Exclusive Interview: Pop Culturalist Chats with Bearson

We’re “all in” on Norway native Jakob Bjørn-Hansen, better known as Bearson. The fast-rising up-and-coming artist has been making some major waves in the industry, especially with the SoundCloud community, amassing millions upon millions of streams. He’s creating dream-like soundscapes that are striking a chord with generations of listeners, and he’s showing no signs of slowing down. This November, he released his new single, “All In”, a collaboration with Georgia Ku and JRM, and he told us all about it.

PC: How did you discover your passion for music?
Bearson: I’ve always had a profound love for listening to music, but the big turning point came when I got into music production around the summer of 2011. Funny enough, I first came across it when this guy in junior high was making beats in the back of the classroom.

PC: Who or what has had the biggest influence on your career?
Bearson: I don’t have one big definitive influence—I’m quite frequently inspired by new stuff—but Skrillex got me into wanting to shape crazy sounds and ultimately inspired me to get more into production.

PC: A few years ago, you found yourself at a crossroad, deciding whether to continue your studies or pursue a career in music. How difficult was that decision?
Bearson: It wasn’t all that difficult. I told my mom and dad I wanted a year to see how this music thing would turn out, knowing very well I wouldn’t quit after that one year. Luckily, it was enough time to get signed to a label, which allowed me to move out to LA and do music full-time.

PC: Having been in the industry for a few years now, what’s one thing you know now that you wish you knew back when you started?
Bearson: I wish I knew to trust my own instincts more.

PC: Tell us about your new single, “All In”. What inspired the track?
Bearson: I guess what inspired it was my surroundings at the time. I was in Nicaragua with about twenty other producers and writers in a camp, and we’d just had a crazy week of writing and vibing together. We started the song around 2 am, and the rest is history.

PC: Of all the songs you’ve released, if you had to choose one that best encompasses you as an artist, which would it be and why?
Bearson: Tough question…I still feel to this day that “Pink Medicine” will always be a special one.

PC: What does the rest of the year hold for you as we look ahead to the end of 2019 into 2020?
Bearson: I’m gonna be in the studio for most of what’s left of 2019. I’m working on solo stuff as well as producing some really great artists. I’m just focused on having fun with music at all times; that’s really important.

Pop Culturalist

PC: A band or artist that fans would be surprised to learn is on your playlist?
Bearson: The Beach Boys

PC: First album you bought?
Bearson: I think one of those compiled albums with the biggest hits that they used to make in Norway.

PC: First concert you attended?
Bearson: Akon and Wyclef Jean in Oslo [laughs]

PC: An album that changed your life and why?
Bearson: Tame Impala’s Currents really stood out to me when it came out and reminded me of how pleasurable music can be.

PC: A venue on your bucket list to perform at?
Bearson: Red Rocks has always looked like a dream to me.

PC A must-have on the road?
Bearson: Yerba Mate!

To keep up with Bearson, follow him on Twitter and Instagram. Pick up or stream “All In” on Amazon Music, iTunes, or Spotify.