Music

Audrey Nuna: A Journey Through Music, Fashion, and Creative Exploration text Josie McNeill photography Joseph Culticefashion Lauren Lusardimayumi oda SNOWDON knit’couture Before finding her favorite bands and writing her own songs, Audrey Nuna had her voice. It was her voice and singing that made her fall in love with music, not the other way around. The American singer and rapper started singing when she was around seven or eight years old through auditioning for musicals and choirs. By the time she turned 17, she was recording and releasing her own music. She started working with her producer Anwar Sawyer when she was still in college and signed her record deal with Arista records at age 20. The now 25 year old released her most recent single “Jokes on Me,” an ethereal, electronic track, on May 3, and is currently gearing up for her sophomore album. Audrey talked to Odalisque about the cinematic inspirations for her sound, her fashion collaborations, and her hopes for the music industry. What inspired you to pursue a music career?Musically I come from a place of just loving to sing. It’s my first love when it comes to music. People like Celine Dion and Whitney Houston, these diva singers who I grew up idolizing, played a really big part in just pushing me to become a musician. But I feel like I’ve just been organically doing it my whole life, and it’s somehow become a career so I feel truly grateful for that, honestly. How did you develop your sound then? It’s really interesting that Celine Dion was one of your biggest inspirations because her music is so different from yours.She’s more than a music inspiration, I would say. She’s one of the people who as a kid, like a very young kid, I’d watch YouTube videos of singing, and it really pushed me to be a better singer. In terms of musical inspiration and influence sonically, I didn’t grow up listening to that much music to be honest. But when I started listening to more of my own music and finding my own taste in high school, it was things like listening to Radiohead and Childish Gambino, Missy Elliott, Beastie Boys–just the kind of people who forge their own sound and their own path that really inspired me and inspired my producer. I take influence from a lot of different places. I can’t necessarily cite main influences. I think I just take what I like from basically everything in my life; it doesn’t even have to be music.  I definitely take inspiration from films, from fashion, just anywhere and everywhere–things happening in my life. Did you have any specific music or movie inspiration for your song “Joke’s On Me”? For the music side, we as a group loved Don Toliver. We loved this combination of very r&b-esque chords, which I feel like you know, Anwar really brought on the guitar. Then this idea of intense and punchy 808s came from my other producer Miles Aside. So this collision of worlds from the beginning of that trip–we were actually in Joshua Tree making a lot of music–we discussed this idea of if Stevie Wonder and Lil Uzi had a [musical] baby. So I think that was kind of the through-line for a lot of the songs we wrote. What was the process of writing “Joke’s On Me”? How did you blend those two sounds, the silky r&b and punch 808s, together?It came together really fast. It was literally me and then three of my friends just sitting in a dark room somewhere in Joshua Tree. The melody was actually a one-take. We had the melody sitting there for a long time, but we were kind of overlooking it, trying to think of other things and then we came back to the very first take. From there we decided that this is obviously what the song is supposed to be, and I just wrote it out. Honestly, it was one of the quicker ones because I really take time with my lyrics to make sure it’s good and rewrite and all those things. For this one, it was just a visceral experience of what I feel like saying. Maybe even some lyrics don’t make perfect, perfect logic sequential sense. But I think that for that song and that experience of making that song, that experience of being in Joshua Tree with the four of us, the whole thing was just going based on energy and going based on feeling so the song came together really easily in that way. mayumi oda SNOWDON knit’couture How was that process of putting that song together and making your recent songs different from putting together your first album ‘a lA Liquid bBreakfast’?For this project, we tried to do trips and travel with a little bit more intention than we did for the first project. The first project was very much a hometown project. Well, it was really my producer’s hometown because we worked out of his space. I was still living at home for a lot of it or going to school at NYU. So there was just this home and groundedness to it, I would say. The second project is more wild wild west. That was the feeling for me because I had just moved to a new city–LA. I was still figuring out what my actual creative, safe space is that I can record and feel comfortable. For that reason, we did a lot of searching. We traveled to Joshua Tree. There are literally some vocals that were recorded in random places in the states just because I was on tour for a little bit of time. Some ideas and concepts were conceived in places like Tokyo because I was able to travel to places like that as well. So I think this new project was much more migrant, in my view of the word. It took place a little bit all over the place. It was more scattered, whereas the first project was very central to

