Night Vision Rising: Streetlight’s Sonic Journey from Sweden to Sunset Strip

Photo Credit: David Wreland

Night Vision Rising: Streetlight’s Sonic Journey from Sweden to Sunset Strip

Editor’s Note:  Night Vision by Streetlight was released earlier in this year – and as 2025 comes to an end, this one is well worth revisiting – especially if you are a fan of that classic AOR sound!

Swedish melodic rockers Streetlight are back with Night Vision, their second full-length release on Frontiers Music srl—and it’s a shimmering blend of introspection, arena-ready hooks, and cinematic flair. In this exclusive interview, guitarist and producer Johannes Häger opens up about the band’s creative process, the metaphor behind the album title, and his personal connection to Los Angeles. From late nights in Hollywood to festival stages in Malmö, Streetlight’s sound bridges continents and decades, channeling the spirit of classic AOR while carving out fresh emotional terrain. With Night Vision poised to make waves, Häger shares what’s next—and why the darkness might just be where the magic begins.

First off, where is the band based, and what’s your local music scene like?
We’re based in a fairly small town in southern Sweden called Jönköping, about 200 miles south of Stockholm. I work here as a music producer and have my own studio. The other guys are also involved in music or other creative work.

This is your second album with Frontiers. How did you initially sign with them?
We recorded a demo with two songs and sent it out to a few labels. Frontiers responded the same night we sent it—they were really enthusiastic. We were in talks with other labels too, but ultimately decided to go with Frontiers.

Night Vision by Streetlight

Is there a concept behind the album title Night Vision?
The title comes from the track “Captured in the Night.” Night Vision is about how your eyes adjust to darkness—you start seeing better in the dark and eventually forget what it’s like to be in the light. It’s a metaphor for life. Sometimes we live in darkness without realizing there’s light out there.

Let’s talk about “Learn to Love Again.” What’s the story behind that one?
When I write, it’s usually for a specific project—I don’t just write for fun. I knew it was time to start working on the next Streetlight album and wanted a slower, mid-tempo track. That’s how “Learn to Love Again” came together.

Tell me about “Late Night Hollywood.” Have you spent time out here in L.A.?
Yes, I’ve been to Hollywood a couple of times. My wife and I stayed in Burbank during a sabbatical a few years ago and spent a couple of months in L.A. I really love the city. On our first album, we had a track called “Malibu Pier,” so I wanted another L.A.-inspired song for this record. “Late Night Hollywood” started as an older track—I had the chorus but never finished it. I rewrote the verse and bridge and built a new song around it.

Did you get to visit any of the classic Hollywood nightspots like the Whisky or the Rainbow?
I did! I went to The Whisky to see Stryper, a band I loved as a teenager. It was a great show and a fun experience.

Photo Credit: David Wreland

Maybe Streetlight will play there one day?
Who knows? We’d love to, of course.

You’ve played the Malmo Music Festival. What was that experience like?
It was fantastic. The audience was really into melodic rock and AOR, so it felt like home. A lot of the other bands were in the same genre, which made it even more fun. We love playing live—it’s a big part of how we write and arrange songs. I always imagine performing them on stage.

What can fans expect from a live Streetlight show?
We like to have fun and bring energy to the stage. Our songs often have little surprises built in, and the band is full of great musicians, so it’s easy to make it sound good live.

If Streetlight could open for any band—past or present—who would it be?
Probably one of the giants of melodic rock like Journey or Toto. My favorite band growing up—and still today—is Kansas. Opening for them would be amazing.

Photo Credit: David Wreland

If Streetlight were invited to appear on a Journey tribute album, which song would you cover and why?
I think the only Journey song I’ve played live is “Any Way You Want It,” but I’d probably choose “Only the Young.” It’s a great track and would be a solid fit for us.

Are you involved in any other bands or projects outside of Streetlight?
Yes, I’m also in a band called Bullock Hearts, which leans more toward indie rock. I grew up on melodic rock and hard rock—Def Leppard, Van Halen, Extreme—but hadn’t played that style in years. Streetlight was a fun way to return to my musical roots. Bullock Hearts plays more radio-friendly indie rock, but the project’s been on hiatus since I started Streetlight. Between producing and writing, I don’t have time to juggle both, so Streetlight gets my full attention now.

With the new album coming out, what’s next for Streetlight?
We’re hoping to play the songs live and are planning a few release shows here in Sweden. We’d love to connect with booking agencies and perform in other countries too. And I’m always writing—so new songs will definitely be in the works.

Any message for melodic rock fans reading this in the magazine or online?
We’re releasing our second album, Night Vision and we’re really proud of it. We hope you enjoy it as much as we enjoyed making it. Thanks for your support—we’re excited about what’s ahead!

Line Up:
Johannes Häger – lead vocals and guitars
Filip Stenlund – guitars, backing vocals
John Svensson – keys, backing vocals
Erik Nilsson – drums, backing vocals
Johan Tjernström – bass, backing vocals

(Interview by Ken Morton)

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