A Chat with HalfCutLemon (26.09.25)
Crafting an intriguing blend of post-punk, alternative rock, punk, and experimental music, HalfCutLemon aim to connect, challenge and resonate with audiences. We speak with the Danish group about their new album, This Ain’t Real, what music means to them, achievements and more.
OSR: What drew you to music? How did HalfCutLemon come together?
HalfCutLemon: Most of us come from the punk/DIY movement in Copenhagen. We loved the energy and the ‘no rules’ in that, and all started playing as young guys in different bands. Jesper (singer, keyboard), Flemming (bass, vocal) and Sigi (guitar) have been playing together earlier in other bands; Deep Sea Divers (post-punk) and Float (pure electronic improvised band).
We wanted to start an experimental rock band, without a band leader, and where we write the songs together. We asked Jacob (drums) to play with us in 2014, and HalfCutLemon was born.
OSR: What does music mean to you?
HalfCutLemon: It means a lot, really a lot! We all love music in our bones, listen to a lot of music in the alternative genre, go to concerts and festivals. Most of our friends are other music fanatics. Some of which have helped with this album as guest musicians, cover design and band photos.
OSR: You recently released your album, This Ain’t Real. What can you tell us about the album? Is there any backstory or theme?
HalfCutLemon: Our previous releases (one EP, one LP and a Residents song) has all been recorded in a low-budget studio and mixed by musician friends. And we released them on our own label. This time we wanted to ‘go bigger, with an alive approach’ and went to the best studio in Denmark, Sweet Silence Studio, in the hands of Flemming Rasmussen. And we signed a contract with the Germany independent label Aenaos Records, who are releasing and promoting the album.
OSR: You collaborated with producer Flemming Rasmussen, who has worked with Metallica. What was that experience like? In fact, what was the whole recording and production experience like – any challenges or smooth sailing?
HalfCutLemon: It was a pleasure to work with Flemming, of course, he is very professional and experienced, but also very nice. He managed to get the best out of our songs, without changing how we sound in the rehearsal room. He is really good at recording the instruments; our drums have never ever sounded this good. He is also very quick with everything in the studio, a true legend!
The sessions went fine, but he is a busy man, so sometimes we had to wait for him to have time to continue with the record – the whole process of recording, mixing and mastering the songs took about a year.
OSR: What do you hope people take from the album and your music in general?
HalfCutLemon: When we make music, we never think about making it commercial or to suit a large audience. We make music, that is us, our feelings, our ideas and in our moods. And we are not trying to sound like any other bands. And we do not make rules for our music – a song can suddenly change completely to something else, like in ‘Ointment’ where the middle section goes down in half tempo and changes genre.
We make our songs together. We jam a lot and record most of our sessions, and when something interesting comes up, a great riff, some beautiful chords, or a good line for a song, we work further with it, often through several months before we have a final song. We hope that the listeners find that interesting and will give our songs more than one listen. Our songs have many elements and will typically get better after several listenings, as you get familiar with the song.
OSR: What advice do you have for new artists coming into the music industry?
HalfCutLemon: Just try to be yourself, find your own sound, make music the way you think is fun and interesting – there are too many trying to sound and look like their idols, and only have focus on making money.
OSR: If you had to introduce a new listener to your music, which song would you recommend and why?
HalfCutLemon: ‘Disturbance’, that song has both punk and pop elements. Else ‘Ointment’ for punk, ‘The Sun Dying’ for melodic melancholy, ‘Fist’ for krautrock.
OSR: Which do you find more challenging: melody or lyrics?
HalfCutLemon: Probably the melody, our songs have generally more of a rhythmic foundation than a melodic foundation.
OSR: What is your greatest achievement personally and professionally?
HalfCutLemon: We are very proud to be selected by the American cult band The Residents to be on their album I AM A RESIDENT! with our version of their song ‘Hello Skinny’.
OSR: What can we expect from HalfCutLemon in the future?
HalfCutLemon: We are already making new songs, and hope to go into the studio soon and record those songs, probably for an EP.
OSR: Do you have a message for our readers?
HalfCutLemon: Take care, break down conventions, and keep art and music alive!
Many thanks to HalfCutLemon for speaking with us. Find out more about HalfCutLemon on their official website, Facebook, YouTube, Bandcamp and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
