I’ve been trying to get more into the Scandinavian music scene of late – one of the artists I discovered is singer-songwriter and musician Alba James. She’s got a wonderful folky sound, as her track Light On Your Face shows – it comes highly recommended from me!

By Jane Howkins

How has your year been?

This year’s been pretty tough, I moved around a lot before settling into an apartment, and it sure feels good to finally have a place to create!

You recently released a track titled Light On Your Face, which we reviewed. What can you tell us about the song?

Light On Your Face is a song I wrote about my partner, and how especially when they sleep they seem so worried sometimes. It’s like all those bottled-up feelings want to boil over but can’t. So we talk a lot about expressing stuff more openly. Light On Your Face is basically a song saying ”here, let me give you a shoulder to cry on”.

How has the reception been for Light On Your Face, and where can it be purchased?

People liked it I think? I hope haha! It was featured on quite a lot of playlists but most importantly, my mom thought it was awesome and that’s matters the most to me. It can be listened to anywhere and purchased on Bandcamp, Apple Music and by asking me nicely (I’ll send an extra free song with it, just saying)

Do you plan to release any more singles in the near future?

I am working on releasing a song with my first ever music video! I’m very excited about showing my art not only musically, but also visually. We filmed it mostly in my bathroom that’s something to look forward to haha.

You’ve also released an EP recently titled Bedroom Walls. What can you tell us about the EP?

Bedroom Walls was my first EP, I wrote it and produced it while moving around a lot, being homeless and having a lot of depersonalisation (a chronic mental disorder where I feel like I’m dreaming all the time). It’s an EP that’s both full of angst and full of hope that things are gonna get better. And they did!

Are there any plans to release an album?

Of course! Someday… I’m working with other amazing musicians to make it happen as soon as possible!

What is the writing and recording process like for you?

I find most of my toplines and melodies while doing mundane chores or showering haha. Then I write lyrics that fit into the melody nicely, and I always try to finish a song the same day. I’ll then first record a demo of it with just vocals and guitar/ukulele and build the arrangements around that. Arranging is my favorite part of the process!

Your music has an alt-folk sound. What/who influences you most as an artist? What have you been listening to recently?

I’m a huge fan of Gregory Alan Isakov, Kings of Convenience and dodie. However, I listen to so many genres that it’s hard to tell what I’m inspired by, because the answer is… everything ! Lately I’ve been listening to a lot of November Ultra because I’m feeling soft (and I love to support my fellow French artists !)

You’re based in Sweden. What is the local music scene like?

In Sweden there’s quite a lively music scene when you live in a big city or even in the South. Where I am, it’s mostly local artists, and that’s perfectly fine with me. There aren’t as many possibilities to perform here, but there’s so much space and freedom to create that I don’t mind having to travel around to share my music with a wider audience. I think I’m fine with anything really, as long as I can play my uke for people from time to time!

Do you have any UK tour dates lined up?

Haha, I wish I had the money to tour anywhere really! But hopefully it’s a dream that will become reality sometime soon. I still have some friends in the UK from my uni exchange, can we make that happen guys?

Any last words for the fans?

Thanks mom, love you!