The Many Lives and Deaths of El Perro del Mar text Natalia Muntean dress Sofia Ericsontop & hat Mega Mikaela Capturing the essence of Sarah Assbring, the woman behind El Perro del Mar, is no small feat. Her singing voice is delicate, almost whispery, while Sarah’s presence carries a certain gravitas, as if her centre of balance lies firmly within herself, and her roots are deeply grounded. Both sides exude a sense of lightness, as well as unshakeable strength. “It’s not a persona; rather, it gives me a tool to artistically put myself in a room or a place, that I wouldn’t probably be able to if I didn’t have the name. It acts as a bit of a cover between me and the public,” she shares, reflecting on the dichotomy between her personal identity and her artistic alias. Her journey as El Perro del Mar began 20 years ago on a beach in Spain during a time of personal crisis, which she describes as an existential crisis on many levels. She had stopped writing music and singing, but this transformative experience led her back to music, inspired by a stray dog she met on that beach. “I was in a very bad place,” Sarah reflects. “I unconsciously realised I had to break this cycle, so I looked for a cheap flight to anywhere. I ended up on a beach, staring at the ocean, thinking about what to do with my life. A stray dog walked up and sat next to me. The dog’s dignity struck me—I felt it had more dignity than I did.” This got her thinking about fundamental things in life – being happy with what you have and appreciating small things. The encounter also served as a catalyst for her debut album, and her slow, step-by-step healing. “I started writing in my diary and eventually started writing music again,”  she explains. “The whole debut album was about healing and starting over.” Sarah’s music mirrors her journey, focusing on perspective and appreciating life. “The name El Perro del Mar keeps me grounded both personally and in my music,” she says. Her latest album, “Big Anonymous,” has a “skinless sincerity,” diving heart-first into losses she has experienced and seeking redemption, almost like an exorcism. “I want to address the things that hurt because I think you can be relieved of the hurt, but you have to address it.” Sarah’s journey as El Perro del Mar is a testament to resilience and the transformative power of art, drawing inspiration from the smallest steps towards healing and the profound impact of perspective. Natalia Muntean: I read you’ve been named one of the most consistently intriguing pop artists of the 21st century. How do you relate to that?Sarah Assbring: Oh, my God! I cannot relate to that. Those are big words. I’m just doing what I do, but it’s overwhelming that anyone would say that. I’m constantly on the lookout for something new. It’s not about being unhappy with where I am but exploring with curiosity. I tend to grow bored of what I did last, so I seek new platforms and perspectives to discover new things about myself. NM: Where does El Perro del Mar end and where does Sarah begin?SA: There’s a total separation. El Perro del Mar is about my music, lyrics, and artistic expression. But the deeply personal, intimate part of me remains. It’s a means to channel myself into art, though my innermost centre is still present in my music. NM: Is there a particular song or album that represents your journey?AS: My debut was definitely a breaking point for me in that I felt like I was able to tap into my core. However, as it was such a painful journey, it’s not a place I want to revisit. I don’t believe in the suffering artist anecdote anymore. Not if you want to live a long and happy life anyway… Even though I’m very proud of all my different albums, Big Anonymous is one of my proudest moments, possibly because it shares the same skinless sincerity and demands beauty despite the darkness as the debut album. And it’s not coming from a dark place. NM: Did you always know you wanted to sing?SA: Yes, I was really convinced and stubborn as a young person and when I grew older, whenever I tried to take a different path, music always won. I’ve always felt Natalia Muntean: I read you’ve been named one of the most consistently intriguing pop artists of the 21st century. How do you relate to that?Sarah Assbring: Oh, my God! I cannot relate to that. Those are big words. I’m just doing what I do, but it’s overwhelming that anyone would say that. I’m constantly on the lookout for something new. It’s not about being unhappy with where I am but exploring with curiosity. I tend to grow bored of what I did last, so I seek new platforms and perspectives to discover new things about myself. NM: Where does El Perro del Mar end and where does Sarah begin?SA: There’s a total separation. El Perro del Mar is about my music, lyrics, and artistic expression. But the deeply personal, intimate part of me remains. It’s a means to channel myself into art, though my innermost centre is still present in my music. NM: Is there a particular song or album that represents your journey?AS: My debut was definitely a breaking point for me in that I felt like I was able to tap into my core. However, as it was such a painful journey, it’s not a place I want to revisit. I don’t believe in the suffering artist anecdote anymore. Not if you want to live a long and happy life anyway… Even though I’m very proud of all my different albums, Big Anonymous is one of my proudest moments, possibly because it shares the same skinless sincerity and demands beauty despite the darkness as the debut album. And it’s not coming from a dark place. NM: Did you always know you wanted to sing?SA:

