record the songs. Tre Folköl was my baby, I was very stubborn about a dirty and punky sound. But thanks to my very competent bandmates who are good musicians, we helped each other to polish the songs. The first album was something we had to get out of ourselves in order to move on. It grew on all of us, we accepted that this is a band, not a solo project. And it hasn't stopped coming songs out of us. It is clear on LIVSKRIS EP that Tre Folköl is now not just a baby, it is our band.

Tre Folköl, how did you come up with that name? Don't you think people think you're a funband?

-We have reflected on it and before our first release we tried to find another name, but Tre Folköl was stuck and the logo with the three toasting glasses was too good to give up. You shouldn't take yourself too seriously, it's fun with the contrast.

Because your song titles testify to something else really, right?

-Yes, that is our hope. Our songs mean a lot to us and it gives us the chance to address topics that are unpleasant and injustices that we think should be highlighted often and loudly. These are more or less autobiographical texts.

Tell us a little about the following songs?

-Ingen bryr sig. Ingen bryr sig was written during a depression. I was unemployed and in bad shape after a failed attempt to become a vocational teacher at a municipal high school in Malmö that broke me. The feeling of being too down to get out of bed because you've done your utmost to keep the appearance up for too long and just drained your person. One day you just can't take it anymore and go into the wall. And who cares about one then? It is easier to see what led to why in retrospect.

-Blå partier Socialist, yes! Capitalism... Here you could have written an essay. But in short, we are stuck in the hands of large corporations and people behave like sheep. The planet is going under, inequality is increasing by cosmic measures, public health care and education are under attack from privatization, and there is a small percentage of individuals who wield the economic power of the global economy. Fuck it.

-Girig Sverige It is not long ago that we in Sweden had to protect our unions' lists with weapons. We didn't have rights, we were exploited and we had no say. We had to fight against the few with capital to get Sweden to go from being a poor developing country to what it became with the welfare society through solidarity. And now the majority seems to take that society for granted, even though it is obviously slipping out of our hands. Politics has turned into blue-brown grief of neoliberal pie-throwing and privatization. The working class does not read books or educate itself to the extent required of them to maintain welfare. Damn. Where the hell is the ideology? Commitment? Will? Where the hell is Robin Hood?

You have made an album “Låtar jag skrev för att jag hade ont i magen”( "Songs I wrote because I had pain in the stomach)" but it is only available digitally or, why only digital?

-That album is close to our hearts. But even before it was released digitally, we had put together several songs we thought were better. We started to find our thing and shape the songs more freely from ego. Band's first album should be one of those things you can look back on and say "Wow! Did it sound like this from the beginning? Such a classic". We will release the album on physical disc as well, it's on the way. You get to go and see us live and look among the merch.

I think you sound a bit like a tougher Bäddat För Trubbel, what comparisons have you heard otherwise?

–Svahn: Oh my gosh! Hjelle is my biggest role model and it is largely thanks to him that I found my language in music. I've gotten the impression that people get nostalgic, but not more precisely why.

Hawe: Haven't heard any comparisons.

Orlando: I haven't heard many comparisons actually, but those who have commented have been positive about how we sound.

Do you usually compare bands you hear too or is it just something reviewers do?

-Svahn: I listen to a lot of music. From big artists to small bands. And it may happen that you compare, but I think that in the scene you should see each other as comrades and colleagues, not as competitors. There is something for everyone and love breeds love.

Hawe: I usually mostly compare melodies or chord sequences, I think many bands are similar to each other.

Orlando: Yes, absolutely. I also listen to a lot of music and I love to listen to where different bands/artists have gotten their influences from, or how they have developed a genre. However, music is meant to be experienced live and enjoyed, so do it.

Is there any really good bands in Malmö or in Sweden that you would recommend?

-Svahn: Any number of them. Locally, I say "Dalaplan" and "Hjelle och ormarna". "Livsstil" is a pop artist I dig like hell but is in a completely different genre. Swedish in a different genre: "Steget". They are wonderful. "Lastkaj 14". We have an old bandmate from Johan.P who has the band "Palle Bull och förlorarna". "Skeppsbruden" is up n coming and fucking awesome! "Surt sa räven" will also be included!

Hawe: The last good band I heard is "Svart Ridå".

 Orlando: In Malmö there are bands like "Palle Bull och förlorarna", "The Union Rags", "Vet Hut", "The Arsons Project", and "Bror duktig". In Skåne we have bands like "Sardo Numspa", "Golvad Grävling", "Skeppsbruten", "Vånna inget & True moon". In Sweden we have "Regimen", "Ett dödens maskineri", "Thrown", "Kapten grå" and "Division 7".

Do you buy physical records yourself or how is it? Are there any good record stores in Malmö besides the ones I know about Rundgång, Skivesset, Arsenik?

-Svahn: Folköl and Dunkadunka at Värnhem. I've bought records of my favorite bands since my teens, I still do. Last year I bought a turntable and the vinyl collection is growing steadily.

Hawe: Collected a lot of cds before, but now it's been a while.

Orlando: I had a strong period when I bought a lot of records but don't have a CD player anymore so it's become less of that. I also want to mention with Fölköl och Dunkadunka, as well as Folk å Rock.

Which was the first record you bought, the last and the most expensive you bought?

