A Chat with Benjamin Rajani (23.04.25)
With a distinctive flair for moving melodies and poetic lyricism, singer-songwriter Benjamin Rajani delves into raw human emotion with his music. One of the Faroese artists who seems to be gaining popularity in recent years, Rajani binds Nordic melancholy and Faroese roots as a pioneer in the music scene. We speak with Rajani about his new album Tá hvørt ljós líkist tær, creative processes, future plans and much more.
OSR: Cliche, but what drew you to music? Why did you decide to pursue a career as a musician?
Rajani: I think some people are just born with a strong inclining towards music. I have a lot of memories as a child revolving around music, so I guess that fascination has always been there. The inclining is out of my control, kind of like being introverted or extroverted. You can’t choose it.
OSR: You recently released your album, Tá hvørt ljós líkist tær. What can you tell us about the album? Are there any backstories or particular themes?
Rajani: This is my debut album and I have been working on it for the past four years. So much work has gone into this project, and I am really happy about the result. The songs are inspired by relationships. Both romantic and platonic, and the highs and the lows that they bring. But also, the relationship between the past and the present – being an adult and feeling nostalgic about the simple times of youth and childhood.
OSR: What do you hope people take from this album, and what do you take from it?
Rajani: I hope people will listen to the album from start to finish, as the album is intended to be a holistic experienced. We tried to make the album feel like a dynamic journey.
OSR: What is your creative process?
Rajani: 9 out of 10 times I sit on my couch with my guitar and write melodies and chord progressions and then add the words that I feel like the song is trying to say. Sometimes I work via seamless inspiration, but most of the times the process requires time and effort.
OSR: Tá hvørt ljós líkist tær has an intriguing mixture of folk, pop, indie-pop and even some soul in the mix. Why do you choose to combine several genres instead of sticking to a single one?
Rajani: I think it makes for a more interesting listening experience. The songs on the album are varied, but still cohesive.
OSR: If you had to introduce your music to a new listener, which track would you choose and why?
Rajani: I would say listen to the opening track ‘Orð eru fátæk’.
OSR: Do you have advice for emerging independent artists?
Rajani: First, write a lot of songs. Then find a good producer. I think those are two obvious but important keys to making a good album.
OSR: What can we expect next in your musical journey?
Rajani: Hopefully a lot of concerts, both locally and internationally. And of course, my follow up album, which I am currently working on.
Many thanks to Benjamin Rajani for speaking with us. Find out more about Benjamin Rajani on his Facebook, Instagram, TikTok and Spotify.
This artist was discovered via Musosoup #sustainablecurator
