Interview with Rising Danish Band BONAD: Unpacking Echoes and the Journey of a Family Band
Thanks so much for taking the time to chat with me today, BONAD. It’s exciting to finally have the Echoes EP out in the world. To start, could you tell us a little bit about the name BONAD? What’s the story behind it?
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Get Started NowBONAD (Rachel): Absolutely! Well, BONAD is actually my last name. When we were starting out, it just felt right. It’s not just a band name for us; it represents the three of us coming together, almost like a family. It reflects that core feeling of community that’s so important to us.
That sense of family really comes through in how you describe yourselves. You’ve mentioned before that you’re “a family before you’re a band.” How does that dynamic influence your creative process and your overall approach to music?
BONAD (Mads): It changes everything, really. Because we have that deep trust and understanding as a family, we can be completely open and vulnerable with each other in the creative space. There are no ego issues; it’s about supporting each other and making the best music we can together. We challenge each other respectfully, and that pushes us to be better.
Your journey began in Randers (Denmark) back in 2019. Can you paint a picture of those early days? What sparked the formation of BONAD?
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BONAD (Thomas): Mads and I were looking for something new after our previous band. Mads knew Rachel from high school and showed me a video of her singing—her voice just blew us away. We knew we had to work with her. It was a bit of a whirlwind after that. We got together, and there was just this immediate chemistry, this feeling that it could be something special.
And that spark led to a shared mission: to “write music with meaning.” What does that phrase mean to BONAD?
BONAD (Rachel): For us, it’s about creating songs that resonate on a deeper level. We want to make music that people can connect with emotionally—whether they’re feeling sad, happy, or somewhere in between. We strive to be honest and vulnerable in our lyrics, hoping that our honesty helps others feel less alone. We want to be a soundtrack to people’s lives, in a way.
The EP Echoes explores the aftermath of love, focusing on themes of loss and recovery. What drew you to those particular emotions for your debut?
BONAD (Thomas): We write from real experiences, and love—and its complexities—is something we’ve all navigated in different ways. We wanted to capture that raw, honest feeling of what happens when a relationship ends: the lingering questions, the pain, but also the journey toward healing. It felt like a powerful and relatable starting point for our first major release.
The track titles on Echoes—”When I Cry,” “So Sad,” “Took It All”—are quite direct and evocative. Was that intentional?
BONAD (Rachel): Yes, definitely. We didn’t want to hide behind metaphors or overly abstract language. We wanted to be clear about the emotions we were exploring. It’s about being vulnerable and saying, “This is how we feel,” in the hope that someone listening will say, “I feel that too.”
Your music blends electronic and organic elements. How do you approach combining those different sounds in your songwriting and production?
BONAD (Mads): It’s a balancing act. We start with the core of the song—usually a melody or a lyrical idea. Then we build around it. We love the possibilities that electronic music offers—the textures, the rhythms, the atmosphere. But we also value the warmth and rawness of live instruments. It’s about finding the right combination to serve the emotion of the song. We want it to feel both modern and timeless.
You’ve had some impressive live experiences, including winning a talent competition and opening for James Bay. How has performing live shaped your development as a band?
BONAD (Thomas): Playing live is where our music really comes alive. It’s where we connect directly with the audience and feel their energy. It’s pushed us to think about how our songs translate in a live setting and how we can create an engaging performance. Winning the Samsø Festival talent award was a huge boost—it validated what we were doing and gave us a platform to reach more people.
You all contribute to songwriting and production but with individual strengths. Could you elaborate on how that collaborative process works?
BONAD (Rachel): It’s truly collaborative, but we each have areas where we naturally excel. I often come up with the initial melody or hook—that intuitive, emotional core. Mads is brilliant with production, building the soundscape and adding those intricate details. Thomas brings lyrical depth and helps shape the narratives. We brainstorm together, share ideas, and are always open to feedback. It’s about lifting each other up and combining our strengths to make the song the best it can be.
Your musical backgrounds range from Christian praise and worship to metal. How do those diverse influences shape BONAD’s sound?
BONAD (Mads): It might sound strange, but those different influences actually complement each other. The emotional intensity and vulnerability from praise and worship, the power and energy from metal—they all inform our music in subtle ways. We’re not trying to recreate those genres, but we draw on the feelings and atmospheres they evoke. It helps us create a sound that’s both atmospheric and energetic, with moments of both strength and vulnerability.
Looking ahead, what are your hopes and dreams for BONAD? What’s next after Echoes?
BONAD (Thomas): We have big ambitions! We want to keep writing and releasing music that connects with people. We want to play more shows, reach a wider audience, and continue to grow as artists. We’re already working on new material, exploring different sounds and themes. Echoes is just the beginning.
And finally, what do you hope listeners take away from Echoes?
BONAD (Rachel): We hope they feel something. We hope they hear their own experiences reflected in the songs. We hope it brings a sense of comfort or understanding during tough times. Ultimately, we hope Echoes shows people who BONAD is—an honest, vulnerable, and passionate band that’s just getting started.