-Svahn: The first one may have been a Smurf hits. The latest was a used vinyl Folk som har sånger kan inte dö” by Monica Zetterlund and Thorstein Bergman. The most expensive is perhaps a vinyl by Veronica Maggio in neon purple.

Hawe: Want to remember it was "Does this look infected" by Sum 41. The latest was Nine days' debut album, but I don't remember what it's called.

Orlando: Oh, the first one I bought myself might have been Michael Jackson - Number ones. The latest... maybe Lastkaj 14 - Becksvart. The most expensive one I don't remember.

Now you released your new EP on CD, why this decision?

-We were ready to do the whole thing. We've put our soul, heart and money into this production like with nothing else. So it felt like it was time.

What kind of people comes when you play live?

-Good question. We'll see in 2025!

What is strength when you play live?

-That we are damn well matched and tight. And that we have very good songs and plenty of energy.

How do you think punk has changed from the first time you came into it? What does punk mean to you, is it only a word or is it just music? Or lifestyle?

-Svahn: I'm punk. There's nothing I can do about it. I get things done because I do them myself, I have drive and I appreciate action and activism. I do my best not to care what others think about me and mine. It's punk to me.

Hawe: For me it's mostly a word, punk has in many cases become a formula.

Orlando: Punk is freedom. They were the ones who pulled me in in the beginning and keep me there. Play with music creation, be yourself, enjoy the small moments and listen to good bands.

How do you think it is to live in Sweden today... politicalal, racists, gang crimes etc etc?

-Svahn: It's up and down with that. But I have nowhere else I can see myself. You have to dig where you stand and try to engage those you can around you to show why my heart issues and my ideology are right for me. Hopefully I'm contagious. Everyone must be welcome to discussion and open to criticism. Otherwise, thoughts do not develop. But there are plenty of idiots.

Hawe: I don't really care, there are always good and bad things going on.

Orlando: I've lived around the country but see Malmö as my home. I also can't see myself anywhere else right now. I don't really know where to start with this question.

Who writes the lyrics?

-It is Sebastian who is the diary writer. All the lyrics have been something I have needed to get out of me. Something I've been dwelling on, had anxiety about or just wanted to tell. It has become like a diary of my crises and frustrations.

There was never any talk about singing in English instead of Swedish? (Luckily it's in Swedish)

-No, it has not been. We've done it before, but it's not as honest. We express ourselves best in Swedish in Scanian.

What is the strangest thing that has happened during your music career, I mean when you played live, backstage or on your way to some gig or similar

-The strangest thing was when I went into a record store in Helsingborg to see if they could consider selling our LIVSKRIS EP there. But the owner claimed that unfortunately they could not because it was the municipality that decided what culture they were allowed to market in their store. I was completely flabbergasted, but he was very determined. I got a little grumpy and emailed the municipality, but they didn't know about this arrangement. A simple no would have been enough!

If you had to describe yourself in three words... Who would it be? –

Svahn: Cool, professional, friends

Hawe: Unpredictable, good,

Orlando: Driven, funny, ridiculous

Five records that have meant a lot to you? A little explanation of each why?

-Svahn: Hybrid Theory – Linkin Park The first album that gave me a musical awakening of rank.

American Idiot – Green Day shaped an entire genre and taught me how gorgeous I was in black eyeliner and red tie.

Screaming Bloody Murder – Sum 41 Showed me that you can do so much more than I had any idea about.

Tändstickor för mörkrädda – Svenska akademien This album I have pounded for a long time.

No Need To Argue – The Cranberries An album I've returned to all my life, absolutely magical.

Orlando: Oh, it's hard to choose just five. I will probably change my mind about this list in the future but I'm going for this for now.

IOWA - Slipknot It was with that record that I discovered my love for aggressive and fast music. Great inspiration for my drumming.

Hybrid Theory - Linkin Park That album created a perfect combination of different worlds, transcendent.

Messengers - August Burns red This album is probably my biggest inspiration for practicing drums regularly.

Becksvart - Lastkaj 14 Ångest och mörker, set to music by sharp musicians. Great inspiration for my drumming.

All albums - Kent You can't choose one, it's Kent.

Interviews is there anything you like? Is there too much of that commodity or too little?

-It's great fun! You've had to take our virginity, now we just want to lie around more.

If you have a question you never get that you want, ask it and answer it?

-Why is the bass player always the best looking in the band?

-Very unclear but not everyone agrees with it.

The weirdest question you've ever been asked? (except for this one)

-This.

Futureplans for the band?

-We start recording new ones already in December! 3-4 singles to look forward to. 2025 is the year when we will finally start playing live. We have had that as a plan for the past two years. Make the album, then the EP and in 2025 be on stage. We want to deliver a show at a professional level and we are well prepared.

For yourself?

-Svahn: The solo project "Lågprislegenden" releases KÖP MITT LIV EP in the form of four singles during each advent. Finish my education to become a HVAC engineer, continue writing songs and practice more guitar for metronome...

Orlando: I have two other bands, ALIKA and Distorienterad where there will be new music released. I hope to graduate as a support teacher by the summer. Be happy that Svahn is practicing to be a metronome!

Words of wisdom?

-Svahn: Smoke your cigars while you have them.

Hawe: Orlando: There's no better time than now.

Something to add?

-Come and see us live! Just love from Tre Folköl down in the dirty south!