Shadows of Ourselves, an Interview with Bloom Twins text Josie McNeill Music and Fashion Coexist For Ukrainian born pop duo Bloom Twins, music and fashion are intertwined–one cannot exist without the other in both member’s lives. “We started singing before we could speak,” Sonia Kuprienko, one half of Bloom Twins, said. “We were born in a musical family. So that is something that we consider a natural habitat. When fashion came it was as a quest for finding ourselves and sharing our identity with everybody.” Through the zoom screen for our interview, it was apparent that the self-described “dark pop” sound of Bloom Twins, composed of twin sisters Anna and Sonia Kuprienko, influences the duo’s fashion. Both wore their hair in short black styles, each accessorized with chunky silver jewelry and black clothing, leaning more into the “dark” aspect of the genre. Bloom Twins had a complex beginning. The two twins started their career in the public eye as models, but music was always in the background–both are classically trained musicians by encouragement from their musically inclined parents. Anna and Sonia met their music manager through their modeling manager after the latter posted a photo of the two on Facebook. The future music manager suggested that Anna and Sonia should move to London to test out their music careers after they finished school. Twelve years later, the two are still there, combining music and style as their full time careers. “She’s Not Me” Even with similar alternative styles, Anna Kuprienko of Bloom Twins said that she could not be more different from her twin sister Sonia. “It’s so weird because we’re identical twins with the same DNA,” Anna said. “How was it possible that I’ve never met one person in my life that is so different to me?” The two combine their distinct styles to create a unique genre of music. Bloom Twins merges the alternative music tastes of Anna and the pop inspiration of Sonia to create their dark pop sound. “I tend to create more alternative instrumentals that are pretty dark, but you know, with good energy. She is more melodic–it’s more sophisticated, more pop.” Anna added about their opposite styles. These differences extend into the sides each of them gravitate toward in the process of creating music. Sonia leans into the more lyric and melody oriented part of the process while Anna focuses more on the production side. Anna said that she became interested in music production by the encouragement of her manager because of her interest in computers. The first song the twins wrote together was “She’s Not Me,” a track asking listeners to stop comparing the two sisters just because they look alike. The song is a noir, electronic inspired track that still feels like it has roots in the pop punk world with the duo’s vocals. Anna said that Bloom Twin’s original sound was inspired by the electronic music she was listening to at the time. The duo continued with this electronic sound with most of their tracks, even venturing into the dance music world with tracks like “High on Beat” with Jan Blomqvist. But recently, Bloom Twins has shifted even more into the pop punk world with their collaborative EP with X Ambassadors’ Sam Nelson. The team’s first EP together, Pretty in Pink, was released on Nov. 17, 2023 and contains the pop punk songs “Drunk and Loud,” “Beats Not Bombs,” and “Pretty in Pink.” Sonia said that the three began writing “Beats Not Bombs” together after the Bloom Twins reached out to Sam Nelson to collaborate. According to Sonia, Bloom Twins allowed themselves to experiment with a wide variety of sounds and genres because they refused to put themselves in a box from the start. Sonia said that they wrote the upbeat alternative rock song “Beats Not Bombs” in under two hours. In the middle of the writing process, Sonia said she suggested that she and her sister sing a part of the song like they’re drunk and loud. Sam Nelson decided that would be a great title for another song, so the three switched gears to write “Drunk and Loud.” Sonia described “Drunk and Loud” as one of those songs that you blast in your headphones as you ride the London underground. The beat of the song keeps you moving and the lyrics cause a reaction in the people around you.  “Pretty in Pink” is about a girl who is not afraid to tell it as it is. All the songs have distinct instrumental parts in the music, marking a departure from the band’s predominantly electronicdiscography. “I believe that we allowed ourselves to not understand or classify how we’ve evolved because we allowed ourselves to get away with pretty much anything by calling our vision anything that it can be,” Sonia said. Sonia went on to say that “it’s important to not forget about the dance scene” when talking about the evolution of the group’s sound. Besides Sam Nelson, Bloom Twins has collaborated on projects with various DJs, such as“DayDream” with Benny Benassi and the aforementioned “High on Beat” with Jan Blomqvist.The twins said these collaborations mainly came about during the COVID-19 pandemic in 2020 and 2021. “We wanted to dance, but we couldn’t and I believe that this music is the result of that oppression,” Sonia said. The duo got into contact with the DJs through Instagram DMs as well. It’s interesting to see how much social media impacts modern music careers–Bloom Twins’ most streamed song is “High on Beat,” a song that came to fruition over direct messaging. “Now that I’m saying this, I actually think it’s very strange that people not only took the time of their day to listen to our song because I don’t think that we were the only ones that were Sending them DMs. I also really don’t think we chose the songs that they liked, but they still rode with us,” Anna said.  Honoring Their Roots One of the topics that Anna and Sonia consistently returned to throughout the interview was their home country of Ukraine. Sonia said that one of the main influences for

Raven Numan: The Alt Pop Enigma with a Dark Aesthetic and a Surprising Pop Influence! text Josie McNeill photography Joseph Culticefashion ‬Lauren Lusardi‬ collar Zana Baynecuff Georgina Jewelrycorset 0770 The Instagram of alt pop singer-songwriter Raven Numan is full of red and black aesthetic pics–they would fit perfectly into a Pinterest mood board for cool vampires and modern goths. Raven’s vibe in real life matches the same vision (she has jet black, straight hair), and so does the deeply personal and industrial-inspired pop songs she produces.Currently, Raven has three songs released on Spotify–”My Reflection,” “Here For Me,” and “Going Down.” Each track touches on Raven’s personal struggles with mental health and self image–dark themes fitting for the alt style of the Raven Numan we see online and in person.So, listeners may be surprised to hear that Raven’s biggest influence in pursuing a career in music was Katy