Petter finds new creative path for 17th album 'Bar Nimes'

Petter, a Swedish artist with nearly 30 years in the music industry, is set to release his seventeenth studio album, "Bar Nimes," this autumn. The artist admitted to feeling a creative lull about two years ago, finding less joy in music-making compared to his freedom in painting. "Everything I created was on my terms, my conditions. That's where I wanted to get with the music," Petter explained. "If nothing happens in the music, I don't really know what to do. I had to find a new way forward."

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Everything I created was on my terms, my conditions. That's where I wanted to get with the music. If nothing happens in the music, I don't really know what to do. I had to find a new way forward.

This new path emerged through collaboration with music producer Elias Kapari, known for working with top Swedish artists. Their initial two-day studio session evolved into months of work. "Elias gave me a creative injection, and I started finding music fun again," Petter said. "It's easy to fall into the same patterns, but for me as an artist, it's been important to constantly challenge myself. It's very good that I have Elias with me, who believes in that challenge."

The album's title, "Bar Nimes," is inspired by a restaurant on Östermalm where Petter and Elias would discuss their musical ideas over wine and Northern Italian cuisine after successful studio sessions. This choice might seem surprising for an artist rooted in Stockholm's Södermalm district, but Petter maintains a strong connection to his upbringing. He was recently interviewed at Café Lisas Grabb, a Södermalm café that holds personal significance, having been a regular at its predecessor as a child. "I always come back here, in one way or another. This is home," he stated.

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Elias gave me a creative injection, and I started finding music fun again. It's easy to fall into the same patterns, but for me as an artist, it's been important to constantly challenge myself. It's very good that I have Elias with me, who believes in that challenge.

Petter Alexis Askergren began his hip-hop career near the turn of the millennium, notably choosing to rap in Swedish when English was dominant. He aimed to forge a unique expression and style in his native language, feeling most authentic that way. His breakthrough came in 1998 with the singles "Mikrofonkåt" and "Vinden har vänt" from his debut album "Mitt sjätte sinne."

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I always come back here, in one way or another. This is home.