We were lucky enough to land some time with emerging superstar Sigrid while at SXSW – in Austin off the back of the successful hit “Don’t Kill My Vibe”, the Norwegian artist took some time out from her shows to fill us in on the positive momentum the song has spurred for her.
So, you’re here off the back of an incredible year for you to say the least. “Don’t Kill My Vibe” has been such a huge success. And getting the Ireland record deal, with all this stuff happening do you feel more pressure now? Or is it still same old, same old for you? Just getting out playing shows?
No, it’s not the same. I definitely feel the pressure, but that pressure can be good sometimes it makes me want to work harder. It’s a lot of pressure but it’s fun, I like it and the weather is beautiful here. I’m enjoying myself.
It’s warmer than at home I’m guessing?
Yes, definitely a lot warmer. It’s definitely warmer here than back home in Norway.
It must be nice with everything happening that there’s a bit of. Often when you’re starting out you do all this work, and you don’t know if it’s going to get you anywhere, but now I’m guessing, you’re doing all this work, and it’s like, ‘I’m doing it because it’s going to lead to this, and because it’s going to lead to that.’
Do you feel there’s more kind of purpose, and all that in what you’re doing?
Definitely, my team is amazing. It’s good to know that they got my back. I don’t know, it’s really exciting. I’m honoured.
How are you finding, that’s influencing your song writing is that more pressure now? I’m sure you have a lot of music up your sleeves, as they say.
Yeah. If the pressure influences my music? I guess so. I don’t know. Not the pressure necessarily, but everything happening obviously, because I write about my stuff and what I think about, what I feel. I’m not gonna change the music because there’s some pressure. I write music that I like and I write it with people I like.
Is there anyone you’re getting to work with at the moment? Or anyone that you’re going to get to work with that you’re excited too? Or is this stuff we can’t talk about yet?
I’m equally excited about everyone, I think. I’m very happy and lucky to be working with a lot of good writers.
And really stepping up the production levels as well. The sort of musicians you’re working with and the producers you’re getting to work with. Have you ended up going in a direction that surprised you at all, with the music you created there?
No. I think this is the music that I’ve always wanted to make. Just haven’t figured out how to do it. I think when I look back, when I started writing songs at 16 at the piano, I wanted it to sound big. I didn’t have the equipment for it, or the process of it. Now I have the time and process to do it, I’m really happy to be able to make the music I want to make.
You grew up in a family of people who made music, but did you always want to make music, was that always something you wanted to do?
No. I wanted to become a lawyer.
Oh really? This is slightly different.
It’s really different. I don’t know why I wanted it.
I guess you don’t like money and stability. I’m saying that as a good thing in my opinion.
Yeah. I like stability in life, so it’s weird finding myself in this industry. But I enjoy this too, and it’s cool that I’ve seen new sides of me in this whole journey.
You would develop as a person in a very different way, if you were stuck in an office somewhere that’s for sure. Are you enjoying life on the road, or is it difficult?
No I think it’s really fun, I’m enjoying it. I miss my family, I miss Norway, my friends. But I’m lucky to have my best friends in the band so I’m able to travel with my best friends.
Where have been some of the favourite places you’ve gotten to perform so far? On your recent trips.
Here in the US?
Where do you enjoy most to play? You don’t have to say, I’m from Australia, so I don’t care where you say.
I’ve never been to Australia.
Exactly.
I’d love to go there.
We definitely want to get you down.
It was really cool to play here in SXSW. We played the VEVO venue, that was really cool. It had a tree in the garden, it was really nice. But I would love to come to Australia, kangaroos.
You know you only have to go about half an hour out of the city to see kangaroos in the wild. Or go to the zoo and you can hang out with them and pet them. You don’t want to pet them in the wild, just don’t pet them in the wild.
I’ve heard you have snakes and stuff.
Lots of snakes, lots of spiders.
Oh shit, I don’t like that.
There’s snakes and spiders in Texas and how often do you see them here?
Good point.
Just because we have more deadly ones, you still never see them. I’ve never seen any of the really dangerous ones.
That’s comforting.
Just remember that when you come to Australia. You’re going to be totally fine. How often do you hear of people going to Australia and getting bitten by a snake?
Not often.
Not often. They more often get bitten by sharks to be honest. Going surfing.
Do you surf?
I don’t personally; I body surf, body board. Well, used to. I travel so much, I don’t get time to do those sorts of things anymore. After SXSW where do you head to next?
Going back to Bergen for a bit, and then it’s London for promo, and then I’m going to get my wisdom tooth removed.
Your face will swell up for a few days. Eat lots of ice cream.
Yes, I’ll be out for two weeks. And then it’s back out again.
You’ve got The Great Escape.
Yeah The Great Escape. We’re playing a show, also at Hoxton in London. And we’re doing US again I think, and then it’s the festival summer in Norway and Britain, that will be great I look forward to it.
We’ll get to hear some new music along the way. I know you cannot talk about it, I’m sure you can’t talk about it.
I think it’s coming out in April. We don’t have the exact date for it.
You must be looking forward to getting that out there and so when you’re playing shows people know more songs, then just the few songs you’ve released.
It will be exciting to get the baby out. Yeah [when] you’re working so hard on something, and then it’s finally nice to get it out.
What do you hope people experience when they go to one of your shows? And do you feel like your shows are getting better as you’re playing all these sorts of events?
I hope people just have a good time and hopefully feel something. I want my music to not just pass on as vibey stuff. I want something they can feel get something out of it. Especially with “Don’t Kill My Vibe” it’s great, I’ve received messages from people saying,
“After hearing your song, I actually spoke up to someone who’s not been treating me good, and saying ‘This is not okay’.” That makes me so happy, because that’s how I felt that I couldn’t speak up and that’s why I wrote the song. So, that’s good.
What’s a good show for you? Is that what makes a good show for you? Feeling that connection with the crowd?
Yes definitely, that’s amazing; feeling people having fun. It’s about entertaining and that they like the song. And also having a good show is also when the band is happy and having a good time up there, which they always do. That’s the thing, I love looking back at the band and being like, “Yeah!”. It’s the best feeling.
Well congratulations on everything that’s happening for you, can’t wait to hear more of your music and hopefully get you down to Australia.
I’d love to come, yes.
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