Perry–a bubblegum pop singer known for her whimsical and colorful style.Odalisque sat down with Raven to talk about this surprising music influence of hers, the impact of her father Gary Numan (frontman of the band Tubeway Army) on her sound, and the importance of being candid through songwriting. Why did you decide to pursue a music career?I grew up around it with my dad, I wasn’t really interested when I was a kid. I was like “this is boring, blah blah blah”. And then I watched this Katy Perry documentary back in 2013, when I was 9, and I just fell in love with her whole vibe. I loved the arenas and all the huge venues that she was playing in. I just loved the music and I was like “I want to do that”. So I’d say Katy Perry got me into this whole music thing. Surprising but It wasn’t my dad, it was Katy. I know you just talked about Katy Perry’s influence, but your music combines the new wave sound of your dad, Gary Numan’s, music and modern pop music, so I was wondering how you found a balance between these influences to craft your own sound?I grew up around that whole [new wave, industrial genre] so it obviously has a huge influence on me. My parents were always into Nine Inch Nails, and ever since I was little, I really loved them too. They’re super dark and industrial, so I’ve just grown up around that type of music. Siouxsie and the Banshees, The Cure, Depeche Mode–my dad. So this music was just ingrained into my brain. As I grew older, passed the Katy Perry and Ariana Grande pop phase that I was in for a very long time, I realized that industrial/dark wave music was the type of music that I wanted to write. It captivated me. dress DELOSANTOScollar Zana Baynecuff Georgina Jewelry You released your most recent track “Going Down” at the beginning of May. What inspired that track and how did it all come together?All of my songs are quite dark because I can only write music when I’m not feeling good or when I’m depressed or when something really upsetting is going on. That’s literally the only time I can write, it’s really annoying. I wrote “Going Down” a couple of years ago when I had recently been diagnosed with borderline personality disorder. I was really, really struggling because nothing made sense to me. I was really depressed. I was really angry. I had these crazy mood swings which ended up hurting a lot of the people around me. I was very suicidal. And I was like, “I can’t talk about any of this. I can’t talk about my feelings, but I can write them down.” I remember going to my room–it was right after a Billie Eilish concert actually–I just sat down, and I was so angry, I was writing down everything that I wanted and needed to get out of my head. Then I went to my laptop and plugged in my keyboard and just started recording these super eerie, sad and aggressive chords. I started singing everything that I had written down, and it just formed into a song. Basically, Going Down is about my experience trying to cope with the whole borderline [personality disorder] issue so I could show my family and friends how I was feeling. You’ve spoken a lot about how you hope, if people do relate to “Going Down”, that it makes them feel less alone. Does music serve this same purpose in your own life?Yes. 100,000,000%. Without music. I don’t even know man, it’s helped me so much. Within the past five years, the person who has helped me through difficult times the most is Lana Del Rey for sure. When I’m feeling down, there are certain songs I’ll put on that will immediately calm me down. I’m not alone–there’s other people out there that can relate to how I’m feeling. So yes, music has helped so much. You said you wrote “Going Down” a couple years ago. Are all the songs written from a while back or are they more recent?No, actually the first one, “My reflection” was written in early 2021 when I was 17. I wrote “Here For Me” in 2020 kind of at the beginning of COVID when I was 16. And “Going Down” at 18. So 16, 17, 18. Why did you decide to release “My Reflection” first out of the three?Honestly, we just chose it. There was no big thing behind it. We were just like this one’s cool, let’s do this one first.  collar Zana Bayn What was the experience of releasing music for the first time?Terrifying. I was so scared. But it was also really exciting. I think when we released “My Reflection”, because it was the very first one, I was like oh my god this is really scary because it’s incredibly vulnerable. And the fact that other people were going to hear what I was going through was really, really intimidating to me. But it’s also cool in a way because I know a lot of people can relate to body dysmorphia and feeling

Linn Koch-Emmery’s Path to ‘Borderline Iconic’” text Emelie Bodén Swedish musician and songwriter Linn Koch-Emmery grew up in Norrköping, a town south of the capital where she developed a passion for music. She formed her first band at the age of thirteen or fourteen, having known since childhood that she wanted to be a musician. At nineteen she moved away to London to focus on a solo career and in 2016 her first single “Come back” was released. Linn kept releasing singles, albums and EP:s and now has a strong and reliable following on spotify.  