Part 2

Many writers have claimed that as soon as they enter into the process, certain aspects of the narrative are out of their hands. Do you like to keep strict control or is there a sense of following things where they lead you?

When I start writing, it often just flows, without me deciding what it will be about. It’s rather rare that I write about a topic that I have decided on before I start making the song.

I think it’s what I love most about it, that you don’t really know what you needed to express before you’ve gotten it out. Almost as if you’re processing something whilst writing about it.

There are many descriptions of the creative state. How would you describe it for you personally? Is there an element of spirituality to what you do?

For me the creative state, being “in the music,” is a very special feeling, a feeling I can’t get in the same way from other things in life. It can definitely feel spiritual.

Once a piece is finished, how important is it for you to let it lie and evaluate it later on? How much improvement and refinement do you personally allow until you're satisfied with a piece?

I allow myself to spend a lot of time on a song. It’s hard to know if this might have something to do with the process I’ve been in towards this album, which has been to grow my skills in production and mixing, and learnt everything whilst doing it for this album.

But in general, also from how I’ve worked when others have finalized the productions, I think it’s okay that a song can develop over time. Rather that, then finish something just to have a result. Music is too personal for me.

I have experienced a lot of times that you can finish a song quite fast though. Sometimes it just works, faster than you’d expect. You just have it, from the first word to the last recording. It all just clicks. That’s amazing, when that happens.

How do you think the meaning, or effect of an individual piece is enhanced, clarified or possibly contrasted by the EPs, or albums it is part of? Does each piece, for example, need to be consistent with the larger whole?

The songs for this album work by them selves as standalone songs, in my opinion. They’re not radio hits - but they have a message.

They also fullfill a bigger meaning as part of the album. And making a full album gives each song a different room to live in, so that the listener can enter and experience the variety and depth of that room in a different way than with a standalone song.

Also when you make the album, it’s a wider concept that is, at least for me, very exciting to work around. I’m already on a good way towards making the next one, as many songs that were made in the process of Bring It On just didn’t fit on this one. They need their own album. The next one.

In terms of what they contribute to a song, what is the balance between the composition and the arrangement (including production, mixing and mastering)?  

To me the process of production and composition is very much a parallel process. I often write, compose and produce in parallel.

If I collaborate with other people, like I did on this one too, it’s often also ideas back and forth, going a bit in and out of the songwriting and production mode. I really enjoy that.

When it comes to mixing, that also happens whilst producing, but I do spend a lot of time just mixing when everything else is in place. We’ll see how that is for the next album, since this one was a big learning curve for me, as I’ve never mixed a full album before this.

Music and the accompanying artwork are often closely related. Can you talk about this a little bit for your current project and the relationship that images and sounds have for you in general?

Images and sound go very much hand in hand for me. I often visualize things whilst recording and producing. Colors, shapes and people. For this album I also made two music videos, where I cut and edited the videos myself. Making videos to accompany the music feels like a very intuitive part of the process for me.

The next music video, however, will be made by someone else, and I’m truly excited to see how it turns out. It’s inspiring to collaborate with other creatives and see how our interpretations of the same sound can align — or surprise each other.

I’ve chosen colors that are a bit feminine for the cover art of this album, but also with references to the sea. I get very inspired by the ocean, waves, nature itself, and it often inflicts my visual identity.

The first music video is filmed in my hometown, where the songs have lived for awhile, considering I’ve been walking around with the mixes on my headphones fueling new ideas by the surroundings. So to me, I want this album and the visuals that come with it to feel grounded, but also powerful, feminine and with a hint of mystery. The color choice was therefore also very natural to me.

After finishing a piece or album and releasing something into the world, there can be a sense of emptiness. Can you relate to this – and how do you return to the state of creativity after experiencing it?

I am very curious how I will feel after the album is out, considering I’ve been holding onto it for so long.

But I do hope I will play more live shows next year, also outside of Norway, so that I can continue fueling my inspiration and meet people, see new places through music. That’s my goal at least.

Other than that, I already kind of have a second album in process, so I guess it won’t feel so empty after the first release. But who knows.

I would love to know a little about the feedback you've received from listeners or critics about what they thought some of your songs are about or the impact it had on them – have there been “misunderstandings” or did you perhaps even gain new “insights?”

I sometimes have listeners opening up to me. What I like about that, is that I get the feeling that for some, it seems they get this feeling of talking about life with my songs, which I really enjoy.

I think we can all be better at that. Communicating.

I don’t know if anyone’s ever misunderstood my songs, but I think it can be interesting if someone has a specific interpretation, which sometimes can be a bit different than what the song means for me.

Creativity can reach many different corners of our lives. Do you personally feel as though writing 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?  

I think for me, music feels like the best and most universal way to communicate. I love my coffee, but it’s just keeping me going, not really saying much to the world. With music you can escape and enter a different world, or build on a feeling you’re having and lean into it for real.

I just think there is no better way to communicate and get in touch with your inner voice than through music. At least for me.

Do you have things that you are passionate about but rarely get to talk about?

I’m passionate about a lot of things, but I would like to use this question to talk about women and non binary people in the music industry. We still have to work incredibly hard to get our positions and to build sustainable careers as producers, engineers, musicians, and leaders.

I’ve felt that myself, how rare it still is to be a female producer and mixer, and how often you feel like you have to prove yourself twice. That was one of the reasons I wanted to produce and mix my own debut album (even though I almost gave up many times): to fully own my sound, but also to take that space.

I think a big part of me didn’t give up, just because I’m stubborn and I didn’t want to give in and confirm the idea some have that women can’t do it.

We need to keep opening doors — creating spaces where women and non-binary people can grow, develop skills, and be trusted for their creativity and vision. Many give up because it’s exhausting to always have to prove your worth, and that breaks my heart.

But I also believe deeply in what’s coming. There’s a new generation of incredible young talents — women and gender-diverse people — who are shaping the future of music right now. If we keep supporting and empowering them, I’m sure we’ll see (and hear) something truly beautiful emerge.