Charcoal

”Charcoal” is the debut EP by Swedish singer, musician and songwriter Stefan Leoson’s new americana project, Catcher Evo.

The project marks the 1st time Leoson has incorporated his love of the musical melting pot that can be summed up as 'americana', rootsy, storytelling and guitar based songs incorporating influences from both country, rock and folk music.

Catcher Evo’s music draws heavily from the American tradition, even if it’s not 'country'. It has real instruments, played by real people, topped with lyrics that bears a deeper meaning. It’s the real deal, whether its roots can be followed back to Jackson Browne, David Lindley, Ry Cooder, Jude Cole, or later influences like the Bros Landreth.

Leoson plays most of the instruments except the drums, which are handled by Nashville based session drummer, Jordan Perlson, with the 1st single, ”Don’t You Ever Change”, being an exception.

”The single has a bunch of old friends playing on it, my long time friend and musical sounding board Alo Karlsson, front man of the excellent country band A.K & The Brotherhood, is playing the bass”, Leoson recalls.

”For a long time, I was under the impression that I liked hard rock, but I’ve come to realize that the thread that runs through my music is actually my love for the electric guitar”.

”Don’t You Ever Change” is an upbeat, driving song that puts Leoson's love of ringing guitars on display. “It’s a song about young, fearless women that don’t fit the general 'mold'. Often society try to push them down, silence them. This is me encouraging them to be themselves, no matter what”, he reveals.

”Little L” is a walk down memory lane, a sentimental hindsight. “As a really young boy I had a very best friend. We used to do everything together. He was a year older than me and therefor he got to start school sooner and that’s where our life journeys split. We just drifted apart. He is 'my forever loose end'."

”Beside You” is a warm and soothing song that means a lot to Leoson, “It's a song about my grandmother, who died from cancer when I was 16 years old. She didn't want visitors, for whatever reason, at the later stage of her life. This song is me rewriting the way our relationship came to an end. I would have loved for her to let me sit by her bed and comfort her until she passed”.

”Take This Weight” is about longing for a real friend, someone who lets you leave your issues at the door and just relax in their company, regardless of what's happened. The song marked the start of the entire Catcher Evo project. Musically, it's one of those songs that arrived fully formed, at least musically, and utilizes some beautiful, sensitive guitar licks.

”You And All Your Friends” started out as a positive song, both musically and lyrically. “However, I felt that it actually ended up being too happy that way, so I decided to go for a the polar opposite lyrically”.

Catcher Evo's new EP, "Charcoal", will be out on Paraply Records & Tapes. with distribution by Border Music and RedEye Worldwide, on Friday, January 23rd, 2026.