Zara Larsson became known for her voice at the age of 10, when she sang on the Swedish TV show Talang, (the Swedish version of British TV’s Got Talent). People immediately fell in love with the young singers her charisma and voice. She released her first single « Uncover » in 2014, a song that became an international hit right away. In 2016, she was invited to sing the hymn of the Euro Cup of Football with David Guetta, and that was it: Zara Larsson had become a popstar. Today, the very talented 22 years-old Zara has already recorded many hits. We’ve had the chance to meet her for an interview, and to talk about her inspirations, her love for music and her upcoming album.
-
How would you introduce yourself as an artist for those who don’t know you yet? And how do you qualify your music?
I would say that I am a performer, a singer and a songwriter. Mostly performer and singer: I like to entertain people and my music could be qualified as pop music. I love pop music because it’s broad, and I allow myself to be influenced by everything.
-
You started singing at such a young age and already had a name by the age of 10... How important is music to you?
Music is really important to me but what I love most about all of this is to entertain people. I want to make them feel something when they watch my show or hear my music, because I’ve been doing it for so long: I couldn’t live a life without music.
-
Do you remember the first piece of music that stood out to you?
I grew up in a house that was not very musical, but I think that one of the first CD’s my mother gave me was Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits at a very young age. I became obsessed with Whitney and her voice.
-
We really love the song « Love me Land » - and we were beyond taken away once the video was launched – which is extremely graphic and cool. Could you tell us a little bit more about this song and the inspirations and whom you worked with?
Thank you! I wanted to work with Viivi Huuska, a great Finish director. For « Love Me Land », we wanted to create this space, when you’re in your own mind, in your own world.
-
Writing plays an important role in your music, is it your goal to convey emotions when you first started writing your songs?
I got more and more into writing, and I just want to write things that makes you think: “Wow, this is good”!
-
How would you introduce yourself as an artist for those who don’t know you yet? And how do you qualify your music?
I would say that I am a performer, a singer and a songwriter. Mostly performer and singer: I like to entertain people and my music could be qualified as pop music. I love pop music because it’s broad, and I allow myself to be influenced by everything.
-
You started singing at such a young age and already had a name by the age of 10... How important is music to you?
Music is really important to me but what I love most about all of this is to entertain people. I want to make them feel something when they watch my show or hear my music, because I’ve been doing it for so long: I couldn’t live a life without music.
-
Do you remember the first piece of music that stood out to you?
I grew up in a house that was not very musical, but I think that one of the first CD’s my mother gave me was Whitney Houston’s Greatest Hits at a very young age. I became obsessed with Whitney and her voice.
-
We really love the song « Love me Land » - and we were beyond taken away once the video was launched – which is extremely graphic and cool. Could you tell us a little bit more about this song and the inspirations and whom you worked with?
Thank you! I wanted to work with Viivi Huuska, a great Finish director. For « Love Me Land », we wanted to create this space, when you’re in your own mind, in your own world.
-
Writing plays an important role in your music, is it your goal to convey emotions when you first started writing your songs?
I got more and more into writing, and I just want to write things that makes you think: “Wow, this is good”!
-
These days, a big part of pop music is building an online presence. Do you pay a lot of attention to your presence and the conversations on twitter and social media in general?
Yes, it’s not enough to make good music and good videos. You have so many things to do these days. Sometimes it makes me sick, but I love connecting with other people, posting things etc. It just feels like a whole job in itself sometimes, you know.
-
Your success has been incredible. Did you have some pressure with this new album?
I want people to like it but I also have to let it go sometimes. I won’t be satisfied until I make an album that’s number one everywhere (laughs) and I knew I couldn’t have done it with this record. Actually, the thing that matters the most is that I like what I’m doing.
-
Could you tell us when your new song / new album will be released? When can we expect new song or an album? Before end of the year maybe?
The new album will be released soon, in November! Boom boom boom… (laughs).
-
Sweden has become the new Eldorado of pop music, with the explosion of incredible artists. How do you explain this?
I don’t really know... There is a bunch of theories, like we have good music programs at school, or we just get lucky. Maybe one guy did it and the others felt free to do it, following his path. Or maybe we’re just great, in Sweden?
-
What’s next for you?
My album! I think it will be really hard to plan for 2021 as well so... My album!
-
Do you have a message to deliver to all your fans out there, specially your French fans?
I love you! You are so passionate and supportive, really. So, I love you, and many thanks to all of you guys!
-
These days, a big part of pop music is building an online presence. Do you pay a lot of attention to your presence and the conversations on twitter and social media in general?
Yes, it’s not enough to make good music and good videos. You have so many things to do these days. Sometimes it makes me sick, but I love connecting with other people, posting things etc. It just feels like a whole job in itself sometimes, you know.
-
Your success has been incredible. Did you have some pressure with this new album?
I want people to like it but I also have to let it go sometimes. I won’t be satisfied until I make an album that’s number one everywhere (laughs) and I knew I couldn’t have done it with this record. Actually, the thing that matters the most is that I like what I’m doing.
-
Could you tell us when your new song / new album will be released? When can we expect new song or an album? Before end of the year maybe?
The new album will be released soon, in November! Boom boom boom… (laughs).
-
Sweden has become the new Eldorado of pop music, with the explosion of incredible artists. How do you explain this?
I don’t really know... There is a bunch of theories, like we have good music programs at school, or we just get lucky. Maybe one guy did it and the others felt free to do it, following his path. Or maybe we’re just great, in Sweden?
-
What’s next for you?
My album! I think it will be really hard to plan for 2021 as well so... My album!
-
Do you have a message to deliver to all your fans out there, specially your French fans?
I love you! You are so passionate and supportive, really. So, I love you, and many thanks to all of you guys!
Photographed by IAKOVOS KALAITZAKIS // Creative Direction by AZADEH ZORAGHI // Produced by RYAN C. FAHEY & AGPNYC // Styling by KEELEY J. DAWSON // Makeup Artist NIKI M’NRAY // Hair Stylist PATRICK WILSON // Manicurist ROBBIE TOMKINS // Set Design JIMMY FRANK
Narcisse Magazine - Issue 10
ZARA LARSSON
Share
