[ad_1]
Laufey’s music seems like somebody creating their very own distinctive universe: dazzlingly melodic but in addition lo-fi, whereas referencing legendary jazz musicians (Chet Baker) in addition to trendy pop greats (Taylor Swift, Norah Jones). The 25-year-old artist – a prodigiously gifted multi-instrumentalist born Laufey Jónsdóttir in Reykjavík, Iceland – has loved a 12 months of huge worldwide success, most not too long ago scooping Greatest Conventional Pop Vocal Album on the Grammys for her second LP, ‘Bewitched’, launched final September.
Characterised by clean strings and a deep, elegant vocal, you possibly can describe parts of Laufey’s crossover sound as a revival of trad jazz – however her two albums so far have sounded too contemporary and quietly experimental to suit a ‘retro’ tag. A younger, extraordinarily on-line viewers is resonating deeply along with her prolific output, as evidenced not simply by her sizeable social following – led by 4.2 million TikTok followers – however a present sold-out run of reveals throughout the globe, together with an evening at London’s Royal Albert Corridor in Could.
Hours after NME meets Laufey at east London’s Earth Theatre in late February, her entrance to the stage is greeted with one thing near rapture: followers don hair ribbons and billowing white attire, similar to their favorite artist, and weep alongside to the set’s acoustic moments. “The power that I used to really feel whereas taking part in in 100-capacity rooms additionally exists within the 2000-capacity rooms that I’m now taking part in, which I really feel is testomony to the group,” she tells us. “It’s the largest blessing.”
For the most recent instalment of NME’s In Dialog sequence, Laufey discusses every part from her “loopy” Grammys night time and the feast that adopted, to her bold imaginative and prescient for the long run.
How did you put together for a second as massive as your first-ever Grammys?
“Oh my God, simply attempt to not panic I assume! There isn’t any method to put together. It was simply actually superb. I obtained to carry out each on the pre-ceremony and on the ceremony itself, the place I performed cello with Billy Joel. I believe having that [experience] to tether me down as a musician was actually good as a result of it simply jogged my memory why I do what I do.
“It was so particular. Assembly different artists was probably the most surprising a part of the Grammy week for me. It was loopy to see artists that I take heed to, and to get to speak to them and see that they knew who I used to be as properly, one way or the other… that felt past me! It was actually cool and I felt like I used to be a part of a group.”
Afterwards, you celebrated with a meal at an old-school American diner. What was on the menu?
“Ha! It was so random. We pulled out the menu and it was tremendous lengthy and had every part on it, and I used to be like, ‘Order something.’ So, we had mac and cheese, pancakes and waffles in addition to an ice cream sundae. It was actually wholesome.”
Prior to now 12 months, you may have gone from having a cult following to being celebrated on a mainstream degree. What challenges have include that transition?
“I attempt simply to remain extraordinarily true to who I’m, which is among the greater struggles that may include evolving as an artist – you need to learn to develop whereas staying the identical particular person. I’ve made positive to spend extra time with my household and my twin sister [Junia], which has been an actual reward.
“I positively really feel a higher degree of duty now that there are extra eyes on me; there are a whole lot of younger girls that look as much as me. As somebody who did the identical in the direction of feminine artists once I was youthful, I see my place as a job mannequin and I don’t take that evenly.”
How have you ever discovered the expertise of attending to know your followers higher?
“Because the challenge has grown, I’ve discovered that the reference to the followers hasn’t modified an excessive amount of. The power that I used to really feel whereas taking part in in 100-capacity rooms additionally exists within the 2000-capacity rooms that I’m now taking part in, which I really feel is testomony to the group of followers, who’re so pretty and supportive. It’s the largest blessing. It has additionally been vital to learn to get used to taking part in greater rooms whereas additionally protecting the intimacy of reveals [intact]. I imply, no one is coming to a Laufey present to mosh!”
As you’ve grown as an artist, has it ever felt troublesome to carry out your older songs reside?
“Yeah, it’s enjoyable as a result of the followers love them nevertheless it’s additionally odd; I’ll sing these songs which can remind me of a youthful model of myself the place I used to be a bit extra naive, or desirous about one thing that I’ve since outgrown. I now sing the lyrics with a unique degree of information. It’s a particular means of reflecting in your previous.
“Touring is a lot enjoyable, it’s my favorite a part of the job. You’re in a brand new metropolis each single day whereas studying to steadiness the highs of being on stage, and getting off stage to a extremely quiet area. Having my sister, a way of dwelling, with me all over the place I am going is so particular – she is all the time going to be very sincere with me. As you develop as an artist, it will get tougher and tougher to search out individuals who will probably be sincere with you. I actually worth that.”
When you’ve been touring, have there been any cities which have taken you abruptly?
“I performed in Jakarta final summer season as a part of a Southeast Asia tour, alongside Manila and Singapore. I grew up going to China each summer season however I had by no means been elsewhere in Asia. Final 12 months, I used to be taking part in these massive reveals and the audiences had been so good, they knew each single lyric. I regarded out into the group and so they didn’t look too totally different from audiences I’ve in different continents. I assumed that was stunning. It sounds actually tacky, however there actually is that this common language amongst the group we’ve constructed.”
Why do you suppose this technology is embracing the fashionable jazz-pop sound and the artists behind it?
“I believe it could be as a result of folks haven’t heard [this sound] for some time. It’s borrowed from music that everyone is aware of however on the finish of the day, I’m telling a narrative that’s extra trendy. Listeners right this moment are so versatile and so they’ll take heed to something. Again within the day, you needed to take heed to no matter was on the radio or the music that you just had been studying. Whereas now, we’ve an abundance of choices and playlists, and there are songs from the ‘70s and ‘80s which can be topping the charts once more. It’s actually cool.”
What would you like the Laufey legacy to be?
“I hope it’s music that gives folks with an escape or some form of feeling: whether or not that be consolation or happiness. That’s what actually issues.”
Laufey’s new single ‘Goddess’ is out now by way of AWAL
[ad_2]