May 23, 2024 she released her latest album “Borderline Iconic” with songs like Ebay Armour, Happy and No Hands. Could you share any unique experiences or influences that have distinctly shaped your musical style and thematic choices?Being depressed at 13 years old, walking around my block listening to Oasis and Dylan daydreaming. I watched Oasis live once as well, it was one of the last shows they did together, but I was quite disappointed. What factors influenced your decision to relocate to the UK to further your music career, and how do you believe this has impacted your artistic growth and opportunities within the music industry?I’ve got some family and friends in the UK so I have naturally spent a lot of time there throughout the years. Pete (who produced the record) reached out about trying to work on some new stuff in 2022, he lives in Somerset where we also recorded the album. I still got my base in Stockholm but I bounced back and forth a lot in the process of recording. I love the UK, they are passionate about their rock music. In reflecting on your decision to record your album in the UK, could you elaborate on the ways in which this move has contributed to your artistic evolution and development?Working with a new producer of course changed the sound a bit, even though I believe the core is still very much there. I feel like I grew a lot as both an artist and human being while working with Pete. His approach to music is very intuitive. And lastly what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting out and looking to carve out their own path in the music industry?Follow your guts and focus on the music you want to make and how it makes you feel. Every now and then, take a walk and remind yourself why you started. Check out her spotify here! Could you trace the origins of your musical journey for us? What were the pivotal moments or influences that propelled you to pursue a career in music?I got obsessed with rock music in my early teens. I think it was my cousin who sent me mp3 files of bands and songs that she liked, like Clash, Dylan and Beatles, that also resonated with me.Then White Stripes, Pixies and Oasis. I daydreamed a lot about playing in a band. Walked laps around my neighborhood listening to music and fantasizing about being in a band and writing music. Then I knocked on my neighbors door and asked if he could teach me to play guitar. What influenced your decision to predominantly channel your artistic expression through the genres of indie rock and pop, and how do you think these genres particularly complement your musical vision and storytelling?I have no idea why I got stuck on guitar music. They are really cool I guess. I have always been more interested in the emotions of music rather than the skill. I guess indie rock is a somewhat forgiving genre for that, or at least my personal division of it. There are of course very skilled musicians in this genre as well, I was just never interested in being one of them. photography Sandra Myhrberg fashion Emilie Boden  hair & makeup Alicia Hurst art as backdrop L. Christeseva jacket Pellobellostockings Stylist’s Ownscarf Karoline Lenhultshoes Coach

An interview with Minke about working toward success text Emelie Bodén The UK-born singer, songwriter Minke is now based in LA. After a successful debut in 2019 with her Album “The Tearoom” she got her recognition as an artist and became a darling in the indie-pop scene. With the support from various people and companies she was ready for a breakthrough. But then with Covid-19 more obstacles and life changing events appeared. It became a time for healing and now she has just released her new single “Happier Than Me” on May 10, 2024. In the single she is seen playing piano for the first time and baring her soul in the usual emotionally honest fashion we’ve come to expect. Has navigating the music industry as an openly queer artist presented any challenges? Nothing too crazy so far that I’m aware of! I mean there’s the occasional hateful comment but that’s just the internet. It’s only been this release I’ve presented in my work as openly queer so we’ll see but I do feel like finally there’s been a shift in acceptance, even from when I was last releasing music in 2019. And I wasn’t out then in my life in the way that I am now so it would be disingenuous to not address it at this point. How have these experiences shaped your journey, and what impact do you hope it has on the music community?I’ve been inspired by so many other artists who are out singing and sharing their truth, so I’m just excited to represent and share mine. On May 10th, you released your new single Happier Than Me, Could you explain the background and inspiration behind this song? What is the background of this song and what was your thought process while making it?We were working on another song that whole day. It hit 5pm and we had a break and Dan just started playing these chords. Then we wrote the song in an hour, it came so easily. Especially living in LA, it feels like everyone’s always living their perfect lives but that’s not really the case. What personal significance does your new single ‘Happier Than Me’ hold for you, especially in the context of the challenging years marked by the COVID-19 pandemic and other hardships? I was in such a whirlwind by the end of 2019 having the best time. I’d just settled into LA, out at shows every night, making new friends, my career was going well. But I probably wasn’t practising a lot of self care and looking back on it, still had some demons to wrestle with. Covid was really helpful in forcing me to be introspective. The line ‘parents still alive and still together holy shit that’s rare’ doesn’t apply anymore but I didn’t want to change anything as it was such an honest expression and I like it as a timestamp of that part of my life. photography Lucia Garcia   At this stage in your life, do you feel a sense of healing from past challenges, or do you find yourself still on the journey toward recovery and self-improvement?I definitely do feel a sense of healing. At times in the past few years my life felt like a horror movie so growing from all those experiences has made me wiser and more appreciative of the happier times I find. It’s a never ending journey though and I’m a very curious human so I’m always on the lookout for ways to expand my horizons. Looking ahead, what are your aspirations and goals for the future of your music career? Are there any new directions or projects you’re particularly excited about pursuing?The next single is unlike anything I’ve released before and the songs for the rest of the year all show different sides of me and who I am now, I can’t wait for them to be out in the world! Link to spotify and new single “Happier Than Me” here!

