WHEN I COME OUT OF REHEARSALS, I’M ON CLOUD NINE Lars Stugemo is one of the founders of HiQ. He is also a father, rally driver, rock guitarist and music-lover. Meet him in an interview in which he talks about his early career as a flautist, David Bowie and the joy of doing things together. “I’ve always found energy in music. Energy and joy. I was a big Beatles fan when I was around eight or nine years old, so that’s probably when it started. I used to drive my classmates crazy by constantly playing Beatles songs in ‘fun hour’ at school. There was always music at home when I was growing up. Cornelis Vreeswijk and Fred Åkerström, of course – they were big names back then. But also a lot of Abba and a fair amount of classical music.” Did you play any instruments yourself at that age?
“I played the flute, from second grade in school right up to eighth or ninth grade. It was a rather odd combination. I played ice hockey and had my sights set on becoming an NHL professional, so when I cycled to the rink with my hockey bag, there was always a flute sticking out of it next to my hockey stick.” Why did you choose the flute? It’s an unusual choice for someone who spent most of his time listening to the Beatles.
“Well, I started with the recorder, as you did when you went to school music classes. Later on we were allowed to choose an in-
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strument and I chose the guitar. But they needed more players in the woodwind section, so the teacher cajoled me into playing the flute instead. Playing with the orchestra was cool, but as time went on I realised I didn’t have the talent or the enthusiasm to take things any further.” So when did you take up the guitar?
“That didn’t happen until I was around 30. I found a guitar teacher and started to take lessons. I’ve always loved guitars and I wanted to learn how to play – to see if I could do it. I can honestly say that I’ve never played better than I am doing right now. Being part of the band gives me so much.” What with your ice hockey, the school orchestra and now the rock band, solo pursuits don’t seem to be your kind of thing. Would you say you’re very much a team player?
“Very much so. Especially as far as music is concerned. It’s about connecting with people, sharing an experience, whether you’re playing in a band or going to a concert together. Or like we used to do years ago, recording a selection of music on a cassette that you could then share with your friends. I’ve met many of my best friends through music.
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MUSIC – A BIG PART OF HiQ Several offices have bands and at HiQ in Stockholm there is a rehearsal room in the basement.
LARS STUGEMO JOB:
CEO and President, HiQ
PLAYS: Guitar
Led Zeppelin’s Physical Graffiti (the answer comes with lightning speed). “It has both hard rock belters, such as ‘Kashmir’, which is epic, but also a fair bit of folk music. And it also has one of the world’s coolest album sleeves.” A RECORD EVERYONE SHOULD HAVE IN THEIR COLLECTION:
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I remember, while I was doing my national service, another guy and I were thrown out into the corridor because we were both listening to the punk band Docent Död. Music like that was frowned on. But the two of us became firm buddies because of our shared interest. We’re still friends today.” The band you play guitar in, HiQ Experience Orchestra (HEO), consists of a number of HiQ consultants. Are you the “big boss” in rehearsals, too?
“No, certainly not. For a start, I’m by no means the best musician in the band. That in itself says it all. But the band is a totally different context. In HEO I don’t want to be in the spotlight. I’m just a cog in what is, for me, an extremely enjoyable and rewarding piece of machinery.” What’s the best thing about playing in a band?
“It’s such good fun. When I come out of rehearsals, I’m on cloud nine. I might be hot and sweaty, I might have played a few wrong notes and played a tad too loud, but I’ve learned something new from the others. During the day, you think about the challenges of your job, but all that disappears when you go into rehearsals together.” Why is that?
“Because everyone is upbeat. Everyone is there because they want to be there. Everyone has a real passion for the music. Then, when it all comes together as it should, that’s a really cool feeling. When we’re on the road and gigging, there’s something of a competitive spirit, too. We practise and rehearse and have a clear goal – a point in time when we need to deliver and make everything come together.”
… as a team?
“Absolutely. It’s about putting in the time and effort. About being prepared. It’s the same with HiQ in a way: HiQ is only as good as the people who work here. If you want things to go well, you need to surround yourself with good people. It doesn’t matter whether it’s a band or a company. You need to like people, to have fun together. Things work well when you’re doing what you like to do. You need to make everything come together, to make sure everyone is doing what they’re supposed to do at the right time. That’s when things go well. And that’s when life is fun, as well.” "IT’S THE SAME WITH HIQ IN A WAY: HIQ IS ONLY AS GOOD AS THE PEOPLE WHO WORK HERE." Music is a big thing at HiQ. Several offices have their own bands. HiQ in Stockholm has a rehearsal studio in the basement and an annual music festival. How did music become a part of the company?
“Years and years ago there was a consultant who asked if he could have a rehearsal space somewhere. I said yes, but I told him he would have to run it himself. I can make sure that certain conditions are met, but the initiative has to come from the co-workers. It’s the same with everyone in HEO. They all have their own motivation. They’re not doing it for money or because someone is telling them to. They are extremely good role models – and the same applies to them as consultants. They have the same sense of commitment. And, if you ask me, that is important. A company rock band should reflect the values of HiQ , just like everything else in the company should do.”
Apart from the Beatles, what other musical influences have you had?
“After the Beatles, Bowie was my big idol. I must have been about 12 when I got the Ziggy Stardust album for my birthday. There was a period from The Man who Sold the World in 1970 to Scary Monsters in 1980, when every record, every year was something new and cool. Bowie changed and challenged the whole time. I was deeply moved by his death. In a way he had always been part of my life. It feels as if a friend is just suddenly no longer there. And the way he bowed out! It was all so incredibly deliberate and well directed. Typical David Bowie, of course! So Bowie was definitely a great influence. I’ve always liked Led Zeppelin, too. I can still get carried away listening to Jimmy Page’s counterpoint guitar skills.” Together with HEO you have had the privilege of playing with Dregen, one of Sweden’s leading rock artists. What is it about him that you like so much?
“Quite a lot. Not least the fact that he’s a damned good musician. But he’s an entrepreneur, too, and one who is passionate about what he does. Dregen also has a way about him that I like. He’s generous, he has the energy of an entire nuclear power plant and he’s a natural leader.” In what way is Dregen a leader?
“He doesn’t lead by pointing out the way and telling people what to do. He just steps out on stage and gets others to be better through his own personal energy. It’s awesome. He always delivers and he gets others to up their game. That’s exactly how I want us at HiQ to be with our clients. That kind of behaviour inspires me.”
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