Name: Albin Lee Meldau
Occupation: Singer, songwriter
Nationality: Swedish
Recent release: Albin Lee Meldau's new singles "Sinking like a Stone" and “Misstro,” featuring Molly Hammar, are out via Mayfly and Island respectively. Catch him play live on tour.

If you enjoyed this Albin Lee Meldau interview and would like to find out more about his music, visit his official homepage. He is also on Instagram, and Facebook.

For an interview with one of his collaborators, read our Jack Savoretti interview]

Do you think that some of your earliest musical experiences planted a seed for your interest in your voice and singing? How and when did you start singing?

Absolutely! I grew up among musicians and music was always played in our home. My mother always sang and my father always played his records while cooking.

I started to sing very early but I didn’t realise that was what I wanted to do until way later. Still, the songs they played for me still make me smile and make me want to write and sing songs like that.
 
Singing is an integral part of all cultures, and traditions. Which of these do you draw from – and why?

I’m inspired by a lot of different types of music. I grew up listening to reggae, soul, jazz and African music from my parents but we also of course had traditional Swedish music around us which shaped me into what I am today.

I used to be very inspired by big singers like Marvin Gaye and Elvis but nowadays I rather tend to listen more to emotions than pitch perfect singing.

But of course, the the sound of Salif Keita's voice is just astonishing to this day.

What were some of the main challenges in your development as a singer/vocalist? Which practices, exercises, or experiences were most helpful in reaching your goals – were there also “harmful” ones?

The biggest challenge I have to this day is to be grateful. It’s the key to everything in life I believe.

Before I got sober a few years back it was keeping straight. Thankfully I don’t have that problem anymore.
 
How do you see the relationship between harmony, rhythm and melody? Do you feel that honing your sense of rhythm and groove has an effect on your singing skills?

I believe that timing is everything. One is useless without the other.

In my opinion the best singers like Elvis or Sinatra have unbelievable timing. That’s what makes them stand out.

What are the things you hear in a voice when listening to a vocalist? What moves you in the voices of other singers?

All I really long for in a singer is truthfulness.

Of course it’s nice with a big voice - but if I don't believe them, it’s pointless.

How would you describe the physical sensation of singing? [Where do you feel the voice, do you have a visual sensation/representation, is there a sense of release or tension etc …]

It depends of course what I’m singing. Sometimes it hurts. Sometimes it’s light like air. All depending on the song.

One thing is always present, though, if I sing well - and that’s the sheer joy of it.
 
What kind of musical settings and situations do you think are ideal for your own voice?

 I like singing simple songs with strong lyrics, but also I can enjoy more complicated and demanding singing.

Where I think I sound best is when I sing heartfelt songs with very little instrumentation.

We have a speaking voice and a singing voice. Do these feel like they are natural extensions of each other, ends on a spectrum or different in kind?

Probably. I’ve never thought about it that way.

I do think it helps if you are good with dialects and imitations. Basically it’s just sound we mimic since childhood.
 
From whispers to screams, from different colours to dynamics, what are the potentials and limits of your voice? How much of your vocal performance can and do you want to control?
 
I try to evolve and get different hues into the picture every time I sing, but I do think the most important thing is what I’m singing.

I know which notes I can hit and can’t but singing is so complex that I just try not to think of it, just do my best and have fun.

When you're writing song lyrics, do you sense or see a connection between your voice and the text? Does it need to feel and sound “good” or “right” to sing certain words? What's your perspective in this regard of singing someone else's songs versus your own?

When I write words down I often exclude some that “sing badly”. It also needs to resonate with me so it’s a struggle sometimes.

I love singing other people’s lyrics. It’s actually often easier to connect with them than your own.
 
Strain is a particularly serious issue for many vocalists. How do you take care of your voice? Are the recipes or techniques to get a damaged voice back in shape?

I’m crap at taking care of myself in general but it has been better the few last years. I try not to smoke, shout, I warm up and drink tea. And pray.

It’s the biggest concern I have before stepping out in front of thousands of people or live tv.
 
How has technology, such as autotune or effect processing, impacted singing? Has it been a concrete influence on your own approach?
 
I think it’s horrible and wish it wasn’t possible.

Not because I consider it cheating, but because it just kills the emotions.
 
For recording engineers, the human voice remains a tricky element to capture. What, from your perspective, makes voices sound great on record and in a live setting?
 
Many different factors of course. But I really am a sucker for brave singers. Singers you believe. Not necessarily singers that sound amazing.