Share
Pin
Tweet
Share

With more than half a billion streams to his name, eight number one albums in his home country and multiple Swedish Grammy wins, Darin is Sweden’s most successful male pop artist. We caught up with Darin to talk about his new single ‘Electric’, more new music on the horizon and studio rituals:

Thanks for speaking to us Darin! Can you tell us about your new single ‘Electric’?

Thanks for having me!

For me, Electric is a memory. It’s a memory of a special night in Palma, Mallorca where I live. But it was a night of highs and lows. My best friend told me he was going to leave Mallorca, and in a few days! It was also the night I met the love of my life for the first time. It was a crazy intense feeling I didn’t expect and wasn’t prepared for. I sometimes describe it like a magnetic pull and I think the song touches on that feeling and that force. That all happened on a night my closest friends were there with me to celebrate my birthday – definitely a night to remember!

Who inspires you the most in your life?

I take inspiration from lots of people. When it comes to music specifically, I can’t help but mention the influences I had growing up. I remember watching all of Madonna’s music videos in a trance! Michael Jackson was huge for me too. I’ve emulated them in ways whether I knew it or not! I’ve grown a lot since those early days and I think I take inspiration, advice and support from many people much closer to me now. My close friends, particularly my manager (but don’t tell him that!).

Do you have any studio rituals?

Hmmm, I actually don’t think I do. I mean, when I’m in the studio I am with different people – producers and sound technicians. As a person, I feed off the energy of others, and I usually work with people I like a lot. That can often lead to different places. With some, I’ve probably overshared (in the best way) and we’ve had deep talks and made deep music. With others, I’ve laughed and buzzed off their energy, and we’ve created energetic songs. It’s always different and the ritual of going to the studio and working there is too! But I don’t prepare for it in any specific way or have any consistent “studio” thoughts or actions, it’s a safe space and a free for all. 

What is your favourite song of all-time?

La Isla Bonita by Madonna, I think from all the memories of being younger. My uncle used to bring out the guitar and we used to sing along. It reminds me of the summers growing up and it’s a really positive one for me. More recently I connected it to Mallorca where I live. Not just because it’s a beautiful island (which it is!), but because the melodies and the lyrics speak to the feeling I have when I’m there. Special. 

What are your interests outside of music?

I love to exercise – hiking, running, yoga, gym mostly. I’ve picked up painting again which I’m enjoying. When I’m home I do love to cook too. Otherwise, I enjoy travelling in my spare time. 

Where are you based, and what’s your favourite thing about living there?

I’m based in Mallorca, Spain. My favourite thing about the island is the beaches and calas or the hiking. There are beautiful hiking trails in the mountains with amazing views over the sea there. It’s incredibly scenic and peaceful. I have to mention the people too, a lot of people I love live on that island!

If you could give any advice to new artists, what would you say?

I will always say that surrounding yourself with good people is very important – people who understand you artistically and share your vision. That was incredibly important for me when I reflect on starting out, and I’m reminded of how important it still is now. 

Can you reveal any release plans for the rest of the year?

I’ll keep releasing music as long as people want to listen to it. I used to plan so far in advance, but I’m happier now leaving things a bit more short-term. I guess it allows me to be flexible and record and release what I’m feeling in the moment. For now, I’m playing around with a few different songs until I get that “we should release this” feeling. 

Where do you see yourself in 5 years?

I’m laughing because I just did a TikTok video that highlights your next three years which were “marriage, party, pregnancy!” There’s at least one that I’m not sure of in those! 

Honestly, I just had so much fun doing an Arena Tour in Sweden last year, and I see live music taking a big place in my future projects. I would like to do as much of that as possible going forward, and in five years it would be so great to be planning and fine-tuning live performances in all different kinds of venues. The Arena Tour suited a lot of big hits and ballads, but the discography is more than that – some songs that wouldn’t work as well in an arena are waiting to be played in a different setting!