The Swedish artist, Grift, played in Romania before and he also visited Bucovina, Maramureș, and Transylvania, working in agriculture for several monasteries. But playing in Bucharest it’s a first for him and he’s looking forward to meet all the people at Bucharest Photofest. Fot Grift, inspiration may come from the scent of a flower, the echo of a distant clock or the hand of an elderly person.
"I dream of playing in contexts where real exchanges of ideas can happen. Performing, for example, at a conference for ornithologists would be wonderful", says Grift.
He grew up on a small farm, where he absorbed nature’s rhythms almost unconsciously and this is well reflected in his creations. He says that no machine could replace human emotion and that’s worth remembering in these times, when lifeless technology seems to gain more and more space in our heads.
Your musical story
I started playing drums, guitar, and piano as a teenager. Back then, everything felt so new, so I taught myself simply by listening to different kinds of music. I still try to preserve that sense of naivety even today. Most of my recordings are still made in an old chicken house on my family’s small farm. My bond with my homeland remains an endless source of inspiration; I write about a landscape that is slowly fading from memory.
Photo by Jan Oblak
Your approach to life and art
What grows and withers outside our windows is something many people barely notice anymore. But I live in tune with the changing seasons and witness life and death here. I dislike predictable everyday routines, yet I’m inevitably bound to them. That tension creates inspiration, dreams, and a longing that never really ends.
Your message through music
The older I get, the more clarity I feel in my lyrics. I don’t have an agenda, I’m not a preacher, and I don’t claim to know much. I like to weave in words that spark curiosity — maybe an old term for migratory birds, the name of a forgotten tool, or a place that’s vanished from the map.
How do you see today’s society
I observe rather than judge. I try to highlight the things that leaders ignore but that many will miss once they’re gone. People are constantly tempted, as they always have been, and it seems no easier now to find a balanced path.
Milestones in your career
Choosing to perform solo concerts was a turning point. It opened many new doors. At first, Grift was meant to be a full live band, but today I mostly perform solo. Luckily, I can still combine both when the chance arises. I dream of playing in contexts where real exchanges of ideas can happen. Performing, for example, at a conference for ornithologists would be wonderful.
Photo by Jesse Heikkinen
The role of art and music in 2025
The unpredictable energy between artist and audience is something no technology will ever replace. That’s worth remembering in these times, when lifeless technology seems to overshadow human creativity.
Your relationship with nature
I grew up on a small farm, where I absorbed nature’s rhythms almost unconsciously. Understanding why an orchid thrives where it does, or why humans dream up ways of extracting oil from stone — those things are endlessly fascinating to me.
Photo by Nathalie Ericson
How would you describe your audience
My audience is very diverse — from nature lovers and metal fans to people drawn to poetry, experimental music, and art. I especially enjoy performing in spaces with unique acoustics. I’ve played in churches, mausoleums, museums, abandoned houses, and in the forest. Those kinds of places inspire me the most.
How important is the visual aspect of your work
Just as important as the music itself. The photographs I take are like icons for my sound. That’s why it feels so special to perform at Bucharest Photofest.
Photo by Ben Zodiazepin
Where do you find inspiration
With Grift, I’ve chosen to limit my expression to a specific geographical area, but my inspirations are broad. It could be the scent of a flower, the echo of a distant clock, or the hand of an elderly person. I also work as a librarian, which exposes me to countless impressions from all the books being published.
Your expectations from the Romanian audience
I’ve played once in Romania before, but I also visited Bucovina, Maramureș, and Transylvania, working in agriculture for several monasteries. I was fascinated by the more traditional ways of life I encountered. I remember the Romanian audience as being younger compared to Western Europe, and I had the chance to talk with them about similarities and differences between our countries. It was a wonderful evening, and I look forward to more encounters now that I’ll be performing in Bucharest for the first time.
