Split Vision is a Swedish synth-pop band that originated in the golden 1980s. Over the years, only two members remained, and for a considerable period they moved on as a cover band. A few years ago, Dan Hansson and Henric Palmqvist from Split Vision decided to return to creating their own music and, as a logical consequence, began writing original songs again. The album “Echoes Of A New Spell” clearly references their early influences, particularly Depeche Mode and their debut album “Speak & Spell”. Released by Town & Towers Records, the album strongly echoes the sound of the legendary British group. Split Vision does not attempt to hide this influence; however, they were equally determined to avoid a simple copy-and-paste approach. Dan Hansson subtly addresses this aspect in the interview. Whether they are merely copyists or not is open to debate, but “Echoes Of A New Spell” ultimately stands as well-crafted, mature Synth-Pop — confident in its roots and free of unnecessary pretense. (Courtesy by Inferno Sound Diaries)

Split Vision interview

Q: The origins of Split Vision go back to the golden 1980s, followed by a long period  of inactivity, until a few years ago when you revived the project and began releasing new material. Can you tell us more about the background of Split Vision and the story leading up to this comeback?

Dan: Split Vision was originally formed in the mid-to-late 1980s by four friends who shared a strong fascination for synthesizers, melody, and the Electronic sound that was emerging at the time. It was a very natural and creative phase — experimenting, recording, and learning together, without any clear roadmap or long-term ambition. As the years went on, two of the members gradually moved on to studies and other life commitments. There was no conflict or dramatic breakup, but the band slowly lost momentum. What remained was the core partnership between Dan and Henric, and perhaps more importantly, a shared love for music that never disappeared.

Even though Split Vision as a project faded into the background, we, Dan and Henric continued making music together in different ways. For many years, we played covers at private events — weddings, sports gatherings, and corporate parties — which kept the joy of performing alive and strengthened our musical chemistry. In hindsight, those years were an informal but valuable education in musicianship, dynamics, and playing for an audience.

The actual comeback happened much later and very organically. Revisiting old ideas and demos eventually led to new material, and it became clear that Split Vision still had a voice — now shaped by experience, time, and perspective. Rather than trying to recreate the past, the revived project feels like a continuation, where the emotional core remains the same but the expression is more focused and mature.

Q: I’ve read that this Split Vision album was strongly inspired — synthesizers included — by Depeche Mode’s debut album “Speak & Spell”. What drew you so deeply to that record, and how did that influence translate into your own songwriting?

Dan: Honestly, what drew us in most were the actual sounds those early synthesizers produced. Monophonic, limited by today’s standards — but now considered truly classic. The way Depeche Mode used those machines on “Speak & Spell” was incredibly smart and deeply melodic. Despite the technical limitations, the songs were strong, memorable, and emotionally direct. That became the core inspiration for us. We wanted to work with the same kind of simplicity — to deliberately use similar synthesizers in all their limitations and see what could be achieved if we had access to the same type of sonic toolbox Depeche Mode had at the time.

The idea wasn’t to recreate their sound, but to explore what we could do within those boundaries. In a way, the simplicity of the synthesizers set a ceiling — a clear framework for what was possible. And instead of seeing that as a restriction, we embraced it as a creative engine. Working within those limits forced us to focus on melody, songwriting, and atmosphere. The result is the album we ended up making — shaped by classic machines, classic sounds, and filtered through our own perspective and identity as Split Vision.

Q: Given the strong Depeche Mode influence, do you ever worry about being perceived as ‘just another’ band or copyist in that vein? Where does originality come into play for you, and what do you feel makes Split Vision stand apart from similar projects?

Dan: We understand that comparison is inevitable, especially when you openly acknowledge your influences. But for us, the goal was never to hide where we come from — quite the opposite. We see influence as a language, not a limitation. What matters is what you say with it. Originality, in our case, doesn’t come from trying to invent a new sound from scratch, but from perspective, intent, and experience. We’re not approaching this music as teenagers chasing a trend, but as musicians with decades of life, listening, and playing behind us. That inevitably shapes the songwriting — lyrically, emotionally, and structurally.

What we feel sets Split Vision apart is that this isn’t nostalgia or cosplay. It’s a conscious, focused project built on limitations, melody, and emotional honesty. The references are clear, but the songs reflect who we are now, not who we were then. In that sense, the influence becomes a foundation rather than a blueprint. If anything, we believe that being transparent about our inspirations allows the music to stand more confidently on its own. The moment you stop pretending to be original and instead focus on being sincere, that’s where originality actually begins.

