The Far Out Telescope

These Swedes are on a mission to revive the long-lost art of the space opera – and some heavyweight help is at hand

Hailing from Umeå – a Swedish city more readily associated with hardcore and metal – The Far Out Telescope are an assured new presence on the prog landscape. Fronted by singer and conceptualist Mikael Stenberg, the band – Björn Lohmander (keys), Stefan Bränberg (guitar), Anton Sundquist (drums) and Fredrik Sundqvist (bass) – were formed from two distinct outfits: one rooted in pop rock, the other steeped in 70s-style classic rock with both united by a third element.

“British prog rock was what we were all listening to,” Stenberg explains. That hybrid lineage defines a sound at the crossroads of classic prog, space rock and psychedelia, offset by “very easy going and accessible” melodies rooted in Stenberg’s pop sensibilities. There are echoes of Caravan, while Pink Floyd’s influence looms in the band’s use of space and dynamics.

At the heart of their cosmic explorations sits an expansive narrative featuring Rigel the Astronaut, his sidekick Hypatia and her flower-fuelled robot, Smiley. “Why doesn’t anyone do these Jeff Wayne //War Of The Worlds//-style albums anymore?” Stenberg asks as he cites their prime influence. “We love that album very, very much.” What began as a single idea quickly escalated. “It was like opening Pandora’s box,” he says. “There’s a reason people don’t do space operas anymore and that’s because people lose their minds.” Still, the ambition proved essential. “If I hadn’t have written this 100-page story, it would’ve been impossible to have written the songs.”

The first two single releases, 'Space Is Dead' and 'Neuman Boys', were mixed by Grammy-winning producer Sylvia Massey – whose previous credits include Johnny Cash and System Of A Down – after a chance introduction. “She thought they sounded great,” Stenberg recalls. “She offered to mix them and then we took it from there.” A full-length album has been recorded, with the band now handling mixing themselves. “It’ll probably be double vinyl and out later this year,” says Stenberg.

A live, From The Basement-style session has captured another side of the band. “We can get lost in the mixing process,” Stenberg admits. “We’re a live band and that’s where the music really comes alive.” For prog fans, The Far Out Telescope offer proof that ambition, melody and imagination remain very much front and centre of their oeuvre.

Julian Marszalek

For more information, see www.farouttelescope.bandcamp.com. Music | Far Out Telescope