It’s time for a detour — a Sunset Detour. The pop-punk/alt-rock band, made up of Thomas Kongshaug on vocals, Christian 'Haystack' Rasmussen and Kasper Andersen on guitar, Gabriel Tuxen on bass, and Casper Hillstrøm on drums, has been making waves in the Danish alternative scene. And with their latest single, “All I Am Is Me” — filled with their raw honesty, memorable hooks, and infectious energy — they’re one step closer to a global takeover. The song is described as a giant middle finger to modern perfection culture, something we can all relate to. It’s the perfect statement on owning who you are.
We caught up with the guys recently to discuss the track, as well as their creative process, the steps they’re implementing towards achieving a more global appeal, and more!
MSM: With some members coming from power metal and hard rock, what was the initial moment or song that "seduced" you into fully committing to the pop-punk sound?
Christian ”Haystack” Rasmussen (lead-guitar): The first rock album I ever got hooked on was American Idiot by Green Day. And especially the song called “Holiday”. That happened at age 10, and then during my teens I got into power metal and death metal, so in a way it’s full circle for me playing pop punk now.
Gabriel (bassist & co-vocal): For me it was Blink 182’s album “Take Off Your Pants and Jacket” that got me into pop punk. We had a ghetto blaster at school and someone put the CD on and I was instantly hooked. It was a gateway for me to get into harder stuff and I eventually ended up in a power metal band where I was a guitarist for 12 years. But pop punk always had a special place in my heart.
MSM: How do you strike a balance in the songwriting process with the emotional aspects of your songs, as well as the funny parts?
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): Both of these song types are important to us. The silly songs like “Finch” and “Barry” come more rarely than the deep ones, but I think in some years, when our catalogue is bigger, our listeners and fans will appreciate those songs when they need a laugh. I will never forget our first live show where people sang along to “Finch” in the chorus.
MSM: The single blends "the raw energy of early-2000s punk with a present-day message." What elements of that early-2000s sound did you consciously try to integrate into this new track?
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): For example, the guitar solo is very 00’s-ish (thinking about “The Hell Song” by Sum 41) and the guitar sounds in general are very old-school, with a pretty straight-forward chord progression.We all listened to great albums like Enema of the State, American Idiot, All Killer No Filler, Don’t Panic, etc, since we were little kids. This kind of music is in our blood, and that is also why our sound reflects this. But we also try to fit in 2025 at the same time. For “All I Am Is Me” the general theme is “simple” which a lot of songs were back then. The intro and the chorus could have been written in 2005. Luckily for us, many people love our sound and style, and we believe this will be the case for most going forward!
MSM: The single marks an "evolution toward tighter songwriting, bigger choruses, and a more international pop-punk direction." What steps did you take in the production of it to achieve a more global sound?
Christian ”Haystack” Rasmussen (lead-guitar): We’re always trying to improve when producing new material. With this song we’ve found a formula that works for us. We record everything ourselves but get the mixing and mastering outsourced in the US. Credit to Jospeh Nova from LA.
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): We love Denmark, but it’s not the easiest place to make pop-punk. We want to make songs that fit those markets who love pop-punk. However, we see a potential in Denmark that we want to fulfill, and also dream about touring worldwide some day. So, we try to write and produce the songs, so Danes like them, but especially for an international audience.
MSM: How does the message of "All I Am Is Me" connect with the "mental messiness" and "growing up awkward" themes you explore in your other songs?
Thomas Kongshaug (lead-singer): I wrote "All I Am Is Me" as a continuation of our other song, “Chuck”. In that song, we explore the I questioning itself. Am I good enough? Am I wrong for being who I am? “All I Am Is Me” is the acceptance of it all. I am good enough? I am allowed to have an opinion different from you? That’s okay. Growing up in a certain way can be difficult, when you suddenly have different opinions, but you will always have that little voice inside questioning yourself. So what I am trying to convey in this song is the “Yes”! Believe in yourself and find the path of your own.
