Sandra Lyng recently released the beautiful and atmospheric EP "Jul i Nord" which is this year's "Album of the Week" on NPS Music.
On the EP you will find, among other things, her self-written "Snøkrystalla", and the melancholic beautiful "Når julefreden senker seg", which is a remake of the song that won Norway's New Megahit last year.
"This is truly one of my favorite songs I've ever written. "When Christmas Peace Falls" is also about the beautiful north that I'm so lucky to come from. I would love to release my own version, together with the beautiful Charlotte who is on the original," says Sandra.
This version of "Når julefreden senker seg" is produced by Ronny Janssen (Kylie Minogue, Ina Wroldsen, Arthur Gun, Peder Elias, Alice Merton). The song, like Sandra, is warm and close, and perfect for the pre-Christmas season, whether you have or just dream of time for a cozy fireplace and a relaxed Christmas atmosphere.
With a Christmas EP, the Halva Priset collaboration "Har du plass?" on the charts, and her own Christmas concerts on the way, it will be an active period for the beloved artist.
In recent years, the artist, songwriter, author and speaker has actively made her social media a sanctuary where she can be completely herself; warm, funny, serious, real and close. A place for development and consideration. A place where she shares openly and honestly about important topics and what she does on a daily basis, and with "Når julefreden senker sig" Sandra Lyng once again shares music from heart to heart.
"Ever since I started as an artist almost 20 years ago, I've dreamed of releasing a Christmas album. Now it was finally the right time," says Sandra.
"Jul i Nord" contains songs that Sandra has long dreamed of recording and releasing, and that mean a lot to her. In addition to the aforementioned "Snøkrystalla" and "Når julefreden senker seg", you will find a beautiful version of the fantastic Kari Bremnes's "E du nord", and an atmospheric and delightful version of "Nordnorsk julesalme".
No matter how full your calendar is, Sandra Lyng hopes she can contribute a little Christmas peace and Christmas spirit. Don't let yourself be overwhelmed by the rush, and remember that from under the blanket on the sofa, with candles lit, no one will see if you have dusted every nook and cranny. And gingerbread cookies taste Christmas whether they are homemade or come from the corner store. Be generous and kind to yourself and others.
We chatted with Sandra about, among other things, the new EP, Christmas, and her plans for the future.
Congratulations on the beautiful EP, "Christmas in the North? Can you tell us a little about the process behind it?"
Thank you so much! It's a little dream I've had for a long time, to collect my favorite Christmas songs in one place and also then create my own. "Når julefreden senker seg" was written in 2021, and first released by Truls and Charlotte, but I think the song is so beautiful and close to my heart that I wanted to make another version of it, then together with the finest Charlotte.
"Nordnorsk Julesalme" was a natural fit for the EP since it is the song I have sung in churches on every Christmas Eve (as a soloist in the children's choir) throughout my childhood.
"E du nord" is simply the most beautiful song in the world, maybe not a Christmas song, but it's the one I play the most at Christmas and the one I sing at my Christmas concerts, so it was fun to do a cover of it.
I wrote "Snøkrystalla" last Christmas, it was made in about an hour with my friend and songwriter/producer Jim Bergset. The reason it went so quickly was that I had been thinking about what I wanted to write about for a long time. Mental health is very important to me, something I have dedicated my life to, so writing a song that I feel can both comfort and describe a little what it can be like to have a tough time - while also being able to be interpreted as a classic, simple Christmas song - I feel like we managed to do that and I am very happy about that.
Can you tell us a little about how it feels to finally have the EP out and will there be a Christmas album after that?
Oh, it feels so wonderful, and yes, you shouldn't ignore the fact that there will be a few more songs on this EP next year.
What do you want to convey through this Christmas album, and what thoughts have you had about the soundscape of this album?
It has to sound like Christmas. There have to be bells, real instruments and a bit of strings and a flute.
What do you feel is special about Sandra Lyng's musical universe?
During my almost 20-year career, I have been in a number of genres. From starting with a featuring on a hip hop album (Sommerflørt) to releasing my own album produced by StarGate (Døgnvill) where I was one of the first ladies to sing Norwegian R&B.
To pure pop music, then a little EDM (Play My Drum) with a hint of country (Night After Night), and in the song "Har du plass" (which is also a Christmas song that came out this year) by Halva Priset, we are perhaps a little closer to modern dance bands and country.
What I feel I have landed on now is that I want to write mostly in Norwegian – in my native language and dialect. Simply because I feel that I get closer to the audience that way. It is as if the communication is a conversation between me and the listener, or simply me just sitting down and telling a story with melody. I appreciate more and more live instruments and lyrics that can mean something to someone. Hitting a nerve, a heart or that someone can relate to the lyrics. Maybe this has something to do with the fact that I have now gotten to know myself better, and then I know more about who I am as an artist.
How and when did you start with music and singing, and what is your musical background?
Mom says I've been singing for as long as she can remember, that melodies came before I could talk. So it's just always been a part of me. I started in music and would probably have graduated in music if it hadn't been for the opportunity IDOL when I was 16. Since then, it's actually been a blast and I've been working as an artist ever since, and now also as a mental trainer.
