• Tell us about your musical development that has led you to where you are today?
Well I started learning to engineer and produce music before I even consider making an album which was very important for me. By doing that I took control over my life and what I actually produce and create.
It’s been a long journey to get to where I am today but I’m really happy that I could see a light at the end of the tunnel and I believed in myself. Even if me being strong is very important it’s also important to be open to reality, life and realize that we are not all knowing creatures and that there is always a compromise and it’s important to stay curious and open to what life offers you. I have never let my dreams stand in the way of my life. Sometimes life knows what’s best for us, that’s what I mean with being open and curious, be open to change my perception of my work, my music and myself as an artist, i want to stay curious and keep looking for that next thing that makes me happy, i guess that’s how I develop as a musician and an artist, to know that there is always something more to learn.
• Which musicians inspire you?
I’m inspired by a lot of people not only musicians, but the musicians that i usually look up to are very independent and just like me they write and produce and they’re very involved in what they create, so people like Kate Bush, prince, Beyonce, Imogen Heap, strong and independent people but they still have that genuine curious drive.
• Is there anything about the United States that influence your music?
I think people are influenced by the United States and the culture here every day all over the world and I’m definitely not an next exception. I love being here, it’s really inspiring. There is a closeness to everything here, you’re close to that big movie productions, close to that perfect sync in that perfect movie, there’s beautiful things happening here every day and I love to be surrounded with creative people, not only from the music business but from all sorts of fields.
• Will you visit the United States soon again after SXSW is over?
I moved to the United States a while ago, so I live in LA right now at the moment. But I’m always moving around, maybe it’s my refugee background that just keeps me moving and exploring.
• What do you miss about Sweden?
Well, I miss everything to be honest, I miss the people, I miss the city the structures, the way everything is organized, I miss my fans, there’s a lot of things I miss with Sweden, I miss finding blueberries in the forest and let’s not even mention my favorite foods, candies and stuff like that!
Mollie Silverhjelm, SACC-Austin