Born in Iceland, Sunna Margrét took up music at an early age, it was the discovery of jazz music that opened up a new field of expression for her.
On leaving her teens, she suddenly found herself traveling the world to play music with an electro-pop outfit. She later moved to Switzerland and began studying art. A change of life and environment, coupled with motherhood, encouraged her to create free-spirited music, bathed in varied aesthetic experiences but always imbued with a science of melody and curiosity. In addition to her musical endeavors she frequently marries her music and art. She sees art as a form of resistance and this motivated her to co-found DIY label No Salad Records.
Sunna Margrét is set to release her debut full-length album, Finger on Tongue, on March 28th.
FACTS
1. Rhythm is not the same as beat
2. If in doubt, you can ask
3. I partly grew up in a cult without my family’s knowledge
1. What is the biggest inspiration for your music?
People. I’m very inspired by strange encounters with people, by human interactions that are a little bizarre. And other peoples music is my biggest encouragement to write and compose. My music taste is also kind of seasonal.
2. How and when did you get into making music?
I’ve been singing since I was able to. I wrote my first song at 6 years old on the piano and my second when I was 20 and fronting an electro pop band in Iceland. I started writing music again, and a lot of it, while studying art in Switzerland. Socially I felt very isolated and frustrated not to speak the language. It forced me to start searching for something and challenge myself.
3. What are 5 of your favourite albums of all time?
Can – Soundtracks
Nina Simone – Forbidden Fruit
The Space Lady – On The Street of Dreams
Eden Ahbez – Eden’s Island
PJ Harvey – Rid Of Me
4. What do you associate with Berlin?
I’ve had so many different trips to Berlin, some great, some desperate, some easy – it’s a city of endless possibilities. Also: Club Mate.
5. What’s your favourite place in your town?
In Reykjavík I like to go to Grótta and observe the arctic stern and listen to and smell the ocean, feel the wind, see the ships come in. In Lausanne, where I live now, I love spending time at home or at the studio. Otherwise I’m best kept at live concerts where ever I’m located.
6. If there was no music in the world, what would you do instead?
Poems and moving images
7. What was the last record/music you bought or listen?
Last record I bought was a 7″ Blondie – Atomic. Last music I listened to was The Dream Syndicate
8. Who would you most like to collaborate with?
Imari Kokubo
9. What was your best gig (as performer or spectator)?
I think my best performance must have been in Dublin at Ireland Music Week and also at last year’s Iceland Airwaves. As spectator I’ve experienced some crazy gigs at LUFF festival in Lausanne. Forever stuck in my memory is also Portishead at Pohoda Festival.
10. How important is technology to your creative process?
Everything is technology, from pen on paper to piano to AI. So I use technology and I need it! My go to tool now is Ableton but I’ve recently started playing the bass and trying out all kinds of pedals for my live set. Slowly that is also finding it’s way to the writing process in the studio.
11. Tell us a bit more about your debut album “Finger on Tongue”?
This is my debut album as a solo artist, so I’m very excited and proud to be releasing it on my own label as well. The album balances moments of tranquillity with bursts of chaos. Some tracks offer softness and peace while others invite you to dance. It was constructed in two phases, like day and night. The first phase evokes a period of renewal and liberated life, while the second tells of a counterpoint, the return of past visions and buried ghosts. Three songs out of nine are co-produced with my friend and musical partner, Maxime Graf, who often plays with me live also.
