HAGNÄS is an intriguing singer-songwriter, performing amazing folk songs with a real sense of soul. I had the wonderful experience of checking out her EP Music recently and I really loved it, so I decided to find out a little more.
By Jane Howkins
You recently released an EP titled Music, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the EP and where can it be purchased?
Actually it was released in 2017, but I think it aged pretty well and deserves more promotion than what I gave it back then. I sold out on my CDs and I’m now focused on the sales of the physical copies of my new album. Maybe I’ll print it on vinyl one day though.. Meanwhile it’s available on my Bandcamp for download and on all streaming services.
Has the pandemic hindered your work much?
It was a shock when all the hard work I had put into booking was wiped out. I was more in a creative block and it took me a long time to start booking again. Then just like any experience, it gave me material for new songs like Kuutamolla on my new album. There were other opportunities and busking was actually pretty good, I could really see how people needed the music in real life (no more screens) and it actually felt like a public mental health service to go out and busk even when it was cold in winter.
You’re also a busker. How do you find busking? Has it helped much with your music career?
Yes, it’s just one stage and I love to play my music wherever it is well received. You never know what’s going to happen, it’s an adventure and that’s one of the reasons I love it. The best reward is when someone says I saved their day. But although it’s a tough stage, when it’s good, it’s really good. You get the immediate interaction with your audience and that’s really rewarding.
Have you started writing for a future EP/album or is it too soon at the moment?
Yes, I already released some songs from my debut album which will be fully out on 02.12.22. This summer I got the idea for a concept for the third and fourth EP/Album, tying them all together, so I’ve just started!
Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?
My next single Oi Dai off my album is out on 14.10 and I’m so excited about that one because it’s that kind of a song that can quiet down a noisy bar. It’s a traditional song in Finnish about home sickness.
You’re based in Berlin. What is the local music scene like?
It’s very vibrant and huge with lots of electronic music and all sorts of other genres creating their own circuits, so it can be a bit overwhelming. In the folk and singer-songwriter scene people are very friendly and supportive and there are some really nice open stages and opportunities for newcomers to play.
You’re originally from Finland, and there are some Finnish influences in your music. Why prompted the move to Berlin?
It’s hard to see the bigger picture of what is so close, so I can’t really put my finger on it. But probably it’s the language itself offering their own unique suggestions for expression and musicality and the melancholic melodies. Also, I think moving away made me appreciate those things much more, especially when people told me how much they like those songs in my mother tongues even or maybe because they don’t understand a single word.
Your music is quite folky. What/who influences you most as artists? What have you been listening to recently?
When I was 17 I had Joni Mitchell on repeat. But I’ve listened to lots of rock and in Berlin I discovered the old blues and jazz through the social dancing scene. Usually I have one album on repeat for months, such as Anna Calvi, Kate Bush and Pink Floyd.
Do you have any plans to tour in the UK?
I had booked a gig in London and I was building a tour schedule.. before Covid hit. I hope the touring visas will become more affordable for independent artists.
Any last words for the fans?
Thank you, thank you, thank you!