ISAK DANIELSON TALKS SNOWMAN

Behind the Coastline

You are reading an independently published interview-series published and carefully curated by Swedish pop-culture journalist Daniel John. Ever since its start in 2015, the core curiosity remains the same, surfing the creative currents of music, film, fashion and everything else on the pop-radar, catching the waves of culture as creative

Culture Coast TalksDaniel John

We first got to talk in April last year when 'Broken' released, which we can say became an important song for you. How have things been for you since?

All good, thanks! Exactly, 'Broken' became an important song for me because it received attention and was well-loved, since my latest album last fall and the EP this spring I have continued writing a lot of new music, and also this spring I have done my first performances in concert halls, which was incredibly fun and a great way to connect with my audience.

Do ‘Skyfall’ and performing at Globen in X-Factor still stand as your best stage-memories?

Performing at Globen was of course super-exciting. But nowadays, my best stage memory is probably my performance at Stora Teatern in Gothenburg in the spring, it was on home turf and in a venue I’d wanted to play for a long time, a magical feeling.

Maddie Ziegler played part in your international breakthrough posting herself dancing to your song 'Ending'. Of course, she herself broke through in Sia’s 'Chandelier' music video who's song 'Snowman' you now interpreted your way. How did it come about that you wanted to cover this song?

I have loved 'Snowman' ever since Sia first released it and for a long time I thought it would be really fun to record. Last fall, my team and I discussed doing a Christmas song, and it felt natural that 'Snowman' would be the one I wanted to cover. It has a nostalgic feeling that I interpret as being about youth, how much winter and Christmas meant back then compared to now.

Sia wrote all the original-songs on her Christmas-album out of frustration with the focus on old classics and their yearly re–recordings. How did you tackle the song with her original outlook in mind?

The cool thing about music I think is that everyone can interpret it in their own ways. I never think about who will listen or what opinions they might have, I think that limits yourself and your creativity. It becomes hard to make meaningful music, that way. I have a pretty clear sense of how my music should sound and with my vocal expression the process to make it sound my own went very quickly and smoothly. I made a simple demo, and a week later it was recorded and mastered, the process took just over a week, the idea for a Christmas-song came up at the end of September, and then it went pretty quickly.

Giving you little time for a music-video?

After it was recorded, I started working on video–ideas. After some different thoughts, I decided to take my piano out into the forest and film there. I might have wished for a bit more white in the background, but I think it turned out pretty well anyway.

For some, Christmas is joy, being with friends and family. While for others it’s just stressful, a reminder of grief, and loneliness. Do you yourself feel more of the joy or the stress and the sadness?

I’m lucky to feel joy during Christmas. I love Christmas. I love Christmas music. I mainly enjoy how it lights up and creates a cozy atmosphere during these dark winter months. I don't care that much about "Christmas eve" itself.

What is your favorite Christmas tune?

Michael Bublé’s 'Christmas' album is a strong favorite.

What is your best Christmas memory?

Tough question, but I loved celebrating Christmas at my grandmother’s, her tree was always gigantic.

You lived in England for a few years. How were the Christmases there?

We celebrated Swedish Christmas on the 24th and English Christmas on the 25th. So, it was very luxurious. To be honest I don’t remember much of it.

How will you celebrate it all this year?

I’ll be sitting under a palm tree on Christmas eve. That’s why I started bringing in Christmas-vibes already in mid-November.

It’s Christmas, but soon also a new year, will there be a break from songwriting or is there more on the way?

There’s a lot of new music coming in the spring, the first song will come in January and then there will be a steady flow of music until my album is released during the spring.

Do you want to give any last Christmas–greeting, before we soundtrack the holidays with your 'Snowman'?

Do not buy Christmas presents just for the sake of buying. It is better to donate to those who really need it. Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!