ILY
Photo Credit: Sony Music
ILY has become an iconic voice in the world of EDM. Since her project’s debut over six years ago, the artist has garnered over 65 million Spotify streams and worldwide recognition. This has been catalyzed by collaborations with figureheads like Jack Wins and Mike Mago, which she credits as being fantastic experiences. But as her music continues to evolve, ILY is ready to pursue the next step in her career. After taking a hiatus at the end of 2020 to focus on music-making, she returns with her cover of “What’s Love Got To Do With It,” putting a fresh spin on the Tina Turner classic. It was a natural fit for her as an artist, too; ILY credits the singer/songwriters of the ‘80s in contributing to her musical taste and style. We recently spoke to her about this influence, her songwriting process, and more!
Hey ILY! Thank you so much again for speaking with us. Let’s start with an introduction. How did you get started making music?
Hi! So nice to talk to you! I started in my room as a child writing music together with my cousin in our band called The O Files (Inspired by TV-show The X Files). I always had a desire to make music and become an artist, I went to music school and then started a Swedish music project, writing Swedish pop. That developed into writing in English and the project ILY was born. So it’s been a journey of just following my creative dreams and having as much fun as possible along the way.
You did take a break from releasing songs over the past year. What have you been up to during this time?
I’ve been finishing up and collecting a bunch of songs into an album. I’ve been releasing a lot of dance collabs the last couple of years but always been making my own songs on the side as well, waiting for an opportunity to release them. And I’m so proud to finally be doing that this year!
We’re so glad you’re back! Your take on “What’s Love Got To Do With It” is fantastic! What led you to make the cover?
Thank you so much! I always loved that song, it has that magical timeless melody to it and as a child, I always found it so mysterious in some way. I also like to cover someone who is so far from my own way of singing and voice range, you can never try to be Tina Turner, but you can do another take on it.
Tina Turner is clearly one of your musical inspirations. Who are some other artists that have helped shape your musical taste?
As a child, I loved Mariah Carey and Whitney Houston. I always had a soft spot for the sound of the ’80s even though I was a baby back then. Prince and Madonna for example. More modern inspirations are my fellow Swede Robyn, Haim & Chromeo to name a few.
If you could work with any artist on a project, who would they be and why? What inspires you to make music?
Oh, that is a hard one, I would love to work with for example Robyn, Tove Lo, Icona Pop, Calvin Harris, Chromeo, Pharell, or Max Martin to name some dream collabs. All of these are inspiring artists and have been breaking some new grounds in the pop/dance scene. I get inspired to make music by everything around me, nature, people, traveling, art in any form. I often listen to everyone around me, picking up experiences and writing about imaginary situations or things I see.
Every artist has a different songwriting process. Can you walk us through yours?
Before the pandemic I would be in the studio as a regular workday, writing and creating with my producer. We often start to talk about what kind of song to make, maybe think of a strong word or a feeling, a vibe we want to create. We start off by playing with some sounds, then creating melody and lyrics as it goes. Record some parts, then often leave it to listen to at home and then get back to finish it up. Otherwise, If I’m working on a topline or just want to come up with new ideas, I could be sitting anywhere by the computer or with my phone, listening and then writing. Often like a theme first. Depending on what the music sounds like to me and what vibes does it gives me, I come up with a title/story and start writing. In that case, I write everything first, then record it on my phone and then get into the studio.
Your collaborations with names like Mike Mago and Jack Wins have earned you over 50 million Spotify streams! What was it like working with the artists?
That’s really crazy, I’m really happy that I got to work with both of them. They are super nice and very professional and talented. Both songs are written over distance, but I met Mike Mago when he came to Stockholm, and he’s great!
Over the past five years, you’ve done so well in the Pop/EDM space. Can you share a memory from this time that still seems surreal to you?
I was really happy to be a part of writing and performing a Swedish festival called “Summerburst”’s yearly anthem. I got to perform it on two of Sweden’s biggest venues with thousands of people in the crowd. I’m also very thankful that “Remedy” took off on Spotify, it opened up so many doors to fun collaborations and getting the opportunity to make more music.
Do you feel that your musical style has changed at all during this time?
In some ways maybe, but I will always have that great love for driving basslines, dreamy synths, ‘80s vibes, and quirky melodies.
How have you been doing during the pandemic? Has it affected your songwriting ability at all?
I’m so thankful that I and my family have been healthy and well, and we have really tried to make the best of this time. But I can definitely feel, inspiration-wise, that going to the studio, meeting new people, dancing, going to museums, or traveling, things I took for granted before has made me a little less productive. But I really feel it’s a new energy coming now, spring is coming and that is my favorite time of year, always get crazy inspired when the light starts to come back here in dark Scandinavia.
What is the best piece of advice that you’ve received?
Never stop grinding if this really makes you happy and you feel that is your passion. Most artists have a long road ahead of them before they really make it through, sometimes it just looks like they came out from nowhere.
What advice can you give to an artist about making their first release?
Make sure to pitch it in good time to the Spotify curators, email all the blogs, and save the list for upcoming releases! Look at yourself from the perspective of a small start-up business so you don’t take things too personally, set a long-term goal, and keep it in sight. Rome was not built in one day!
What can we expect from you in 2021?
A lot of new music, I’m so excited to finally be sharing my first album later this year. I’m ready for 2021!
Photo Credit: Sony Music