Sofia Talvik, a singer and songwriter from Göteborg, Sweden is coming to the Nordic Heritage Museum for a concert this weekend.
Not knowing much about the musician, we wanted to ask her a few questions:
MyBallard: Tell me a little bit about your music.
Talvik: I think my music is very personal. I try to put the lyrics in focus which often results in a bit of a minimalisttic production. I guess I’d be tagged as a singer/songwriter but leaning towards a folk pop expression. I have a new album out in May and it’s got a bigger sound than my previous work, I’ve worked a lot on giving the songs a depth, and it’s almost like my vocals are resting on top of the instruments. What’s similar in all my albums though is that my voice and acoustic guitar is the core of everything.
MyBallard: Where do you get your inspiration? Who are your musical influences?
Talvik:I get my inspiration from everyday life. I love movies and often find the score interesting, I also pick up phrases I like from the movies or TV and incorporate them in my lyrics. Musically I have a very diverse taste. Like for this album I was inspired by Kings of Leon, something you probably wouldn’t think of when you listen to it. But I also love great songwriters like Neko Case, Aimee Mann and Nick Drake.
MyBallard: If you could play with any musician, who would it be?
Talvik: I’d love to work with Suzanne Vega somehow. We’re actually playing at the same day and the same venue at South by Southwest this year. I think she’s unique in her expression and songwriting.
MyBallard: Of the songs I listened to, you sing them in English. Do you also perform in Swedish?
Talvik: I only have one song in Swedish. I think I mainly write in English because it’s always felt easier in a way, not as exposed. And Sweden’s such a small country that you can’t really find a sufficient audience. Singing in English is making me be able to have listeners all over the world.
MyBallard: Have you been to Seattle before?
Talvik: I’ve never been to Seattle so I’m really looking forward to it. I don’t really know that much about Seattle so I’ll have to check it out on the internet before I get there. I was talking to my guitarist about just that the other day, and he said grunge, and the Space Needle was what he knew. Me, I just remembered that’s where “Fraiser” is set. :-)
Sofia Talvik will be performing on Saturday, March 6th at 8:30 p.m. at the Nordic Heritage Museum (3014 NW 67th St). Tickets may be purchased online here or by calling (206) 244-5355. Ticket prices are $22.50 for Museum members, seniors, students and military and $25 for non-members.