Tessa Rae – “if you still like me in the morning, maybe we’ll run away” text Emelie Bodén California Native Tessa Rae moved from Oakland to Los Angeles at an early age. The byproduct of creatives that founded the Wasteland clothing stores, Rae has been surrounded by fashion and music her entire life. She spent her youth immersed in her father’s vast vinyl and vintage rock t-shirt collections. Tessa Rae has crafted compelling pop music through a multitude of stylistic lenses before settling into a sweet spot writing folk-tinged indie-pop in 2022. As Rae builds towards the release of her Sweetly, Softly EP later this summer, each new single is a continuing exploration of the genre; displaying her innate talent for compelling emotion and imagery in her lyricism, and setting the tone for an exciting year to come. May 15th indie-pop singer-songwriter Tessa Rae shares her yearning new single “if you still like me in the morning.” The achingly sincere track examines Rae’s experience with jealousy as she wrestles with feelings of anxiety, desire, and uncertainty after having a dream where her crush chooses to return to a relationship with an ex. “If you still like me in the morning” is the second single offering from Rae’s upcoming EP Sweetly, Softly, arriving this summer. How would you describe your musical style today?It’s indie pop with a lot of folk and bedroom pop influence. I’ve never been a pop girl but I love a good pop song structure. I think my sound is a whimsical amalgamation of a lot of niche influences. Tell us about your new single. How was it writing it, how has it been creating it?“if you still like me in the morning” was inspired by a dream I had that mirrored some emotions I was probably hiding from myself. It’s a little honeymoon love story with a big dose of jealousy. I wrote most of it alone on acoustic guitar and it turned out much more upbeat and colourful than I had envisioned. What emotions do you want listeners to have when they listen to your music?I hope listeners experience a spectrum of emotions—curiosity, nostalgia, a sense of connection. There is power in accepting there is no good without the bad. I try to grapple with that in my writing and I think people can relate to that dichotomy. What inspires you to write and create music?Songwriting is just an itch I have to scratch. It’s an instinct I follow that always leads me somewhere new. I love the unpredictability of it. It’s important to keep creating and exploring new versions of yourself. dress Yume Yume Tell us three things about you that are important or funny?I’m the most indecisive person I know. I am likely to become a crazy cat lady. Rae is my middle name. Do you have any wishes? Advice for others?I’m working on feeling more confident and learning to enjoy being perceived. It’s touch and go. My hope is to lean into that. Advice for others…light the candle. Take the walk. Write in your journal. It’s the little things that make a big difference.   What do you enjoy doing when not working?I’m so boring, all my friends would say music is my only hobby! It’s literally my favourite way tosocialise. There’s nothing like it. I also love practising tarot. It grounds me and reminds me there are greater powers at be. How do you keep yourself sane with all your attention and work?I have a calm yet chaotic energy so I’ve found staying busy helps me stay sane. I’m a chronic over-thinker. Sometimes the less time with my thoughts the better. What do you gather energy from?I am an introvert at heart. I love time alone at home with my animals. I’m super cliche. Give me some sage, some incense and some mind numbing reality tv and I can usually find my happy place. What are your plans for the summer and autumn?Savouring the simple pleasures. Releasing an EP I’m endlessly proud of. Also envisioning a real New York moment in my near future. Listen to her new single ‘if you still like me in the morning’ here. cardigan & top Alexander Wangskirt Amuse Boucheshoes Jacquemus photography & videography Shane McCauleycreative director & stylist Tara Boyetteset designer Bawb Masonmakeup Caroline Hernandezhair Takuya Sugawaraset assist Tad Mulugetaprod assist Stefanie King Warfield dress Alexander Wangtights Wolfordshoes Femmejewelry Flair Goods

The New Era Interview with Jireel text Yasmine M photography Sandra Myhrbergfashion Jahwanna Berglund total look HUGOjewelry Maria Nilsdotter The Swedish artist Jireel is back. He is one of Sweden’s biggest in his game of feel-good tracks and ready to take on 2024. Odalisque meet up with Jireel for an editorial photoshoot embracing the new era of his artistic side. Talking about everything from his devoted fans, how to take care of his mind, and of course the new album and tour annoncement. From ”Snap” to ”Cataleya” in 2017, how do you feel you have evolved throughout the years? I definitely feel like I’ve evolved a lot. Coming into the industry, I wanted to work with as many different artists and producers as possible. In the end, you learn something from every person you work with. It goes a lot faster for me now to create music, and everything is just super natural. Experience is the key. How would you describe your musical style today?I honestly feel like my style is my style. My sound has been shaping into this fusion of all the genres I’ve been touching lately. When you listen to my music today, I think you will find flavors from hip-hop and RNB, to afro beats, kizomba, and pop in my latest album, and it’s that fusion that makes my sound unique to me. Tell us about your new album. How was it writing it, how has it been creating it?It’s been a fun journey. I’ve been going a little back and forth about the exact tracklist, but I tried to connect as much to personal experiences and feelings as possible in this album. To do that I had to feel a lot myself, and I also had to touch my roots to get out the sound I wanted for the album. What emotions do you want listeners to have when they listen to your music and new album? I want my listeners to relate, and be able to feel what they need to feel for the songs. The album is designed for you to just feel. There are some songs on the album I think you can relate very differently to, some songs will make some people dance and smile, while the same song can on the other side make people miss somebody, or relate directly to a prior situation in their lives. I want to touch both the heart and the mind with this album. total look HUGObelt Oscar Jacobsonring Maria Nilsdotter What inspires you to write and create music?Everything around me. Personal stories, stuff that happens around me, and certain feelings and experiences. Tell us three things about you that are important or funny?1. Don’t mess with my sleep. 