About Lars Willsen - Synthplayer, Producer & Songwriter
Lars Willsen is a Greenlandic-Inuit rock musician, synth virtuoso, and producer, known for blending Arctic storytelling with the bold, cinematic textures of 80s synth music. Born in Qullissat, an abandoned mining town in Greenland, and raised in Uummannaq, his music carries the weight of ancestral echoes, merging the soul of the North with the pulse of electronic soundscapes. His distinctive retro-futuristic sound draws from his deep roots in Greenland while embracing the evolution of modern synth-driven music.
A Journey of Resilience & Reinvention
Lars Willsen’s musical path is one of unwavering artistic determination, survival, and reinvention. As an emerging force in the 80s hard rock and synth scene, he collaborated with numerous artists, played with Moon Jam, contributed synth solos for major bands, and was part of the Swedish band "Naked Truth". In the fall of 1990, he even auditioned for Pretty Maids, a defining moment before fate took an unexpected turn.
However, Willsen’s career was abruptly halted when a parasitic infection severely impacted his finger dexterity, forcing him into an involuntary hiatus. Though sidelined from performing, his creative fire never faded. For over 30 years, he continued composing in secrecy, accumulating an archive of over 800 unreleased songs.
Then, in 2022, defying all odds, Willsen made a triumphant return re-recording over 200 songs before suffering a stroke on December 18, 2022. Despite these hardships, he remains steadfast, proving that music, like the Arctic winds, is unstoppable.
A Sonic Bridge Between Worlds
Willsen’s music is more than just sound - it’s a connection between past and future, tradition and innovation. His productions are influenced by Greenlandic landscapes, Inuit culture, and the timeless nostalgia of 80s synth music, creating a fusion that is both hauntingly beautiful and sonically groundbreaking.
In the mid to late 80s, he led a secret Depeche Mode-inspired band, playing underground high school gigs. Today, his expansive discography reflects decades of experimentation, raw emotion, and an unrelenting passion for storytelling through sound.
"All my releases are to be considered my demotapes" – Willsen emphasizes that each track is a piece of an ever-evolving musical legacy, an aural map of his journey from the ice-covered landscapes of Greenland to the neon-lit realms of electronic music.