THUNDERMOTHER: Filippa Nässil on live album, real rock’n’roll, and doing it all her way

There’s something unapologetically raw about a live album done right. No safety nets, no studio trickery—just sweat, volume, and the truth of the moment. And for Thundermother, that moment has arrived.

With six studio albums behind them and miles of road-tested riffs in their wake, the Swedish hard rock powerhouse are set to release their first live album, Live & Alive, on April 17th via Napalm Records. But this isn’t a nostalgic victory lap—it’s a statement of intent from a band that feels tighter, louder, and more alive than ever.

Cover of the new Thundermother's Live album "Live'N'Alive"

We caught up with Filippa Nässil, the driving force behind Thundermother, to talk about capturing lightning on stage, the chaos of recording on tour, motherhood on the road, and why authenticity still matters in a world full of shortcuts.

It wasn’t some grand, long-term plan. In true rock’n’roll fashion, Live & Alive was born in the middle of the storm—on tour, surrounded by cables, amps, and opportunity.

As Filippa tells it, the decision came naturally once they realized what they had on their hands:

“We’ve never been better live, we’ve never been tighter… and we finally had the possibility to record everything ourselves. We had all the gear, all the mics—even the cables are ours. So it’s the same sound every night. We were like, ‘let’s record everything!’”

And they did. Night after night. City after city.

Too much, in fact.

“I had like five hard drives full of shows—it was a horror,” she laughs. “In the end, we chose songs from four gigs. It was just too much material”.

What started as documentation quickly became something bigger. A conversation with Napalm Records sealed it—and suddenly, in the middle of a tour, they had a deadline.

“It was pretty stressful, changing everything while we were touring. But we realized… this actually sounds really good. We could release this”.

Pressure, chaos… and nailing the take

Recording live isn’t just about hitting “record”—it changes the mindset entirely.

Thundermother, known for their loose, high-energy shows, suddenly had to sharpen every note.

“We were always a little sloppy,” Filippa admits with a grin. “Talking during songs, fooling around, missing a note here and there… and I was like—‘we can’t release this if we miss notes!’”

So she raised the stakes.

“One night I told them: ‘We’re recording—and no matter what, this is going to be released.’ Everyone knew. And suddenly… it was perfect”. Sometimes, pressure is exactly what a band needs.

Unlike many polished live releases, Live & Alive doesn’t hide behind overdubs or heavy editing. What you hear is what happened.

And that, according to Filippa, is both its strength—and its risk.

“It’s almost too honest. It’s just guitar, bass, drums, and vocals. In the studio everything is big and fat… but this is fragile. This is real.”

There are enhancements, of course—basic mixing, plugins—but no illusion of perfection.

“If I know there are overdubs, I’m not interested,” she says bluntly. “You don’t know anymore what’s real. I want it to be real.”

It’s a philosophy that extends beyond the live album too. Even in the studio, the band prefers to record together, in the same room.

“That’s how you get the feeling of a band.”

While Thundermother has been around since 2009, this live album feels like a snapshot of something more recent—a revitalised lineup firing on all cylinders.

And Filippa doesn’t hide her pride.

“Maybe I just wanted to show people that they are fucking awesome,” she says. “If you haven’t seen us live—this is it. This is exactly what we sound like.”

In that sense, Live & Alive works as both a celebration and an introduction—a gateway into the band’s rawest form.

Motherhood, the road… and 14 countries before six months

Beyond the music, Filippa’s journey over the past couple of years adds another layer to the story.

Touring with a baby isn’t exactly standard practice—but she made it work.

“Six months after having my daughter, I went on tour for six weeks. It was so much fun,” she says. “She had been in 14 countries before she was six months old.”

It sounds chaotic—but also strangely natural.

“She’s happy, social… calm. It worked.”

And perhaps more importantly, it sends a message.

“Hopefully it inspires other women. You can do this.”

Filippa doesn’t hold back when the conversation turns to the music industry.

If she could change one thing?

“I would take away all publishers,” she says instantly. “They take money from artists and don’t do anything. Fifty percent—for nothing.”

It’s a frustration many artists share—but few express so directly.

That same no-bullshit attitude defines her approach to everything—from business to relationships on tour.

Reflecting on touring with Scorpions, she highlights a simple but powerful lesson:

“Just be yourself. Treat everyone the same—crew, rockstars, everyone. That’s how you build real connections.”

No brakes: what’s next?

If you thought a live album might mean slowing down—think again.

Thundermother are already deep into the next chapter.

“We’re rehearsing, doing pre-production… the new album is basically ready. We’re recording in Denmark soon,” she says.

Release?

Early 2027. Because standing still was never part of the plan.

In a world increasingly dominated by polish, perfection, and digital trickery, Live & Alive feels like a throwback—but also a rebellion.

A document of a band that thrives in the moment. Imperfect, loud, human.

Exactly how rock’n’roll should be.

“If you can’t come to a show… listen to the live album,” Filippa says.

And honestly? That might be the most honest invitation of all.

Jose Crespo for The Riff Collective