When Axel Willner, known as the Field and acclaimed for his intricate looping techno masterpieces, visited Stockholm’s Funky Chicken food truck last February, he anticipated nothing more than a burger. While waiting, Willner noticed another patron named Axel positioned two places ahead of him. This coincidence was noteworthy, given the name’s perceived old-fashioned nature among Swedish men in their 40s. “I thought, ‘Oh, how will they be naming our burgers now?'” Willner mused. Even more improbable, especially considering the truck’s somewhat out-of-the-way location, was that this other Axel was none other than Axel Boman, a fellow Scandinavian club music pioneer and co-founder of the vibrant dance label Studio Barnhus. Their conversation flowed during the extended wait. “He asked if I had any music, what I was up to, because I had been silent for a very long time,” Willner recalled. He left with an invitation to send Boman some tracks, an offer that ultimately led to a new record deal and his first release since 2018, titled Now You Exist.
English Translation:
When Axel Willner, the mastermind behind looping minimal techno masterpieces known as The Field, visited Stockholm’s Funky Chicken food truck last February, his expectations extended only as far as enjoying a burger. While waiting, Willner noticed another individual named Axel standing two places ahead of him. This was quite a coincidence, especially considering the name’s somewhat dated perception among Swedish men in their 40s. “I thought, ‘Oh, what will they be calling our burgers now?'” Willner commented. Even more unlikely, particularly given the spot’s somewhat remote location, was that this other Axel was fellow Scandi club music pioneer Axel Boman, co-founder of the effervescent dance label Studio Barnhus. They struck up a conversation during the lengthy wait. “He asked if I had any music, what I was doing, because I had been silent for a very long time,” Willner stated. He departed with an invitation to send Boman some tracks, which eventually paved the way for a new label deal and his first record since 2018, titled Now You Exist.