Q: When thinking about the 1980s, analog synthesizers immediately come to mind — often complex, yet highly distinctive machines. Today, however, software synths and even AI tools are increasingly used to recreate those sounds. How do you feel about this shift, and what kind of equipment do you work with in your studio?

Dan: It’s true that today you can make songwriting and music production a fully automated process if you want to. But that’s not what motivates us. We often compare it to solving a crossword puzzle. You can already feed a crossword into AI and get a perfectly solved version back — but where’s the fun in that? Where’s the challenge? We solve crosswords because we want to see if we can. Music works the same way for us.

When it comes to equipment, we’re not dogmatic. We do use software synthesizers, partly because original vintage machines are incredibly hard to find today without taking out a small bank loan. Using modern tools to recreate classic sounds doesn’t feel wrong to us — it allows us to access that sonic character and work within the same kind of limitations that shaped the music we love.

But the core always lies in the songwriting. The same goes for lyrics. We’re not opposed to using tools like word lists, synonym dictionaries, or rhyme references — those are just aids. But letting an AI write an entire lyric for us removes the most rewarding part of the process. It’s the doing that matters.

At the heart of Split Vision, this is still a hobby driven by curiosity and joy. We genuinely enjoy spending time together, recording, experimenting, and exploring new musical paths. There’s no ambition to mass-produce songs just because it’s technically possible. We prefer making fewer tracks, but making them ourselves — because that’s where the fun is, and that’s why we’ll keep doing this for a long time.

Q: Can you walk us through the different stages of bringing this Split Vision album to its final form, and tell us what “Echoes Of A New Spell” is about on a lyrical level?

Dan: The process of bringing the album together doesn’t really follow a fixed formula — it can start in many different places. Sometimes it begins with a simple but satisfying arpeggio or bass line, other times with a single lyric line that captures a feeling or an idea we want to explore. That small spark is usually enough to get us going.

From there, we start building a kind of framework around it. We quickly sketch layers — drum patterns, pads, strings, textures — and let the song take shape organically. Vocals are added once the atmosphere feels right, and during the mixing phase we really listen closely: what’s missing, what should be removed, what needs to be strengthened or simplified. We work very much in layers, refining rather than piling things on endlessly.

Ironically, with today’s almost unlimited access to plugins and tools, we often find it helpful to impose our own limitations. For this album, that was very intentional. Limiting ourselves forces us to carve out what truly matters within a defined space. In many ways, it mirrors how we worked back in the 1980s — restricted by budget and availability, which made us inventive, curious, and open to alternative solutions. That mindset has stayed with us.

On a lyrical level, “Echoes Of A New Spell” reflects themes of change, repetition, and renewal. The songs deal with patterns we recognize in ourselves and in the world around us — how history, emotions, and choices tend to echo, yet always carry the potential to transform into something new. For us, music and lyrics are inseparable. We always aim for a complete, coherent listening experience, where every element has meaning and serves the song as a whole.

Q: You clearly draw a lot of inspiration from the past, but how do you view the future, and what plans do you have moving forward with Split Vision?

Dan: While our roots are clearly connected to the past, we don’t see Split Vision as a retrospective project. For us, the past is more of a reference point than a destination. It gives us a language and a framework, but what we do with it is very much about the present — and the future.

Moving forward, we want to keep working in the same spirit that brought this album to life: curiosity, limitations as a creative tool, and a genuine enjoyment of the process. We’re not in a rush, and we’re not chasing trends. New material will come when it feels meaningful, not because there’s a schedule to follow. We also want to continue exploring how our sound can evolve without losing its core identity — refining rather than reinventing. Live performances, selective releases, and new ideas are all on the table, but always with quality and intention as the guiding principles.

Ultimately, the plan is simple: to keep creating music together for as long as it remains inspiring and fun. As long as that spark is there, Split Vision will keep moving forward — one song at a time.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

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Split Vision is a Swedish band that originated in the 1980s. After years of inactivity, the band found its way back to the studio in 2020 and began writing new material. This album was released last year and contains 12 tracks.

Dan Hansson and Henric Palmqvist create pure, vintage Synth-Pop. The analog sounds take us back to the 80s via a kind of time capsule, evoking memories that inevitably bring Depeche Mode, Erasure, and The Eurythmics to mind. It all sounds as if time has stood still, yet despite this, the album feels fresh and pleasant. The tracks were crafted with great care, and there is a clear attention to detail throughout. While I wasn’t fully convinced by the vocals on the first few songs, the production gradually improves as the album progresses.

