John Daniel returns with “Stordåd,” a bright and absolutely heartfelt pop rocker that beautifully captures the freedom of boyhood dreams and the genuine courage it takes to stay true to yourself! Hailing from Norrköping, Sweden, John has spent over a decade successfully shaping his place in Scandinavian pop, earning recognition for blending strong melodies with honest, relatable emotion. With “Stordåd,” which loosely translates as “Great Deeds,” he excitingly continues the story started with “Det Är Värt Det,” diving deeper into compelling themes of expectation, authenticity, and holding on to the child within us all!
Produced by Anders Berlin and mixed by Alar Suurna, the single carries a polished yet playful energy that feels both deeply personal and genuinely uplifting! As the second thrilling release from his upcoming fourth album, Extraliv, the song stands as a powerful reminder to keep chasing what feels right in your heart, no matter what!
The animated music video, creatively directed by Daniel Gual, adds another wonderful layer to this journey, turning self-reflection into a colorful and imaginative adventure that’s an absolute joy to watch!
This is pop music with purpose and heart, delivered with the kind of sincerity that makes you believe in dreams all over again!
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What inspired the creation of “Stordåd,” and what personal or cultural themes does the title evoke in the song’s narrative?
Stordåd’ is about the dream of making it, about playfulness, and about doing what you love. The song draws inspiration from my own dreams—both as a child and as an adult. Musically, I wanted something really catchy, inspired by the vibe of early pop charts.
How did you approach the songwriting and production to capture its emotional core, particularly through melody, lyrics, or instrumentation?
The melodies, the piano hook, and the chorus chords were pieces I had lying around separately. After that, the lyrics came together. That’s often how I work. The word ‘Stordåd’—I see it as equivalent to ‘success’ in English.
What message or feeling do you hope listeners connect with in “Stordåd,” and how does it reflect your artistic voice?
I hope people feel joy, playfulness, and maybe even smile when they hear it. The music video (produced by Daniel Gual) really builds on that expression. But behind the cheerful tone, there’s also a touch of melancholy—about longing, achievement, and the desire to let go. I like that double layer.
Can you share details on key elements like vocal delivery or arrangement that define the track’s impact?
One of the key building blocks of the song is the piano riff that comes and goes—it’s an old idea I’ve had for years. Recording the vocals was pretty quick. Normally, my choruses go higher in pitch than the verses, but in Stordåd it’s the opposite, which felt like a fun twist. My producer, Anders Berlin, helped me a lot with the retro sound, and the track was mixed by Alar Suurna, who mixed Roxette’s big Billboard hits, including The Look.
How does “Stordåd” fit into your broader musical evolution or recent projects?
Stordåd belongs to the more upbeat side of my catalog. I usually work in midtempo and ballads, but lyrically it still fits in. The album Extraliv (Extra Life) will be released this spring, and many of the songs revolve around themes of dreams and doing things that feel right deep in your soul.
In what ways does this single draw from your influences or experiences as an artist?
Sound-wise, I wanted a classic old-school pop vibe, inspired by Swedish bands like Gyllene Tider and Noice. I love embracing the past but adding a modern touch. I’ve been making music for a long time, and during the process of this album, I felt like it might be my last—or at least I wrote it as if it were. We’ll see…”
What early feedback have you received from fans or the music community?
To be honest, it didn’t really take off at first—the response was very slow in the beginning. But I guess, as an indie artist, I face the same challenges as many others. Things picked up after the music video, which I’m really proud of. I believe in the song and hope others will enjoy it too, once they get the chance to listen.
How do you see “Stordåd” performing in live settings or playlists?
The song will work great live. I have a really solid live band, and most of them also played on the studio recording. I’m really looking forward to performing—it will be a big focus this spring and summer.
