Up until a few years back Sweden was known from bringing us some of the best stadium disco-pop, with bands like ABBA and Ace Of Bass being household names around the globe. But in recent years we’ve been blown out of the water and swept away with the eerie electronic beauty of The Knife, and now the gorgeously haunting ethereal sounds of Jenny Wilson.
With the recent Australian release of Wilson’s sublime debut ‘Love and Youth’ currently taking the country by storm, thankfully we don’t have to hold our breaths too long to see this mysteriously beautiful chanteuse bringing her show to our shores. ITM’s Semone Maksimovic caught up with the lovely Ms Wilson in the lead up to her maiden voyage down under this month, talking about the joys of juggling writing, touring and parenting.
It’s 8am and Jenny has her maternal hat on as she prepares her 5 year old for school while changing her baby and admiring the crispy white overnight snowfall outside. “It’s a fantastic winter day,” she says excitedly. “It’s like our first day of snow, so we’re happy. I just can’t believe that I’m going to have to leave it all for the Australian summer so soon,” she says, albeit with more shock than disappointment.
The last few months have held more than their fair share of surprises for the songstress, as she got a call to inform her that her debut was to be getting an Australian release 2 years after its European release. “I never expected it to have such a long life,” she laughs. “It’s funny, because it seems so far away now. But having it released again has just brought it back to life and made it all very beautiful and vivid again, when I thought it might sound stale to take it on the road now,” she adds sweetly.
The accomplished and contented feeling the renewed interest in her album and forthcoming tour has put Wilson at ease over the lack of writing she’s managed to do since ‘Love and Youth’ was initially completed. “I have been busy with motherhood and haven’t had a chance to pick up with writing again yet, that’s planned for March. I can’t wait to get to work on it, I have so many ideas and fresh confidence from all of the wonderful feedback I’ve just been receiving” she smiles.
Going back to the topic of juggling touring with family life, Wilson is sombre when looking ahead at her pending tour commitments. “Having to leave them at home is heartbreaking; I don’t think you ever get used to that. I know they’ll manage good with their daddy, but I still have an empty feeling when I’m apart from them,” she explains, when considering the joys of being a mother while on the road.
Although there’s impending heartbreak with the tour, Wilson has been studying the map and getting acquainted with Australian culture in preparation. “I’ve just been looking at the map going ‘Jesus Christ, Australia is so BIG!’ I’ve also been looking up kangaroos, surfers and watching Crocodile Dundee movies,” she laughs.
‘Love and Youth’ is out now on Hussle/EMI. You can catch Jenny performing dates across the country this month:
Feb 15 – Factory Theatre, Sydney
Feb 16 – The Prince, Melbourne
Feb 17 – International Arts Festival, Perth
