STOREBJERG on New Single “Ocean City,” His Journey, and Debut Album ‘Songs for You’ – InMusic

With his music rooted in raw honesty and his voice carrying the weight of experience beyond his years, STOREBJERG is quickly emerging in Denmark’s music scene. Blending indie folk, pop, and rock influences, his songs feel like diary entries turned into melodies — vulnerable, searching, and deeply human.

Born in Svendborg, raised partly in Jelling, and now based in Aarhus, STOREBJERG’s journey has been shaped as much by places as by people. Both of his parents are musicians, and his early memories include long stretches on the road, watching his father perform and learning what life as an artist truly meant. That foundation, coupled with inspiration from artists like Jeff Buckley, Nick Drake, and Bon Iver, gave STOREBJERG the courage to follow his own artistic path.

That path took a decisive turn in 2024 when he won the Quasar talent competition at Jelling Music Festival, a breakthrough that gave him the confidence to believe music could become more than a dream. While he admits that doubt still comes and goes, STOREBJERG continues to chase authenticity over perfection — a philosophy reflected in both his lyrics and performances.

Now, he enters a new chapter with the release of his single “Ocean City,” the first taste of his upcoming debut album Songs for You. Written during a period of transition, the track captures the uncertainty and self-reflection of being in your twenties, a time when questions about identity, purpose, and belonging often feel heavier than the answers. The song serves not just as an introduction to the album but also as a mirror to anyone navigating similar thoughts.

In this exclusive interview with InMusic, STOREBJERG reflects on his path, his win at Jelling Music Festival’s talent competition Quasar, his new single, upcoming debut album, and more.

What’s your musical genre?

A question i get asked a lot, and at the same time; a question I love to answer! I have always thought that defining music is really hard, especially when talking about artists such as Bon Iver and Jeff Buckley. Two artists, I believe to be some of the people that really had a connection to something bigger than us.

Defining my own music is very hard for me as well. There is a lot of inspiration from different genres such as indie folk, folk, pop, indie pop, rock and so on and so forth. Luckily the genre indie exists for people just like me, and is probably the best way to define it.

How would you describe your music?

For me, the best way to describe my music is with one word: honesty. It’s very personal and the songs I write concerns the people around me. When listening to my music, it’s like reading a page, ripped from my diary. Songs about me and my story, the love between my mother and I, thoughts on politics and compassion for one another.

What inspired you to become a singer, and who are your musical influences?

I would probably say that my mom and dad are som the biggest inspirations in terms of becoming a singer as well as an artist. Both are active musicians, and since childhood I have often been on the road with my dad, jamming the bass on stage and taking the part as Roadie.

In terms of musical influences, as mentioned above both Jeff Buckley and Bon Iver are some of my greatest heroes. As well as the 60’s folk singer songwriter Nick Drake. Then again i am also influenced by a lot of new experimental electronic music, including artist such as Oklou and Ry.

In 2024, you won Jelling Music Festival’s talent competition Quasar. Is there a particular memory from that time that has had a lasting impact on you?

One of my clearest memories is standing behind the stage curtain with the other participants when one of them spoke up, reminding us that no matter the outcome, nothing will stop us from creating and making music- and he was right. Even so, winning the competition gave me the boost I needed to truly believe that I could make a living through music. I’m not there yet, and of course, the doubt still comes and goes from time to time –

“Can I really pull this off?”, “Am I good enough?”, “Will this music ever find its right audience?”

But deep down, I know I just have to keep going, no matter what.

Can you tell us about your new single “Ocean City” What’s the meaning behind this song?

Ocean city acts like a form of introduction to who I am and my current life situation. A guy in his twenties asking some of the same questions he did as a child. “What am I supposed to be?” and at the same time “I’m a grown up so I shouldn’t have the answers by now”

Some of my friends are now starting to get married, have children of their own and others are beginning university. Sometimes, it can feel a bit overwhelming – as if I’m the only one still asking myself these questions. That’s why I believe it’s so important to emphasize that these questions are completely normal, and that it’s okay not to have all the answers yet.

The song serves as the lead single from your upcoming debut album “Songs For You.” What can we expect from the record, and how does this new song fit into the larger creative vision for the project?

Songs for you is an album dedicated to the people and the world around me. To sharpen the overall image,l believe that including a song about myself and my own life situation, would sharpen the picture even more.

What is a message you would like to give through your music and why?

a world where climate change as well as war, famine and global injustice continue to thrive, it’s more important than ever to remember the value of love and mutual support.

I’m not suggesting that we stop speaking out or disengage from global challenges- on the contrary. But without love and support for one another, we cannot hope to create meaningful or lasting change.

Is there anything else you’d like people to know?

Create what speaks to your heart- even if no one understands it