Formula Indie Sessions : Interview with Karen Hammarstrand
What is your earliest memory connected to music?
I remeber our baby grand piano and loving to go and play something I heard on it. I liked playing by ear way more than practicing and reading notes.
How did your passion for creating music begin?
I didn’t realize I had it until I woke up with a song in my head one day about 18 years ago (music and lyrics), ran to a tape recorder and sang and recorded it. I played it for a song writitng circle and got really good feedback, and I was hooked.
What’s the story behind your current music project?
I started this musical journey pretty late in life, so am at a reflective point in my own life, and it seems I have a need to write down what I’m discovering. From self-discovery to my relation to others,, I enjoy writing about my evolving perspectives on my place in the world.
How would you describe your sound to someone who has never heard your music before?
It’s eclectic (folk, jazz, blues, country and pop, all melded, but melodic).
What is one thing you’ve learned that completely changed the way you make music?
Just write from the heart, when it comes to you, but keep learning from others.
What tools, instruments, or software are essential in your creative process?
Me and my phone (recording), and a guitar (piano helps too sometimes).
Which indie artist or song are you loving right now?
I really love Nathaniel Rateliff, also more melodic idie bands like First Aid Kit, and Keri Latime (Leaf Rapid).
How have your personal experiences influenced your music and artistic vision?
I tend towards the spiritual in life and also towards an observing perspective, and this supplies me with a great portion of my “takes” on life.
What emotions or messages do you hope listeners take from your work?
My messages tend to be hopeful and often and my personal lyrics often translate to the universal.
What’s the most important lesson music has taught you so far?
You can do anything at any time in your life if you have the passion and motivation.
What is a dream venue or festival you would love to perform at?
Winnipeg Folk Festival.
If you could collaborate with any artist, past or present, who would it be and why?
Joni mitchell because I have a huge appreciation for not only her genius, but her willingness tp experiment with instrumental technique , musical styles and genres.
Where can our listeners follow and support your music?
Spotify, karenhammarstrand.com, youtube
Looking toward the future, what’s your dream for the next chapter of your musical journey?
I would like to realease an album of new music, quite different stylistically from previous projects. I’ve started working on songs with more of a coutry flavour.
What do you hope listeners will discover about you along the way?
I hope listeners will see me as a hopefull person, and perhaps derive some hope, about themselvese, our world, and life in general,
