23 October 2023
Every Monday I will be bringing you an interview with an independent band, duo or music artist. This week, I caught up with London based artist iönä to find out more…
Where are you from and how did you first get into music?
I am from Sweden originally, but have lived in the UK – London for 6 years, and consider it my home!
I grew up with music all around me, my dad is a singer, and was in a pop//rock band when I grew up, I always went to gigs and listened to his music and I knew from a very young age that I wanted to make music too. My mother a very creative and driven soul who loves music and art, she has inspired me lots as well. I am forever grateful as it helped me find the meaning to my life.
I started writing lyrics and little songs in a tiny notebook when I was about 6 years old, and I kept writing and writing. I started playing guitar at an early age and I was always singing. Unfortunately I had some turbulent years as a teenager/young adult but I finally found my way back to music, so here I am. Presenting it to all of you.
Who were your musical influences when you were growing up and who are your influences now?
When I was growing up I listened to a diverse range of music, from Nirvana, Aretha Franklin, Lulu and The Luvvers, Avril Lavigne, Green Day, Good Charlotte, Black Sabbath, ABBA, Spice Girls, Madonna, Britney Spears, The Sinners (my dad’s band), Foo Fighters, Yeah Yeah Yeahs, The Cardigans, The Sounds, Timbuktu. I had different periods of time where I would focus in on a different genre or vibe.
Today my musical taste is still broad and I have periods of time when I am more focused on specific genres. currently on repeat is music from Fever Ray, Little Dragon, The Knife, Ry X, Rhye, Sorry, Angel Olsen, Audiobooks, Snapped Ankles, Band Of Skulls, Kylie Minogue, Tove Lo, Junodef, The Black Keys, Portishead, AKA SHADES.
How would you describe your sound?
Dramatic and tense electronic pop. Rich melodic layers, playful dissonance and harmonic depth. Emotional and melancholic, cinematic. Dynamical journey. Diverse vocals with plenty of vocal layers. Driven by slowly evolving beats and quirky hooks, the sound draws on influences from trip-hop, electronic, rock and alternative music.
What is your latest release called and what was the influence behind it?
My latest release is called ‘Tick Tick’. Danny M. Allin that I collaborate with, played me a drum beat that he called ‘tick’, I instantly got inspired when hearing it. We were in his studio in Wood Green, and a siren was going off outside. It inspired us to recreate that sound and create a stressful atmosphere in the song, I was inspired to write about mental health, and the stress it can cause, the struggles of finding peace within, and I allowed myself to explore and express the inner war that’s been going on inside me for my whole life. Tick Tick has a music video, that also explores and paints a picture of the same theme, the video is like a phone call into my mind.
What’s your local music scene like?
It’s amazing! So much talent in London, so many gig and bands and artist to discover. Truly inspirational.
What do you have planned for the next 12 months?
The next 12 months I plan to write lots more music! I’ve been drowning in admin lately, and my mind has been craving creative outlets! I am going to focus on my production and writing as well as work on opening up and share more to allow people to get to know me more, hopefully that can inspire others to allow themselves to be vulnarable too. It’s a scary thing, being vulnerable, but it’s also the most beautiful and powerful thing!! I’ve realised that to be vulnerable is to be strong.
It’s tricky being completely independent without any management, booking agency or label. I end up sitting on a whole lotta non-creative things that need to be done for me to be able to continue with the music. However I’ve started reaching out to music industry to find a good match and a nurturing relationship, if I find that I can focus even more on my music! I have lots of unreleased material ready to be released, and I’m currently in the studio with a few different collaborations recording and writing new stuff, and oh yes I plan to start playing more live again, being on stage is sort of like therapy to me, and I love being able to fully live inside the music.
I will drop another single this autumn, after that it’s time for me to release the two EP’s I’ve been working on!
Is there anyone you’d love to collaborate with?
I love to collaborate! If I could I would collaborate with everyone. Different people brings out different things of you and your creativity. I love that!
If I had to name drop someone in particular, I surely wouldn’t mind collaborating with Max Martin, Mark Ronson, Gorillas, Little Dragon, Fever Ray, eeeee you know? Dream big!
What is the one thing that you want readers to know about you?
That I exist and I make pretty dope music and art!! I’ve only just started my journey as ‘iönä’ and I have soo much to give.
You can find out more about iönä on her website or via Facebook, Instagram, Linktree, SoundCloud, Spotify, TikTok or X (Twitter).
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