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): Mental messiness and growing up awkward is literally the story of my childhood. Pop-punk music was my oxygen back then. What I like about the songs we write, and especially the lyrics Thomas comes up with, is that it’s very deep and honest, but at the same time, we have fun with it. I can relate to it. The mix of this honesty and humor is what makes me like to hear our own music. And I hope others can do the same.
MSM: You produced the single independently. What does a typical writing or recording session look like for Sunset Detour, especially in juggling five different creative backgrounds?
Thomas Kongshaug (lead-singer): For us it's all about teamwork. We all want to make the song as great as it can be and I really think it shines through how hard we worked on “All I Am Is Me”. Typically Gabriel, Christian and Casper send a song where they then have a discussion and give feedback. I usually think of some themes for the song before getting deeper into the lyrics. I usually have the freedom to explore the lyrics of the song and it's a good thing I work with these guys, since I can be a bit stubborn and sometimes need a little (big) push if some things need to be changed.
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): The last part Thomas says is very true!
Christian ”Haystack” Rasmussen (lead-guitar): Me, Casper or Gabriel typically brings an instrumental track which Thomas starts writing vocals for. When the vocals are done we finish the track with transitions and details to make the instrumental support the vocals in the best way possible. Occasionally a guitar solo.
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): Lately, Gabriel and I have written instrumental ideas, along with Haystack developing the riffs for a pro sound. Sometimes we come up with a vocal melody. If we are lucky, Thomas likes it. Thomas mostly makes the lyrics. It happens sometimes that one of us makes a vocal melody or a lyric line. Strings and vocals are tracked at home, with pro gear. Drums are tracked in a studio. Sometimes we track at my place. Sometimes the guys track at home. Thomas usually tracks vocals with me. I am generally in charge of the song’s project management, but everyone has an important role. The teamwork is the key to our results.
MSM: What can a first-time audience member expect from the energy and connection at a Sunset Detour gig?
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): This is mostly what we hear after a gig:- Wow you guys sound very close to your recordings!- That was an awesome energy blast, great show!- That song with the “F*** Your Mom” line - is it on Spotify? (guy asking for the song, “Finch”)We are working hard improving our shows so they are as professional as they can be. I think we get better and better, so we just need to get out and play more.
MSM: What is the story behind the titles of your previous popular singles, "Shotgun Nellie" and the fan-favorite, "Chuck"?
Thomas Kongshaug (lead-singer): "Chuck" is a self reflection of us. The problems we have faced, the worries we have and we wanted to convey a message of whatever you go through you are not alone. Even if the closed world around you, maybe doesn't understand what you go through, other people do and it's okay to feel the way you feel and to push through the obstacles you might face. I wrote the lyrics after a hard time myself and the song came about when I remembered back to the hard times. Some would just say "But what's the problem?" and leave it at that, so i wrote the song to say whatever you go through, you don't have to go through it alone.
Shotgun Nellie is the exact opposite of Chuck and in more ways for me it's like an ode to the other guys. I wrote the lyrics based on my experience with one of my friends, from when I was younger. It's just some happy memories and I wanted to share the happiness of the small moments of a girl, who just for some hours was free of any worries, and that's what it is like for me when I'm with the guys. Finding some friends who can make you feel this way is great and I want to share that happiness.
MSM: Looking ahead, what’s next for you guys? Are you working on an EP or full-length album, and what themes might you explore next?
Thomas Kongshaug (lead-singer): Right now we are currently planning our 2026 with new gigs. We are actually looking into making an album, but that may be some time later down the pipeline. Right now we are in the phase of writing new songs, where we get to dive deeper into some themes of regret and self doubt, but also a song about monkeys and liberty, that we can't wait to show to the world. It's going to be an exciting year that's for sure.
Gabriel (bassist & co-vocal): We have a whole bunch of finished songs and some in the making as well – enough for a full album. Releasing them as an album is of course the goal but producing is expensive so for now we’re just focusing on getting new music out in single form and growing steadily online.
Casper Hillstrøm (drummer): The plan is that every nostalgic pop-punk fan must hear about Sunset Detour!
