We had the opportunity to chat to KLARA, a talented Swedish singer-songwriter (and Crouch End resident) who is making waves on the London music scene. With her new EP Voices released today, November 8th 2019 (on Spotify here), and the upcoming release of her debut album Blossom in 2020, she has been spending her time writing and recording.
KLARA took a moment to talk us through her inspirations, favourite spots in London and where her music career will take her next.
Find KLARA at:
www.klaramusic.com
@KLARAfromSweden on Twitter | @klarafromsweden on Instagram | KLARA from Sweden on Facebook
KLARA on Spotify
Where did your love for music begin?
KLARA fondly describes one of her earliest memories with music, a simple request from a teacher to perform a solo in church that started it all. As a six-year-old the nerves kicked in, but “the euphoric feeling after made it all worth it” and her passion for music only grew from there.
Where did you grow up and has it influenced your work?
Growing up in Lund, a city the “size of Cambridge” in the south of Sweden, KLARA started writing her own songs and melodies. Moving to the middle of Sweden for a few years with her mother, KLARA spent her time riding horses and connecting with nature. This is where the inspiration for her song ‘These Woods’ which featured in the Volvo advertising campaign for both Australia and the UK. She said the calming and safe nature of the theme is what made it the perfect choice for that campaign.
Does where you currently live influence your music?
KLARA thinks that one of the great things about living in London is the creative people you get to meet, so rather than nature inspiring her recent music, the themes are based on the people she has encountered and the relationships she has formed. KLARA describes Church Studio, where she works, as a great place to be because of the “creative neighbours.”
Do you get involved with the community and has it shaped your work in any way?
KLARA and her former flatmates used to host free concerts in their home, inviting neighbours, friends and family to enjoy a night of local music acts. This is something she would like to continue, but perhaps in a local venue in Crouch End.
What is your proudest achievement to date?
“Mixing and mastering, the whole long beautiful process,” said KLARA. Recording her debut album at Real World Studios she enjoyed her time writing songs, leading into the pre-production planning and eventually the recording process. Seeing her song used for the Volvo campaign was also a great success.
Who or what influences you?
Bon Iver is one of KLARA’s greatest influences as his voice, and his sound is constantly changing album by album. She revels in the fact that he isn’t afraid to experiment with sound to keep creating new content. Some of her other favourite musicians include Theresa Chapman, First Aid Kit, London Grammar and Lauren Hill’s acoustic tracks.
She went on to mention a particular podcast called Song Exploder, “a podcast where musicians take apart their songs, and piece by piece, tell the story of how they were made.”
What’s your favourite place to eat/drink in London?
KLARA’s favourites include the Tate Modern cafe, where “the hot chocolate is amazing, with a stunning view of London in a beautiful building,” Prawn on the Lawn in Highbury, which involves sharing platters of seafood in a really nice atmosphere, and The Haberdashery, a great coffee house in Crouch End.
Where would you recommend people to visit in London?
KLARA says she likes to take her friends on tours of various parts of the city when they are in town. Her favourite routes include: starting at the Tate Modern, then heading to St Pauls Cathedral before a walk over the Millennium Bridge to the South Bank; taking a canal boat from Little Venice (West London) to soak up the history and see some cute houses along the way; and exploring the vibrancy of Camden Market before a walk through Regent’s Park up to Primrose Hill.
What are you working on at the moment?
As soon as her album was finished recording, KLARA started writing again and hopes to explore collaborating with other artists. Travelling to LA she got the chance to work with One Republic’s Tim Myers, which was a highlight.
If you could live anywhere in the world, where would it be?
Living where her family is in the South of Sweden would be a dream. KLARA enjoys holidaying in Tanzania and Mauritius but says there’s no place like home.
What makes London stand out to different places?
Meeting interesting people like dancers, artists and photographers top KLARA’s reasons for loving life in London. When she needs time to reflect, a nice long run through Regent’s Canal and Park does the trick.
Any hidden gems in your area?
KLARA describes an old railway track called ‘Parkland Walk’, which leads all the way up to Parkland Wood – a great walk in the Crouch End area.
About My Community Is…
When it comes to culture, London competes on a global scale. The UK’s capital is bursting with exciting things to see and interesting people to meet. It is no surprise given the incredible talent that can be found across every borough.
So the team at ideal flatmate wanted to meet the creative individuals producing some of the best work. We wanted to understand the significant role a person’s environment has on influencing their work, and at the same time showcase the fantastic things they are producing.
