Who is Johan Åhlund, and what’s the story behind LegendsAndNostalgia?
This is Johan Åhlund, and the supercute cavapoo belong to a good friend of mine.
-Well, my name is Johan Åhlund, and as you might expect, I’m just an ordinary guy with a deep passion for writing, communication, popculture and all things nostalgic. After running several blogs, I eventually decided to create a platform where I could freely write about what I love. Without any negativity. That’s how LegendsAndNostalgia was born. It’s my personal space, dedicated to celebrating the past, sharing positive stories, and diving into the things that bring joy. No bad reviews. No complaints—just pure nostalgia and appreciation for both new and classic stuff.
What are your all-time favorite movies?
-There are so many to choose from! My taste is broad, spanning everything from action-packed blockbusters to quirky comedies. Le Samouraï, The Shawshank Redemption, Shooting Fish, and several of Tarantino’s films stand out as favorites. However, I also have a soft spot for those brainless yet wildly entertaining ’80s action, comedy and thriller flicks. Sometimes, you just want to sit back, relax, and enjoy the ride.
Ok Johan Åhlund, which book has inspired you the most?
-There are several books that have left a lasting impact on me. I first read Papillon at the age of 11 and found it absolutely thrilling. Tough, looking back, I wasn’t exactly the most critical reader at the time. As I grew older, my taste expanded. Jon Krakauer’s Into Thin Air and Into the Wild became instant favorites. I also have a deep appreciation for Stephen King’s novels and Bill Bryson’s witty, insightful books. Additionally, I highly recommend Pascal Engman’s gripping thrillers, Samantha Weinberg’s fascinating A Fish Caught in Time, and Austin Trunick’s incredibly entertaining The Cannon Film Guide series. Each of these books has something unique to offer, whether it’s adventure, suspense, or deep historical insight.
What was your first computer or gaming console, and what did you play?
-My first computer was a ZX Spectrum 48K. A machine I’ve written about extensively on this site. It was truly fantastic! My friends and I spent countless hours glued to the screen, playing Yie Ar Kung Fu, Rana Rama, Arkanoid, Saboteur, Dynamite Dan, and Spindizzy. Each of these games brought a different kind of excitement, and even today, they hold a special place in my heart.
Which games have had the greatest impact on you?
-It depends on the platform but these games came into my mind:
- SEGA Master System & Nintendo Entertainment System – Phantasy Star, Alex Kidd, Super Mario, Punch-Out!!, R.C. Pro-Am and Bubble Bobble.
- Atari ST & Amiga 500 – Sid Meier’s Pirates!, Speedball, Theme Park, Desert Strike and Snow Bros.
- PC (The AMD K6 200MMX era) – Colin McRae Rally, Diablo, Daggerfall, Doom, Duke Nukem, Age of Empires and Quake.
Which games do you think you’ve spent the most time on over the years?
– If I had to guess my most played game of all time, it’s probably Daggerfall, Diablo II, or Age of Empires II. I wouldn’t revisit Daggerfall today, but Diablo II and Age of Empires II still hold up, especially in their remastered editions. These days, I don’t game as much, but my Steam library keeps growing… And the games on the PS4 Pro.
Which TV series can you watch over and over again?
-The Young Ones remains a masterpiece. Since I love British humor and crime dramas, my girlfriend and I often watch those together. For instance, The Detectives is absolutely hilarious, Gold was fantastic, and Grace is consistently solid. Meanwhile, The IT Crowd, Black Books, and Father Ted never get old. Beyond British TV, I also enjoy NYPD Blue, The Shield, Dogs of Berlin, 4 Blocks, and the intense and disturbing Norwegian-Swedish financial drama Exit.
How did your interest in retro, nostalgia, and pop culture begin?
-With so much negativity in the world today, I felt it was time to revisit the good stuff. I’ve always had a passion for tech, retro gaming, comics, and nostalgia, and since I love writing, creating this platform felt like a natural step. Instead of wasting time on negative reviews, I focus on celebrating the things and persons I genuinely enjoy.
What does Johan Åhlund do when he’s not writing?
-I spend a lot of time with my girlfriend, go for long walks, boardgames and, of course, read and listen to music. Platforms like Readly, Spotify, Instagram, and Storytel are my go-to sources for entertainment, so I consume a fair amount of pop culture daily. Additionally, as you might guess from the photo above, I’m a huge animal lover—though at the moment, I don’t have a pet of my own.
Ok Johan Åhlund which article on LegendsAndNostalgia are you most proud of?
–Pride might be a strong word, but researching and revisiting the story of Itera, the Swedish plastic bicycle disaster, was incredibly fun. That was a wild ride—pun intended.
Thank you for stopping by, and happy exploring. Best regards, Johan Åhlund (here is my LinkedIn profile)
