When TT meets Robert Pettersson, he is a little tired. The day before, he had undergone electroconvulsive therapy, a so-called ECT, which helps with his bipolar disorder.
"I'm usually tired for a couple of days afterwards. But I was in the studio last night working, so it still works," he says.
“Life and death”
Robert Pettersson is the frontman of Takida, and until a year ago, also of the now-defunct Stiftelsen. He has long been open about his mental health, but his first solo album "Deabolo hypomania" delves even deeper into just that.
He highlights the single "You" as one of the album's central songs. It was written during a period when Pettersson was feeling at his worst.
He is proud of the fact that he was able to write music at the same time that it was "a matter of life and death":
"It was like a dam bursting and I felt like, damn, I can write music even when I'm at my worst. I managed to turn a really nasty darkness into something lasting," he says.
Making music about one's own darkness has a partly de-dramatizing effect, while at the same time taking the darkness seriously, he says:
"But you have to be able to talk about it, maybe even joke about it. I am who I am, and I have nothing to lose by telling about it. And at the same time, music acts as my outlet," he says.
1980s sound
For the regular Takida or Stiftelsen listener, "Deabolo hypomania" may not be the first thing you associate with Robert Pettersson. The sound brings to mind the 80s, and the inspiration comes not from the rock scene but from childhood hero Michael Jackson.
When Robert Pettersson was little and lived in Uppsala, he only listened to Michael Jackson – when he later moved to Ånge, he was allowed to listen secretly.
"I've never been that much of a hard rocker. Admittedly, there's a lot of pop in Takida too, albeit with distorted guitars. But I've always loved pop, and now I could live it to the fullest," he says.
Despite his solo debut, Robert Pettersson is not done with his band. Right now, the focus is on Takida's upcoming album, and no solo gigs are planned this year.
"Realistically, it will be sometime in 2027. I would like to do another solo album first so I have more material. But I am really looking forward to doing this live in the future," he says.
Facts: Robert Pettersson
Age: 47.
Background: Singer in Takida and Stiftelsen (closed in 2024).
Current: With the solo album "Deabolo hypomania", which will be released on April 17.
In emergencies or if you have thoughts of suicide, always call 112.
This is where you can turn if you feel unwell:
Mind.se.
Suicide Zero – suicidezero.se.
Spes – National Association for Suicide Prevention and Survivor Support. spes.se.
BRIS – children's rights in society. bris.se.
Save the Children – raddabarnen.se. Also for parents.
Alcoholics Anonymous – aa.se.
On-call buddy – receives calls from children and young people up to the age of 25. jourhavandekompis.se.
On-call fellow human being – can be reached at night on 08–702 16 80.
Friends – friends.se.
1177 – healthcare advice and information about the nearest psychiatric emergency department. 1177.se
National mental health and suicide prevention helpline – reachable 24/7 at 90390.
