In commemoration of International Women’s Day, a collective of influential voices emerging from the Nordic music scene has offered profound insights into their creative journeys, emphasizing the significance of personal authenticity and unwavering dedication to craft. These artists, each carving a unique path in the industry, advocate for a departure from conventional pressures, urging aspiring musicians to embrace their hyper-personal narratives and cultivate resilience. The collective wisdom shared underscores the power of consistent effort and the inherent beauty found in imperfection, offering valuable lessons for both creators and enthusiasts alike.
The overarching theme that resonates through their advice is the concept of creating "HER way," a philosophy that champions individuality over conformity. This approach encourages artists to shed the expectations of fitting into predefined molds and instead to lean into the deeply personal aspects of their artistic expression. As these artists reflect on their experiences, they provide a roadmap for navigating the often-challenging landscape of the music industry, particularly for those embarking on their careers.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Artists
When asked to impart wisdom to younger artists, the responses from these Nordic talents were both heartfelt and pragmatic. Charlotte Dos Santos, a celebrated artist known for her evocative soundscapes, advises a sustained commitment to personal growth and self-belief. "Stay curious, spend time on your craft and be your biggest fan," she stated. "Remember your why and look inwards." This counsel highlights the importance of intrinsic motivation and the continuous pursuit of knowledge and skill development, suggesting that external validation should be secondary to internal conviction.
The emerging artist garbagepink offered a bold directive, encouraging fearless experimentation and personal satisfaction. "Don’t be afraid to make music that sounds different," they urged. "Don’t necessarily make music that you think people might like. Make the music you like. Trust your gut." This sentiment directly challenges the commercial pressures that often influence creative output, positioning artistic integrity and personal taste as paramount.
mags, an artist deeply committed to authentic expression, emphasized the creation of an environment that fosters genuine artistic exploration. "I would like to inspire other artists to live and create in an environment and way that feels authentic and expansive to them," she explained. "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." Her perspective underscores the interconnectedness of an artist’s life and their creative output, suggesting that a holistic approach to authenticity is crucial for meaningful impact.
The band Cyan Kicks provided a comprehensive piece of advice, addressing the common anxieties of aspiring artists. "I think the biggest thing is not waiting until you feel ready, because most artists never do," they noted. "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 tackles perfectionism, the value of uniqueness, the long-term importance of perseverance, and the critical need to safeguard one’s passion.
Sources of Artistic Inspiration
The wellsprings of inspiration for these artists are as diverse as their musical styles. Charlotte Dos Santos draws from the tapestry of everyday existence. "I draw inspiration from daily life, experiences, dreams, and books," she shared. "I love history and I love learning about our ancestors and people who came before us." Her inclination towards history and ancestry suggests a desire to connect with broader human narratives and draw parallels between the past and the present.
garbagepink finds inspiration in the synergy between sound and visuals, a practice that often informs their studio work. "I love experiencing music together with visuals," they explained. "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 innovative approach highlights a multi-sensory engagement with their music, demonstrating an understanding that context and visual presentation can profoundly amplify the emotional impact of sound.
mags articulates a deeply personal and honest approach to songwriting, rooted in lived experience. "When it comes to my songwriting I usually draw the most inspiration from my own lived experiences," she stated. "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 vulnerability and radical honesty underscores a desire to foster connection and empathy through her art, aiming to alleviate feelings of isolation for her audience.
Cyan Kicks delves into their internal landscape for creative fodder, often exploring complex emotional territories. "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 revealed. "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." Their approach reveals the therapeutic potential of music creation, demonstrating how confronting and transforming difficult emotions can lead to both personal healing and relatable artistic expression.
The Creative Process Unveiled
The creative processes of these Nordic artists reveal a spectrum of methodologies, from organic, continuous engagement to structured, collaborative efforts. Charlotte Dos Santos views creativity as an ongoing, subconscious process interwoven with daily life. "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 explained. "And having designated days in the studio is important too, to get the music down." This perspective suggests that inspiration is not confined to specific moments but is a constant hum of cognitive activity, with dedicated studio time serving as the crucial phase for tangible output.
garbagepink employs a rapid, intuitive approach in the studio, inspired by the practice of quick sketching. "I usually get my ideas in everyday life, writing down notes or recording voice memos when something comes to me," they said. "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 emphasizes capturing the initial spark of an idea and developing it with swift, decisive action, prioritizing momentum and instinct over meticulous refinement in the early stages.
mags has recently experienced a significant evolution in her creative process, moving towards interdisciplinary exploration. "I have seen a shift in my creative process in the past year," she noted. "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." She cites a recent concert as an example, where she integrated an actress, a light artist, and a musician to create a multi-faceted performance. "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 expanding approach highlights a desire to break down artistic boundaries and explore the synergistic potential of various art forms.
Cyan Kicks engages in a collaborative yet focused songwriting process, often beginning with stripped-down arrangements. "We write songs both as a band and with external songwriters," they explained. "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." They also highlight the emotional intensity of vocal recording and the necessity of a calm environment for optimal creativity. "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 experiences with co-writing have evolved positively. "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 process demonstrates a balance between structured collaboration and individual creative needs, emphasizing the importance of sonic exploration and emotional well-being.
Context and Broader Implications
The conversations with these Nordic artists take place against the backdrop of a global music industry that is increasingly recognizing the value of diverse voices and authentic storytelling. International Women’s Day serves as a potent platform to amplify these perspectives, particularly for women in music who have historically faced significant barriers and biases. The Nordic region, known for its progressive social policies and strong support for the arts, often serves as a benchmark for creative innovation and gender equality, making the insights from these artists particularly relevant.
The emphasis on "HER way" signifies a powerful cultural shift. It moves beyond a purely feminist critique of existing structures to a proactive assertion of self-defined creative pathways. This approach is not merely about breaking barriers but about redefining the very nature of artistic success and fulfillment. The data consistently shows that diverse leadership and creative teams lead to more innovative and impactful outcomes. For instance, studies by organizations like the Annenberg Inclusion Initiative have repeatedly demonstrated that female artists achieve greater chart success and critical acclaim when their unique perspectives are allowed to flourish without undue commercial pressures.
The advice offered by these artists carries significant implications for music education and industry development. Their emphasis on curiosity, craft, courage, and consistency provides a framework for nurturing emerging talent that extends beyond technical proficiency. The recognition that imperfection can be a source of strength and uniqueness challenges the often-pervasive culture of perfectionism in the arts. Furthermore, the exploration of cross-pollination between different art forms, as exemplified by mags, suggests new avenues for artistic innovation and audience engagement.
The global music industry is currently navigating a period of profound transformation, driven by technological advancements and evolving listener preferences. In this landscape, the authentic voices of artists like Charlotte Dos Santos, garbagepink, mags, and Cyan Kicks are more critical than ever. Their commitment to personal truth, resilience, and continuous growth offers a compelling model for navigating the complexities of the modern music world. The lessons learned from their creative journeys, shared on a day dedicated to celebrating women’s achievements, resonate universally, empowering a new generation to define their own success and contribute to a richer, more diverse artistic future. The journey of creation, as they illustrate, is a continuous exploration, punctuated by moments of profound insight and fueled by an enduring passion for the art itself.
