Swedish indie pop act NOEL has released his Mementos EP. We asked him the BIG questions . . .
From humble beginnings on TikTok and bedroom covers, NOEL released his debut EP Headed North at the start of 2024 and finishes the year with the follow-up Mementos.
"Creating this EP has been an incredibly rewarding experience," he says. "For me, music is a powerful outlet, a way to express emotions that can be hard to put into words.
"While the songs might have a darker tone, working on them has actually brought me a lot of joy.
"I've learned that embracing sadness is an essential part of finding happiness, and I wanted that to come through in my music. I’m really proud of this EP, and I can’t wait to share it with the world.’
Tell us three things about yourself . . .
I’m a huge nerd at heart. I love diving into random hobbies and getting totally hooked until I eventually move on to something new. Over the years, I’ve collected coins, stamps, and trading cards, played through countless video games, and most recently, I’ve become obsessed with chess. I have a weird eating habit. I tend to eat almost every meal in two rounds. As a kid, I’d feel sick when I ate too quickly, so I started taking a "halftime break" during meals - about an hour between the first and second half. This habit has stuck with me, which can make going out to dinner a little tricky! I love meeting new people. While I’d consider myself more of an introvert and not overly talkative, I find people fascinating. There’s something special about hearing someone’s story, and I’m always excited to connect and learn from different perspectives.
How would you describe your music?
I’d describe my music as raw and emotional. I aim to create songs that genuinely mean something to me, capturing real moments and feelings. My hope is that listeners can feel that honesty and maybe even connect with it in their own way.
Who are your musical inspirations?
Noah Kahan is a huge inspiration for me. His storytelling really captivates me, and hearing someone express emotions so honestly and skilfully is incredibly motivating. His ability to bring stories to life through music pushes me to dig deeper in my own songwriting.
What was the first gig you ever went to?
The first gig I ever went to was a Bruno Mars concert. I was just a kid back then and wasn’t really into music yet, so mostly I remember being nervous about staying up late on a school night! Looking back, I wish I could experience it again.
What was the first record you ever bought?
To be honest, I don’t think I’ve ever actually bought a record - it was a bit before my time (pardon? – ed). But I do remember my dad had an awesome Thriller CD that I played nonstop growing up. That album was definitely a big part of my early love for music.
What’s your favourite song right now?
My favourite song right now is definitely Speyside by Bon Iver. I just got back from a writing trip in Nashville, and my friends and I had that song on repeat the whole time - it became the soundtrack to our trip.
Favourite lyric of all time?
My favourite lyric of all time has to be from I Can’t Make You Love Me by Bonnie Raitt: 'I can’t make you love me if you don’t. And you can’t make your heart feel something it won’t.’ There’s something so honest and heartbreaking about those words - they capture unrequited love in the simplest, most powerful way.
If you could only listen to one song for the rest of your life, what would it be?
If I could only listen to one song for the rest of my life, it would have to be Dancing Queen by ABBA. To me, it’s the perfect song. I can listen to it whether I’m happy or sad, and after almost 15 years, I’m still not tired of it. It’s truly timeless.
Where can people find your music/more information?
You can find my music everywhere on all streaming platforms. And if you want to reach out or just chat, hit me up on Instagram @noelsongs.
Alan Corr
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