Interview With Swedish Artist Limandi On Her New Album “FUCK. IT.”: a Symphony of Self-Discovery
Hovering in the otherworldly acoustic nebula of Sanne Limandi's creative spirit, her initial musical offering, "FUCK. IT.", materializes as a mosaic fusion of heartfelt resilience and inventive brilliance. Unveiled under her artistic alias, Limandi, this ensemble of seven auditory gems navigates the eclectic territories of indie-pop, pop, electronic, and folk, all intertwined with a contemporary R'n'B undertow. Conceived amidst the serene seclusion of Sweden's pastoral landscapes, Limandi's EP transcends the bounds of mere melody, evolving into an audial pilgrimage to her origins, an acoustic epic chronicling the quintessence of a metaphorical homecoming.
The EP's opening salvo, "One Day I’ll Be Proud," bathes the audience in a sea of reflective fortitude. Limandi's vocal tone, an exquisite confluence of raw exposure and resilient tenacity, dances through the verses, each syllable echoing a manifesto of self-reclamation. This track, magnetic in its melodic enchantment, resonates profoundly, mirroring the ubiquitous odyssey of carving pride from life's journey.
The eponymous anthem, "FUCK. IT.", pulsates with an audacious spirit of defiance. In this track, Limandi's lyrical acumen gleams, capturing the internal skirmish between ruefulness and reconciliation. The chorus, a hypnotic incantation, morphs into a battle cry for emancipation, a purgative exhalation of bygone encumbrances. It's within these harmonies that one can truly apprehend the artist's voyage toward self-acknowledgment and the embracement of her trepidations.
The next song "How Fucking Hard" delves into the intricate orchestration of amorous entanglements, serving as a poignant memento of the intricacies in both loving and being loved. The composition wavers between exasperation and yearning, portraying the tempestuous essence of romantic liaisons. Limandi's voice, simultaneously delicate and robust, bears the emotional load with a captivating ease, leaving the auditor spellbound.
"Put The Blame On Me" plunges into the depths of self-accountability and epiphany. Its ghostly tunes interwoven with contemplative words craft a meditative aura. Limandi's skill in expressing sentiments through her melodies is undeniably palpable, rendering this song a mesmerizing tale of personal metamorphosis.
In "Hoping You’ll Be Fine," Limandi paints a story of care intertwined with detachment, striking a chord with anyone who's ever navigated the complexities of letting go. The chorus, repetitive yet profound, mirrors the endless loop of anxiety and optimism that forms the backbone of human relationships.
The track "Family" emerges as the EP's raw nerve. Here, Limandi unfurls the panorama of her childhood, intertwining her anguish and healing in a manner that's deeply personal yet universally resonant. This piece acts as a stark reminder of the lasting imprints and resilience bestowed by familial bonds.
Culminating the album, "Where You’re Heading To" offers a melodious adieu, akin to a subtle push towards the uncharted. It perfectly caps off an album that represents a voyage, not solely for Limandi but for her audience as well.
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Interview With Artist LIMANDI on "Fuck It" Album
Q: Limandi, could you walk us through the initial spark or moment that inspired the creation of your debut album, "Fuck It"?
A: It started as an attempt to become my own producer, after years of trying to find "my" producer and never being satisfied with the ones I had found and worked with. So I locked myself in a studio, and just made a bunch of songs.
Q:The title "Fuck It" is undeniably bold and resonates with a sense of liberation. Can you expound on the deeper meaning this title holds for you personally and artistically?
A: I think it's hard to distinguish between personal and artistic here, since it very much goes hand in hand. For me it means to face my fears - head on. For years I was scared to share my art with anyone, and I've always been very self-critical, especially when it comes to my music. So to share this album with the world - that I've made completely on my own - is probably the scariest thing I've ever done. I guess I just came to a place where I felt like "fuck it", what's the worst that can happen? And the worst that could happen would probably be me giving up on my dream.
Fittingly, one of the songs on the album happened to be called just that, "fuck it".
It felt like all of this was meant to be. That it was meant to be 4 years between the making and the release, and that the album pretty much made itself without me even thinking about it. I never thought I'd even release these songs. So I'm very happy and excited.
Q: You’ve described the album as a revelation of accepting oneself. How has the journey of creating and now releasing "Fuck It" influenced your personal journey of self-acceptance and self-love?
