In celebration of International Women’s Day, a collective of influential Nordic artists has illuminated the multifaceted meaning of forging a path "HER way." This philosophy transcends the pressure to conform to industry molds, instead championing a deeply personal and authentic approach to creative expression. These compelling voices, from bedroom producers to seasoned performers, have shared intimate insights into their artistic rituals and offered invaluable advice to emerging talent. Their collective wisdom underscores the profound power of consistency, the captivating beauty of imperfection, and the enduring strength found in unwavering self-belief. The discourse, featuring artists such as Charlotte Dos Santos, garbagepink, mags, and Cyan Kicks, offers a resonant message for anyone navigating the creative landscape, whether as a creator or an avid listener.
A Tapestry of Advice for Aspiring Artists
The urgency for authentic guidance resonates strongly within the emerging artist community. When asked to impart wisdom to younger creatives, the responses from these Nordic luminaries were both profound and practical, emphasizing a holistic approach to artistic development.
Charlotte Dos Santos, a Norwegian-Brazilian artist known for her ethereal and genre-bending sound, offered a concise yet potent mantra: "Stay curious, spend time on your craft and be your biggest fan. Remember your why and look inwards." This advice highlights the critical importance of continuous learning, dedicated practice, and cultivating an internal source of validation, crucial elements for navigating the often-challenging music industry.
The electronic artist garbagepink, recognized for her innovative soundscapes and striking visual aesthetic, encouraged a departure from conventional expectations: "Don’t be afraid to make music that sounds different. Don’t necessarily make music that you think people might like. Make the music you like. Trust your gut." This sentiment speaks to the growing recognition that genuine artistic impact often stems from originality and a willingness to challenge audience preconceptions. The industry, increasingly saturated, rewards artists who can carve out a unique sonic identity.
For mags, a rising star whose lyrical prowess and emotional depth have garnered significant attention, the core message revolved around authenticity and self-expression: "I would like to inspire other artists to live and create in an environment and way that feels authentic and expansive to them. I believe that one of the most powerful ways to make an impact is to remain authentic to oneself in how we create, love and live. I live and create with that in mind and hope to inspire other artists to do the same." This perspective underscores a broader societal shift towards valuing genuine expression over manufactured personas. In an era where authenticity is a highly prized commodity, mags’ philosophy offers a blueprint for sustainable and meaningful artistic careers.
The alternative rock band Cyan Kicks, known for their energetic live performances and introspective songwriting, provided a comprehensive set of advice, directly addressing the anxieties that often plague emerging artists. "I think the biggest thing is not waiting until you feel ready, because most artists never do. You just start and grow into it. Courage is way more important than perfection, and imperfection is much more interesting than perfection. The thing you might think makes you weird or different is usually the thing that makes you interesting as an artist. Talent is great, but consistency is what really builds a career. And through all of that, try to protect the part of you that genuinely loves music, because that’s the thing that will keep you going when everything else gets hard." This multifaceted advice touches upon the crucial elements of initiating projects despite uncertainty, embracing vulnerability, understanding that unique qualities are assets, recognizing the long-term value of perseverance, and safeguarding the intrinsic passion that fuels artistic endeavors. The emphasis on consistency, in particular, aligns with data from the music industry that shows sustained output and engagement are key drivers of career longevity.
Sources of Artistic Inspiration: A Multifaceted Wellspring
The wellsprings of creative inspiration are as diverse as the artists themselves, drawing from the mundane and the profound, the internal and the external.
Charlotte Dos Santos finds her muse in the everyday: "I draw inspiration from daily life, experiences, dreams, and books. I love history and I love learning about our ancestors and people who came before us." This broad approach suggests an artist who is constantly absorbing and processing the world around her, weaving a rich tapestry of influences into her work. Her interest in history and ancestral connections hints at a desire to place her music within a larger narrative, connecting the personal to the collective human experience.
garbagepink’s creative process is deeply intertwined with sensory experiences and the interplay of sound and vision: "I love experiencing music together with visuals. In the studio I sometimes play my track over a muted music video on YouTube to see how it comes alive with the footage." This unique method of inspiration highlights an artist who understands the power of multimedia and the symbiotic relationship between different art forms. It suggests a deliberate effort to create music that is not only heard but also felt and seen, potentially leading to more immersive and impactful artistic statements.
mags articulates a raw and unflinching approach to inspiration, rooted in personal narrative: "When it comes to my songwriting I usually draw the most inspiration from my own lived experiences. The good, the ugly and the bad. Usually trying to capture the universal by being hyper personal and radically honest. Hoping that it makes someone feel less alone in their experience and/or feelings." This commitment to radical honesty and personal narrative resonates with a growing audience seeking relatable and authentic storytelling in music. The drive to connect with others through shared experiences is a powerful motivator for many artists, and mags’ approach exemplifies this.
Cyan Kicks, on the other hand, delves into the psychological and emotional depths for their creative fuel: "I draw inspiration from my own mental landscape, I take stories for my songs from what’s shouting the loudest inside me at the moment. It’s usually something heavy or intense, my songs rarely come from happy places. That said, even difficult emotions or experiences can be approached in a positive way and I often try to do that too. When I turn frustration or pain into a song and listen to the first version on repeat it actually helps heal the wound the song originally came from. I hope it can do the same for others too." This introspective process reveals a band that uses music as a cathartic tool, transforming personal struggles into art that can offer solace and understanding to listeners. The therapeutic aspect of songwriting, where creation becomes a means of healing, is a significant element in their artistic output.
