In recognition of International Women’s Day, the vibrant and evolving Nordic music landscape is shining a spotlight on its most compelling female voices. This feature delves into the "Her Way" philosophy – a commitment to forging a unique artistic path by embracing hyper-personal expression and rejecting the pressures of conventional molds. Through candid discussions with artists Charlotte Dos Santos, garbagepink, mags, and Cyan Kicks, this article explores the rituals behind their creative processes, the wellsprings of their inspiration, and the invaluable advice they offer to emerging artists navigating the complexities of the music industry. The overarching message resonates universally: consistency and the embrace of imperfection are cornerstones of a fulfilling and impactful artistic journey, regardless of whether one is a budding bedroom producer or a seasoned listener.
The impetus for this collective sharing stems from a growing recognition within the music industry of the critical need to amplify diverse voices and celebrate the distinct approaches that define contemporary artistry. International Women’s Day, observed annually on March 8th, provides a timely platform to acknowledge the significant contributions of women in music and to foster a supportive environment for their continued growth and success. The Nordic region, in particular, has garnered international acclaim for its innovative and boundary-pushing musical output, making its artists ideal conduits for exploring these themes. The initiative aims to demystify the creative process, offering tangible takeaways for aspiring musicians and music enthusiasts alike.
Inspiring the Next Generation: Wisdom from Nordic Trailblazers
When asked to impart words of encouragement to younger artists, the responses from these accomplished musicians underscored a shared dedication to personal growth, unwavering self-belief, and the pursuit of authenticity.
Charlotte Dos Santos, a Norwegian-Brazilian artist known for her ethereal and genre-bending sound, emphasizes a foundational approach: "Stay curious, spend time on your craft and be your biggest fan. Remember your why and look inwards." This advice highlights the importance of continuous learning, dedicated practice, and the cultivation of a strong internal compass to guide artistic decisions, a sentiment that has been echoed by many successful creatives throughout history, from Leonardo da Vinci’s relentless pursuit of knowledge to Maya Angelou’s profound self-reflection.
garbagepink, a rising star from Finland, offers a direct challenge to conventional artistic pressures: "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 resonates with the broader cultural shift towards individuality and the rejection of mass-produced homogeneity. In an era where algorithmic curation often dictates trends, an artist’s ability to maintain an authentic voice becomes a powerful differentiator.
mags, a Swedish artist whose work is characterized by its raw emotional depth, advocates for an environment conducive to genuine 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 the interconnectedness of an artist’s life and their creative output, suggesting that true impact arises from a holistic commitment to one’s values.
Cyan Kicks, a dynamic band hailing from Finland, provides a pragmatic yet empowering perspective on overcoming self-doubt and embracing the journey: "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 speaks to the entrepreneurial spirit required in modern music, where proactive engagement and resilience are as crucial as innate talent. The emphasis on consistency aligns with established career trajectories in creative fields, where sustained effort often yields greater long-term rewards than sporadic bursts of brilliance.
The Wellsprings of Creativity: Drawing Inspiration from the Everyday and the Extraordinary
The sources of artistic inspiration are as diverse as the artists themselves, ranging from the mundane details of daily life to the profound depths of human experience.
Charlotte Dos Santos finds her muse in the fabric of existence: "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 connection to history and lineage provides a rich tapestry of narratives and emotions that can inform her music, reflecting a broader trend in contemporary art to engage with collective memory and ancestral narratives.
garbagepink explores the symbiotic relationship between 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 approach highlights the multi-sensory nature of modern music creation and consumption, where visual elements often play an integral role in shaping the listener’s experience. This aligns with the increasing prevalence of music videos, visualizers, and immersive live performances designed to engage audiences on multiple levels.
mags anchors her songwriting in the deeply personal: "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 the pursuit of universal connection through specificity is a hallmark of compelling storytelling in art. The therapeutic potential of sharing one’s vulnerabilities is a recurring theme in contemporary artistic discourse.
Cyan Kicks delves into the introspective and the cathartic: "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 perspective illuminates the profound healing power of art, both for the creator and the listener. The concept of art as a form of emotional processing and catharsis has a long and distinguished history in various cultural traditions.
The Creative Crucible: Unpacking Diverse Artistic Processes
The journey from inspiration to finished product is a complex and often iterative one, with each artist developing a unique workflow.
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 creativity is not confined to specific moments but is a constant state of being, punctuated by focused periods of execution.
garbagepink embraces a rapid, gestural approach to production: "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 "sketching" method, inspired by visual arts, emphasizes capturing initial creative impulses before they are over-analyzed, a technique that can foster spontaneity and raw energy.
mags is exploring the boundaries of artistic cross-pollination: "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 innovative approach, which integrates visual arts, theater, and performance, reflects a contemporary desire for multi-disciplinary artistic experiences and the creation of immersive narratives. The concept of "cross-pollination" is gaining traction across various creative industries, fostering new forms of expression and collaboration.
Cyan Kicks highlights the collaborative and iterative nature of songwriting, alongside the need for focused environments: "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 emphasizes the importance of establishing a conducive creative environment and the value of evolving collaborative practices. The journey from nervousness to comfort in co-writing signifies professional growth and a willingness to adapt and learn.
Broader Impact and Implications
The collective wisdom shared by these Nordic artists offers a powerful testament to the evolving landscape of music creation and the increasing value placed on authenticity, resilience, and individual vision. In an industry often characterized by its fast pace and shifting trends, their insights provide a grounding force, reminding aspiring artists and seasoned professionals alike that true success lies not in conforming to external expectations, but in cultivating a deep understanding of one’s own artistic voice and committing to the consistent development of one’s craft.
The emphasis on embracing imperfection challenges the pervasive culture of perfectionism that can stifle creativity. As Cyan Kicks aptly puts it, "imperfection is much more interesting than perfection." This sentiment suggests that the flaws and unique quirks inherent in an artist’s work are often what imbue it with character and relatability, fostering a deeper connection with the audience.
Furthermore, the exploration of hyper-personal narratives by artists like mags underscores the growing appreciation for vulnerability and honesty in art. In an age of curated online personas, the willingness to share raw, unfiltered experiences can be a profoundly cathartic and unifying force, allowing listeners to find solace and recognition in shared human emotions.
The cross-disciplinary approach championed by mags points towards a future where artistic boundaries continue to blur, encouraging a more holistic and immersive approach to creative expression. This fusion of different art forms can lead to innovative and unexpected outcomes, pushing the boundaries of what is possible within the music industry and beyond.
Ultimately, the "Her Way" philosophy, as articulated by these Nordic artists, is not merely a celebration of female artistry but a universal call to embrace individuality, nurture one’s creative spirit, and find strength in the unique journey of artistic discovery. The insights provided serve as a valuable resource for anyone seeking to navigate the complexities of the creative world with courage, authenticity, and a profound appreciation for the beautiful, imperfect process of making art. The enduring power of these messages lies in their timeless relevance, offering guidance and inspiration for generations of artists to come.
