Swedish Rock Band THUNDERMOTHER’s Lead Guitarist Talks Playing — and Touring — While Pregnant

It’s refreshing to see more mamas playing instruments on stage while pregnant, though few can slay a guitar solo in the third trimester like Swedish all-female rock band THUNDERMOTHER‘s lead guitarist Filippa Nässil.

Armed with her trusty Lzzy Hale signature Gibson Explorer, Nassil is showing that with a little adjustment, a positive attitude, and an awesome band (including lead vocalist Linnéa Vikström Egg, a mom of two), that pregnancy is super rock n’ roll.

She’s also showing that with a little help, expectant moms can stay safe and healthy while on tour, even with bands like Scorpions.

“Without my band members and crew, I wouldn’t have been able to play up to the eighth month,” Nassil tells Rockmommy. “They’ve pushed me around in a wheelchair at airports, carried my guitar pedals as hand luggage when we’ve flown, and taken on more responsibility than usual in the band.”

We recently caught up with Nassil to find out how she’s planning for the baby’s arrival this month — and what’s next for the band in 2024.

Rockmommy: THUNDERMOTHER has been playing since 2009, for 15 years! How has the band evolved over the last decade and a half?

Filippa Nässil: I’ve always had the same vision of what we are as a band: a raucous rock ‘n roll band with power that puts on one hell of a show. The longer the band has existed, the more we have developed musically. We groove more than ever and we’re tight.

Rockmommy: Is this the first time a member of the band has been expecting a baby?

Filippa Nässil:  Our singer, Linnéa Vikström Egg, has two small children. It’s important for us to support each other and encourage each other. We can live our rock dream while having children. Understanding and respect are so important to make it work. I am lucky to have the support of the girls in the band.

Rockmommy: You recently played some shows supporting rock icons Scorpions. What’s that been like? Was it at all intimidating? Or just fun?

Filippa Nässil: It was a dream come true to tour with them in arenas all over North America and Europe. We learned an incredible amount about touring in a big level and what is important as a group. It was a bit scary before we went on stage each time, but always fun.

[SEE RELATED: THE NEW LZZY HALE GIBSON EXPLORERBIRD IS SO SWOONWORTHY]

Rockmommy: You play a Lzzy Hale signature Gibson Explorer — what drew you to that instrument?

Filippa Nässil: I always liked white guitars because they stand out more and I think they look better. Then I wanted to play a Gibson Explorer because it has more wood and resonance, making it better for riffing. I find it incredibly easy to play while getting goosebumps when striking a chord in front of a Marshall stack. Lzzy Hale thinks my guitar has better patina than hers, and she’s happy that it has been my main guitar for many years.

Rockmommy: Playing shows pregnant: Which trimester has been the hardest? Have you had any issues with playing or standing or movement?

Filippa Nässil: Absolutely! Now I am in the third trimester and I went from running around, headbanging, and running into the crowd in the second trimester to sitting on a chair at times to regain the strength to stand, play, and sing backups.

Rockmommy: When is your baby due? Do you hope to play up until the due date?

Filippa Nässil: July 30 is my due date. But now my hands have become swollen, and the baby is so sensitive to sound that I have a substitute for most gigs. We’ve managed to hang in there for a long time anyway, haha! Me and the baby are a team.

Rockmommy: What advice do you have for other pregnant guitar players?

Filippa Nässil: Ask for help. Without my band members and crew, I wouldn’t have been able to play up to the eighth month.

They’ve pushed me around in a wheelchair at airports, carried my guitar pedals as hand luggage when we’ve flown, and taken on more responsibility than usual in the band. Listen to your body and don’t play if you can’t handle it. Rest before the show. Get a backup player like I did towards the end because it’s tougher than you think even if you believe at first you could make it. Oh so fun it is. Good luck!

Marisa Torrieri Bloom is the editor and founder of Rockmommy.