Danish singer and songwriter, Lukas Forchhammer, has been performing since his early childhood years. Being a member of a band was only natural for his life trajectory. In his early twenties, he became lead singer of the Danish band Lukas Graham. The band formed in 2011 and gained popularity across Denmark from their YouTube homemade videos of their songs.
Soon after the band gains popularity in Denmark, René Sascha Johannsen decided to begin filming their musical career. As Johannsen’s filming continued, the band’s journey took off in surprising ways.
In 7 Years Of Lukas Graham, Johansen presents an intimate portrait of the band’s rise from local sensation to performing at the GRAMMYs.
With open access to the band and Forchhammer directly, we come to see their journey to North American stardom was not always so clear cut. Their American label was unsure they’d make it big in the US. The band returns home to Denmark, tours Europe to sold out concerts, they release their song “7 Years” which explodes on Spotify.
The lyrics to the song refer to Forchhammer’s father passing, and how much heartbreak one experiences at the loss of a loved one. The depth of Forchhammer’s lyrics along with the band’s musical abilities are the perfect combination for their big success overseas.
When the American label realizes the band’s popularity is in fact bigger than they imagined or even planned for; they have the band embark on a whirlwind tour of the country.
Amidst this new popularity, Forchhammer becomes a father. The touring and giving all of yourself on stage and afterwards proves to be exhilarating yet exhausting. The fans also seem to become more and more demanding; something the band was not exactly prepared for. He longs to be with his new family.
On subsequent tours, Forchhammer and the band make arrangements for the new family to come along. Being a father allows Forchhammer to channel his creativity into writing new songs. The film is a close look at the band’s success, but also an intimate portrait of a singer songwriter.
7 Years of Lukas Graham is a visual dairy that is entertaining and endearing. Johansen leaves the pages blank to what may come next for Forchhammer and Lukas Graham.
