Swedish indie pop singer, songwriter and producer LonelyTwin (Madelene Eliasson) shared a nostalgic new single “Hurts Like It Hit Me” via Ultra Music (Calvin Harris, Steve Aoki, Deadmau5, Kaskade, Kygo, Sofi Tukker). Over a rich soundscape of guitar, programmed drums, and intuitively arranged odds and ends it acts as a sequel of sorts to previous single “If I Know Myself” — about a relationship with another girl forever stuck at ‘what if’.
Before LonelyTwin, Madelene has worked with others like LÉON, Anna Of The North, and Jasmine Thompson, covered Drake’s “Too Good” w/ Jonathan Olofsson as Jo&Me, and remixed MGMT’s “Electric Feel” (1.6M+ Spotify streams). Eliasson’s songs are spectral yet heavy with emotion, aiming for an honesty that’s elusive in real life — like confessions whispered in the dark to the twin sister you never had. Her debut album is expected later this year…
Tell us about the genesis of your project. How did you get to where you are now?
I think it started with me falling in love with guitar when I was a kid. And then that led to me listening to a ton of Joni Mitchell, Jose Gonzales, tallest man on earth and then I got really into writing songs. I was pretty nervous about collaborating and reaching out to people in music when I started out so I practiced and learn a lot on my own in my room. But then I started music schools and grew so much from writing and producing with others and I incorporated that into my own music. I’ve always had a big need to express myself in music so the project has always been a natural part of that.
What does music and being an artist mean to you?
For me It’s all about being able to express myself and write about stuff I’m going through. The music becomes like a journal of my life and I love that. It’s also about pushing myself to evolve and become better at what I’m doing. It’s just a big long process and I love that!
What are some sources of inspiration for your lyrics and storytelling?
My relationships are totally my biggest inspiration, friends, family and mainly love. I wouldn’t say I’m a big storyteller cause I just write about what’s going on in my head haha! But that’s the beauty in lyrics- if you’re just honest and telling the truth other people will relate. So I just try to be as honest as I can about what I’m feeling in my songs cause people are masters of self-deception (me included)
Who is an artist that you look up to more than others today?
I’m just now getting into Isaia Huron and I love his music!! It feels so honest and I love the soundscape. Cy is another one and she’s also one of my closest friends. Her music is incredible.
All time favorite record?
”I Forget Where We Were By Ben Howard!” I always go back to that album and it’s just amazing. I need to sneak in another one though and that’s ”Everybody’s Heart Is Broken Now” by Niki And The Dove- a little Swedish pot of gold that never goes wrong
Tell us about your latest release and how it came about.
I wrote it with a close friend of mine Peter Lundgren. We were in his studio and I was feeling pretty heartbroken. A girl I had been seeing was being so back and forth with me so I knew when I was thinking clearly that it was a good thing that we weren’t gonna see each other anymore. But love is never rational so I was still feeling really hurt. So we wrote the song about that.
You seem to be fusing several musical genres. What inspires your sound?
I think it’s just everything I’ve listened to growing up and that was always a lot of different music and genres. I’ve never really been able to settle for one so my project is just me trying to morph what I love the most of different styles into one sound.
What are some things you do to deal with anxiety and creative blocks?
I’m a big believer in taking breaks! It makes everything better when you get back to work and I try not to push myself too much if I’m really not feeling the vibe. Other then that I think you just need to find ways to move around what’s blocking you. For example if I’m not really in a flow of writing than I can just sit and mess around with sounds, and if that doesn’t work then I look for new inspiring music for a day or two. Or my favorite thing to do when I’m tired of my own creativity is just to collaborate with someone else for a bit. To get some new energy! But If I’m really not feeling it then I just go home and get back to it the next day.
Where do you see yourself in 5 years?
I wanna be out playing shows- mostly festivals! I love festivals. And when I’m not doing that I just wanna chill at home with my dog disco and write music. Just have a nice life. Your style is very original and elaborate.
How do you take care of your aesthetics?
Thank you! I actually try not to overthink it too much cause I go crazy when I let myself do that. I just try to really connect with if the aesthetics feel like me. And I also try to be really honest and not be too afraid to tell the people I’m working if it doesn’t feel right. But I think that’s very preventable if you can explain your vision before as well.
What was the most daunting moment in your career so far?
I think seeing myself as an artist in all the aspects has been the most scary and difficult. I’ve been writing music for others and myself for so long so I feel super comfortable in that. But actually putting together a world for my music with visuals and videos and feeling sure and confident in that has been a practice. I feel way more comfortable with that now though. I think it’s the classic thing of exploring a new part of you that makes you nervous.
What is the best advice you’ve ever gotten?
I think that would be if you’re too focused on what other people are doing then you loose track of what you want. And when it comes to writing music it’s all about what you wanna express. And if you’re honest and true to the music then it needs to come from you and not from what’s ”trendy” at the time.
Where do you think the next game changer will be in the music industry and entertainment scene?
I think it has already started with all the virtual concerts and stuff. I think that’s gonna get way more advanced and people will do way more shows like that. It’s more profitable for the live industry and nice for the artists to not tour as much. I think live shows will always be the real deal though but I just think it makes sense with climate change and everything as well.