Split Vision may sound ultra-cliché, but they managed to win me over with their well-crafted and solid songs. Highly recommended! (Rating:8).

Listen to “Business Of Love”:

About Split Vision

Split Vision was founded in 1985 in Skåne, Sweden, by Dan Hansson and Henric Palmqvist. The duo released the debut single “How Will I Ever” in 1988 on Platinum Records and had modest Swedish success with “So Many Times”. After splitting in the early 1990s, they reunited in 2019 and issued the album “Among the Stars” on 1 October 2020. Since 2022 the band has been signed to Town And Towers Records, releasing singles, EPs and videos. The twelve-track album “Echoes Of A New Spell” continues that run on the same label and is reviewed here.

Inferno Sound Diaries

I have been working for over 30 years with Side-line as the main reviewer. My taste is eclectic, uncoventional and I prefer to look for the pearls, even if the bands are completely unknown, thus staying loyal to the Side-Line philosophy of nurturing new talents.

www.side-line.com

Swedish synthpop group Split Vision has released a new EP titled “A Trip Down Memory Lane”, available now via major digital platforms. The EP reinterprets songs by 1980s artists including And One, Bronski Beat, Erasure, and Depeche Mode, all with Split Vision’s retro synth touch. “It’s nostalgic, it’s synthy, and it’s straight from the heart,” so the band says.

In parallel with the digital release, Split Vision is featured on the upcoming “electropop.erasure” CD compilation from German label conzoom Records. To be released on May 16, 2025, the deluxe version includes a full Split Vision “Best of” CD as part of bonus disc 3. The compilation pays tribute to Erasure’s 40th anniversary and is available for pre-order via the Official Erasure Store and conzoom Records.

In other news, the music video for their track “Lust”, released in August 2024 won awards at several international film festivals, including the New York Tri-State International Film Festival and the Krimson Horyzon International Film Festival in India. The video can be viewed below.

About Split Vision

Split Vision was founded in 1985 in Skåne, Sweden, by Dan Hansson and Henric Palmqvist. Influenced by Depeche Mode, Yazoo, and Pet Shop Boys, they gained regional attention in the late 1980s with club performances and radio appearances. The band released their debut single “How Will I Ever” in 1988 on Platinum Records and achieved modest success in Sweden with “So Many Times”.

After disbanding in the early 1990s, Split Vision reunited in 2019, beginning with the album “Among the Stars”, released on October 1, 2020. Since 2022, they have been signed to the Scandinavian label Town And Towers Records, with regular releases including singles, EPs, and music videos.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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Swedish electronic act Split Vision (originally formed back in 1985) have created an EP with 4 songs inspired by Swedish Folklore and myths but using the band’s own and recognizable 80’s synth retro vibe. The EP is out via the Danish label Town And Towers Records.

Note that there will be a full Split Vision ‘Best of CD’ included with the deluxe version of the upcoming “electropop Erasure” release from the German label Conzoom Records. The release should be out in April/May 2025.

About Split Vision

Split Vision is a synth group formed in 1985 in Sweden. The original lineup included Dan Hansson and Henric Palmqvist. After disbanding in the late 1980s, Hansson and Palmqvist revived the band in 2019, aiming to create new material rooted in their 1980s musical influences.

During the late 80’s, Split Vision made several live appearances at discoteques in North Eastern Skåne in Sweden. They also participated in some radio programs and talent competitions. But their first release was the 1988 single “How will I ever”, released on Platinum Records. The band also had a minor hit in Sweden with the song “So Many Times”.

In the spring of 2019, two of the original members, Dan Hansson and Henric Palmqvist, revitalized Split Vision. The result was the album “Among the Stars”, which was released on October 1st, 2020.

In 2022 the band got signed with the Scandinavian electronic music label, Town And Towers Records. Since then several singles have been released and also some EPs. In August 2024 a new music video for their song “Lust” came out.

Bernard - Side-Line Staff

Chief editor of Side-Line – which basically means I spend my days wading through a relentless flood of press releases from labels, artists, DJs, and zealous correspondents. My job? Strip out the promo nonsense, verify what’s actually real, and decide which stories make the cut and which get tossed into the digital void. Outside the news filter bubble, I’m all in for quality sushi and helping raise funds for Ukraine’s ongoing fight against the modern-day axis of evil. Besides music I’m also an SEO and AI content flow specialist and have an interest in everything finance from stocks to crypto. There is music in everything!

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