A: I mean it's been 4, almost 5 years since I wrote most of the songs, so it has definitely happened a lot inside and outside of me. All of the songs tell stories from my life, and it was actually super weird at the beginning of mixing them, cause it was a journey of going through all of the feelings and incidents again - which made me realise how much I've grown in the past years. I’m now in a much more loving and accepting place than before. I’ve come to accept and love myself a lot more, which just makes life a lot easier. The fact that I’m releasing this album is a very clear testament of that.
Q: With your Experience and reflecting on your earlier years, how do you perceive the evolution of your artistic identity through this album?
A: I mean, most of the songs were written a while ago, so I can tell through my new music compared to the album that I’ve developed a lot as a producer, singer and songwriter. I can see that I’ve grown a lot, both personally and artistically, since I wrote and produced the album and that I’ve refined my craft. It’s a beautiful thing to see your growth so clearly.
Q: You mentioned that showing your art is akin to ultimate vulnerability. Can you share a particular moment or song in the album that felt especially revealing to you?
A: I think the song ”Family” would be the most vulnerable one for me. It’s about my childhood, which for me is something I wouldn’t share with just anyone. I mean, I wrote the songs as a therapy for myself, without any intention of releasing them - so it sure feels weird, and very revealing, to show ”your diary” to the whole world.
Q: Your album melds genres like pop, indie, folk, electronic pop, R'n'B, and soul. How did you navigate these diverse genres to create a cohesive sound? Was this an organic process or a meticulously planned one?
A: I would say it was a very organic process. I didn’t intend the songs to become anything or be a part of anything. It was just me, writing songs about my life, which ended up being on the same album. The process of putting the songs together in an album was something that happened years later, and it just happened to fit well together (in my opinion), even if they’re very different. I also didn’t want to overthink anything, as that tends to leave me passive and not do anything - so, as I said before, it was more a process of ”fuck it”, ”whatever happens happens, and I think this works and in art their are no rules, so just do it”-kind of.
Q: "Fuck It" encompasses themes of self-love, heartbreak, and upbringing. Could you delve into how these themes interweave through the album and perhaps highlight a song that encapsulates these motifs most poignantly?
A: Every song has its own unique story, and they're all small pieces of my life story. I think they interweave pretty naturally in the sense that it's all been a part of my journey, just as the album itself is a journey, and every song is a journey. I have no filters when I write songs, so it's all very personal and vulnerable.
I would say 'Family'. It holds all of the themes mentioned in your question, and it's definitely the song that makes me feel most exposed.
Q: Having written these songs four years ago, how do you feel your perspective or emotional connection to them has evolved now that you’ve turned 30 and decided to release them?
A: It was a bit weird in the beginning to mix and master them, as I had to re-live their stories again, but in the end it just feels like a beautiful full circle moment. I'm definitely not the same person now as I was then, and I've grown a lot as a person and writer/producer, but I wasn't ready until now to release them so I feel like everything is as it should be. Like it was all meant to be this way.
I feel really proud. Like a proud mom of my younger self. And I'm proud of my present self for having the courage to release it.
Q: You describe the songs as dreamy with choirs and vocal arrangements, existing between retro and modern. How do you think this unique blend contributes to the storytelling in your album?
A: I think the dreamy soundscape is a natural extension of my personality and taste. I'm a very dreamy person, often visualising music. I definitely think it brings depth to the stories I'm telling, and also gives the listener an opportunity to dream away and surrender to the music.
I hope people appreciate the retro influences and find them interesting and different, rather than longing for it to be more perfect and modern. Personally I love a little noise and scratching.
Q: Now that "Fuck It" is out in the world, how do you envision your future projects? Do you see yourself exploring similar themes or venturing into new artistic territories?
A: I have soooo many songs to release, and without disclosing too much - all I can say is that's it going to be pretty damn different. I love exploring uncharted territory and my future releases will all be very dissimilar to this and to each other.
Q: Finally, what is the one message or feeling you hope listeners take away from "Fuck it"?
A: Don't let fear rule you! Do whatever you want and don't give a shit what no one thinks or wants from you. Do YOU, just DO it and say fuck it to whatever scares you :)
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As Limandi contemplates her growth, she harbors a nostalgic pride for her younger self and the bravery it took to unveil these melodies. The album's soundscape, a whimsical mix of yesteryear and contemporary tones, deepens her narrative, beckoning listeners into her sonorous realm.
Peering into the future, Limandi envisages her next ventures as eclectic voyages into uncharted artistic lands. Her manifesto to her audience rings with clarity and empowerment: face your demons, embrace your unfiltered essence, and never be shackled by fear.
In "FUCK. IT.," Limandi unfurls a portal into her essence, crafting a story of evolution and a lighthouse for those navigating their own seas of self-discovery.
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