AiramFM

AiramFM, a talented 24-year-old singer-songwriter from Denmark, is a true independent artist who takes full control of every aspect of her music. From writing and recording to producing and creating cover art, she possesses a remarkable level of autonomy in her creative process. Her music has received praise for its emotional depth, introspective lyrics, and soothing melodies. Each song from AiramFM provides a glimpse into her soul, reflecting her personal journey and the profound impact of her mother's passing. Following this significant loss, she channeled her emotions into her music, finding solace and connecting with others who have undergone similar experiences. In my interview with AiramFM, we explore her musical journey, delve into her personal experiences, discuss the inspiration behind her music, and explore her aspirations for the future.

Audi Locus (AL): Can you discuss your journey as a musician? How did you get started, and what led you to pursue music as a career?

AiramFM (AFM): I've loved singing since I was a little kid. I grew up in a family where singing was a big part of our daily life, and my parents and sister always encouraged my musicality, being talented singers as well. Unfortunately, I lost my mom to cancer last year - she was only 46 years old - and that intense grief needed an outlet. I needed something to focus on and fill my life with, so I decided to pursue music as a way to heal and cope with the grief.

AL: Your music has been described as indie/alt-pop, and your vocal delivery has been compared to the likes of Lana Del Rey and Aurora. How would you personally describe your style and sound?

AFM: My style is probably a bit more raw and unpolished, since I'm in no way professional when it comes to producing, mixing, and mastering. But it's also very emotional and authentic. I usually write about the pain I've felt in my life, or any important thoughts and messages I have. I don't always mean to, but I usually find myself creating very sad songs in a minor key.

AL: Your songs are known for being melancholic, authentic, and reflective of personal experiences. How do you draw inspiration from your own life when writing and composing your music?

AFM: Music serves as my therapist and allows me to express things I find difficult to share in casual conversations. The things I might say to a therapist when they ask me how I feel, I write down in my songs. My songs are a reflection of the pain I've felt and the emotions I've experienced.

AL: Losing a loved one, especially a parent, is a significant event. How has the passing of your mother influenced your music and the themes you explore in your songs?

AFM: The passing of my mom has deeply influenced my music. Even when I attempt to write happy songs, the pain of losing her seeps in. Like I sing in “The River,” “every single breath I take, every tear I cry, it all comes back to you, I do it all for you, can you hear me now?” She's undoubtedly in my thoughts all the time. And even if a song doesn't seem to be specifically about her, I often have her in mind one way or another when I write. She was a significant part of my musical upbringing, and I feel a strong connection to her through music, writing, and singing. She had a beautiful voice and she also wrote poems, and her, my sister and I would sing harmony at home. Releasing my own music after her passing has been a way to honor her memory and express my love for her. But before she died, I only posted covers here and there on YouTube. Sometimes I kinda regret that I only started releasing my own music after she died, because I really wanted her to be a part of it - although I believe she still is, from beyond.

AL: Many artists find catharsis in creating and performing music. How has the process of writing, recording, and producing your own music helped you in your healing journey?

AFM: I'm neurodivergent, so I tend to go into what's called “hyperfocus” mode. I can sit for hours on end and work on my music and at that moment, forget all the pain and worries around me. Although I'm writing about it, I'm not forgetting it in that way, but I'm “releasing it”, if that makes sense. Instead of it filling my thoughts in a painful way like a knot in my chest, I let all those thoughts out through my music and it's such a relief. Being creative is something that gives me a major dopamine fix. I love just creating something from scratch, something that's mine and that people might even enjoy, and make “their own,” as they listen and interpret it their way. That's really cool to me. That while my songs are my own, they actually also belong to the listeners, in some way. I find comfort in creating, and the connection I feel with listeners as they interpret my songs in their own way is healing.

AL: Your latest single, "Deep Blue," has a dreamy and meditative quality. What was the inspiration behind the song, and how does it fit into the overall narrative of your discography?

AFM: That song may sound happier than my other songs, but it actually explores some of the darkest thoughts I've had in the past as a teenager. It's very dreamy, poetic and enchanting, and this is not something I've said out loud about this song before, but for me, it metaphorically represents times when I've felt suicidal and the longing for relief from the pain. “I escape from a dream to another,” is a metaphor for times in my life where everything has been so painful that it has seemed unreal, like I'm just living in a nightmare and that if I passed away, it would just be like escaping from one dream to another. Hopefully, a more happy dream. The chorus, “Dive deep, the blue is near. Warm hugs from every drop. Waves dance to the sound of our heartbeats slowing down,” is a metaphor for the thoughts I've had in my past about the relief I thought I'd feel if I could escape life and the pain it can bring. Although it’s been years since I’ve been in such a dark place mentally, writing about it is a way for me to let go of my past and heal. That's also why I've written it in a more poetic and metaphorical way, so it can be interpreted in different ways and not necessarily just in a dark way.

