‘Acclaimed singer Sølv has released her latest self-produced single, ‘Bittersweet’. The song is an electronic, beat-laden slow banger with a focus on layering, Sølv’s effortlessly cool falsetto existing perfectly over the hyper-digital, percussive instrumental below.

Speaking on the single, the singer said: “‘Bittersweet’ is a reflective look on how personal demons can creep into a relationship. It’s the friction caused by each other’s own struggles, and the dilemma in knowing that the other person is struggling in exactly the same way, but even though you’re coexisting in complete synergy, it doesn’t change the distance created.”

‘Bittersweet’ is the first taste of new music following the release of Sølv’s acclaimed EP, “Codeine”, in 2017. We chatted to the singer about how she first started out, the best piece of feedback she’s ever received, and what’s next for her.

How did you start out making music?
I’ve sung and made up songs ever since I can remember; I’ve always loved it. I started teaching myself to play guitar when I was about 15 and that’s when I properly began writing my own songs, but at that point I didn’t feel a complete connection to the sound or a sense of the music being a reflection of myself like I do now. It wasn’t until I started to teach myself to use music production software a few years later that things started to really click. From that point onward I truly found my sound and where I wanted to go with my music, and I’ve been developing that ever since.

Who did you listen to growing up?
I grew up hearing lots of different genres as my parents had pretty cool taste, so early experimental Roxy Music and Bowie were staples, along with Marc Bolan and INXS.  Then, on my own accord, I became obsessed with the likes of Britney Spears, Christina Aguilera and Avril Lavigne… who was the reason I got an electric guitar for my 9th birthday. (Too bad I didn’t put enough effort into trying to learn back then. I’d be pretty good by now!)

How would you describe your music/genre?
I always struggle with answering that question because I don’t think it falls into just one category. But I’d say It’s a mixture of electronic and alternative pop with a lot of R&B influence but always with a dark edge.

Who do you make music for?
Myself.  It always seems to cloud and confuse my judgement when I start to think too deeply about who’ll listen to my music because, that way, you stop creating from a place of instinct and passion and start getting caught up in trying too hard to fit into expectations.

How do you want your fans to feel when they come away from your gigs?
I’d love them to just feel more connected to me and my music. It’s such a cool thing, playing live; the process of dissecting a song that I’ve written alone at home in my flat and having my band bring it to life as they play the individual parts is fascinating to me, then performing it to a live audience is that one step further!  So I’d love the audience to get that same feeling of transformation without losing the authenticity.

What’s the best piece of feedback you’ve had?
Once, after I’d performed, I was told my music was like if Kate Bush and The Neighbourhood had a love child. That was pretty cool!  But also being told by strangers that my music meant something to someone and helped them get through some very tough times is always really special too. I still find it crazy when I get messages like that.

Who’s your dream collaboration?
I can’t pick just one! Either James Blake, A$AP Rocky or Frank Ocean. Or all three at once. That would be a dream.

What would you have been if you weren’t a musician?
Definitely something creative. I’ve always loved to draw and paint, that was my other love growing up. There was never any question, it was always Art or Music. The great thing is I still use art as an extension of my music as I love conceptulising. I can always visualise exactly how a song would look as a picture or a video, so I always try to find ways to express that in terms of linking the song and its artwork with strong visual concepts and graphic design.

What’s next for you? What are you excited about next?
I’m excited about everything! So much so that I want to do everything now, all at once.  But I guess that’s where I need to slow my mind down from going at 100 mph and just focus on one thing at a time. (That’s one of my downfalls…everything darting around my mind at the same time). I’m particularly excited about developing the live shows and releasing new music that I can’t wait to share, including a collaboration that I’m super excited about.  And I’m also looking forward to getting more creative in the ways I portray my music, not just in terms of developing my production but also visually.