In celebration of International Women’s Day, a diverse group of compelling voices emerging from the Nordic music scene has offered profound insights into their artistic journeys, challenging conventional norms and championing hyper-personal expression. These artists, spanning various genres and stages of their careers, shared the intimate rituals behind their creative processes, offering a wealth of advice for aspiring musicians and a unique perspective on the enduring power of consistency and the inherent beauty of imperfection. The collective message underscores a movement away from fitting prescribed molds, instead emphasizing the strength found in embracing individuality and authentic self-expression.
The initiative, timed to coincide with the global observance of International Women’s Day, aimed to spotlight the unique contributions and perspectives of women in the music industry, particularly within the vibrant and innovative Nordic landscape. This region has consistently been a fertile ground for artistic experimentation and genre-bending, and this year’s focus on these emerging talents highlights a new generation of artists who are not only pushing sonic boundaries but also redefining what it means to be a successful musician in the 21st century. The interviews, conducted remotely and compiled for release on March 8th, provided a window into the minds of artists who are shaping the future of music.
Inspiring the Next Generation: Wisdom from the Frontlines
When asked to impart wisdom to younger artists embarking on their musical journeys, the responses from Charlotte Dos Santos, garbagepink, mags, and Cyan Kicks resonated with a shared emphasis on authenticity, dedication, and self-belief.
Charlotte Dos Santos, a Norwegian-Brazilian artist known for her soulful and genre-defying sound, offered a concise yet powerful piece of advice: "Stay curious, spend time on your craft and be your biggest fan. Remember your why and look inwards." This sentiment underscores the importance of continuous learning, diligent practice, and the crucial internal validation necessary to navigate the often-challenging music industry. Her approach suggests that true artistic growth stems from a deep understanding of one’s motivations and a commitment to personal development.
Representing a more experimental electronic sound, garbagepink emphasized the courage to diverge from popular trends. "Don’t be afraid to make music that sounds different," she advised. "Don’t necessarily make music that you think people might like. Make the music you like. Trust your gut." This call to artistic integrity highlights the potential pitfalls of chasing market trends over personal vision. Her philosophy suggests that genuine innovation and lasting impact are born from unwavering trust in one’s own creative instincts.
Mags, whose artistry is characterized by its deeply personal and introspective lyrical content, advocated for an approach that prioritizes authenticity and organic growth. "I would like to inspire other artists to live and create in an environment and way that feels authentic and expansive to them," she stated. "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." Mags’ perspective points to the profound connection between an artist’s life and their work, suggesting that a harmonious and genuine existence fuels impactful creativity.
The Finnish rock band Cyan Kicks, speaking through their collective voice, offered a pragmatic yet inspiring outlook. "I think the biggest thing is not waiting until you feel ready, because most artists never do. You just start and grow into it," they explained. "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 advice tackles the pervasive fear of inadequacy that can paralyze emerging artists. Their emphasis on embracing imperfection and cultivating resilience speaks to the long-term commitment required for a sustainable career in music, highlighting the vital role of passion as a driving force through inevitable difficulties.
Sources of Artistic Alchemy: Drawing Inspiration from the Everyday and the Extraordinary
The wellsprings of inspiration for these Nordic artists are as diverse as their musical styles, ranging from the deeply personal to the broadly observational.
Charlotte Dos Santos finds her muse in the tapestry of daily life. "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," she shared. This broad engagement with the world, encompassing personal lived experiences, imaginative realms, and the wisdom of the past, fuels her rich and layered musical output. Her interest in history suggests a desire to connect her contemporary artistic voice with a larger human narrative.
Garbagepink’s creative process is intrinsically linked to sensory experiences, particularly the interplay between sound and vision. "I love experiencing music together with visuals," she noted. "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 approach demonstrates an innovative way of conceptualizing music not just as an auditory experience but as a multi-sensory one, where visual elements can inform and enhance the sonic landscape, a practice that has become increasingly relevant in the age of streaming and visual media integration.
Mags articulates a profound commitment to radical honesty in her songwriting, drawing directly from her own life. "When it comes to my songwriting I usually draw the most inspiration from my own lived experiences. The good, the ugly and the bad," she explained. "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 approach aligns with a growing trend in contemporary music where vulnerability and authenticity are highly valued by audiences seeking genuine connection. Her aim to foster a sense of shared human experience through intensely personal narratives is a powerful artistic objective.
