Many creatives will agree with CEDER when she says emotions lead the way when it comes to creativity. Whether it’s when one is upset at the world, happy with themselves, or sad over another – it drives the mind to make art. Something that CEDER has always been keen on. A recent matter of the heart led to her latest single, “Closer,” which we talked about – as well as Swedish dishes, new projects, and more.
Kendra: There are so many ways in which musicians find their way towards this creative endeavor, what was yours?
CEDER: My creative endeavor is emotions. What I feel in general, what I feel when I’m listening to music when I’m happy and especially when I’m sad. Writing music has been like therapy for me many times. I love to listen to music that makes me feel something. Also, live music and other people’s emotions. And sounds that make me feel something.
Kendra: Looking back, which emotion was in the driver’s seat when you wrote “Closer” and do you feel you write best when in that emotive state?
CEDER: “Closer” kind of just came to me. I played some chords on my guitar and sang the words, and didn’t even put it on paper, it was all in my head. I was seeing someone, but the timing was off. I just wanted him closer, but then I probably would have fallen for him, which I knew wasn’t going to work out. I’ve written my favorite songs when I’m emotional or writing about things that make me feel something.
Kendra: You dropped ‘Lights’ this year and then “Closer,” is there more to come from you as far as new music’s concerned?
CEDER: Yes, I’m working on new music and hopefully I’ll release my next single later this year.
Kendra: If you had to compare your overall sound to a traditional Swedish dish, which would it be and why?
CEDER: Hmm, that’s a hard one. As a kid, I used to eat Swedish strawberries with cream and sugar in the summer. For me, that’s a dreamy dessert. It’s sweet and soft. So strawberries on a summer day when the rain just started pouring down.
Kendra: With everything that is going on, how do you feel 2020 has shaped your creativity and drive moving forward?
CEDER: It’s been a tough year for most of us. At the beginning of 2020, I felt very inspired and wrote, performed, and produced a lot of music. But lately, I have had a hard time finding inspiration.
Kendra: Usually, this is where I ask people what they have planned in the coming months but with the world in a strange place right now, plans aren’t as concrete as they typically are. You can go ahead and let us know what you have tentatively planned but can you also share a song that never fails to get you through when the world around you feels like a mess?
CEDER: Right before Corona, me and my friend started an acoustic project, CEDER & Dorotea. We’re playing my songs with the cello, guitar, and harmonies. So hopefully we can come out and play pretty soon or find other ways to play together. But since the world’s all strange now, I’m planning on working more in the studio and writing more music.
And one of my favorite songs ever is “Brother” by Matt Corby. Not the studio version, the acoustic one. It’s so emotional and good. It always makes me feel something.
