Exploring the Making of Robin Sandquist’s Personal Journey “Ägydius”

Robin Sandquist, a musician from Malmö and former member of the band Sejd, has recently released his solo album Ägydius on vinyl through Sonde Records, showcasing a blend of alternative, indie-pop, jazz, and post-rock genres with a touch of medieval mysticism. The creation of this album was deeply personal for Sandquist and involved years of experience, creative challenges, and reinvention.

The concept behind the album stems from a 15th-century monk named Ägydius. Drawing inspiration from the notations of Hildegard von Bingen, Sandquist crafted a collection of songs that touch on themes of emotional catharsis, the clash between sacred and Nordic elements, and explore his own sentiments on faith, alienation, and the passage of time. In his own words, Sandquist describes Ägydius as a sonic journey that may offer solace to those who feel lost and despondent.

Having previously gained recognition with his band Sejd, Sandquist took a hiatus in 2020 before releasing his solo EP Hittepå. During this time, he collaborated with visual artist Ester Cavallin on the album art for Ägydius, with Cavallin’s work blending sacred and melancholic elements to complement the music’s tone and atmosphere.

Sandquist originally intended to use Ägydius as an alias for future projects but decided to retain the name for his series of albums under his own name. Describing the overall sound of Ägydius as a mix of structured pop and ambient music with tranquil, almost liturgical interludes, Sandquist crafted each track to be a chapter within a larger emotional narrative that he presents on the vinyl release.

Despite the challenges he faced with Sejd in finding venues supportive of their experimental post-rock sound, Sandquist remains optimistic about playing live shows in Malmö and abroad in the future. He aims to create a platform that can accommodate his style of music and hopes to introduce more people to his unique blend of genres and themes.

Ägydius offers listeners a nuanced and introspective listening experience, where Sandquist’s emphasis on emotional depth, memory, and personal storytelling shines through in its subtle yet impactful delivery. The album is now available through Sonde Records, giving fans a chance to immerse themselves in Sandquist’s musical exploration of faith, melancholy, and self-discovery.