Shaping Worlds

Jonatan Bengtsson found his way into the music industry through undeniable talent, relentless work, self management and the confidence that music is the place he belonged to. Going to the studio is as normal for him as it is to go to an office for others. He’s been with Nova since the very early days, contributing with one of our earliest releases in late 2024. 

Having barely had two other side jobs before, he has only ever worked full time as a creative since he was 23 years old.

I had the honor to sit down with him in our office and ask him about his path, inspirations and how his creativity found one home in mood music. 

With both of his parents being musicians, Jonatan’s home was filled with sound growing up. Due to an issue with his heart, he could not run around like the other kids when he was young - he had to find other ways to entertain himself. “While the other kids were running around playing football, I sat at home and listened to music and played piano instead”. The keys became a natural extension of his fingers; a lifelong journey of fascination and passion should start. 

Even after getting healthy, calm and musical activities pulled him the most. He took piano lessons throughout his childhood and adolescence, with his first stage experience at just four years old. 

Trying to study a bunch of different subjects, he never really stuck to any of them: maybe because his interest dropped for anything that wasn’t music related but probably also because during university he was already a touring musician as well, and therefore had to regularly travel away in the middle of terms.

One thing Jonatan understood early on is that the music industry is not necessarily a generous one. Opportunities don’t just fall into your lap, and you need to hold onto whatever you can take. 

He knew he was gonna have to search and work hard to find projects that would make it possible for him to earn enough for a living. So he’s tried many different things: writing music for ads, songwriting with artists, touring with them and as of late even conducting an orchestra for a musical. “To be in charge of an orchestra. I love it”, he says with a smile. 

Over time, he became an expert in creating soundscapes for whatever genre close, tailored to a moment. Musicals, pop, ambient, classical music. Whatever he chooses to do, he does it with passion. “I need to do things in a way that brings me joy, otherwise I can’t continue with them - whether it is tweaking a synth sound on tour or giving piano compositions my own handwriting. I need to feel like the thing I do ultimately fits me” .

Easier said than done! Yet Jonatan radiates a calmness that makes me believe in the power of knowing yourself and truly getting the furthest by embracing it. 

He creates classical piano and ambient music for Nova and honestly it is enchanting to get to listen to his tracks first. The talent and skill is undeniable, his soundscapes feel like slowing down and diving into another world for a moment.

Through the collaboration with us, Jonatan found yet another way of living the creative life he has always loved so much. 

His influences, his inspiration - a simple answer: people, nature, music. 

“It can get lonely in the studio sometimes”. After long days, the pianist seeks for resonance with other humans and gets inspiration through conversation. He loves to go out into the forest or pick vegetables that he then cooks (clearly also a very creative task) and share a meal with loved ones. A full circle moment, leading back to inspiration and ideas that he then expresses on the piano, which we ultimately get to listen to. 

Jonatan feels like a grounded, optimistic person who cares about the process as much as the outcome, if not even more. Through years of hard work, dedication and the belief in himself he created a space filled with music, love and laughter. 

Always composing with authenticity and care for details, he is the anti robot in the mood music industry. 

You can listen to his music and join our serenity through the profile linked below. ■

Listen to Martes Fiore
Listen to Lasant