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Interview with Sibille Attar

Jon Berrien
Latest posts by Jon Berrien (see all)

 

Swedish born Sibille Attar has been intoxicating our earbuds with a unique blend of indie pop. The Grammy nominated singer/songwriter has been on the grind and is getting ready for the American release of her debut full-length album Sleepyhead. GroundSounds recently caught of with Sibille to talk about her upcoming album and more, check out our exclusive interview below. 

You’ve been a member of different bands for a while. What made you decide to go solo?

I wanted to try’n see what would happen. I guess in a way I was tired of expressing what others had felt and written down, (as a singer and musician performing other peoples lyrics and melodies.) 

I have given music so much love and effort thru the years, but somehow I never dared to take the step on my own, but I realized it wasn’t fair to myself to not even try. So I did. And I guess it worked out kinda good huh?

What is your favorite Swedish food?

Haha! I’ve always been more french in the food area! My french pa is a very serious amateur chef so I have been very spoiled with food these past years we’ve hung out.

We in America are highly anticipating the release of your full-length debut Sleepyhead. Can you tell us about working on this project? What was the most difficult and most rewarding part of the process? What should fans expect?

AW thank you, so am I!!!

The album was such a kamikaze project, I was SO stubborn and wanted to do it all by myself.

Like I mentioned earlier, I felt like I needed to be fair to myself and fully devote all of me in it. Also I didn’t want any record label bosses telling me what to do, or producers telling me what to do so I had to do it all alone, (with the exception of the 2 musicians and the engineer of course). As a musician I never made enough money to do it financially so I worked my ass off as a waitress for a year or so everyday of the week and saved up, and then I rented a great studio in the southern woods of Sweden and that was the start. Later I got the question if I wanted to try’n do something with Björn Yttling, I was reluctant but Come Night turned out good and all the rest was me so I thought why not!

Most difficult was entering the producing role without knowing dipshit about it, but that was eventually also the most rewarding part. I had more in me than I thought.

Hmm expectations are difficult, I hope they get to see us play live some time soon! I love playing live and meeting the folks who might like me or hate me, haha! Hopefully they’ll feel all that I felt, (in their own way), while working on it.

Why did you decide on the album name Sleepyhead?

In a way I guess what was inside me was sleeping before the album started to slip out. Took a long time for it to wake up!

Can you tell us a little bit about the creative process and inspiration for the track “Come Night”?

I was reluctant to work with someone else on this particular album that was so much all about it being made by just me, but I was also curious to see what would happen. I had this sad/happy tune that I knew could grow, and he helped in that, and then the famous ‘magic’ happened. It was a new experience and I learned a lot from it, I’m the kinda person who wants to try stuff at least once!

What has been one of the most memorable moments throughout your career thus far?

Hmm…

This entire year has been quite memorable in itself!!

I think when my 4-track EP “The Flower’s Bed” got grammy nominated out of nowhere! I had just released it to try’n see if people even where interested. That was kinda mindblowing.

What do you enjoy most about being on stage and performing live?

Connecting with the people who’s in the audience. But all of it! 

In my general life I’m not the kinda person who would burst out in singing around people so the singing is a huge part of the fun. I wasn’t always confident enough but it has changed thru the years and that feels real good!

Who are your 2-3 biggest musical influences? If you could ask them each one question, what would you want to know?

I usually get more inspired musically thru other kinds of things that aren’t music…

Powell and Pressburger the movie makers, I’ve used some of those magical landscapes in The Red Shoes for example to translate to music in my head.

Artist Niki De Saint Phalle and her happygolucky first impression but depth if you look closer.

To name a few things…

Not to forget, ALL women in the music industry inspire me deeply. 

Will you be coming to the states anytime soon? What is next after the American release of Sleepyhead?

OH I’m counting on it don’t know when yet!

For the future… I mean I’m writing new things, wanna be a step ahead but feel like I have time, I just got started right?!