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An Interview With The Rising Swedish Artist, ORKID, On Her Latest Music, Favorite Artists and More!
Posted On 20 Jun 2019
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ORKID, aka Matilda Melin from Sweden’s far North, continues to soar and amaze with a series of singles that have been released so far – from her breathtaking “Wasted” to her latest “Lay Low.” Her singles have been featured on Spotify’s “New Music Friday” in 20+ countries including the USA, UK, Sweden + more, while earning praise and support from the likes of CloudKid, Beats 1, The Line of Best Fit, Complex, Oblivious Pop, Going Solo, Variance, Clash and many more.
On May 24th, ORKID released her highly-anticipated debut album I don’t give a damn via ART:ERY Music Group. The album features popular singles we’ve heard from ORKID so far, as well as a handful of new tracks showcasing the unique skills that make her an artist to watch.
The 22-year-old now lives in the modern pop hub of Stockholm, Sweden, but recalls classic legendary singer-songwriters like Nat King Cole and Sam Cooke as her early influences. This can clearly be heard in her rare quality to possess both on trend and a maturity beyond her years artistry. Personifying quintessential Swedish indie-electro-pop, it’s hard not to fall for her brand of velvet, soulful, fragile yet commanding vocals, alongside her captivating and piercing beautify inside and out.
Follow ORKID Here:
Spotify
Soundcloud
YouTube
Learn more about ORKID in the following All Access interview:
Now that we are well into the 6th month of the new year, how has 2019 been treating you so far? What are some goals that you have for yourself this year?
It’s been a great start of this year wrapping up my album. Put out more music and create, I’m already thinking of the next album, the goal is to put out another album this year, and tons of other stuff, just making my project grow even more, becoming bigger!
How close are you to reaching them?
Well me five years ago would pee myself for all I’ve achieved so far. I don’t know but I feel like I’m getting there, I have to, getting bigger to me means more opportunities to make even better music, creating cool visuals, music videos, go on tour, we’ll the list goes on. There’s SO MUCH I want to do.
Growing up, how important was music in your life? Can you recall the moment when you decided that you wanted to be a musician? Was it an easy or difficult choice to make?
Music has been an obsession to me ever since I can remember, it’s just a part of me, that’s just who I am. My whole world revolves around it and always have so growing up it naturally meant everything. I never really started singing, I have always sung all my life or been making noise, always listening to music. I’ve always known I wanted to be an artist.
Was there ever a time when you thought about doing something else? If you weren’t a musician today, what else could you see yourself doing? Would you be as fulfilled in life?
Nope never, there’s nothing else I wanna do.
What has been the biggest surprise so far about making music your career? What has been an unexpected or welcome challenge to it all?
Music has always been my career, it’s what I’ve been doing all my life leading up to this, but getting to live off music that’s always kind of been my job is really cool. This Industry is kind of unexpected all the time, you never know what’s going to happen next, it’s like getting tasks in a video game, you’re like ”what ok, let’s do this”
Why did you decide to go by something other then your own real name? How did you come up with your artist name?
It was just something that happened, I was sitting in the studio with a friends of mine who’s an producer/writer and we just kind of played around with different names and meanings, ORKID was the only name I didn’t hate. It stands for my hometown’s flower which originates from an Orchid.
Let’s talk about your debut album, “I Don’t Give A Damn.” What was it like putting this collection together? Did anything surprise you about the overall process?
It’s really a love-hate process, or a ;loved to hate it and loved to love it kind of thing. Anxiety drives me very much in the creative process, so you’re on the verge of losing your mind sometimes but at the same time it’s so satisfying, creating the visuals and the world of each song is my favourite part. I don’t know if anything surprised me, when you’re in it you kind of just go with everything.
How would you say that your already released songs “Wasted” and “Lay Low” prepare listeners for more music from you? What was the inspiration for these two tracks?
I think the worlds in those two are kind of similar but still far apart, I don’t want the sound I put out to be to similar so I hope people aren’t prepared haha, I want to keep evolving and putting out crazier stuff. In “Wasted” it’s the feeling of meeting someone but the high of it is better than reality. “Lay Low” not giving a damn haha.
I know it’s hard to pick favorites, but I would love to hear how a few of your songs were created and got to be on your album? How do your songs go from being ideas in your head to full-fledged recorded songs?
I feel like most of the songs I’ve put out are the ones that happens naturally, the track builds the world, you pick up the emotion, and when you have that the song kind of makes itself, if that makes sense? You get a somewhat clear picture in your head how the melodies should sound. In “Melodrama” for example (one of my favorites) you have this crazy-weird bass sound, so the feeling of it is instantly; madness. In this case being madly in love with a darker humor to it. Another favorite is “Glass”, where you have this beautiful track that I connected with right away and knew exactly what I wanted it to be about, the story cuts so deep for me, it’s about hurtful words from a 
loved one.
Where can people see you perform live next? What has been an ideal show of yours in the past?
I’m performing at a festival in Åland the 21th of July, but right now I’m mainly focusing on the next single and album. The shows in London and Berlin has been crazy, the crowds there are so different. I remember in one show there was a boy who knew every word in all the songs i played, that blew my mind
How do you think you have grown as a musician since you first started singing and writing songs?
In every way possible. My way of writing songs is different now, before I remember I was thinking wayyy to much. Now I don’t anymore, it’s more translating the emotions into melodies. And I have started to play around with my voice more twisting it to match the vibe of the track.
What has it been like keeping up with your social media accounts and all of the different platforms? Is it hard to stay up to date on it all? What would you say is your favorite way to connect with your fans now?
I feel like I’m so bad at it haha, my team helps a lot and reminds me though. My favourite part about it is actually writing in dm’s with them, I love reading their stories and thoughts, what the music means to them and getting new views on my songs in ways I never thought about them, that’s really cool. I feel like a fan back, they inspire me.
Who are some of your favorite artists or rather, what musicians have continued to inspire you and your music? Who would you absolutely love to work with in the future?
My dad used to make me mix-tapes and take me out on rides in the car playing music for me, he showed me soul-jazz in music with Nat King Cole, Sam Cook, Billie Holiday etc. That mixed with Frank Ocean, the way he paints pictures in his songs and mind will never stop to amaze me so he inspires me a lot. The movement of Off The Meds tracks are insane. Magnusthemagnus, also crazy good. Azealia Banks, attitude. All of the above. (If I also could bring back some of them ofc)
If you had an unlimited budget and your schedule was free, what would your dream music video look like?
It’s never really about the budget, I would focus on a great idea and concept, maybe pull a drake and give the rest of the budget to people who actually are in need.
Where would you absolutely love to hear one of your songs? On a TV show, in a movie or elsewhere?
A movie for sure.
At the end of the day, what do you hope people take away from your music?
I have always loved finding songs that’s like they jumped into my head describing exactly how I feel. I just want people to feel what they feel, make each song theirs.
Would you like to share anything else with our readers about your music?
Ssss’bout it. I just hope you guys enjoy the product of my creativity. That’s one of the reasons I do it. Bye <3
