Following on from a run of impressive releases these last few years, including her highly-praised sophomore LP 'Skies To My Name' in 2019, Swedish artist and producer Raindear returns once again with her third studio album 'Majestically Mad'.
Channelling more of that broad and inventive electro-pop aesthetic she has built for herself, 'Majestically Mad' makes for a riveting listen throughout. With her bold and atmospheric voice layered across progressive production from start to finish, she is continuing to cement herself as one of the more captivating names doing the rounds right now.
So with the new record available now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has inspired her most lately.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
I think it must have been the piano. At a very young age I would always sit and play the black keys only. It just sounded pretty whatever you did and I was fascinated by that. Later I learned this is because it’s the pentatonic scale you play on the black keys and it always works and it always sounds beautiful.
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
I loved mainstream Max Martin pop and Spice Girls and stuff like that. I was a typical 90’s kid with posters of my idols on my wall, wearing buffaloes and dressing up like my favourite Spice Girl (ginger spice ofc).
What was the first album you remember owning?
’Robyn is here’ by Robyn. I copied her look as well, short blonde bob haircut, silver bomber jacket and so on.
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
That’s a hard question. I guess any Beatles song would be great to have written lol, that would have both made me very rich and also it’s just incredible songs. Maybe ’The Long And Winding Road’ or ’She’s Leaving Home’. But I’m also happy to just get to be a listener of this amazing music.
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
I’m pretty unorganised as a person but I need to live a little to be able to write about something. Sometimes when I lack inspiration I know I need a new adventure. An adventure could involve raving in a desert or similar.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
At the moment I listen a lot to Dina Ögon. Other than that just the usual mix of anything between techno to orchestral pieces. I recently listened to Peacock Variations by Zoltán Kodály - brilliant music.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
I think Odesza would be great to open for.
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
Those moments when you create an idea and you think it’s the most epic idea in the world, you’re in your own little bubble and things that worry you normally don’t matter anymore when you’re in this state. Same goes for playing live in front of an engaged audience.
And what is the most frustrating part?
That you don’t earn any money. The system is broken and it makes you burnt out and heart broken 80% of the time. I probably wouldn’t recommend this path to anyone. You need to be extremely strong in order to keep going.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
Always try to focus on the ones that care instead of the ones that don't. My close friend that passed away a few months ago used to say this to me and I keep hearing her voice inside my head whenever I get stuck in negative thoughts. I’m really trying my best to live by her philosophy now that she’s not around to do it anymore.
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Raindear's new album 'Majestically Mad' is available to stream now. Check it out in the player below.