Malmö-based indie-pop band Hater said they weren’t expecting to write a bunch of love songs for their new album, Mosquito, but that’s what flowed from their fingertips after a long hiatus. Released via Fire Records, the band capture this disarming combination of reluctance and urgency by seamlessly combining their lush melodies, dreamy riffs and explicit lyrics to tenderly dismantle themes of traditional love, tinged with mythical references to romantic paraphernalia (vampires, Cupid, mosquitoes…?)
We think one of the best ways to get to know a band is by asking what music inspired them to write in the first place. We caught up with Hater’s vocalist Caroline Landahl to ask about her “Five Favourites” and she picked five songs by an eclectic range of artists who have inspired her songwriting. Check out her choices below and scroll down to watch the official video for Hater’s single ‘Angel Cupid’ too…
1. Michael Farneti – ‘The River’
This song has been one of my favourites for years. It’s just so sensible and beautiful. Describing how you can’t stop your emotions after all. I feel that it speaks to me. I didn’t know anything about the artist until recently when I found an interview from 2021. Turns out it’s his 12-year-old brother playing the drums on the record and that it was all recorded by Michael. Bloody brilliant drumming!
2. Wilco – ‘Say You Miss Me’
I’ve been a real sucker for Wilco for years and literally eat their songs over and over again. I could mention a trip duplet amount of their songs as favourites, but I’ll choose ‘Say You Miss Me’ for this time. I’ve listened to it a hundred times at least and sung it out loud while driving multiple times. I’ve even forced it on my daughter, since it’s been one of the only CDs I can play over and over again in the car. Car rides with Wilco everyone, a strong recommendation. I would die to see this song live one day. Unfortunately, my luck with making Wilco’s live shows has been incredibly bad, hopefully this summer will be my chance, since I see they’re touring towards us Scandis finally!
3. Credence Clearwater Revival – ‘Up Around The Bend’
When I was about 7 years old, I found a wet tape on the grass on the way to school one morning. Someone had written ‘CCR’ on it and I had no clue what it was. The whole day was just an endless wait until I could listen to it. When I got home, I put it in my tape player in my room, well excited. I remember calling for my sister and then we danced and did funny dance and jump moves around a tiny round mat I had on the floor. I think we did that for what felt like hours. It took years until I found out what band it was, and It’s still some form of comfort music to me. One time on tour I locked myself in in a shower and just blasted Credence Clearwater Revival to calm my nerves down.
4. Jim James – ‘Just A Fool’
He seems to have released two versions of this beauty. I preferred the one that sounds like a demo from the album Uniform Clarity. This song really had me at one point. Still does I guess – “just a fool getting by, just a fool doing alright”. I like how he speaks about ordinary emotions in such an uncomplicated way and holds the song with such presence throughout. I wish I could write a song like that. I’ve done a demo of it once; I even sent it to a crush.
5. Jim O’Rourke – Women of the World: Take Over
I remember I once had this song on a CD. I loved it, it’s just a mantra playing over and over. And now with all evil going on I think it suits the time. The song was originally written by Scottish poet Ivor Cutler, and the original version is just as special as Jim’s. Make sure to have a listen to both of them. I like how Jim is phrasing the words in his melody, but Cutler does it more straight forward which makes the two songs differ a lot in a beautiful way.
Thanks to Caroline for sharing her favourites with us!
Watch the video for Hater’s single ‘Angel Cupid’ below…
Follow Hater on bandcamp, TIDAL, Instagram & Facebook
Hater Tour Dates 2026
02 April – Plan B, Malmö, SE
02 May – Nice N Sleazy, Glasgow, UK
03 May – Sounds From the Other City, Manchester, UK
04 May – The Cumberland Arms, Newcastle, UK
05 May – The Library, Oxford, UK
06 May – Hare & Hounds, Birmingham, UK
07 May – Signature Brew Haggerston, London, UK
22 May – Oceanen, Gothenburg, SE
23 May – Kollektivet Livet, Stockholm, SE
Photo Credit: David Möller
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