CATTI ÅMAN

FAMILJEN

JAAKKO EINO KALEVI

SOFIA GEIDEBY

FREDRIK NIELSEN

LISA BORG

MATEAS PARES

CHARLOTTE BIALAS

DANIEL WESTER

NICOLAS AMA SIAM

FARVASH

INGEGERD RÅMAN

MOHAMMED HINDI

EMMA NYLEN / EMMON

musician

Could you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your creative journey?

 EMMON is my alter ego and scene persona. I do electronic music in genres such as EBM/Electro/Synth, and I am also referred to in the media as Sweden's synth queen.I started EMMON as my solo project and music experiment when I studied at an art college around 20 years ago. Back then I was doing a lot of DJ: ing (still do) and was really into the avant-garde electroclash scene. I was maniacally searching for new music all the time but was never satisfied enough so I started to create my own music to play at the dance floors.

Where did your creative journey begin, and how has your background influenced your work?

 I fell in love with music at a really young age and it has as far as I can remember always been a huge part of my life. I grew up in a very music-interested family and often sneaked into my older sister's room, played her vinyl records on high volume, and dreamt of being on stage. I especially like the records with a more electronic vibe the most. At the age of 14, I started to explore more alternative genres, learned to play the guitar, experimented with different sounds, and started to write my own songs.

Could you describe your current creative projects or initiatives? What are you most passionate about in your creative work?

After several years in silence, I made a comeback in the fall of 2022 with the now multiple award-winning album RECON and since then I have basically been on tour, both in Sweden and Europe.

In my creative work these days I have a deeper collaboration with my partner and co-producer Jimmy Monell where we create the music for EMMON together and where we found a more joyful and playful way to create music.

 I am very passionate about creating an overall concept around my artistry where the visuals, image, and stage performance are at least as important as the music. Therefore, we almost always create music under conditions of how it fits in the dynamics of being performed on a stage.

What do you consider your creative expertise, and how did you develop it over time?

 I think my creative expertise is that I handle several art forms and ability to think conceptually in several layers. When I create music, my greatest strength is that I am fearless and curious. I like to go outside my comfort zone and dare to challenge myself to develop.

I really love being on stage and the energy in performing and I think my enthusiasm and passion shine through and affect the audience. If there's confidence, great energy, and connection you feel safe and are able to be present in the moment. That’s the magical part of live performances that I really enjoy. The best preparation before a show is to listen to a lot of great music, be around good people, have a glass of Prosecco, and do a lot of push-ups.

What are some of the challenges you've encountered in your creative career, and how did you overcome them?

 About 10 years ago, I almost completely lost my passion for being creative and creating music. I felt no inspiration, no energy, and didn't recognize myself, so I took a temporary break and did completely different things. After a few years, I started to feel the urge to start creating again and gradually I started to get the flow back. Now in retrospect, I have understood that I was exhausted and tired of myself but also how important creative creation is for my well-being and health.

Who or what inspires your creative process, and how do you incorporate those inspirations into your work?

 I listen to a lot of different music and use a very wide palette of different genres and I am not shy to borrow the inspiration I get from others when creating my own music. It’s like a patchwork of several parts taking place that becomes the music of EMMON. I also get a lot of inspiration from movie scenes that have affected me, as I try to recreate different moods or when I write the lyrics.

What exciting creative endeavors or projects do you have on the horizon? Any hints or sneak peeks you can share?

Right now I’m in the process of creating new music for the next album. Also collaborating with other artists on several projects and making remixes. And of course aiming to do some live shows all over Europe.

For aspiring creatives, what advice would you give them as they embark on their own creative journeys?

Try to find what inspires you the most, have fun, and create. Just creating usually leads somewhere even if it doesn't feel perfect. don't be too hard on yourself and lower your demands. Making mistakes is a process of development. It's like going to the gym or doing cardio, if you do it often it makes you better, stronger, and more durable.

CATTI ÅMAN

FAMILJEN

JAAKKO EINO KALEVI

SOFIA GEIDEBY

FREDRIK NIELSEN

LISA BORG

MATEAS PARES

CHARLOTTE BIALAS

DANIEL WESTER

NICOLAS AMA SIAM

FARVASH

INGEGERD RÅMAN

MOHAMMED HINDI

A portrait series exploring identity, passion and dreams.