Interview: Kine Hjeldnes

There are artists you can fall in love with a simple melody, this is the case of Kine Hjeldnes, a Norwegian artist who left all behind to make music. BePop invites you to be seduced by her sweet and charming voice and her simple melodies full of feelings.

So tell us, who is Kine Hjeldnes?

I am a singer and a songwriter from Norway. I've been singing and writing for as long as I can remember, and three years ago I decided to teach myself how to play guitar, and fell in love with it. I am an instrument junkie with tons of music in my constantly spinning head.

What are the advantages of being an independent artist?

It gives me the freedom to do whatever I want with my music, but in the long term I'm looking for someone to collaborate with. I'm not ready to stand alone in music business.

What elements inspire you when you're writing a new song?

Everything inspires me. Friends, family, strangers, conversations, books, movies, lovers, life. The next song can easily developed from a random sentence into a dramatic story as well as it can be the complete opposite. Probably what inspires me the most is the existence of the moments when it's only music and me and nothing else matters. It kicks like a drug, like love, and makes me come back for more. Most of my songs comes to me in a time frame of five minutes, inspired by words that just comes to me.

Your music is simple, mainly vocals, guitars, how do you define your sound?

The songs I have posted on internet is sketches, things I have produced myself, and I don't know if I have established what my sound sounds like myself. I have many ideas for how I want it to sound, and I think that though I want slightly bigger and more complex productions, I will keep a simple touch, as that has become my signature.

Can you say your music and lyrics reflects what your living in this moment?

My music is about everything and nothing. I must admit I have a good fantasy. On the other hand I think it's impossible not to get influenced by your own life when your writing. Reality will always sneak into my lyrics and melodies, and help me to stay true when I'm trying to tell you a heartfelt story.

What is the song you can't stop listening to right now?

It's All Gone Tomorrow by Susanne Sundfør.

You're Poison in my Brain is a beautiful song, what's the story behind the song?

Thank you! Some people sneak into your system, your blood and your brain like a virus. Makes you do crazy things under the influence of their nearness. It's a song about how hard it can be to let go.

What do you feel when you know a lot of people are listening to your songs?

That makes me incredibly proud and happy! It makes me believe in a dream most people would think is impossible.

What type of music or bands have influence on your music?

I listen to a lot of different music. Ray Charles, Etta James, Ane Brun, Esther Phillips, Billie Holiday, Nina Simone, just to mention a few. My vocal is inspired by old jazz, soul and blues. When it comes to my use of instruments and how I play them.. I really can't play, so lets say easyness inspires my instrumental sound.

What's next for Kine Hjeldnes?

I have quit my day job to pursuit music full time and hopefully I will be able make a living out of it. Next for me will be to find musicians to collaborate with. I've recently moved to Oslo, and need to get a band together for some live shows.


Take a listen to You're Poison in my Brain:
 You're Poison in My Brain by KineHjeldnes 


Follow her on Twitter: @KineHjeldnes or listen her songs on SoundCloud: http://soundcloud.com/kinehjeldnes