2. Avoid me when I’m hungry 3. I just dropped an album and you are really missing out if you haven’t listened yet. Do you have any wishes? Advice for others?I always wish for my family, and the people around me to be good, all of them. My advice for others would be: to avoid negativity. Life’s too short and we should all do the best of it, and really try to live our lives to the fullest. You have your very own record label Records by MOTY, how does that feel?It was a natural step in my career. I’m reaching my 10th year as an artist, and I’ve learned so much stuff along the way. What I want to do is to help the next generations of artists get into the industry the right way. I want to give artists the right tools to be able to create as good music as possible, and at the same time teach them how the music industry works, and help them avoid mistakes that can be avoided. You have your very own record label Records by MOTY, how does that feel?It was a natural step in my career. I’m reaching my 10th year as an artist, and I’ve learned so much stuff along the way. What I want to do is to help the next generations of artists get into the industry the right way. I want to give artists the right tools to be able to create as good music as possible, and at the same time teach them how the music industry works, and help them avoid mistakes that can be avoided. robe and trousers OASvest and shoes Filippa Knecklace and bracelet Maria Nilsdotterring Izabella Display shirt OAStrousers Tiger of Swedenbracelet Cartierrings Maria Nilsdotter suit Oscar Jacobsonturtleneck Filippa Kjewelry Izabel Displayphotography Sandra Myhrberg fashion Jahwanna Berglundgrooming Adam Nilssonassistants Idde Beskow & Lovisa Zettergrenspecial thanks Näsby Slott What do you enjoy doing when not working?I really love training, mostly in the gym but I’m down to play almost any sport as well. Other than that I like reading, and just taking time off to relax. How do you keep yourself sane with all your attention and work?I think it’s important to have a good structure in work, and in life, but also to have a good set of people around you. People who look out for you, people who care about you, and people who keep it real with you. With all the different projects in your life, how do you gather energy? Has living in another country changed anything?Routines, I get my energy from staying disciplined with my food, my training, and my mental well-being. Moving to another country gave me so much more time to focus on myself, and my music, and I really found my safe spot in Mallorca. What are your plans for the summer and fall?More songs, more music. Being independent really gives me the freedom to release at my own pace. I also got some international collabs thats dropping this summer. This fall, I’ll be performing at Annexet in Stockholm on the 23rd of November, as a part of my Scandinavian tour. I’m really looking forward to playing all this new music with a whole new stage design. Shortly after the release of the spring album ‘Luanda’, the ever-restless Jireel is now releasing a summer single. ‘IBIZA’ is a straightforward declaration of love produced by Dylano, who was also involved in the smash hit ‘MANO’. This fall, Jireel will

Nadja Evelinas Journey as an Artist text Emelie Bodén Nadja Evelina is a Swedish musician and songwriter born in Bollnäs, where her interest for music started. Her first song dropped in 2016 and was a single called “Finast utan filter”. She later released her first album in 2019 “Vi”. Since then she has dropped two more singles this year and will soon be releasing a new song on May 17th. Her plans for the summer is to do gigs and this fall her third album will come out. How did your musical journey begin? What sparked your interest in music, and how did you start pursuing it as a career?Basically my musical journey began with the piano in the living room of the house where I grew up. My dad has always played a lot, which made me interested as well. I have always dreamt of writing, and my dream for a long time was to be an author. But when I was seventeen a friend of mine forced me to try and write a song, which I am eternally grateful for. Writing songs is still my very favorite thing to do. An important starting point of my career was when I met Anton Engdahl. We recorded my first EP in his student apartment of 17 square meters. I slept on an air mattress on the floor and we ate a lot of cheap ramen noodles with chickpeas. I remember it as some kind of euphoria, the whole process felt really easy. We didn’t expect much, but then I released my debut single ”Finast utan filter” which kind of took off. From there it kind of went naturally, I played shows and we kept writing and recording while working different shitty jobs. Can you describe your sound, and what influences have shaped it over the years?I listen to a lot of different genres, but my heart lies in Swedish indie pop and I think that is something that my sound reflects. I tell myself every year that this is the year that I have to learn to play the guitar myself, but we’ll see. At this pace I’ll be able to do really sick guitar solos when I’m like 70 years old. For my upcoming third album I’ve searched for a sound that feels more messy and raw. I want the sound to reflect the themes in the lyrics, which are basically excerpts from my diary and different moments and feelings in life where you feel a lot, both highs and lows. I want the songs to sound like that as well, like, to put my heart on the line both in the lyrics and in the sound. What’s your opinion on the current state of the music industry, and how do you see it evolving in the future?I think the music industry right now is both trickier and more free than ever. Basically anybody can record and release music, which reflects in a very diverse presence of different