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Name: Quantum Dot
Members: Lionel Jeusette, Patrick Ribeiro, Thorunn Egilsdottir
Interviewee: Thorunn Egilsdottir

Nationality: Luxembourg-Icelandic

Occupation: Vocalist, songwriter
Current Release: Quantum Dot's Random Causalities EP is out now.
Recommendations: Listen to ‘Paul’ by Big Thief. If you have not heard it yet, you will discover a lovely melody and great lyrics.
As for literature, I haven’t finished it yet, but I can definitely recommend Ghost lover by Lisa Taddeo.

If you enjoyed this interview with Quantum Dot and would like to know more, visit their official website. The band are also on Instagram, and Facebook.
 


When did you start writing/producing/playing music and what or who were your early passions and influences? What was it about music and/or sound that drew you to it?

I actually started writing my own music in my early 30s. It was during my years in Berlin. Until that time, I was just more of a singer that was being produced. I just never thought I could do it.

Today I have a lot more self-confidence. I have written and produced four album since then. I use the piano to write songs and I record them upstairs in my tiny little humble studio. I just have not learned how to mix them and master them.

As for the musical influences, I would say that Tori Amos, Radiohead, Björk and Feist have influenced me the most.

When I listen to music, I see shapes, objects and colours. What happens in your body when you're listening and how does it influence your approach to creativity?
 
That is a beautiful question and I do like your description of how you perceive sounds.

To me music creates inner landscapes which help me navigate through my deepest emotions. I see a big black sea and I’m sitting at the bottom of the ocean. Music starts and the colored fish start bringing light into darkness.

How would you describe your development as an artist in terms of interests and challenges, searching for a personal voice, as well as breakthroughs?
 
Over the years, I have learned to detach myself from thinking in terms of success, breakthroughs or making money. I hate the word combination ‘music business’, because music should never be associated with business. So, when you focus on finding your own voice and sound, you probably have to get a second job. Otherwise you’re just so frustrated over not being able to pay your bills and that will ruin your music.

I found my own personal voice when I finally let go of pressure and I did not care what other people think. Still, I would very much like to connect with people via my music. Just the way I have connected with the people that I mentioned in question number one.

Tell me a bit about your sense of identity and how it influences both your preferences as a listener and your creativity as an artist, please.

I would describe myself as a very melancholic person that feels things very intensely. Still, I am also someone that appreciates life and feels quite happy to be alive. My music and lyrics are someplace in between those opposites of light and heavy.

Thus, when I am pensive or going through rough times, I do like to listen to alternative music that reflects my mood. When all is going fine and I just want to relax my head and have fun, I actually can enjoy very light pop songs with joyful beats and witty lyrics.

What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and art?

I personally think I feel too much and music gives me ways to cope with that huge chunk of empathy and self doubt. It also gives me the opportunity to be playful.

We all can be a walking contradiction sometimes. One minute we are happy, the next we are sad. One day we may react to problems in an angry way. Next time we are balanced and calm.

This is what emotions are and music does translate these feelings. Music helps people feel themselves.

What, would you say, are the key ideas behind your approach to music and art?
 
It is hard for me to describe, because I don’t really intellectualize it. I never decide to write a song, it’s more of a flow. I would go as far as to say that the song finds me. Not the other way around.

But as for my approach to music and art in general, I find so much creativity around me and I am sad that so many brilliant people will most likely never be heard.

Because let’s face it, you need to be a good marketer if you’re going to bypass the industry. Because of the marketing part, so many musicians feel overwhelmed. They just want to focus on music, instead of the business.

How would you describe your views on topics like originality and innovation versus perfection and timelessness in music? Are you interested in a “music of the future” or “continuing a tradition”?
 
I think that perfection kills my working process, as I would lose the raw side of myself. I like perfect imperfection. However, I am absolutely convinced that some perfectionists have made some of the greatest songs in this world.

I believe in evolution and I don’t think that we necessarily have to stick with tradition. This said, it all boils down to personal preferences. We all can coexist and we should never treat music like fashion.

Over the course of your development, what have been your most important instruments and tools - and what are the most promising strategies for working with them?
 
For me the most important instruments are my voice and the piano. The most important tool is definitely Logic Pro.

You could say that I am a very simple girl with simple tools. Therefore my strategy is very simple. I get an idea on tape and then I just keep adding layers while I’m in the creative process.

Take us through a day in your life, from a possible morning routine through to your work, please.

Oh my God, although filled with all kinds of activities, my life is kind of boring.

When I’m not making music, I’m a corporate communication manager. More importantly, I am the mother of a gorgeous 11 year old girl. We have a lot of fun like riding, playing tennis …

So basically I wake up, make breakfast, drive to work, get back, take care of my daughter and the horses and then I make music when my daughter is asleep.

Listening can be both a solitary and a communal activity. Likewise, creating music can be private or collaborative. Can you talk about your preferences in this regard and how these constellations influence creative results?

I am an extroverted introvert. In other words, I like both. I like to create or receive ideas and then exchange them with my band members.

I have noticed that since Covid, we do this increasingly digitally. We use all kinds of channels (from Messenger to ‎WhatsApp). It doesn’t sound very posh I know, but I suspect this is the way many bands proceed. Skipping physical meetings is convenient because it saves time.

How do your work and your creativity relate to the world and what is the role of music in society?

I do not know how my work relates to the world because I have not had the great breakthrough as someone like David Bowie or the Rolling Stones. I just know that I hope I have been able to touch someone´s heart and made their hips tilt or their mouths hum the melody.

In terms of the role of music in society, I think that the world would be less empathic without it. I am sure that cold hearts can be warmed up with the right song. I am convinced, music has helped many people get by when times got rough.

Art can be a way of dealing with the big topics in life: Life, loss, death, love, pain, and many more. In which way and on which occasions has music – both your own or that of others - contributed to your understanding of these questions?
 
Like you say, we all have to go through our ups and downs, Good or bad, there is no way that anyone will be unaffected by his or her childhood. I believe that there are just so many different ways of processing life and communicating it to the outer world.

For me, the communication channel is music. Basically, when you are so lucky to be able to express your feelings, you don´t need therapy.

How do you see the connection between music and science and what can these two fields reveal about each other?
 
Sound is vibrations and the patterns in these vibrations provoke emotions. When we hear songs, it does something to our body. In other words, it makes sense that these two fields are connected. This is where mind meets body and soul. Intellect meets human emotions and art.

I believe that science can learn a lot from music and vice versa.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you feel as though writing or performing a piece of music is inherently different from something like making a great cup of coffee? What do you express through music that you couldn't or wouldn't in more 'mundane' tasks?
 
Wow, I absolutely agree. This is precisely my belief. At the end of the day, we must love what we do. Whatever makes you happy, you will do it well when you’re passionate about it. I know it sounds corny, but as long as you have a roof over your head and you can put food on the table, quality should always come over quantity. After all, we only have one life.

But to answer your question, music gives me courage to say things that I would be too ashamed to reveal to anyone. It provides this wild card to say whatever is on your mind.

Music is vibration in the air, captured by our ear drums. From your perspective as a creator and listener, do you have an explanation how it able to transmit such diverse and potentially deep messages?
 
Research has shown that music heals! I know in my own personal life, it has reduced my anxiety and improved my mood. Listening to a great song is like therapy and it can have a tremendously positive impact on physical and mental health.

My explanation would be: someone communicated beauty to us. When we hear a song, we know that we are not alone. It is so soothing.