Exploring the Sonic Universe of Swedish Singer-Songwriter Xolydia.
Xolydia, an independent musician, has set out on a musical trip that crosses continents, from the serene expanse of Sweden to the throbbing centre of London.
This musician is more than just another independent artist; her songs explore deep themes including love and mental illness as well as climate change, societal structure, and the human psyche.
There is a long history of music in Xolydia. She has been working on her art since she was young, with a basis in classical training and Complete Vocal Technique (CVT). Her love of music is more than just a pastime; it’s a way for her to process the ideas and feelings that challenge her.
For Xolydia, nothing beats the rush she gets from making something new. She is most creative when she is experiencing a burst of inspiration, a deluge of thoughts flooding into paper. She’s a true artist because she has the ability to turn transitory emotions into songs that touch others.
Her most recent album, “Toxic Rain,” showcases her unique approach to songwriting. Cinematic sound design, ambient synthesisers, and acoustic guitars come together in this apocalyptic song about a self-inflicted nuclear holocaust. Despite the political undercurrents, the lyrics manage to remain cryptic, leaving room for interpretation on the part of the listener.
The emotional depth of “Toxic Rain” is both intriguing and tragic, drawing influence from artists like Kate Bush, Aldous Harding, and Lana Del Rey. But Xolydia’s individuality as a singer and songwriter is evident throughout the song.
Who are your biggest musical influences?
My biggest musical influence is Kate Bush. I discovered her music through my siblings as a ten-year-old and I got stuck. I listened to her album The Kick Inside every single day, four, five times in a row.
After holding out for almost a year of this, my brother eventually gave me a CD with 150 songs. I guess he got a little bit tired of hearing the same ones over and over. Today, Kate Bush still is a role model for me.
I obviously adore her sound and lyrics, but I also admire her for being so authentic and for writing and producing her own music. Another big idol of mine is Marina. I love her music, especially her album Electra Heart.
What inspired you to write your latest album/song?
My biggest source of inspiration is my friend and Artist A Catalogue of The Universe. The lyrics in Toxic Rain were born from a deep conversation we had during a songwriting session.
We spoke about our increasing anxiety, the environmental crisis, world leaders, war, and the discussions around nuclear weapons. All these messy thoughts eventually transformed into a story of a fictional nuclear accident in the dystopian song Toxic Rain.
What message do you hope to convey through your music?
I want to create music that makes people think and feel. I want my music to be beautiful to listen to and have layers that you can unfold one by one. I often use metaphors and am fond of words with double meanings. Toxic Rain is an expression of my dismay and sadness about climate change, war, and nuclear weapons.
What was the most challenging aspect of recording your latest song?
I think for me, the most challenging part isn’t the recording or creation of the song. It is my self-doubt and daring to take the step and release the music. I’m a perfectionist, and it takes a great deal for me to get satisfied with a project.
In this song, only the vocals are recorded live. Everything else is produced digitally in collaboration with my amazing producer Sara Idani. The recording process was smooth sailing.
I recorded with my close friend and audio engineer Santi Barragan. We are a great team and while I was setting up the microphone, he prepared the desk. We had talked before the session about how I like recording.
I get very focused in the studio and like to record the whole song from start to finish several times in a row. If I then feel that there is a particular part that didn’t turn out as I wished, we go into more detail and record sections of the song.
What has been your favourite moment or experience as a musician so far?
Oh, that’s a hard question. I think there have been a lot of enjoyable moments. But the release day of my debut single Tuned to You was a very powerful and exciting moment!
I remember playing my song for the first time on Spotify and feeling butterflies in my stomach. I also got incredibly moved when I realized that one of my most loyal listeners is my 13-year-old niece. That is such a precious and beautiful thing.
How do you balance your personal life with your music career?
Music is my biggest passion, in opposite to a 9 to 5 job I never really switch off. For me having a grounding routine that I do daily keeps me on track, and I believe it’s important to be attentive to your own needs.
For example, I enjoy doing yoga and spending time in nature. At this time, I’m an independent artist and are not signed to a label. That gives me a lot of creative freedom, but it also means that I’m managing everything myself. I write, produce, mix, master, create my own brand, market and perform my own songs.
I assign planned time for working with the more administrative parts of my Artist project, but the songwriting is different. Songwriting for me is a lifestyle. Writing songs has been a way for me to express and handle my own emotions for years. You could say that it’s a form of therapy. I’m in an early stage of my career, and I still have the freedom to choose how much I work with my music and in what way.
How do you handle negative criticism or feedback on your music?
I am my own worst critic, and I don’t think that anyone else could be worse, haha. The process from having a finished song until I release it is a process where I must battle with myself, so once I do, I have analyzed the song to the very detail.
A benefit of being an unknown artist is that I haven’t received any criticism yet. I think that you need to accept wholeheartedly that once you reach a certain size of listeners, not everyone will like or resonate with your music. That is perfectly alright and the way it should be.
The songs are not for them, they can just press next. My music is made for my own joy of creating and for the people who enjoy what I create. I actively seek feedback from my colleagues in the Music Industry while I’m in the process of making my songs and constructive feedback that can make me a better musician and producer is something I’m happy to receive.
I want to become as good as I can be and having talented people that are ahead of me and can guide me is a huge benefit.
What advice would you give to aspiring musicians trying to make it in the industry?
Be resilient and believe in yourself! The most beautiful thing you can do is to share a bit of your own authentic self, so be yourself to the fullest and put yourself out there. Take baby steps if you must, I surely have.
Be brave enough to go outside your comfort zone and take action. Don’t wait for permission or for someone else to make your dreams come true, be the CEO of your own life. Invest in yourself and learn about how the modern Music Industry works. It has never been a better time to start out as a DIY Artist. So, get out of your own way!
Xolydia is more than simply a talented musician; her engaging songs reveal that she is also a musical philosopher, delving into the complexities of the universe.
Xolydia is a breath of new air in the indie music industry, thanks to her ability to merge many inspirations and her talent for writing insightful lyrics.
Listen out for this up-and-comer; she creates music that will take you on a sonic and emotive trip that will leave you wanting more.
