JANICE TALKS I'LL BE HOME FOR CHRISTMAS
"Gospel is about conveying hope and light"
Daniel John
It is beginning to look a lot like Christmas, with your double-track single featuring not only a intimate, stripped-back interpretation of Bing Crosby’s classic but also Judy Garland’s 'Have Yourself A Merry Little Christmas'. What presence has Christmas music had in your life?
For me, Christmas has always been very much about music. I grew up with a lot of music at home, and during Christmas my parents would always put on their favorite Christmas records. Everything from Finnish singers that I literally glitter-sing along to, to big classics with Frank Sinatra. Whitney Houston’s 'One Wish: The Holiday Album' really captured me.
Have you dabbled at all in writing a Christmas original of your own?
I’ve actually avoided it for the past two years, because I’ve thought it’s impossible to write a good Christmas song today that doesn’t feel cheesy. But I think I’ve changed my mind now! Next year, I actually think it’s time!
What kind of significance do these two songs you're interpreting hold for you?
They’re two classics that have been played at home every Christmas for as long as I can remember, they’ve both been done in so many different versions and interpretations, so there really is something for everyone.
Who did you work with to bring it all together in the way you wanted?
My interpretation of 'Have Yourself a Merry Little Christmas' I did together with the producer that calls himself Family_Time, Karl Erkenborn, the idea was to create a version of this classic that could appeal to people who usually don’t like Christmas music, while still having the characteristics that I personally feel a Christmas song needs. I wanted to make something you want to listen to over and over again. 'I’ll Be Home for Christmas' I did together with HYENA, Andreas Söderlund, who produced it, and not to mention the geniuses Fabian Ballago on keys and Oskar Schönning on double bass, it’s without a doubt one of my favorite Christmas songs. I was very inspired by Whitney Houston’s version and wanted it to feel as intimate as possible, my vocals have no effects on them, it’s just straight up, exactly as it is.
Whether it is bringing coziness, joy, or comfort, one constant is that Christmas-music often feels like a warm blanket. What do you hope people feel listening to your Christmas releases?
Exactly that. I want people to feel filled with warmth but also light and hope. I hope my voice can bring comfort.
Do you have any “unexpected” Christmas song-guilty pleasures?
'Kiss Me at Midnight' by NSYNC and 'Mistletoe' by Justin Bieber and I’m not even ashamed!
Christmas music draws a lot from soul, gospel, and RnB, making it a natural home for you, who would you say your influences are and how do they show up in your own music?
They have definitely changed quite a bit over the years. I’ve changed a lot myself, and I always want to evolve and find new paths and influences. But there are some I always come back to. ’90s and early 2000s RnB and soul have always been with me in some way. I love being inspired by that more stripped-back sound, but finding a modern twist, on it. An artist I’ve been obsessed with this year is Sinéad Harnett, an incredible singer and songwriter from England. NAO, Kwabs, and Banks have also been major influences, both sonically and expression-wise, ever since I started writing my own music. Whitney has had and will always have a huge place in my heart. Her singing has shaped my own voice immensely.
When was it you joined the Tensta Gospel Choir?
Fall of 2010, almost ten years ago now. Completely crazy!
Tensta Gospel Choir has shaped many incredible singers such as Sabina Ddumba and Zhala. Choirs so often are where great voices begin. What did that environment mean to you and your path forward?
The choir has meant so much to me and my musical expression. It was actually after a Christmas concert, in 2013, that I understood I was going to sing, and nothing else. For me, I think the choir was about finding a context where I could slowly but surely bloom, at my own pace. When I understood that gospel is partly about conveying a message, about hope and light, it felt like all the constraints I had around singing fell away. And I was given space to just sing and feel. I truly do believe love and community are huge driving forces.
Last year was an incredible year for you, how has this year been like?
This year has been an amazing but also very overwhelming year. I have processed a lot of emotions and trauma, and talked a lot about issues that I find important but heavy. I became an ambassador for Suicide Zero and a traveling reporter for Sweden's annual charity music broadcast Musikhjälpen. Two roles I’m incredibly proud of, but which have also taken a lot out of me, even though they have been deeply rewarding. It still hasn’t really landed with me, yet.
What's it like hearing things like you being Sweden’s next rising star?
I find it hard to take in, what does that even mean?! It feels like record-labels and media constantly want to define you, while at the same time trying to predict things. That said, the love and appreciation mean so much and are a huge driving force. It becomes a kind of confirmation that you should keep doing what you’re doing. But I struggle a lot with performance anxiety, I can feel like my worth lies in my performance, even though I keep telling myself that isn’t true. Damn, there’s basically no balance in this life (laughs).
Where do you begin next year?
Diving straight into the studio for a while!
Newly written music?
Yessssss please! I would’ve loved to release more music next year, but I also want to take my time and experiment across all of my projects. It feels like it’s time for a new album. There, I said it! It'll be a whole new chapter basically.
When it comes to giving and receiving, are there any particular issues you want to highlight at a time like this?
I think it’s always important to talk about mental health, and during Christmas and other holidays I believe it’s especially important. You can become so wrapped up in your own bubble that you forget to see and hear the people around you. For me, Christmas is about love, togetherness, music, and food. But for many others it’s the complete opposite. It can be loneliness, vulnerability, eating disorders, and trauma. That’s why it’s important to me to spread as much light as I possibly can.
Would you like to share a Christmas and New Year’s greeting with everyone listening to 'I'll Be Home for Christmas'?
I want to wish you all a truly Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year! I hope that everyone gets time to reflect on this year, maybe even this entire decade?! And gets ready for the new year with lots of new energy. Take care of each other, see and hear one another! Love, Janice.
