Singer-songwriter Malin Andersson unveils her new single, “Ships In The Night,” a raw piece of songwriting that captures the ebbs and flows of a relationship.
“Ships In The Night” provides listeners with a preview of Andersson’s upcoming album, Space To Feel, an introspective journey, delving into Malin’s personal exploration as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP). It encapsulates the profound experiences of someone who keenly perceives the world around them, allowing emotions and surroundings to shape their creative expression.
Hailing from Sweden, Andersson has carved her artistic niche within London’s thriving music scene. Her music is a unique fusion of her Scandinavian roots and her diverse life experiences, weaving together a tapestry of emotions and stories that resonate deeply with her audience.
Malin’s talent has not gone unnoticed, with consistent support from prestigious radio stations such as BBC Radio London, Scotland, Ulster, and Radio X, along with approval from a variety of elite media outlets.
Guitar Girl Magazine spoke with Malin Andersson to delve into why she makes music, her gear, and her perception of tone.
What three things can’t you live without?
My loved ones; family and friends, guitars (clearly!), and yoga.
Why do you make music?
I’ve always been drawn to expressing my feelings through songwriting. I think it started from me wanting to understand and know myself better, so to write and create music became part of my well-being. I’ve realized that I can also use it to communicate and encourage others to process their own feelings through listening to the music.
What inspired your latest single/music video, “Ships in the Night?”
I often reflect on the interplay between life’s clock and the celestial constellations, and this song grew from those thoughts. I’ve always had a feeling in me of being ‘too late’ or ‘too soon’ with my realizations, constantly wondering if I’m in the right place at the right time. If it is up to me to make the big decisions or rather leave it up to some higher power.
What do you want people to take away from the video?
I hope the expression enhances the feeling and flow of the song. The director Alex Simpson did such an incredible job interpreting the storyline and getting an amazing team together. There are some visually stunning scenes by the ocean and it includes a lot of performance, with and without the guitar this time. It’s possibly the finest-looking music video I’ve had so far.
“Ships in the Night” is from your upcoming album, Space to Feel. What can you share about the album?
Yes, this is my second full-length album. While the first album ‘Follow’ was mostly about heartbreak, ‘Space to Feel’ delves into a more personal journey as a Highly Sensitive Person (HSP), encapsulating the experience of someone who senses things profoundly and is readily influenced by their emotions and environment. I set out to write some songs about how I experience living with this personality trait myself, learning how I can take better care of myself and communicate what it means to others around me. I wanted this album to come with a message, which is to give yourself enough space to feel your feelings. I wish to encourage everyone to show their sensitivity more, it’s a strength and we do not need to ‘toughen up’ to fit in.
Walk us through your mindset as you entered the studio to record the album.
We started recording in the pandemics and as we all know, it was a particularly strange time. I had worked a lot on my own, completely isolated, making all the demos. So it was incredible when we finally could meet up, me and the musicians. I think my mindset simply was to try and enjoy the process and possibly let go of my own set ideas and perfectionism this time. That opened up to every musician to put their own touch to the arrangements and then I was the one producing most of the album.
How did you get started in music?
My first introduction to music was probably as a 4-year-old when hanging around in my dad’s recording studio in the Swedish countryside. My father was a college teacher along with having a passion for music and playing the guitar. We had a few guitars at home and as an 8-year-old I picked up the nylon guitar and started composing songs. Growing up I studied music, having guitar and singing lessons to support my craft. I later went on to university for music production and songwriting and thought I’d be a music producer/songwriter for other artists. But I ended up coming back to my own songs and artistry.
Which singers/musicians influenced your sound?
I was very inspired by the older generation female guitarists such as Joan Baez and Joni Mitchell, but I can’t say my sound is anything like theirs. When growing up I listened a lot to Swedish pop bands and singer-songwriters such as The Cardigans, Kent, Anna Ternheim, and Eva Dahlgren. I think after being in England now for many years, my songwriting and sound has developed its own style that incorporates Scandinavian melodies with a hint of English folk influences.
What kind of guitar, amps, and pedals are you currently using?
For live I mostly use the acoustic guitar, a Martin GPCPA4 with a sparse setup of pedals, an analog delay plus a tremolo. When writing, I love playing an old Levin Parlor guitar that my dad gave me a few years ago.
What is your definition of tone? And is your tone evolving?
For me, the tone is very much connected to how I play. I use a few pedals to enhance the tone but mainly let dynamics and hand positions when I play contribute to the character of the sound. I’m definitely curious to evolve the tone and am currently trying some new combinations of guitars and pedals for upcoming album shows next year.
What inspires your writing? Do you draw inspiration from poems, music, TV, or other media?
Yes, definitely from reading books and poetry. I’m that person that folds corners in a book (sorry not sorry!) when I find a line that could inspire my own writing. I do the same when watching movies and TV series, If there’s a good line that speaks to me, I save it on my notes.
What can you share about your writing process?
I often start from a feeling or a one-line idea. I mostly write with the guitar but occasionally also on the piano. Melodies come easily for me and then I find chords and finger-picking patterns that support the mood of the song. Every process is so different, but you know it’s a good song when it takes no time to write. I have few rules when I write but I try to finish songs within a few weeks when hopefully the initial core feeling of the song is still present.
What can your fans look forward to over the next six months? Music videos? Live gigs? New material?
On September 22nd ‘Ships in the Night’ will be released along with the official music video. Followed by a full band show on the 27th in London at The Camden Club. Next single drops in November along with playing my first-ever show in Berlin. And then the full album lands in February, followed by shows yet to be announced in the UK and Scandinavia.
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