The Creative Process: A Journey of Iteration and Intuition
The journey from initial idea to finished product is often a complex and evolving one, characterized by different methodologies and artistic philosophies.
Charlotte Dos Santos views creativity as an ongoing, subconscious process: "I think my creative process is every day – I think its like this for most humans really, we’re always thinking and downloading information in the back of our minds, subconsciously. And having designated days in the studio is important too, to get the music down." This perspective suggests that inspiration is a constant state, and the studio serves as a dedicated space for manifesting these subconscious currents into tangible musical forms. It highlights the balance between passive absorption and active creation.
garbagepink employs a rapid, intuitive approach to capture nascent ideas: "I usually get my ideas in everyday life, writing down notes or recording voice memos when something comes to me. In the studio I work very quickly with the production. When I went to art school we did croquis, drawing fast sketches without overworking them. I approach music in a similar way. I try to capture the foundation of a song quickly before thinking too much, then build from there with vocals and layers of guitars." This method, inspired by the immediacy of artistic sketching, prioritizes capturing the raw essence of a song before over-analyzing it. This can lead to a more spontaneous and energetic final product, avoiding the trap of creative paralysis.
mags has undergone a significant evolution in her creative process, embracing a multidisciplinary and collaborative approach: "I have seen a shift in my creative process in the past year. I have always written autobiographically with myself and (unusually) one other subject being the main characters. Recently I have had an urge to broaden and challenge that way of writing. As a part of that journey I have been dipping my toes into other forms of art through my creative studio CPC studio (cross pollination creatives). The idea of tapping into multiple creative mediums at once to create the most fulfilling creative experience is really driving my creative process at the moment. A recent example of that is my latest headliner concert at Vega, where I hired an actress, a light artist and one musician to be on stage with me instead of a full band. It was a concert, a light installation and a theater performance all at once. I love the different ways artistic mediums can cross pollinate one another and I cannot wait to see how that will play out through my next project." This expansion into interdisciplinary art forms, exemplified by her innovative concert at Vega, demonstrates a forward-thinking artist seeking to push boundaries and create richer, more immersive experiences. The concept of "cross-pollination" between different artistic mediums is a growing trend in the arts, suggesting a desire for holistic and multi-sensory creative outputs.
Cyan Kicks describes a collaborative and iterative songwriting process that emphasizes foundational elements: "We write songs both as a band and with external songwriters. It usually starts with a conversation about what we want to write about and what kind of vibe we’re going for. Most of the time we keep it really simple in the beginning, just an acoustic guitar or piano to find the direction instead of spending time building a full production right away. The nice thing about that approach is that the song doesn’t get locked into any specific style too early, so we can take it in any direction later on. For some reason, recording vocals for a new song for the first time is always really intense and emotionally draining for me. I also need a lot of peace and focus during the writing process – if it gets too loud or chaotic, I kind of shut down. We’ve had a couple of co-write sessions where people were bouncing off the walls and those sessions just left me frustrated and didn’t really lead to anything good. We’ve done a lot of writing on trips abroad, and then we finish everything at our own studio in Helsinki. Co-writing has actually developed me a lot as a songwriter. It used to make me really nervous but now it feels much more natural." This detailed account highlights the importance of a supportive and focused environment for creative work. The band’s evolution in co-writing, moving from nervousness to comfort, speaks to the power of practice and adaptability in honing creative skills. Their deliberate approach to song development, starting with fundamental instrumentation, allows for greater flexibility and artistic exploration. The emphasis on personal well-being, needing peace and focus, is a crucial reminder that creativity often thrives in conducive environments.
The Broader Implications: Authenticity as a Driving Force in the Modern Music Industry
The insights shared by these Nordic artists are not merely personal anecdotes; they reflect broader shifts and trends within the global music industry. The emphasis on authenticity, personal narrative, and embracing imperfection resonates with a generation of listeners who are increasingly discerning and value genuine connection over manufactured perfection.
The rise of independent artists and the democratization of music production tools have empowered creators to bypass traditional gatekeepers and cultivate their own fan bases. This environment rewards artists who can articulate a clear artistic vision and connect with audiences on a personal level. The advice to "trust your gut" and "make the music you like" is therefore not just encouragement but a strategic imperative for standing out in a crowded marketplace.
Furthermore, the acknowledgement of the emotional toll and the need for self-care within the creative process is gaining traction. Artists are increasingly vocal about mental health and the importance of sustainable practices. Cyan Kicks’ need for peace and focus, and mags’ therapeutic approach to songwriting, underscore the human element at the heart of artistic creation, a factor often overlooked in the relentless pursuit of output.
The trend towards interdisciplinary collaboration, as exemplified by mags, suggests a future where artistic boundaries blur, leading to more innovative and immersive cultural experiences. This cross-pollination of ideas and mediums can foster new forms of expression and engagement, pushing the boundaries of what is considered music or performance.
In conclusion, the perspectives of Charlotte Dos Santos, garbagepink, mags, and Cyan Kicks offer a compelling testament to the power of individuality and resilience in the music world. Their journeys, marked by a commitment to personal truth and a willingness to embrace the imperfections that define us, serve as a powerful inspiration. As the music industry continues to evolve, the lessons learned from these Nordic trailblazers—of staying curious, trusting one’s instincts, and cherishing the intrinsic love for the craft—will undoubtedly continue to guide and empower the next generation of artists. The creative journey, as they demonstrate, is not about reaching a flawless destination, but about the courageous and authentic steps taken along the way.