AL: As an independent artist, you handle everything yourself - from writing and recording to producing and creating cover art. How do you manage all these aspects, and what challenges have you faced as a DIY musician?

AFM: Handling all aspects of my music by myself can be difficult and time-consuming. It's definitely challenging to get a professional sound when you don't have professional equipment or a studio, and can't afford any of it. My apartment is not meant for recording. It's not acoustically treated, so that also interferes with the vocal recordings. I also went into this not knowing anything about mixing and mastering. I've tried reading about it and learning, but it's very complex and I find it very confusing. However, for now I can only afford doing everything myself, so I'm continuously learning and striving to improve my sound over time. Hopefully as I go, my sound will become more and more professional. It’s just about not giving up, keep being curious, and doing research.

AL: Making a living from music can be challenging, especially as an independent artist. What are your aspirations for your music career, and how do you plan to achieve them?

AFM: Yeah, that's tough business. Making a living from music as an independent artist is definitely challenging, so I plan to study and work to have a stable income while pursuing music on the side for now. Gotta pay the rent, you know! Ultimately, my dream is to be able to actually make a living from my music, since it’s my passion. I'll continue creating and releasing music and never give up on my hopes and dreams.

AL: Could you share your experience and emotions you had during your recent debut live performance? Are you planning to schedule additional performances in the future?

AFM: I was very scared! It was nerve-wracking due to my anxiety, which I've dealt with since I was about 12 years old. I get physical symptoms like a very fast heartbeat, hyperventilation, shaky limbs, sweating and feeling like I'm going to faint. When I was first asked to perform live, my initial thought was “hell no!” But after thinking about it for a while, I came to the conclusion that I didn't want to keep letting anxiety hold me back and make decisions for me and that if I really wanted to pursue music, I had to try and overcome my fear. When I went on stage, I just closed my eyes so I couldn't see the audience, and then I pressed my hands down on my chest to soothe myself, cause my heart was beating so fast, it felt like it was gonna pop out of my chest. My lips and my voice were also shaking, so it was especially difficult for me to sing "The River." It's a delicate song and takes a lot of control, but my voice was very shaky. It's hard to sing flawlessly when your lips and voice are shaking and you're hyperventilating a little bit. "Alone" was a bit easier, because it has powerful high notes and then I could sorta just “push” the shakiness out. Despite the fear, I chose to face it head-on and went on stage. Though I was very scared, I found strategies to soothe myself and went through with it. I did it and it went well and I felt good afterwards! I definitely plan on more performances, and hopefully it gets easier for every live performance I do.

AL: How do you envision your music evolving in the future, and are there any other genres or musical elements you would like to explore? Are you open to collaborations with other musicians?

AFM: I'd like to try and experiment with happier, more upbeat songs sometimes. Right now most of my songs are melancholic and slow, which I like a lot, but it's also fun to experiment with different vibes sometimes. Something that would also be cool, would be to have real-life instruments played by talented musicians, instead of the electronic beats I'm making now. I'd love to try that. Like a smooth acoustic guitar, or a dreamy psychedelic rock guitar, or even an entire band or orchestra! And I'm definitely open to collabs with other musicians, it's a great thing to create something together and gives a fresh, new perspective.

AL: Finally, what advice would you give to aspiring musicians who are just starting their journey? What are the most valuable lessons you've learned so far?

AFM: I advise not letting fear or self-doubt stop your dreams. If you have a dream, go for it! And you don't have to know how to play an instrument or be a professional producer or have professional equipment to get started. You can experiment at home, start teaching yourself to make beats on GarageBand, FL Studio, Ableton or wherever you prefer, you might find that it's really fun to dive into! Buy a microphone. It doesn't have to be an expensive one. Research about cheap ones that can give a decent sound or even start out with your earbuds, and then just experiment at home with creating beats and recording your vocals. It might not be 100% professional, but that's okay when you're just starting out! Research about mixing and mastering and try learning as much as you can. Experimenting with what sounds good. Of course, if you have the money for it and don't want to dive into it yourself, you can contact studios and producers and have them help you get a professional sound. But having a limited budget doesn't have to stop you from making and releasing your own music. If you want it, go for it! Pursuing music is a fulfilling and healing journey, and other than doing it after my mom died instead of before, I have no regrets!

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