Verging is a crossroad of transformation and melancholy where skillfully crafted processed vocals merge with an organic, downtempo soundscape. Read our discussion with the artist below!
Describe your sound in 3 words
Really differs between releases but maybe melancholic, introspective and… groovy?
Tell us a few things about Verging. What is the story behind it?
I’ve only known Pirkko for about half a year, but it’s been really fun making music with her. I sent her the instrumental for “Verging” and she came up with the vocals herself, then we’ve been in the studio a few time mixing it and finishing the song. She’s also a very good music producer, apart from being a great singer. We’ve been working on other songs too so hopefully there’s more to be released later this year!
You graduated from Stockholms’ Royal College of Music. Is songwriting a talent or a skill?
I’d say it’s a bit of both. I know great songwriters who don’t know any music theory at all, so I think songwriting is a skill in itself that you can develop without necessarily studying music theory etc. Then there’s talent of course. But talent comes in so many different forms. Some people have a great sense for melodies, others are great at making catchy rythms. That’s why it’s nice to collaborate with people.
“Verging” is a song about change, about standing on the verge of something unknown. But is also has a great melancholia. Why does melancholy feel so good?
That’s a good question. I think beauty usually comes with a certain part of sadness. They go hand in hand. I’m not sure why that is…
Artists and people that have influenced you.
Electronic music from the UK, specially from the 90s. Massive Attack, Aphex Twin, Burial etc. I guess I’m also heavily influenced by classical music, from working with it full time for many years.
You have the privilege of regularly performing with prestigious classical orchestras. Which three composers’ repertoires do you particularly relish playing?
Ah, finally I get this question in an interview haha! I very much love the extremely romantic Italien operas, especially the ones by Puccini. I’m also into Shostakovich, his symphonies are so fun to play. Then I’d have to say Mahler. For orchestra, I’d say those three!
If you could change anything about the music industry, what would it be?
I’d want to change a lot of things. More money to the artists from streaming, but that’s a boring answer, so I’ll say something else. I really miss exposure for darker kinds of music. I feel like it was very different 20-30 years ago, with Radiohead, Nirvana, Massive Attack etc gaining enormous commercial success. I have a very hard time picturing bands like that having a big breakthrough today. It’s hard to picture a band having a breakthrough at all, it’s all about solo artists now it seems. I miss the bands.
A song you are secretly obsessed with?
“Christina Aguilera – Genie in a bottle” 😀
Thank you!
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