Since creeping onto the indie music scene with her innocently breathy confessional "Little Bit," from her 2008 debut album Youth Novels, Lykke Li has gone from taxi cab performances and Drake covers to the iconic MTV Unplugged stage and teen vampire soundtracks. Hailing from the music-centric land of Sweden, which has produced exports such as Mapei and Lykke's producer Björn Yttling of Peter Bjorn and John, Lykke's unique voice and coquettish charm has gained her a worldwide following and cemented her place as an unassuming siren to constantly watch.
Since her meteoric rise both on and off the charts, Lykke has continued to release a string of heartwrenching, pain-stakingly honest albums that speak to a generation of lovelorn listeners. Completing her triptych of a discography that focuses on the issues of self discovery and dangerous lust, Lykke's third album, I Never Learn, is her most personal work yet. I Never Learn strays from the hand-clapping and punchy tunes strongly present on her earlier albums and investigates Lykke's darker side with songs like "Gunshot" and "Heart of Steel," which continually exhibit Lykke's emotional depth and vocal range.
While on the US leg of her world tour, we caught up with the kazoo-loving, Swedish chanteuse to talk dirty humor, tour wardrobe attire, and transcendental meditation with David Lynch.
CHLOE DEWBERRY: You recently released your third album, I Never Learn. What do you feel is the most important thing that you actually did learn about yourself while making this album?
LYKKE LI: I think the title is very telling for that topic. I Never Learn is kind of what I learned—that there is no end and there is no beginning. Whether you chose the path of becoming an artist or trying to be an artist or ultimately being a human being, you can’t perfect something; you have to kind of ride the waves and ups and downs. As long as you continue forward, you’ll be all right.
Between releasing your new album and touring endlessly, you've had quite a busy and packed year! When you’re not creating albums or performing, what's your favorite thing to do in between?
When I’m not making albums, I’m touring or I’m in films or I take photos or write poetry. To be honest, I haven’t had much time to do anything. Mostly I do like to be at home, which I never am. If I can, I love being at home, seeing my friends, and having dinner. I haven’t really been home all year so what I’m most looking forward to is taking a walk in the park with a friend.
Can you give us a little insight into what your tour/travel wardrobe usually consists of? What do you normally bring on tour with you?
I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to create my own wardrobe. I travel with a “show” wardrobe, which consists of black, silky, shiny prints. My suitcase is filled with books. I like to travel
Since her meteoric rise both on and off the charts, Lykke has continued to release a string of heartwrenching, pain-stakingly honest albums that speak to a generation of lovelorn listeners. Completing her triptych of a discography that focuses on the issues of self discovery and dangerous lust, Lykke's third album, I Never Learn, is her most personal work yet. I Never Learn strays from the hand-clapping and punchy tunes strongly present on her earlier albums and investigates Lykke's darker side with songs like "Gunshot" and "Heart of Steel," which continually exhibit Lykke's emotional depth and vocal range.
While on the US leg of her world tour, we caught up with the kazoo-loving, Swedish chanteuse to talk dirty humor, tour wardrobe attire, and transcendental meditation with David Lynch.
CHLOE DEWBERRY: You recently released your third album, I Never Learn. What do you feel is the most important thing that you actually did learn about yourself while making this album?
LYKKE LI: I think the title is very telling for that topic. I Never Learn is kind of what I learned—that there is no end and there is no beginning. Whether you chose the path of becoming an artist or trying to be an artist or ultimately being a human being, you can’t perfect something; you have to kind of ride the waves and ups and downs. As long as you continue forward, you’ll be all right.
Between releasing your new album and touring endlessly, you've had quite a busy and packed year! When you’re not creating albums or performing, what's your favorite thing to do in between?
When I’m not making albums, I’m touring or I’m in films or I take photos or write poetry. To be honest, I haven’t had much time to do anything. Mostly I do like to be at home, which I never am. If I can, I love being at home, seeing my friends, and having dinner. I haven’t really been home all year so what I’m most looking forward to is taking a walk in the park with a friend.
Can you give us a little insight into what your tour/travel wardrobe usually consists of? What do you normally bring on tour with you?
I’m very lucky that I’ve been able to create my own wardrobe. I travel with a “show” wardrobe, which consists of black, silky, shiny prints. My suitcase is filled with books. I like to travel