We can’t get enough of the 22-year-old Norwegian star, whose songs like “Don’t Kill My Vibe,” and “Strangers” have amassed nearly 400 million Spotify streams. She took home the prestigious title of BBC Sound of 2018 and her debut album is just weeks away from release, and we just can’t wait to see what she what else she has to offer. We sat down for a few minutes with her for a few minutes to talk about Electric Picnic, Sucker Punch, and even video games. Check it out!
What was it like playing to 13,000 people at Electric Picnic?
Wow, that was insane. It’s probably one of the biggest highlights of my life, I think. One of the best days I’ve ever had, it was incredible. It was such an honour and some people may remember that I cried a lot. It was great, I didn’t want to leave…so hopefully we can come back.
What was it like winning the BBC Sound of 2018?
When it comes to the Sound of ‘18, I never thought that was going to happen. When we got the list that we were nominated, I thought that was really cool–it was like, “Oof! This is really, really nice!” And then we got Top 5, and it was like, “Now, easy, like this is enough, this is great.” And then we won it and I was shocked. I never thought that was going to happen. It was a huge honour for me and my team, such a big win for us. And, yeah, that really goes out to my team. They’ve been brilliant in this process.
How does it feel to have a Simlish version of your music?
*Laughs* I love Sims. And I’ve been playing Sims since I was a kid, so having my song “Don’t Kill My Vibe,” in Simlish is probably one of the coolest things that has ever happened. It was really good. Me and my sister were so excited about it. And remember, it took me maybe, like, half a year before I was playing Sims one day and listening to the radio in Sims, and that was the first time I heard “Don’t Kill My Vibe,” in Simlish, in the Sims game, and that was…that was pretty cool.
What can you tell us about “Don’t Feel Like Crying?”
“Don’t Feel Like Crying” is my new single, and it’s one of my favourite songs that I’ve written I think. I wrote it together with Emily Warren and Oscar Holter in Oslo. That was a really, really good day. And it’s pretty obvious what it’s about. And it’s about moving on, and it’s about not laying down and just like….be sad, and give up in a way. It’s about me going out with my friends and having a good time, because that’s what I wanted to do at that point. So, yeah, that’s what it’s about. And I love it so much, and I hope you can not be distracted by the production and the melodies and sing along to it, and not be too sad.
What can you tell us about Sucker Punch?
I am probably most excited about playing the songs live from my debut album. I think you guys will be excited about it, because I love every song on it. I’m super proud of it. And it’s a pretty mixed album, a lot of different themes on it, different types of moods on it, and I think you have everything from pretty, like, straight-up pop which is one of my favourite things and things that are much more quirky and a bit weird, so, yeah, I’m super excited.
Who are you listening to at the moment?
I’m listening a lot to the A Star is Born soundtrack with Lady Gaga and Bradley Cooper. I think they sound amazing together. “Always Remember Us” is one of my favourite songs. I’ve been listening to a lot of the new The 1975 record–I think my favourite song off that is “Always Wanna Die (Sometimes).” Kacey Musgraves, I’ve been listening a lot to, Ariana Grande of course, Maggie Rogers’s new record is really good.
When you first started making music, which artists did you listen to?
Artists that I’ve looked up to my whole life must be Coldplay, Keane, Ellie Goulding, Adele, Joni Mitchell, Neil Young, Lana Del Rey, Ariana Grande, Rihanna….who else? Ahh, there’s so many! Amazon? Okay, I could go on forever. Point is, I listen to a lot of music!
She’s just so cool, isn’t she? And well-deserving of all of her impressive accolades. We can’t thank her enough for sitting down with us and are so, so excited for Sucker Punch, which hits the shelves on March 8th. Catch her at 3Arena on Friday, 22 November 2019, or at Sea Sessions in Bundoran from 21-23 June!
Just can’t wait? Pre-order Sucker Punch now.