Following the release of their critically acclaimed debut album Oslo Park in 2022, the Norwegian alt-indie pop quartet Veps is back with a sophomore effort that delves even deeper into their personal experiences and creative growth. Dedicated To, set to be released on 14th June via Miktam Records/Universal Music, showcases a band that has matured both musically and lyrically. Known for their rough-and-ready DIY aesthetic, Veps have crafted a collection of songs that pay homage to the people and moments that have shaped their journey.
The album’s lead single, ‘Greetings From Peru,’ offers a taste of this evolution, blending infectious indie-pop melodies with introspective lyrics inspired by real-life events. Produced by Marcus Forsgren and mixed by Matias Tellez, Dedicated To is a heartfelt thank you to the people who have influenced the band’s lives. In an exclusive interview, Veps take us through each track, sharing the stories behind the music and the creative process that brought this album to life. From nostalgic reflections in ‘Apple Trees’ to the raw intensity of ‘So Speak,’ each song on Dedicated To is a testament to the band’s commitment to honest and impactful songwriting.
Break & Entry
“We had a writing session in Maja’s old apartment, and in the living room she had a poster made by Simon Evans from the “Everything I Have” project. We played around with the sentence and the power it holds. This is everything I have. The song is about giving and giving while not receiving anything in return. It is actually one of the first songs we wrote for the album!”
Say What?
“Say What? is a song made for the time when you don’t quite know what you have with someone. It’s about waiting for a reply that might never come. We tried to make a feel-good song that also fits if you’re in a little bit of a bad mood. The song was written during the summer of 2022 in Maja’s parents’ garden.”
The Ceiling Painter
“This ballad was written when Laura’s then-boyfriend was interrailing through Europe. They had recently fallen in love, and the song reflects on how it feels to realize you truly miss someone, and the uncertainties around a new relationship. He was only away for a few weeks, so the song is quite dramatic with that in mind, but that’s what new love does to you!”
Apple Trees
“This song is about growing out of your home, and going back to an important place in your childhood through a less romanticized adult lens. Seeing your family members for who they really are, both the good and the bad. We all realized we have a very nostalgic connection to apple trees – we all had parents or grandparents with apple trees in their garden – so we revolved the song around them. It felt like a fitting metaphor too. The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree…”
For Thirsty Dogs
“The odd one out! This is the weirdest song we’ve ever written. It started as a walk in our neighbourhood. Watching all the restless people (us included) gathering around. People gambling, day-drinking, seeking each other. It was a hot summer’s day and there was a bowl of water set outside one of the shops marked “For thirsty dogs”. We really needed the inspiration from that walk so we were able to see ourselves from the outside. And we concluded – we are all thirsty dogs, aren’t we?”
So Speak
“So Speak is the angriest song we’ve ever written, which is fitting because it’s about fighting. Specifically, fighting with someone who shuts down instead of saying what they actually feel, causing the narrator to get even angrier. We’ve really tapped into the irrationality of anger in this one, and although most of the lyrics come from a place of rage, it shows some sense of introspection, too. “Darling don’t believe me, when I’m the only one screaming”. The aggressor knows that their screaming is senseless, but they can’t help it.
We made a really cool music video for this one, where the four of us meet up in the boxing ring to fight. Definitely worth checking out!
Yellow Bagged Man
The four of us have grown up together, three of us even went to elementary school together. We grew up in a very cliquey and conforming part of Oslo, and so we wanted to play with the idea of painting that environment like a cult.
The area is called Nordstrand, which translates to Northern beach. Hence the lyric “Leave with us, reach the northern beach with us, just before your fingertips, they tell you not to reach for it”.
Now, we have painted a very extravagant and mystical picture of this environment that is quite far from the truth, but we had a lot of fun with the idea and building a story around it.
At our elementary school at Nordstrand there was a walking story about a mysterious man with a yellow bag, so it felt fitting to make him the guru of the cult.
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Greetings From Peru
‘Greetings from Peru’ is an upbeat track that discusses breaking up with someone you dated. It’s also about realising that you may take things too far just because you can, and the song is based on a true story. Our drummer went backpacking through Peru, and saw her situation back home in a new light. The song is almost like a letter sent back home. Sometimes halfway around the world is just the distance you need to get some clarity.
A Siren’s Song
Although most of the songs on this album are based off of real people and real events, this one is pure storytelling. We have a fascination for the Huldra archetype in old Norwegian folk tales, and in this song we wanted to write from the perspective of one of these femme fatale figures.
We envisioned a beautiful creature lurking in a murky lake, waiting for a male victim to pass by. The creature we envisioned is similar to the naiads of Greek mythology.
The song depicts the power thrill she gets from seducing and capturing her victims. It’s quite a grim and horrible tale… but it was very fun to write something so unusual from our normal themes. This album has allowed us to really expand our ideas and sound, and we’ve definitely taken things in a rougher direction.
READ MORE: Peter Bibby: ‘You can’t let a sad story get in the way of a good laugh’
It’s Killing My Darling
This song tells a story about one half of a pair going through a dark time in their life, and how it causes a strain on the relationship. It’s incredibly difficult to care for someone you love when their pain causes them to isolate and push you away.
It’s one of the sadder songs on the album, but we think the chorus has a hopeful and romantic undertone. “I’ll be okay boy, just take me home and stay boy, we can play pretend for, just a minute more”. When put in a situation like this, sometimes the best thing you can do is take things one minute at a time.
Thanks To You
‘Thanks to You’ was written as a thank you to the loved ones we no longer have contact with. It’s an homage to the things you learned, and the good and bad memories that would feel like a punch in the chest back in the day, but no longer phase you. It’s about finishing the whole journey with a certain person. The full circle moment of seeing an old acquaintance again after a long time – realising that you’ve both moved on in life. Since the story is not a sad story, the song is not a sad song either. It’s also the last track on the album, and kind of summarises the whole concept.
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