In commemoration of International Women’s Day, a spotlight has been cast upon the vibrant and diverse music scene emerging from the Nordic countries. This initiative, aiming to celebrate the unique contributions of female artists, explores the deeply personal "her way" of creation – a philosophy that champions individuality over conformity and embraces the hyper-personal narrative. The featured artists, each a compelling voice within their respective genres, shared insights into their creative rituals, the genesis of their groundbreaking music, and invaluable advice for aspiring musicians navigating the complexities of the modern industry. Their collective wisdom offers a profound lesson for both creators and enthusiasts alike, underscoring the enduring power of consistency and the often-overlooked beauty of imperfection.
The impetus for this focused exploration stems from a broader industry-wide recognition of the need to amplify female voices in music. While progress has been made, statistics continue to highlight gender disparities in areas such as songwriting credits, production roles, and festival headliners. According to a 2023 report by the USC Annenberg Inclusion Initiative, women comprised only 11.1% of artists, 4.4% of songwriters, and 2.1% of producers in the top 100 songs of the year. Events like International Women’s Day serve as crucial platforms to not only celebrate existing achievements but also to actively address these ongoing imbalances and inspire the next generation. The Nordic region, known for its progressive social policies and strong cultural support for the arts, has become a fertile ground for artists who are redefining industry norms.
Inspiring the Next Generation of Nordic Creatives
When asked for words of encouragement for younger artists, the responses from the featured Nordic talents revealed a shared emphasis on authenticity, perseverance, and self-belief.
Charlotte Dos Santos, a Norwegian-Brazilian artist known for her ethereal R&B and soul, advises aspiring musicians to cultivate an insatiable curiosity. "Stay curious, spend time on your craft and be your biggest fan. Remember your why and look inwards," she states, highlighting the importance of self-reflection and dedicated practice as cornerstones of artistic development. Her philosophy suggests that true artistic growth is an internal journey, fueled by a deep understanding of one’s motivations and a commitment to honing one’s skills.
garbagepink, a rising electronic artist, champions sonic individuality. "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," she urges. This sentiment resonates with a growing movement within the music industry that prioritizes artistic integrity over market trends, encouraging artists to forge unique sonic identities that will ultimately set them apart.
mags, whose work often explores profound emotional landscapes, emphasizes the significance of living and creating authentically. "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," she explains. This perspective underscores the idea that authenticity is not merely an artistic choice but a fundamental aspect of a fulfilling and impactful life, extending beyond the creative process itself.
The band Cyan Kicks offers a pragmatic yet empowering perspective, directly addressing the common fear of not being "ready." "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," they share. They further elaborate on the value of embracing uniqueness, stating, "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 speaks to the inherent vulnerability of the creative process and the resilience required to sustain a career, emphasizing that passion and persistence often outweigh innate talent or flawless execution.
Sources of Sonic Alchemy: Drawing Inspiration
The wellsprings of inspiration for these artists are as varied as their musical styles, revealing a rich tapestry of influences that inform their work.
Charlotte Dos Santos finds her muse in the quotidian and the historical. "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 reveals. This broad scope suggests an artist deeply connected to both the present moment and the continuum of human experience, using these diverse elements to inform her richly layered sound.
garbagepink integrates sensory experiences into her creative workflow. "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," she explains. This innovative approach highlights the interconnectedness of artistic disciplines and her commitment to creating immersive sonic landscapes that engage multiple senses.
mags grounds her songwriting in the deeply personal, aiming for universal resonance. "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," she states. This dedication to radical honesty and vulnerability is a hallmark of artists who forge deep connections with their audiences, transforming individual struggles into shared emotional experiences.
Cyan Kicks delves into their internal world to find lyrical and thematic material. "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," they elaborate. This introspective process, where creation serves as a form of catharsis and healing, underscores the therapeutic power of music for both the artist and the listener. The implication here is that confronting difficult emotions through art can lead to personal growth and offer solace to others facing similar challenges.
The Creative Crucible: Unpacking Artistic Processes
The journey from an initial idea to a finished track is a complex and often iterative process, with each artist developing their unique methodologies.
Charlotte Dos Santos views creativity as a continuous, 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," she explains. This perspective suggests that inspiration is always present, with studio time serving as a dedicated space for manifestation and refinement.
garbagepink emphasizes an intuitive and rapid approach to production, drawing parallels to visual art. "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," she details. This method prioritizes capturing the raw essence of a song, allowing for spontaneous creativity to flourish before meticulous layering and refinement.
mags has undergone a significant evolution in her creative process, embracing interdisciplinary collaboration. "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," she shares. She cites a recent headliner concert as an example, where she integrated an actress, a light artist, and a musician to create a performance that was simultaneously a concert, a light installation, and a theater piece. This experimental approach highlights a growing trend in the arts towards dissolving boundaries between disciplines, fostering innovative and multi-faceted artistic expressions. The potential for cross-pollination to lead to entirely new art forms and audience engagement strategies is a significant implication of this evolving creative landscape.
Cyan Kicks employs a collaborative model, blending individual songwriting with external input. "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," they explain. This initial simplicity allows for flexibility, enabling the song to evolve organically. They also note the emotional intensity of recording vocals for the first time and the necessity of a calm environment for focused writing. "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," they admit, contrasting their needs with more boisterous co-writing sessions. Their experience highlights the importance of finding a creative environment that aligns with individual needs and working styles. They also touch upon their successful songwriting trips abroad and how co-writing has fostered their development as artists, transforming initial nervousness into a more natural and productive part of their process. This journey underscores the value of stepping outside of comfort zones and embracing collaborative opportunities for artistic growth.
The collective wisdom shared by Charlotte Dos Santos, garbagepink, mags, and Cyan Kicks serves as a powerful testament to the diverse paths that lead to artistic creation. Their experiences, marked by a dedication to authenticity, a willingness to embrace imperfection, and a persistent pursuit of their creative vision, offer invaluable guidance. As the music industry continues to evolve, the "her way" approach, characterized by its personal depth and unwavering integrity, stands as a beacon for artists striving to make their mark and connect with audiences on a profound level. The enduring message is clear: nurture your passion, trust your instincts, and embrace the unique journey of your creative expression.
