Meet: Musician and Producer Milton Lopes Arespång 

**New Single**

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Milton says his new single, I Hope (You'll Be Turning Up), is a true throwback, blending Motown's feel with elements of R&B and soul. It is also heavily inspired by Al Green, a popular soul singer in the 70s, and Otis Redding, sometimes referred to as the king of soul. Milton says, "It is almost like a parody of just how closely I tried to recreate this classic Motown Sound. I have listened to Al Green a lot, tried to imitate how the backing band plays, the recording techniques, and very much the way he phrases his vocals and crafts his melodies and lyrics. I have never tried to emulate an artist this closely before, but it was a fun challenge." 

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Milton has written the lyrics and the chords for the song, and he sings, plays bass, and plays trumpet on the track. He has played the trumpet for a long time, so he can also write for wind instruments. When it comes to making the song, Milton explains that he prefers to have the lyrics and chords written and finalized before meeting the backing band and doing any rehearsals, to get the feel and sound he likes. "Then we record, the whole band together, because I think it gives much more chemistry in the music, to play bass, drums, and guitar live together, so it's not instrument upon instrument, but it's an interplay", Milton says. 

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The other musicians on the recording are Klara Malmoe, who provides backup vocals; Gabriel Säwström on drums; Joel Larsson on guitar; and Billie Lo Lopes Arespång on trombone. Billie Lo is Milton's little sister, and it is the first time she has joined him on a recording. He thinks it went really well and that it can be a recurring thing. "She is pretty good on the trombone", Milton adds. 

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** Debut Album and Upcoming Album ** 

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The debut album, which was released in January this year, is a collection of songs that Milton has worked on over a long period, and he has put them together in an album titled "Delusion of Grandeur", which is available on Spotify. On this album, he had a rich mix of instruments and collaborations with other musicians. "I think there were 22 musicians overall for all the songs, and a lot of different instruments", he explains. When it comes to the next album, which he is already far along in the process of, he is leaning toward minimalism and a more raw, authentic, and introspective vibe; a bit more melancholy. There will be fewer instruments, maybe 5 different instruments: bass, 2 guitars, drums, and piano. Sometimes a saxophone might be added. But overall, it will be more stripped down. "I think the minimalism makes the songs more powerful", Milton says. 

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** The Rock Band EXIT **

 

Milton went to Nordhem School in Gothenburg, which has a strong musical specialization. Here, he and some of his classmates formed the rock band EXIT in seventh grade, in which he was a bassist and co- singer. "Exit was how I got started with recording and producing for real. When we recorded our EP, I didn't know what I was doing, but after many, many hours spent on YouTube and other sources online, I learned what I know today. I am self-taught, but still managed to get into the Academy of Music and Drama", Milton adds.

 

Before attending university, he studied at Hvitfeldska upper secondary school, which also has a musical program. The band played together for many years. All the band members have continued with music, and some of them appear on Milton's single: Gabriel Säwström (drums) and Joel Larsson (guitar) were also in EXIT. 

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With an already diverse musical journey behind him and much still ahead, Milton is undoubtedly a Gothenburg artist worth watching.