Originally formed in 2009 by bassist Dan Berglund (formerly e.s.t.), guitarist Johan Lindström (Per Texas Johansson), pianist Martin Hederos (Soundtrack Of Our Lives) and drummer Andreas Werliin (Wildbirds & Peacedrums), Swedish supergroup Tonbruket (‘tone workshop’) have created another masterpiece with their second outing, ‘Dig it to the end’.

Although their eponymous debut album was a concept album as well, with ‘Dig it to the end’ they define their unique band sound and style even further and carve out their musical niche, combining instrumental prog-rock with improvisational elements.

The album title ‘Dig it to the end’ refers to the compositional and recording processes. “We went the extra mile to really carve out the songs and compositions. It was like shuffling earth to excavate the true heart, meaning and soul of each song,” explains Johan Lindström, who, with six songs to his name, was again the most active composer. “But then you are also free to interpret it as an invitation to really listen carefully to all songs. It is worth it,” he adds with a twinkle.

Johan Lindström, who contributed the majority of songs to Tonbruket’s debut album, is a self-taught musician. He started playing the piano at the age of 12 and picked up the guitar at 13, forming his first band 14. “It was something like a ‘Beatles Revival Band’. For roughly two years we did nothing but play Beatles ́ songs all the time. Then at 16 I started to compose my own songs.” says Lindström. By the age of 19 he had become a first-call session musician and string arranger on the Swedish studio scene. Ten years on he opened his own studio – Hammarby Studios – where he has produced over 30 albums to date, simultaneously arranging, composing and creating sounds for artists such as Nina Kinert, Freddy Wadling and Anna Ternheim.

Johan Lindström and Dan Berglund met for the first time 11 years ago when they both played for a short time in Per Texas Johansson’s band. Dan remembers that they always had a lot of fun together and throughout his e.s.t. years they never lost contact, with Dan even performing on one of the albums that Johan produced. It was only after the end of e.s.t. that Johan and Dan hooked up and seriously considered making music together. This was the birth of Tonbruket and, with Martin Hederos and Andreas Werliin on board, the band recorded their debut album – which was recently awarded with a Swedish Grammy – and toured the world.