Hailing from Sweden, unbelievably creative duo FELIN have worked with some enviable artists. From The Rolling Stones to Tove Lo, their list of accolades is impressive. This project is the brainchild of songwriter Elin Blom and photographer/ director Fredrik Etoall and is undeniably more art than it is strictly music.
We caught up with FELIN to talk influences, progression, and their latest single, ‘Gossip’.
To an unfamiliar reader, how would you describe your sound?
FELIN is an audiovisual duo playing loud and raw pop, with distorted voices and guitars.
What artists have influenced you over the years, and why?
Elin: When I was 10 or something I dreamt of being Debbie Harry and living in NYC during the CBGB’s era. I’ve always loved strong female characters, girls who dare to be raw and say what the fuck they want. But also all the artists you meet and work with inspires you in different ways.
Can you elaborate on some of the main themes and influences that run throughout your music?
Elin: Music has always been my way of dealing with things, my way of finding revenge, coping with anger, sadness or whatever. When I write it’s like I become a bolder version of myself and I dare to say the things I really feel deep inside. The lyrics are very important to me and I often write the lyrics first.
Can you talk us through your latest single, Gossip?
Elin: Gossip is written and produced by me and Julia Karlsson and the song basically came to life one long night in the studio. When the other writer we were working with at that time came to the studio in the morning we were still there and the song was almost finished.
Gossip is about things I experienced. My school years were pretty rough and I still wear the scars from those days. But those things have also formed me into who I am today and now I know it gets better and I can face anything.
How did the two of you meet and form Felin?
Elin: Me and Fredrik met when I was actually working on another project and wanted him to do a video for it. The meeting turned into us starting to create and film the video and ended with him asking me to a party a few days later…. The rest is history. We just clicked and started working more and more together and became lovers. And then one day we just we’re like, hey let’s start a band! Fredrik and Kelly Cutrone came up with the name one late night at her country house in NYC and called me up in the middle of the night and from then on we’ve been FELIN.
How would you say the sound of your music has grown/progressed over the years?
Elin: I’ve always had a passion for the energy and edginess that comes with rock and punk and at the same time I’ve always loved a great pop melody. I think throughout the years when I’ve mostly been working with other artists I’ve always been drawn one way or the other, mostly doing more pop stuff. I think in FELIN we’ve found the mix of these both worlds. There’s nothing else I love more than the energy and force of live drums and distorted guitars on stage.
What sets you apart from other artists out there right now?
The way we work and develop FELIN. Sometimes the visual part comes first and sometimes it’s the music, there’s a constant flow of creation. Two creative maniacs that put their brains together.
Where do you hope to be in a year’s time?
On stage somewhere in the world, hearing people sing along to the songs. And I hope FELIN has grown and evolved both on the visual and musical side and taken on bigger stages than before.
Socials
Facebook.com/thisisfelin
Twitter.com/thisisfelin
Soundcloud.com/thisisfelin
