Joel Gerhardsson has just released his second solo album under the stage name Dream Emulator. To accompany the music, animator Erik Modin has created a series of video loops - a collaboration that will leave you wanting more.
The newly released album is called Orbit and is a project that Joel has been working on for periods of time since 2018. Musically, it is a mix of ambient music and instrumental hip-hop with distinct elements of atmospheric and interesting sounds.
For the album, animator Erik Modin, who runs the studio MoMotion, has produced a series of animated short videos based on Jonatan Nilsson's illustrations. They loop in the Spotify app when you play the music.
How did you decide to work together?
I have previously sounded several animations that Erik has made. Both small clips for instagram and some larger projects for Erik's clients, says Joel Gerhardsson.
What is it that makes animation and music go so well together?
It becomes a way to extend the experience of the music. Album covers are important for how a song is perceived, especially in the case of instrumental music where there are no lyrics to convey emotions. The animations become another opportunity to convey emotions to the listener," says Joel.
You have worked together before, was there any difference this time?
We set a clear framework for the graphic profile. Black and white and framed in a rectangle. All animations would loop endlessly in a seamless manner. There was room to play with the format and expectations," says Erik Modin.
Have you learned anything new during this collaboration?
With clear restrictions, the path from idea to finished animation was very short. The restrictions were very liberating. I saw an image in front of me, or got a certain feeling from the songs, and then I just went with that idea," says Erik.
If you could dream, what is your dream project?
"It would have been possible to make a fully animated music video or some kind of installation work where the music and the visual can be experienced together in a physical space and not just digitally," concludes Joel.
Cover photo: private, Fr v. Joel Gerhardsson and Erik Modin.
