Have you guys ever heard an EP and instantly fallen in love? Well, that’s how we felt with the new Ina Wroldsen record Matters Of The Mind. Open to close, the EP is spectacular. You will feel like you’ve gotten a glimpse into Ina’s soul after hearing the words she’s been able to put to music.
Recently, we were lucky enough to be able to pick her brain all about her incredible music. And of course, we had to talk all about The Voice and getting back to live music! We hope you enjoy this conversation with Ina Wroldsen as much as we enjoyed having it!
Stream Matters Of The Mind here!
The Voice is such a unique show! It really showcases some of the best talents around! What has it been like to be a part of that?
The voice has been an amazing experience. Seeing this young talent grow and bloom and then getting to witness them finding themselves and becoming little artists has been one of the most giving happenings so far in my career.
You’ve written for some of the biggest names in music, what is the experience like hearing your words be sung by another artist? Do you still feel a connection to those words?
Of course, they do! The songs are like little children from my mind. I love seeing them grow and move around the world. Some of them do great things, others not so much. I still love them all equally.
On the topic of writing, how does the process differ from when you’re writing for yourself to when you’re writing knowing the song will exist within another space?
I suppose I allow for more of my own personality when I write for myself. I also allow myself to decide what direction the song moves in. When you write for other people, I believe it is important to let the song be more available to the singer and the audience in question. It is after all going to be their song, they have to recognize themselves in it.
When you look back on your time in Ask Embla, what is a memory that sticks out for you as a really high point?
I think it has to be the indulgence of just making that album. It was such a feeling of freedom. When we wrote fathers eyes, Arnie and I just looked at each other and we both knew. After that session, we had a really boozy dinner at my old house in London and decided we were gonna be AskEmbla from now on. I love that project dearly and I love Arnthor.
You worked with Joel Little on your track ‘Fires’ who’s such a pioneer in the pop industry, how did that partnership come about and what was it like working together?
Joel and I worked together in LA, my husband and manager (all in one) set it up for me. I really enjoyed working with him. Fantastically talented man.
‘Fires’ feels like such a warm and hopeful song. Is that the vibe you were trying to convey while writing the track? Yes, it was. Joel and I both have children, they are approx the same age, and I think every parent has sat with the emotion I am trying to portray in ‘Fires’ — Go, try, fly and I will make sure you know where you belong. I am strong, so are you. I am ready, you are too. I love you, always.
You’ve said that a part of the inspiration for writing ‘Fires’ came from thinking about the inevitable day when your child grows up and leaves home, does the song having such a personal tie make it even more incredible to see how well it’s being received by fans?
It sure does. It’s the best feeling when a song really connects.
Matters of Mind is the title of your new EP, what can you tell us about the collection of songs? Is there a stand-out track for you?
I wanted the songs to portray life. We struggle, we prepare, we love and we live. For me personally, ‘Matters’ was important. It has a darkness that I never really explored in my writing before, and I was unsure at the beginning of whether I should release it or not. I decided it needed to be heard because I believe that when it gets really dark it is crucial to embrace the darkness in order to move towards the light.
When you look at your last three releases the sounds are all so drastically different, why do you think for you as an artist it’s important to experiment across all genres?
I spent a lot of time thinking this over, I love all kinds of music and so I struggled with finding ‘My Path’. In the end, I just decided to let the music lead. I never know what I am going to write next, and I love that.
Is there an overall theme we can expect out of Matters of Mind? What are you hoping fans take from the EP? I hope that my listeners will find light in this EP. We need some hope these days and a reminder that we are gonna live. That’s what I was going for.
With life slowing by barely returning to normal and the possibilities of live music coming back into our lives, what are you most excited for? Playing shows? Attending them yourself?
I can’t wait to perform again, but with the world being what it is right now, I try not to focus on all the things I miss.
I don’t think so much about the future right now. I live my life one day at a time, take pleasure in the small things and breathe deeply. I also light some fires.
We would love to hear from you! What did you think of our chat with Ina Wroldsen? Let us know by commenting down below or by tweeting us @TheHoneyPOP! We are also on Facebook and Instagram
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