LENNART JÖNSSON FEAT. JOSH ST GERMAIN, DAVID KROON, ERIC EKLUND

Q. What inspired you most when writing the lyrics for “Cure Your Fear”?

A. Cure Your Fear grew out of a long-standing spiral of frustration with—not only—Swedish journalism’s blind spots, biases, fear-mongering tendencies, and click-chasing frenzy.
 
Q When you think about the idea of fear and boredom in media, what does that mean to you personally?

A. It’s all about journalists fear of acting as journalist ought to act. Searching the truth, not easy “smashing” headlines. Providing information to the readers, so the readers (we) can make our own democratic decisions.

Q The song has a strong message about modern journalism. Was there a specific moment or story that made you want to write about this topic?

Not at all, it’s a development over 20-40, maybe 50 years within mainstream media, especially public service.

Q Do you think boredom can actually be a good thing in today’s world of constant news and updates?

Following the book is boring among journalists who think they in every moment must produce “news” that sacrifise the truth.

Q You use a mix of sarcasm and honesty in the lyrics. How do you find that balance between humor and criticism?

Well, maybe a bit of more humor would be fine. But I was (am) so fed up with today’s mainstream media. I have lost trust.

Q Were you trying to speak to journalists directly with this song, or more to the audience who consumes the news?

A good question! When writing the lyrics I had both in mind.

Q What do you think is the emotional cost of living in a media environment built on fear and attention?

Having journalists having fear of not executing journalism according to what they learned in the journalism school is truly scary! Fast news have become more important than correct news. Trust is lost at the expense of activistic nonsense.

Q The song’s tone moves between frustration and hope. Was that contrast intentional from the start?

Actually no. The singer David Kroon, brought me down to hope in the bridge of the song–even the journalists have knowledge about the problem:

“I’ve been stuck here before
So empty and so vague
I’ve been broken down
I’ll do anything to get out.”

Q How do you feel about the role of music as a form of social commentary today?

Well, I’m trying. But it is not easy. Most (?)
people don’t listen to the lyric. But this song is an attempt to bring it up on the table!

Q Did you have any worries that the message of “Cure Your Fear” might be misunderstood or seen as anti-media?

A suspision maybe. But worries—no!

The lyrics feel both poetic and straightforward. How do you approach writing something that carries a clear message without losing its musical flow?

I love words and the force words carries. I can’t say how I navigate. It’s, maybe, a thing between the brain, the heart and my gut?

Q You mention “political scoring” in the lyrics. Do you see that as a major issue in how people talk about news and politics today?

Too may journalists display their own personal opinion in matters they present in media. That is unprofessional! And very, very disturbing!

Q How did working with Josh St Germain, David Kroon, and Eric Eklund shape the final version of the song?

They certainly synergistically to the song by adding the tension I felt.

Josh’s guitar was (is) on the spot—direct, exact, without compromise.

David’s voice couldn’t be better! He translates the words into emotions fully understable for—yes—the brain, the heart, and the gut.

Eric’s bass collect everything else by binding the song together with his low-end bass voice!

Q The line “Bringing the content to a close” feels like a moment of relief in the song. What does that line mean to you?

Again, it’s David, the singer, who brings hope to the topic. And I agree, we certainly need hope!

What role do you think independent media platforms should play in countering fear-driven news?

They should take subject seriously, and facilitate news describing the world as it is. Not as individual journalists think it is.

Or as the late Professor Hans Rosling claimed in his last book ‘Factfulness” (2018):

“Ultimately, it is not the task of journalists, nor the purpose of activists or politicians, to present the world exactly as it is. They must compete for our attention with exciting narratives and dramatic stories. They will always focus on the unusual rather than the ordinary, and on the new or temporary rather than on patterns that change slowly over time.

I cannot imagine even the most reputable news editors providing a neutral, undramatic, and truly representative picture of the world, as national statistical agencies do. It would be accurate but far too boring. We cannot expect the media to move too far in that direction. Instead, the responsibility falls on us as consumers to learn to be more factful when we consume the news — and to realize that the news is not particularly useful for truly understanding the world.”

Q If you could change one thing about how people consume information today, what would it be?

Don’t ever read tabloids!

Q Looking back now, do you see “Cure Your Fear” as more of a protest, a reflection, or a wake-up call?

I hope for a wake-up call.