In this interview spotlight, I chat with Swedish singer/songwriter Louise Kulmala about her motivations, challenges, her latest project and more.
Find the full Q&A along with music and links below.
The music video for Snow is below. You can find a Soundcloud playlist below the interview.
Let’s dive a little deeper into You, the artist and your music. What attracted you to this genre?
Singer-songwriter/indie-folk music for me has the ability to affect the soul and makes you think “Oh my god that was beautiful.”, and at the same time make you feel good. Mainstream music doesn’t have that ability fo me. The lyrics are very important to me. So I want to create a beautiful feeling and give this feeling to others. Another thing that attracted me to this genre is that I can perform live with only a guitar and still create the same feeling.
What led you into this journey with music? And further, what drives you to push it out to the public?
When I was 12 I wrote my first song in a sad moment of my life. I understood quickly that creating music can be used as a form of therapy. In the process I got rid of the negative feelings and turned it all into something good and creative. I never write exactly how I feel or what has happened but it can be hidden in the lyrics. The guitar then reinforces all the emotions and when I sing it out loud it feels better inside. My music is in that way a glimpse of my soul.
The thing that drives me to perform live or push it out to the public is that it gives me back a lot of kind words and emotions and I like the direct response I get when I perform in front of them live. So people’s reactions are what drive me forward.
Who or what influences your creativity? Have your tastes in music changed over time?
First Aid Kit, Emmylou Harris, Florence and the machine, Moby, Lana del Rey, Eddie Vedder, Janis Joplin, Sophie Zelmani, Bon Iver, Ane Brun, Tracy Chapman, Radical Face and Anna Ternheim are just a few musicians that gives me a lot of inspiration today. They have not always been on the top of my musical influences though.
My taste in music is very wide and changes with my mood every day. When I am angry it is hard rock that I listen to. When I’m glad I pick something lighter. When I’m sad I play something of the above or I create something myself.
Other things that influence my creativity are my surroundings. If something happens or if I see something on TV that affects me, on the bus, on the train or at work it all starts my thoughts spinning.
What was the main message intended with the song ‘Snow’?
Snow is a song that is about life and how we are all connected. When you go outside and reach for the sky you can touch the divine when you feel these magic unique snowflakes coming from heaven, melting in your hand, turning to water, which is the source of life. Water falling is also a form of music to my ears, as is all nature and its phenomenons. The circle of life goes around and around and we are all a part of it. The song is also about our common struggles – How we are all trying to find our own place and destination. And to me it is more hidden meanings meant for each to interpret as it suits just him or her.
What was the last song you listened to?
Hollow Talk – Choir of Young Believers
Which do you prefer? Vinyl? CDs? MP3s? Streaming?
Vinyl. It brings back good memories.
How about this one…. Do you prefer Spotify? Apple Music? Bandcamp? Or something else? Why?
Spotify. It is a very good platform to spread music, good playlists, playlists adapted to mood, etc.
Other than the digital era overwhelming us with access to an abundance of music, what is the biggest challenge you face when trying to connect with or find new fans?Since so many musicians compete for the space it is almost impossible to get heard and what makes it harder is that the main record labels are so few and only take in the same type of music. They control the radio as well. In Sweden we have very few radio channels so they almost all play the same few hundred artists over and over. The monopoly these gigantic companies have makes it hard for independent artists to live on their music.
Where is the best place to connect with you online? Discover more music?
Also Soundcloud is where all my new music ends up on. Feel free to listen.
Anything else you’d like to add before signing off?
Thank you for listening.