My musical background before I became an artist is no more (or less) than that I have always sung in choirs, started my own choir, started my own band as a youth, and written songs since I was 13 years old.
When I was living in Los Angeles in my early 20s, I worked as a songwriter and took songwriting lessons. I don't think many people know that I have actually written, or co-written, all (minus 1) of the nearly 70 songs I have released – and that I write for others. Among other things, I have written songs for the K-pop band Super Junior and came in 2nd place last year as a songwriter on MGP.
Can you tell us a little about one of your most memorable experiences from one of your Christmas performances?
I wrote a Christmas song in 2019, "Christmas Fantasy", for those who dread Christmas. Unfortunately, there are many. I wrote about insecurity, violence, alcohol and pain. When I was going to have a Christmas concert that year in Skøyen Church, we brought in a 12-year-old dancer to interpret a dance to the song. I don't think there was a dry eye in the hall. It was so powerful! I realized then how important music can be. On a new level. That's why I wrote "Det bli bra igjen" the following year. I have received feedback that that song has helped when people were going through divorce, depression and illness. Music can be healing, a friend, support, and a song can show that you are not the only one with the feelings and thoughts you have. A song can be much more than a song.
Do you have any musical role models or sources of inspiration?
I just love India Arie. I love that she writes so real, so painfully and that the melodies are absolutely magical.
There's a lot of good Norwegian music these days - what do you like to listen to at the moment?
I like listening to old songs to bring back good memories. Now I listen to "Landside" by Fleetwood Mac because it reminds me of road trips as a child. I listen to "Superman (It's Not Easy)" by Five For Fighting and Muse because it takes me back to my youth. I listen to "Love Is a Battlefield" by Pat Benatar because it was my mom's favorite song growing up. I listen to "E du nord" because it takes me to the north, when I miss the north. That's why I also include it on "Jul i Nord".
What is the funniest or most special moment you have experienced so far as an artist?
It's hard to pick one moment, because there have been so many. It's been my youth, and my life, but I'll never forget the feeling when you see that you have a song that just works.
It happened with Sommerflørt in 2004 when we got 1st place on VG-lista and the moment I sang "Play My Drum" on VG-lista in 2015, cold and fucking sick, and then saw thousands of people jumping along to your song – it was a magical moment!
If you could work with a Norwegian musician, dead or alive, who would you choose?
I find this one difficult. To choose just one…
I've never spoken to Matoma, but he's so talented and seems like a great person, so making music with him would have been awesome.
I love Stig Brenner and Arif, it would have been cool to make a song with them.
Kari Bremnes, what a dream it would have been, or Halvdan Sivertsen, doing a version of one of his songs with him, that would have been great.
Is there anything you particularly like to do during the Christmas season?
I decorate the tree on the first Sunday of Advent and bake gingerbread houses on December 1. I have pork chops and people to feed. In addition , I watch Christmas movies and play Christmas music every single day in December.
How and where will Christmas Eve be celebrated for you and your family?
It will be celebrated at my little sister's house in Moss this year. We will be a group of 10 and it will be fun for my son to have all his favorites around him this Christmas. From grandparents to aunts and uncles.
What's on the menu on Christmas Eve and what are the "must haves" for Christmas?
I have to have ribs on Christmas Eve, wake up to Christmas stockings and eat candy in front of children's Christmas TV. In addition, I have to listen to Christmas music, walk around the Christmas tree, play games and dabble in a Christmas pajamas for the first few hours of Christmas Eve.
What would you say is special about the Northern Norwegian Christmas?
I've brought my traditions south so I don't really know if I have any northern traditions of my own. But I do miss driving snowmobiles into the woods and finding Christmas trees. I miss the fact that there's a lot of snow, which is usually the case in the north.
What is Christmas about for you?
To give
Taking care of each other
To calm down
Research shows that one of the things that makes us happy is giving. My love language is giving gifts and hospitality. I love doing that for those I love at Christmas, but also for strangers.
Every Christmas Eve I call a lot of strangers who don't have many for Christmas and wish them a Merry Christmas. I started doing this after a blog post many, many years ago and now it's become a tradition.
I also love that Petter in Halva Priset and I are donating all the streaming revenue for our song "Har du plass" to charity. This year, the money is going to Oslo Gateteam.
Which Norwegian Christmas song and foreign Christmas song are your absolute favorites?
"It's Beginning To Look a Lot Like Christmas" when Michael Bublé sings, I get in the Christmas spirit, and when the piano on Maria Mena's song "Home for Christmas" comes on.
What plans do you have for December and 2023?
I'm going to have a Christmas concert with my best friend Kim Wigaard in Skøyen church on 22.12 and in Grorud church on 21.12, I'm really looking forward to that! 2023 is going to be wild, then there will be a lot of music from me that I've been working on for the last six months and I'm so pumped and sooo excited. 2023 will be my best year so far – I can just feel it.