Post Description

** Biography **

Carbon Based Lifeforms (CBL) are Johannes Hedberg and Daniel Segerstad (né 
Ringström), both born in 1976 and based in Göteborg, south-west Sweden. They 
met at the tender age of 15 and are still, amazingly, working happily together, 
almost 20 years later. CBL itself was formed in 1996, as an offshoot from other 
projects, but soon became their focal point, culminating in their first release 
on ‘mp3.com’ in 1998.

It is hard to categorise CBL’s music but the best description might be that of 
a groundbreaking mixture of acid, techno and house music. The term 
‘acid/ambient’ has also been coined; perhaps a respectful nod to the great 
pioneer Brian Eno?

CBL signed with the celebrated Lyon-based ‘Ultimae’ label in 2002 and have 
since released two full-length albums (‘Hydroponic Garden’ in 2003, and ‘World 
of Sleepers’ in 2006). Both albums have been extraordinarily well received by 
connoisseurs within the ambient scene.

Additionally they have actively participated in successful collaborations with 
several artists, including Magnus Birgersson of Solar Fields in a project to 
compose the music for the Swedish dancer Olof Persson’s ‘Fusion’ performance 
in 1999.

Johannes often creates the building blocks of sounds and harmonies and could 
tweak sounds forever, whereas Daniel develops the rhythms and sculpts the ideas 
into tracks. It remains unclear which of them derives the greatest pleasure 
from manipulating the distinctive, squelching sounds of the Roland TB-303; 
certainly it is much more fun than any man is entitled to have whilst twiddling 
electronic knobs…..

Through this synergy of ideas, their aim is to combine earth and space in their 
music. Daniel and Johannes use the combination of nature and technology as the 
main inspiration for their work. They like to represent both the positive and 
negative effects that this collaboration can lead to, including the negative 
impact that incorrect technology can have on the environment.

Visitors to this unique part of the world never cease to be amazed by the 
stunning scenery which exists in its varying, often contrasting, forms across 
the whole of Sweden. Whether it be the snow-and-ice-bound beauty of Lapland in 
deepest winter, or the sweeping, rolling hills of Dalarna during the short, 
warm summer nights, the genius of CBL’s music is that it suits any occasion.

Their creativity occasionally overspills into what become ‘new’ projects. The 
results can be enjoyed by listening to releases from Thermostatic and 
Digidroid, as well as Daniel’s own SYNC24, which is the result of sudden 
impulses of inspiration, giving room for his personal reflections.

The music often seems to reflect the natural landscape of its land of 
inception; indeed if you listen to ‘Photosynthesis’ on the ‘World of Sleepers’ 
album then you find yourself feeling genuine concern for the forests. Given the 
source of the quotation in the song, perhaps this is the point. If so, it’s a 
damned good one and epitomises the aim of the group in pricking the conscience 
when it comes to something as critical as the environment.

In fact, it’s such a good point that we designed our own t-shirts in tribute, 
with the slogan on the rear of “What about the forests?” and we wore them to 
our first visit to The Eden Project, a major ecological and environmental 
educational facility in England’s south-west corner, promoting awareness of 
global climate change and the importance of sustainable development. A perfect 
place to promote CBL’s ideology, we felt!

We first became aware of CBL through the iTunes channel ‘radioioambient’ during 
a particularly warm Nordic summer, immersed in the perfect harmony between 
complex nature and multi-faceted soundscape; such music hadn’t had such a 
profound effect on us since the Higher Intelligence Agency released their 
innovative first album "colourform" in 1993.

When driving home to England we usually travel through the night and CBL is the 
primary music of choice. It is relaxing, yet not sleep-inducing; a definite 
advantage when driving 2000km in a short space of time!

The live edit of the track ‘Inertia’ was, with kind permission, the 
accompaniment to our own wedding video – that’s how much of an impact their 
music can have on people; it touches lives and evokes strong memories of deeply 
emotional experiences, which is exactly how ambient music should be: a 
soundtrack for life, not a backdrop to it.

...jim & joanne sharman, may 2009...