Interview: Leif Vollebekk on Music, Mysticism, and the Path to ‘Revelation’ - Atwood Magazine

      In a deeply personal interview with Atwood Magazine, Leif Vollebekk delves into the creative process behind his fifth studio album and musical achievement, ‘Revelation.’ This stunningly beautiful record feels more like a discovery than a constructed piece, molded in isolation, inspired by dreams, and immersed in the quest for something just out of reach.

      Stream: ‘Revelation’ – Leif Vollebekk

      Throughout history, people have sought meaning and self-awareness, chasing dreams that often seem just beyond our reach. 17th-century philosophers sought boundless wealth and immortality, echoing the timeless aspirations of many today but expressed in different ways.

      Leif Vollebekk’s music has consistently reflected this journey of exploration. His songs flow through time and dreams, merging the concrete with the fleeting. In the last five years, he has embraced this journey, allowing solitude, introspection, and sound exploration to mold ‘Revelation’—an album that feels excavated rather than composed. With its sweeping orchestrations, authentic live recordings, and a profound respect for imperfection, this record fosters exploration rather than demanding comprehension.

      Released on September 27th through Secret City Records, ‘Revelation’ is a rich, cinematic album filled with orchestral splendor and the raw emotion of live music. Vollebekk, who avoids pursuing conventional perfection, aimed to capture a more elusive sound—one that feels lived-in and expansive while also personal, imbued with the imperfections that lend a sense of timelessness. He reflects, “Suddenly, the song falls into place... It may not sound good before or after, but there’s this moment when everything clicks.”

      This philosophy resonates beyond the recording studio. Our discussion, which took place just prior to the album's release, sees Vollebekk contemplating the years of solitude and self-reflection that led him to this point. He shares stories about his home studio in Montreal, his fascination with astrophysics and alchemy, and the importance of dreams—those that shape our conscious lives and those that come to us in sleep.

      The album’s opening track, “Rock and Roll,” emerged from such a dream, which he humorously attributes to Jeff Buckley, saying, “I woke up and thought, what Jeff Buckley song is that? Then I realized—it wasn’t.”

      Vollebekk’s music often feels like a connection to something greater than himself, and ‘Revelation’ is no different. Recorded at the famed Dreamland Studios in Woodstock, NY, the album resonates with a sense of timelessness, as if these songs were waiting in the ether to be unearthed, recorded, and sung. "I just wanted an album I could listen to repeatedly," he notes, "something suitable for any time of day, like 'Hotel California.'"

      In an open conversation with Atwood Magazine, Vollebekk divulges the layers of ‘Revelation,’ from the orchestral crescendos in “Mississippi” to the expansive nature of “Sunset Boulevard Expedition,” reflecting on the dreams and insights that inspired him over the past five years. We discuss sound and silence, the magic of creation, the guiding light of a Southern Star, and naturally, the essence of rock and roll—not merely as music, but as a larger, timeless search.

      With 'Revelation,' Vollebekk has crafted not just an album but a profound experience shaped by patience, introspection, and the ceaseless quest for something just out of reach. “I truly don't know how I made this record. I don’t know if I’ll ever create another like it,” he admits. However, he is certain of one thing: “Composing this music was... the best years of my life.”

      Read our interview below and listen to Leif Vollebekk’s 'Revelation' wherever music is streamed!

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      A CONVERSATION WITH LEIF VOLLEBEKK

      Atwood Magazine: Leif, it’s been five years since our last conversation about your previous album! 'New Ways' continues to hold a special place in my heart. What’s your current relationship with that record? Have those songs evolved along with you? Was it on your mind as you embarked on this new project, or is it something of the past now?

      Leif Vollebekk: Absolutely. Even this record feels like a relic. I’m perpetually figuring out what to do next, but for 'New Ways,' much of it was about experimenting with a new recording approach. With Capitol Records, I ventured to make the drums sound tighter, but I ended up going too dry on tracks like “The Way That You Feel” and “Appalachian Plain,” missing enough of the ambiance. Yet, I was particularly pleased with “Transatlantic Flight” and “Hot Tears.” At that time,