CREDIT: Nik & Kat
Nik & Kat is a pop duo hailing from Gothenburg, Sweden, known for their personal and emotional lyrics paired with smooth melodies and unforgettable hooks. This talented singer-songwriter duo captivates listeners with their remarkable vocal harmonies, creating a unique yet easy-on-the-ears sound that resonates deeply and leaves fans yearning for more.
Their latest release, “Tomorrow Belongs to the Dreamers,” is a poignant pop ballad that embodies their signature style. With profound themes and a captivating music arrangement, the song invites listeners on a journey of daring to dream big and embracing hope for the future.
In this exclusive interview, Nik & Kat open up about their musical influences, the inspiration behind their latest track, and their collaborative creative process.
Singular Culture: Could you please introduce yourselves and provide a brief overview of your musical backgrounds? How long have you both been creating music and what inspired you to start a pop duo?
We are Nikke Karlsson (Nik) and Kattis Trollregn (Kat). We met during a musical at the Gothenburg Opera House in 2015 and immediately discovered that we enjoyed working together. Soon after, we started some small projects outside of the production—gigs, studio work, and a lot of coffee (or “fika,” as it’s called in Sweden).
Nikke: For many years, I toured Sweden, Europe, and the U.S. with the rock and rhythm group “JEERK,” where I also wrote original music.
Kattis: I have mainly worked as a singer, actor, and dancer in musical theater, shows, and concerts in Sweden and the Northern countries. Until now, I only wrote lyrics and music for myself.
Nikke has the most experience when it comes to writing music. During the pandemic, when the entire music industry was on hold, we started discussing the idea of creating something together. Nikke suggested basing it entirely on acoustic guitar (his primary instrument, aside from singing). We wanted to create music that was heartfelt and could be performed by just the two of us with an acoustic guitar, while also being scalable for arrangements with a full orchestra.
Can you share any artists that have inspired your music and influenced your creative process?
Kattis: We draw inspiration from so many artists. One of my favorite singers is Adele, not to mention Pink and Aretha Franklin. I’m inspired by singers who can tell a story and are brave enough to step outside their comfort zones, not always aiming for the “pretty” notes.
Nikke: Ronnie James Dio has been a big influence for me, and I was completely blown away when I saw Tracy Chapman live for the first time. Ed Sheeran’s use of the looper has also inspired me, and I decided to learn it for our premiere concert in January. It’s been a great addition to our live performances.
Can you walk us through your writing process for “Tomorrow Belongs to the Dreamers”? What inspired the track?
Nikke: The song came together on the sofa at home. I always keep a guitar nearby and often play while watching TV. Once I discovered the main riff, the song quickly took shape. I felt it should be a positive song about daring to dream big—“Tomorrow Belongs to the Dreamers.” I envisioned it playing on the radio while cruising down California in a Mustang convertible. Throughout the process, we referred to it as “the driving in a car tune.” The lyrics, however, took a bit longer to chisel out.
CREDIT: Nik & Kat
We love the arrangement of the instrumental! Did you collaborate with any other musicians or producers on it, or was it mainly crafted by you two?
Kattis: It’s primarily Nikke’s work on guitars, mandolin, bass, keyboard, and percussion. However, we’ve been fortunate to have Johan Örn on drums and PO Linnervik on Rhodes. Johan also plays on a few other tracks, like “We’re Playing With Fire,” one of our first releases. PO is an old friend of Nikke’s who often performs with us live. Once the vocals were recorded, it was smooth sailing! The mixing and mastering took only two days.
Could you share any memorable moments or challenges you faced while working on “Tomorrow Belongs to the Dreamers”?
We set up, soundchecked, and recorded drums for five songs in a single day, with “Tomorrow Belongs to the Dreamers” among them.
People say two heads are better than one. How has your songwriting evolved together, and what have you learned from each other’s musical styles?
Kattis: On a scale from 0 to 100, my songwriting is at a 10. We strongly believe that two heads are better than one—especially since we think differently. It’s always great to bounce ideas off each other, even the bad ones! They need to come out to make room for the better ones. Ha ha!
As a duo, there can occasionally be disagreements. How do you navigate creative differences or varying visions when writing or performing?
We have a rule that no one can dismiss an idea without trying it first. The person who proposes the idea then takes the lead creatively, acting as the director. Another important aspect is putting your ego aside—it’s not about me; it’s about this creative journey. This process takes time to evolve into something great. And one more thing: you must be both honest and kind.
Despite being a newly formed pop duo, you’ve released quite a few songs. Of those, which one is your favorite and why?
Nikke: “Footprints in the Sand,” mainly because of the guitar playing.
Kattis: Our next release—I simply love the bridge! Ha ha! But so far, I’d say “Invisible” is my favorite because of the acoustic intro.
What are your goals for the future of your music career, and what themes or genres are you excited to explore in your upcoming songs?
The sky’s the limit! We have over 30 songs waiting to be recorded and released, with the ambitious goal of putting out one per month. Ha ha! As singer-songwriters, we’re always exploring new ways to communicate through our voices, lyrics, and music—while staying true to who we are, what we stand for, and what we believe in. Since we’re still in the early stages, there’s so much to discover about our sound. One of our main goals is to keep performing live, hopefully balancing larger venues with a full band and more intimate concerts. Meeting the audience and sharing not just our music but the experience itself is the best part of it all.
As Nik & Kat embark on their exciting musical journey, their latest single, “Tomorrow Belongs to the Dreamers,” captures the spirit of hope and aspiration. This touching ballad encourages us to dream boldly and reminds us that no dream is too big. So, give it a listen and let their inspiring message resonate with you!