26/02/11
Lykke Li is the latest in a line of Swedish that have introduced new blends of alt-indie to a very receptive British audience. First being noticed by BBC 6 Music, Lykke has gone on to put on sell out shows in the capital and is riding on the success of her delicately put together debut album, Youth Novels. We caught up with Lykke after her return from a brief holiday from the relentless touring she’s been doing, to ask her a ‘Little Bit’ about her life and ultimately, her music…
I read that you’ve lived in Portugal and spent a number of winters in India and Nepal; from all of your travels, which country has given you the most inspiration? Actually, everybody keeps asking if all the countries I’ve been to have given me inspiration for my music, but actually it’s more like what I feel in my soul; it’s like a relationship and inspired by other stuff I’ve been listening to on my iPod. It’s mostly Stockholm that’s the inspiration for my music.
Being a free spirit at heart, do you enjoy the touring aspect of your job? I love the touring, but not that you don’t get any sleep and that you have to take a plane, because I feel that it’s very bad for the environment.
You recorded one of the charming Black Cab Sessions in London, but where is the strangest place you’ve ever played?Erm, in a sauna.
Really?! Were you sweating?Yeah, very much.
Eugh. That’s nasty!It was my idea though, so I’m the one to blame. I can’t complain.
Were the acoustics really different in there?It was – I dragged in a whole bunch of people and there were about 20 people in the room with me and I filmed it on my old camera then lost the tape, so maybe it’ll come back soon, I don’t know.
Your father was a musician – did you always know that you would be too?No, ‘cause I don’t see myself as a musician, because I don’t play any instruments; I see myself more as an artist.
You came to people’s attention in the industry-defying way through blogs and MySpace. Did this create more work for you constantly trying to push your own music forward on your own?I guess so, yes. I mean, you have to be on top of your game all the time, but that’s just ‘cause it’s a new sound and it would probably be the same if the internet wasn’t here.
Was it a long process?I mean, with the blogs, that wasn’t me, that was other people posting them. You just kind of put a song on MySpace and then people pick it up – so I didn’t do anything actually.
It’s quite an achievement to have an established musician in the form of Peter, Bjorn & John’s Bjorn Ytlling produce your debut album – how did that come about?I got his phone number, then I called him up, then we met in the studio and I sang a few songs and we talked and we clicked, and that was before “Young Folks” became such a hit, so he was a producer, so I wasn’t really starstruck.
Why did you choose to record the album in New York rather than your native Sweden? Because Bjorn was going to be there, because he was on tour there for three months, so we decided to do it there, but it was a nice experience to be there. We wanted some input as well though – a different input from Stockholm.
And you got a bit of a break out of it as well I guess – New York can never be bad?!Yeah, absolutely.
You’ve recently played two sold-out shows in London; are you pleased with the welcome reception you’ve been given? Yeah, very much. It’s gone beyond my expectations for sure.
You released the album on your own label, LL Recordings – has this put increased pressure on yourself, or do you prefer more of the decisions being in your hands?To be like the artist that I am, I write everything and I’ve got full control over everything, so when I give myself to others, I still have to have control; for me it’s the only option.
Is the sound of Youth Novels going to be indicative of the Lykke Li sound, or do you want your music to develop into something else?Of course I’m going to develop, but I think I’ve found something there that I can keep working on, because it’s not really finished yet; I have so much more to explore within that world. But of course I’m going to take different turns in my music, as well as me as a person.
You have diverse influences and musical tastes, from A Tribe Called Quest to Bon Iver – do you ever do any covers of songs in your live set?I do a Tribe Called Quest song and I’m always looking for songs that I can do live, but I can never really find songs. We tried a Talking Heads song, but it didn’t really work, so I’ll just have to wait ‘til the right song stumbles upon me.
I saw on Monday that you have been included in CSS’ Celebrity iTunes Playlist. Does it mean a lot to you to be recognized by other artists as well as fans?I didn’t know that! That’s great. They’re really nice people as well, so it’s really nice.
Who would be on your Celebrity Playlist? Erm, Bon Iver, and I would put Spank Rock on there, Mapei, I’d put Cat Power, Lil’ Wayne, Wildbirds and Peacedrums, The Knife, I don’t know, there are loads I’d put on there – I’d have to think about it more.
You play Glastonbury Festival this weekend, probably the UK’s most prestigious festivals – are you excited about playing such a large event? Yeah, I’ve never been to such a large event, so of course I’m excited.
What do you plan on taking? What are your festival essentials?Erm, I dunno, maybe the perfect outfit is essential; you have to look flawless at all times.
In the mud and rain?Yeah, so I guess wellies and a nice jacket.
You’re also continuing your festival appearances with a spot on the Latitude Festival line-up. What do you think of their more alternative vibe including poetry, theatre, film and other such things?It’s great, I mean, for me there is no boundaries, I mean, art is art and I think it’s really nice to combine all those.
Emma Roberts.
Catch Lykke Li at Latitude Festival where she’ll make you Dance, Dance, Dance from the 17th – 20th of July. Tickets are all sold out, but for photos from the festival as it happens, keep checking out our photo gallery pages.