Interview: Finding Inspiration in the US Swedish Artist Boy in Space Talks New Single ‘Too Much To Lose’

Swedish singer-songwriter Boy in Space (aka Robin Lundbäck) returns with a fresh perspective and a guitar-driven sound in his latest single, Too Much To Lose. In our chat, Robin opens up about the creative process behind his new music, the impact of time spent in Nashville, and his experience blending Nordic pop with Nashville songwriting influences. From collaborating with artists like Pink Sweat$ and Alan Walker to sharing the personal themes of heartache and self-reflection in his Copium EP, Robin offers a look at his artistry, his Swedish roots, and his goals as an independent musician.

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Hey Robin. Thanks so much for taking the time to chat. Let’s jump in thinking about Too Much To Lose which really captures themes of bittersweet romance — what first sparked the idea for this track, and how did you work on bringing that sense of conflict into the lyrics and sound?

I was partly inspired by personal experience, but I also had the freedom to expand on the story with fiction to make it more interesting. It’s hard to have a strong connection with someone and then suddenly not have that anymore.

How did spending time in the American South, especially places like Nashville, influence where you took the Copium EP and this latest single?

Copium exists in a different time capsule for me, it feels very Nordic pop which has always been my approach to music. Looking ahead and spending time in Nashville, there is certainly a different approach to my songwriting, but the same type of structure remains. It excites me to learn new ways of writing music, and I can’t wait to develop more and add new layers to my music.

You often balance themes of heartache and self-reflection in your music. How do you personally walk that line between sharing your vulnerabilities and keeping some things private as an artist?

That line is always a struggle to balance on, and I feel like the more you share, the more people connect with what you are saying in the song. I try to have a healthy blend where I don’t feel like I’m oversharing, but also opening up enough so that people can connect with my story.

Too Much To Lose has a more guitar-driven sound. Was that something you’d been planning, or did it come about naturally through your recent collaborations with country-inspired musicians?

I’ve worked a lot with a producer named Oskar Widen, and he’s an amazing guitar player. I really wanted to take advantage of that skill set, as it works so well with what I’m trying to do with the upcoming songs, so it’s a no-brainer.

A lot of your songs feel incredibly intimate, especially with the themes they cover. Are there any artists or albums that have inspired this emotional, introspective style?

I find it really hard to put a finger on where my inspiration comes from, I listen to a big variety of music and it would take forever to name every song and artist that inspires me, it almost feels overwhelming.

Your Copium EP brings mental health and personal growth into focus. Has songwriting been a therapeutic experience for you?

Music has always been my coping mechanism. In a world that confuses me and can be difficult to comprehend, music has never let me down.

Mayflowers has that cool, vintage cinematic vibe. Do you have any favorite influences from film or visual media that help shape your music videos?

While writing Compium, I was heavily inspired by cinema, and I wanted to reflect that in my visuals, hoping to share my world with my audience. I wanted it  to feel immersive, like you’re stepping into a scene from a film where every lyric and visual has its own purpose. I’ve always been inspired by directors like Stanley Kubrick, Orson Welles and Martin Scorsese.

With over half a billion Spotify streams, you’ve reached an amazing audience as an independent artist. What would you say to other independent musicians hoping to make a similar impact?

I would tell them to not chase numbers, but chase something that inspires them. I think that’s been the key to my streaming numbers, and I always want to write music for myself that I can later share with people.

You’ve worked with some incredible artists, from Pink Sweat$ to Alan Walker. Do you have a favorite story from a collaboration, or is there anyone you’d love to work with next?

Unfortunately, I don’t really have any juicy stories for you, but it has definitely been an honor and a lot of fun to work with such big names in the music industry. I would love to work with Medium Build and Kacey Musgraves. Such amazing creatives! 

Looking forward, what parts of your artistry are you most excited to dig into or experiment with in your next releases?

I’m very eager to play live shows again and write music that connects on a live stage. I feel like I’ve spent almost too much time in studios, it’s time to jump in a car and drive across countries.

Sweden has this amazing pop music heritage. Do you feel connected to that tradition, or do you find more inspiration from international sounds? Are there any Swedish artists, past or present, who inspire you?

The Swedish connection I have to music will never fade, but I’ve always felt more inspired by American artists. That said, growing up in Sweden definitely left its mark. My family and I would always be blasting ABBA in the car, so their melodies and catchy hooks have a special place in my heart. But even with that Swedish pop influence, I’ve always felt drawn to the storytelling and raw emotion in American music, and that blend really shapes the sound I create today.

Sweden’s landscapes and seasons are stunning. Have they ever influenced the visuals or themes in your songs? Are there any specific places in Sweden that you feel really fuel your creativity?

I love the forest and in Sweden there’s a lot of it, I for sure get inspired whenever I see big chunks of trees.