Photo Credits: Rebeka Slatter
Following the critical success of previous single Reef, which enjoyed support from Fresh On The Net, Essentially Pop, BBC Scotland, Ulster&Radio X, Scandinavian Singer-songwriter Malin Andersson kicks off 2023 with the release of Avalon – a song about misplaced empathy & a further taste of what’s to come on her upcoming album Space To Feel.
Originally from the Swedish village Tibro, Malin grew up in a multi-generational musical household & at the age of eight she started writing her own songs. Citing musicians Joni Mitchell, Joan Baez & Anna Ternheim plus author Virginia Woolf & Swedish poets Edith Södergran & Karin Boye as inspiration, Malin’s gentle guitar, profound lyrics & evocative melodies soon caught the attention of SKAP (Swedish Society of Songwriters, Composers & Authors), who presented her with a prestigious SKAP Award for Emerging Artists & Songwriters. Later when moving to London, Malin collaborated with various songwriters & producers to develop her sound & since living in the capital, has played over 100 shows at venues like the legendary Union Chapel, The Lexington & Paper Dress Vintage to name a few.
We caught up with the singer/songwriter Malin Andersson, to talk about her new release “Avalon”:
“I feel Avalon is different both in chord structure and sound to what I usually create. Compared to the previous single Reef, which had an atmospheric synth soundscape, Avalon is built from a more traditional band setting. The acoustic drums, bass, guitar, piano and cello evolved into the organic arrangement I was looking for. This is one of the first songs where I’ve fully taken the role as the producer. With help from my very talented musicians, Felix Matthews, Samer Sharawi, Charlie Valencia and Anders Rane along with mix engineer/producer Moritz Hausler, I feel we created a new slightly warmer sound, different to my earlier releases.” explains Malin.
“Avalon is a reminder to myself and a message to other empaths and HSPs - that no matter how strongly you can feel and relate to someone else’s mental struggles and feelings - you don’t have to take it onboard as a problem for yourself to fix. You can only be there to listen and often that is more than enough.”
This natural talent and and future star is optimistic and excited about the future:
“I wrote my first song when I was 8 years old. Have always used songwriting as an output for feelings and reflections. Later on I studied songwriting at university. Now I am looking forward to be releasing my second full album later this year!”
Released on boutique independent label Regent Street Records, who specialise in bringing Nordic artists to the UK market, Avalon was self-produced by Malin & recorded at London’s Colibri Sound Recorders with engineer Mo Hausler (Bat For Lashes, Marina & The Diamonds, HONNE) plus The Vintage Loft Studio in Grästorp, Sweden.
Evolving over time from a page of scattered ideas in a notebook & an unusual abundance of chords compared to how she usually composes, it was during lockdown that Malin found the time to finally pull the song together into its final form. Malin says of the release “having a lot of time for reflection during lockdown, the song took me right back to old memories & how I’d easily misplaced my empathy, Avalon for me is a reminder & message to others that no matter how strongly you can relate to someone else’s mental struggles, you don’t have to take them onboard yourself to try & fix them. Often, being there as a listener is enough”. In terms of the music, in contrast to the synth soundscape of previous single Reef, this track is built on a more traditional band setting & features talented musicians Felix Matthews(drums), Samer Sharawi (bass), Charlie Valancia (piano) & Anders Rane (cello). Taking on the role of producer for the first time herself, Malin along with engineer / mixer Mo Hausler, have created a new warmer sound that’s different to her previous releases.
For the video, director Bruja Estrella blends dreamlike visuals with a gritty reality to reflect on the song’s concept of looking back at difficult memories & moving on. Not all memories are rose-tinted, not all dreams are exuberant & the video reflects Malin’s narrative through her own lens.
Watch and Listen to ‘Avalon’ on YouTube here:
The release of Avalon gives us a taste of what’s to come on the upcoming album Space to Feel, which explores her journey as a “highly sensitive person” (HSP) dealing with the emotions that arise from leaving a place of tranquillity & moving to a city like London. The music is Malin‘s way of dealing with this personality trait, promoting awareness of it & diminishing negativity towards people showing such sensitivity.
With an upcoming showcase at Sweden’s Future Echoes Festival, February 16-17, 2023 & a headline show at London’s St. Pancras Old Churchon 14th April, the future looks bright for Malin as the year unfolds:
“It’s my second year at Future Echos and I’m so pleased to have been invited to play again. This year we’re entering the main stage which is very exciting. It’s also a great place for networking, met so many lovely people last year, can’t wait to be back.”
Be sure to follow her socials for updates on that journey and for more visit: www.malinanderssonmusic.com