Cyan Kicks delves into the internal landscape for their lyrical narratives. "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," they stated. "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 therapeutic dimension to their songwriting, where the act of creation becomes a tool for processing and healing, a resonance that can deeply impact listeners facing similar struggles.
The Architectonics of Creation: Unpacking Diverse Creative Processes
The methods by which these artists bring their music to life are as varied as their inspirations, revealing a spectrum of approaches from continuous immersion to focused bursts of activity.
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," she observed. "And having designated days in the studio is important too, to get the music down." This perspective highlights the importance of both ambient creativity, where ideas percolate in the background of daily life, and dedicated periods of focused work to translate those ideas into tangible musical form.
Garbagepink employs a rapid, intuitive approach to her studio work, influenced by her art school background. "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," she described. "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, akin to quick sketching, prioritizes capturing the initial creative spark before over-analysis can stifle it, allowing for organic development and layering.
Mags has undergone a significant evolution in her creative process, embracing cross-pollination between artistic disciplines. "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," she explained. "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." Her recent headliner concert at Vega, which integrated an actress, a light artist, and a musician, exemplifies this integrated approach. This exploration into multidisciplinary art signifies a forward-thinking artistic vision that seeks to create immersive and multifaceted experiences for audiences.
Cyan Kicks outlines a collaborative and adaptable songwriting process. "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," they detailed. "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." They also shared a personal vulnerability: "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." Their experience with co-writing has also been a developmental journey, moving from nervousness to a more natural comfort. This approach emphasizes flexibility and the foundational importance of melody and lyrical content before intricate production, allowing for greater creative freedom. The emphasis on a calm and focused environment highlights the individual needs that can significantly impact creative output.
Broader Implications: Authenticity as a Driving Force in the Music Industry
The insights shared by these Nordic artists offer more than just a glimpse into their individual creative worlds; they reflect a broader shift in the music industry. The emphasis on authenticity, hyper-personal narratives, and the embrace of imperfection are increasingly becoming hallmarks of successful and resonant artistic careers. In an era where digital saturation can lead to a homogenization of sound, artists who dare to be uniquely themselves often find a deeper connection with their audience.
The success of artists like those featured, who prioritize genuine self-expression over conforming to trends, suggests a growing audience appetite for music that feels real and relatable. This trend is supported by data showing increased engagement with artists who share personal stories and maintain a direct connection with their fans through social media and authentic content. For instance, studies by music analytics firms have indicated that vulnerability in lyrics and artist-persona can lead to higher fan loyalty and streaming numbers, particularly among younger demographics.
The advice to "stay curious" and "spend time on your craft" from Charlotte Dos Santos, coupled with Cyan Kicks’ assertion that "consistency is what really builds a career," underscores the enduring value of dedication and continuous improvement. This is a crucial message in an industry that can often appear to reward overnight success, reminding aspiring artists that a sustainable career is built on a foundation of hard work and persistent effort. The data on artist longevity consistently shows that those who consistently release music and engage with their audience over time are more likely to achieve lasting success.
Furthermore, the rejection of perfection in favor of embracing the "weird or different" aspects of one’s artistry, as highlighted by garbagepink and Cyan Kicks, challenges traditional notions of artistic polish. This suggests that unique sonic signatures and personal quirks are not liabilities but rather valuable assets that can differentiate an artist in a crowded marketplace. The increasing popularity of lo-fi production, DIY aesthetics, and genre-bending experimentation can be seen as direct manifestations of this evolving artistic philosophy.
The collective wisdom shared on International Women’s Day serves as a powerful testament to the diverse and evolving nature of creativity in the Nordic music scene and beyond. It champions a future where artists are empowered to forge their own paths, celebrate their individuality, and find strength in their authentic voices. The journey of these artists, from their introspective inspirations to their unique creative rituals, offers a compelling roadmap for anyone looking to navigate the complexities of artistic expression in the contemporary world, reminding us that the most impactful art often emerges when we dare to create it "HER way."
