Photo Credit Julie Montauk
Ten years ago, Siri Neel suffered a nerve damage that paralyzed both her voice and her promising career. The road to recovery has been long, but on November 1st she releases her debut album, ‘Drawn Like A Magnet’, a powerful testament that something beautiful and meaningful can emerge, even after hitting rock bottom. It demonstrates that when you have the courage to face challenges, a new beginning can emerge – a journey towards freedom and authenticity.
“I had two choices,” says singer & songwriter Siri Neel following the severe nerve damage to her vocal cords which took six years to recover from. “Either I stayed stuck in my dreams, or I could take a chance and follow an uncertain but more authentic path for me as an artist. I have chosen to set myself free and pursue my dream.”
A year ago, she made the bold decision to quit her full-time job and devote herself entirely to music – a choice that set her on a new path in life.
What’s the story behind this album?
This album is deeply personal, inspired by my own life and the struggles I’ve endured. Each track reflects moments of challenge and growth, capturing both vulnerability and strength. I wanted to share my journey honestly and authentically, hoping that others might connect with it and feel empowered to embrace all parts of themselves, too.
What inspired you to write it?
Writing has always been my emotional release—a way to balance the chaos and find peace. I’m an emotional person, and putting my experiences into music helps me process them and make sense of what I’ve been through. I also call my album a liberation album because ten years ago, I suffered a nerve damage that paralyzed both my voice and my promising career. The road to recovery has been long, but I feel my debut album, ‘Drawn Like A Magnet’, is a powerful testament that something beautiful and meaningful can emerge, even after hitting rock bottom. It demonstrates that when you have the courage to face challenges, a new beginning can emerge – a journey towards freedom and authenticity.
What’s the main message behind it?
It’s hard to sum it up with one message because the album spans a range of experiences and emotions. But at its core, the message is about embracing vulnerability and strength as two sides of the same coin. Growing up, I often felt that showing my emotional side made me weak, and that made it difficult to fully express myself. It´s a feeling that has been difficult for me to let go of. Through music, I’ve found a way to reclaim my vulnerability and see it as a powerful, freeing part of who I am.
You went through some very difficult times with your vocal paralysis. How did you cope and come back from it?
The experience was incredibly challenging, both physically and emotionally. Losing my voice felt like losing a part of myself, and it forced me to confront a lot of fears. I leaned on my support system and worked to rebuild my confidence and resilience. It taught me to slow down, listen to my body, and be grateful for the gift of self-expression.
Who are your favorite artists of all time, and why?
I mainly draw inspiration from female artists who are unafraid to be themselves and push creative boundaries. Some of my favorites have this raw honesty and depth that I strive for in my own work. Some worth mentioning are of course Adele, Kate Bush and Regina Spektor who all feel so true to themselves.
What inspires your sound and musical persona?
I feel the core of my sound is my vocal which often other people find distinctive. I love when people now say: This is a Siri Neel song. This means that I have managed to find my own expression. My omnichord is also a key element to my sound – and I love to add retro instruments to my music giving my music a more dusty sound. I guess I am inspired by the 80´s, but with a modern touch.
What was the record or song that made you realize you wanted to be an artist in the first place?
It’s hard to pick just one song, but there was a moment when I heard ´How´ by Regina Spektor. Her arty way of singing and melodic melodies inspired my songwriting and she also felt so approachable. I guess she kind of inspired me to think that I may wanted to let the artist out in me. However, when my mentor Mark Flannery presented the song woman’s Work by kate Bush, it gave me a whole new dimension to music and what music was capable of. I´m hugely inspired by both artists in wto different ways.
What’s the best part of being a Nordic artist? What kind of influence do you draw from your origins?
There’s a certain moodiness in Nordic music that I love—an honesty and rawness that may come from our dark seasons – especially winter seasons. I guess my melancholic side may transfer into my singing style. It’s very hard for me to sing a song in major, as it always turns melancholic. I just can’t help it. A fun fact is, that I only write melancholic songs when I feel profoundly happy inside.
What are the main themes of your storytelling, and what other topics would you like to explore?
The main themes I focus on are vulnerability, resilience, and self-discovery. I always write songs with a sense of hope. A topic I haven’t written much about is anxiety. It´s a topic I like to delve more into as it something I have struggled with my whole life. Writing songs can be so therapeutic and helpful in life, and the best is that it can create meaning and value to someone else listening. It´s a beautiful thing.
What are your plans for 2025?
I’m planning to release more music and hopefully perform more live to connect with fans directly. I’d also like to explore collaborations with other artists to bring fresh perspectives and sounds into my work. My goal is to continue evolving as an artist and create music that hopefully connects, inspires and is meaningful to the world.
