Navigating Grief And Galaxies: THE NIGHT FLIGHT ORCHESTRA’s Cinematic Journey With 'Give Us The Moon'

Interview by Angela Croudace
Swedish rock collective The Night Flight Orchestra have always
fused nostalgia and ambition, but their latest release, Give Us the
Moon, dives deeper than ever before—both emotionally and sonically.
Frontman Björn Strid opened up about the band’s journey through
loss, growth, and creative expansion following the passing of
co-founder and guitarist David Andersson.
Strid describes the album as “cinematic” and “dreamy,” a result of
the emotional weight carried during its creation. “We had to grieve
as a band,” he says, reflecting on the impact of losing Andersson.
“But we also wanted to find joy again and create something
uplifting—something he would be proud of.” The result is a
multilayered, genre-fluid soundscape that defies classification,
staying true to the band’s commitment to musical freedom and
sincerity.
Themes of space and existential reflection permeate Give Us the
Moon, inspired in part by a letter Andersson left behind, wishing
to be remembered as “an astronaut floating in space.” This poetic
image gave shape to the album’s narrative arc and title. Despite
their retro influences—pulling heavily from late '70s and early
'80s AOR and classic rock—Strid emphasises that their music is not
just a throwback. “It’s a tradition we want to carry on, but it
needs to make sense today.”
The band’s recent signing with Napalm Records also marked a turning
point, opening up new promotional avenues and international
exposure, including a surprise interview with CNN. With their
growing global footprint, The Night Flight Orchestra is preparing
for a return to Australia—a country that left a profound mark on
Strid during their last visit, inspiring the emotionally charged
track “Melbourne, May I.”
Balancing his heavy metal roots (as the frontman of Soilwork) with
the melodic, theatrical nature of TNFO, Strid finds fulfilment in
the contrast. “I switch between genres easily,” he says, noting
that each project brings out a different side of his
artistry.
As Give Us the Moon soars, The Night Flight Orchestra continues to
celebrate both the cosmic and the deeply personal—honouring a lost
friend, embracing new creative horizons, and inviting listeners on
an unforgettable voyage through sound and soul.


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