voices and genres. Right now you have to be on the internet a lot as an artist, which is both a blessing and a curse I think. The best thing is that you get a very direct communication with your listeners, I feel like that’s an extension of the music in some way. I think that’s the whole point of art, that we’re all just wanting to feel connected to each other. *On the other hand, live music is bigger than ever, and I think that there is a longing for things that are happening in real life. Things that you can’t or don’t want to share online, that you have to be there to experience in the moment. If you could play any venue in the world, where would it be and why?A big dream of mine is being able to play arena shows. I really can’t think of anything cooler, just like a huge party with a huge crowd. If it comes to that, I’m really not that picky in choosing the specific venue haha. Finally, what advice would you offer to aspiring musicians who are looking to pursue a career in music?Trust your gut in art and life. Surround yourself with people that get you and get what you do, it’s important to not be an island. Also prepare for a life of ups and downs, this is a cliché, it really is an emotional roller coaster. Remember to enjoy the process as you go, and also just do it! There’s no point in hoarding great songs and not giving people a chance to hear them. You can find her spotify here! rousers Deadwoodshirt Gestuz / Zalandoshoes Raid / Zalandoearrings astrid&agnes dress & bra Samsøe Samsøetights Swedish Stockingstie Deadwoodshoes Stylist’s Ownearrings Efva Attling trousers Baum Und Pferdgartenshirt Stylist’s Ownshoes Raid / Zalandonecklace pfg STOCKHOLMflower ring By Jolimafeminine sign ring Sägen shirt Baum Und Pferdgartenskirt Deadwoodtights Swedish Stockingssunglasses Longchampnecklace pfg STOCKHOLMearrings By Jolimaring Poetsofbabylon shirt Stylist’s Ownearrings pfg STOCKHOLMbug ring Ioakueye ring Efva Attlinggreen, blue & red rings Poetsofbabylonpatterned ring pfg STOCKHOLMflower ring By Jolimafeminine sign ring Sägen

Interview with Dream Pop Star Akira Galaxy text Yasmine M photography Pierre Crosby Let us introduce Akira Galaxy, a new star in the sky of indie pop. Having grown up in an artistic family, the singer draws inspiration from touchstones like Radiohead, Cocteau Twins, and Fleetwood Mac. With her rich alto vocals, it creates what she describes as genre, dream pop. As Odalisque Magazine get’s the opportunity to talk with the singer, she is preparing for her summer tour with Winnetka Bowling League with stops such as San Diego, New York, and Chicago. Can you share the story of how your journey in music began?Yeah! I went to an art centric grade school where I played half a dozen instruments  and when I was 10 I got my first guitar and wrote my first song. Then in high school  I started taking it seriously and playing with different groups around Seattle. I  remember at one point, jamming with some friends in a closet and recording  drums and guitar off my laptop speakers on Garageband. A week or so later, I got  an interface and recorded some distorted, reverbed out vox. I was continuously  writing and experimenting the years following and at 19 decided to move to LA to  get serious. But funny enough, it wasn’t until I came back to Seattle that I really  discovered my sound and “What’s Inside You” was written. When creating music, what specific emotions do you aim to evoke in your  audience?I’d like people to feel validation and one-ness in the innate desire for human  connection and the love and loss that coexists. I’d also hope that some people  could take parts of the music as creative fuel for something of their own.What are some of your primary inspirations when making music? Poetry, short stories, mythology, record stores, used musical instrument shops… What are your aspirations for the upcoming year? Definitely working on a new album and touring overseas. Could you share three noteworthy or amusing facts about yourself?1. I’ve taken 60+ hrs of mime class for my stage performance. Intention in  performance is really important to me. Whether that’s in the way you  stand, look at the audience, move your hands.. It all makes a difference  and helps convey the intended message to the audience.2. Akira Galaxy is my legal first and middle name.3. I played a munchkin in 50+ performances of the Wizard of Oz play in  Seattle when I was 3 years old. Reflecting on the start of your career, how has the experience been so far? And what are some of the things you are most proud of?Man, it’s been extremely rewarding. Since the EP came out, I’ve gotten to play a  ton of shows and am now starting to play festivals. The bands gotten super tight  and comfortable through this which is something I’m proud of. Additionally, do you have any aspirations or advice for aspiring artists?Put in the hours. Sit down consistently and do the work. A quote that an old friend  once said to me and has always stuck with me, “the more you fish, the more likely  you are to reel in a good one.” the same goes for writing. You’re gonna write a lot  of throwaways and then you hit gold and sometimes the throwaways are gold but  you just weren’t in the place to see the vision. Everyday you’re a new kind of artist;  your voice may sound different, your emotional state may be different, etc.. work  with that current version of yourself. Don’t put too much pressure on yourself. My best music comes when in a state of  childlike curiosity. Experiment. Let the song guide you and when you hit the gold,  stay there for as long as possible. What aspect of your artistic side do you wish to improve upon? It’s hard to choose one thing, but I’d love to get to a place where I can fully  produce and mix my songs. Slowly but surely… Could you give us some insights about the making of your latest EP? How was the process of writing and producing it?Yes! I wrote the record in Seattle in my childhood bedroom. It was a perfect  combination of things–my first stack of poetry books, a reverend guitar I was lent, the time to reflect, and the limitation of virtual human connection. I also was  getting really experimental with some reverb pedals (specifically the oceans 11) at  the time which I think took a big part in shaping the feeling of the songs.