Conversation with talented singer, songwriter and dancer ‘Elinda’

We are sharing our interview with Elinda, the charismatic and talented singer, songwriter and dancer.

Twist Online : First of all tell us about the start of your professional career?
Elinda : I got an employment in a famous show restaurant in Stockholm, Sweden. It was hard work but fun and gave me many good connections. At the restaurant a very famous Swedish artist discovered me and asked me to tour with him the following summer and it lead to more jobs as a backup singer and dancer. Through audition I got a part in the first edition of the musical RENT in Sweden. A very special musical I hold close to my heart. I did some other musicals as well but never felt the same again. After that I went in to the entertainment business doing various shows and I started to write music that some famous artists ended up recording. David Hasselhoff from Baywatch was one of them, I find that a bit amusing.

Twist Online : Who or what inspired you to get into music industry?
Elinda : I loved to sing as a child. Never thought much of it but I knew all the songs the day after the Eurovision song contest and always pretended to be Agnetha in ABBA (because I was blond…). Actually far later on I was fortunate enough to really do the part of Agnetha when I was singing with the original musicians of ABBA for six years. Like a dream come true. But from the very start I was dancing as a hobby when I got selected through audition to do a leading role in the spring play. That’s when I found out I could sing really well. After finishing my professional dancing education I started working right away. I loved dancing but new it was extremely hard work to stay on a top level. Singing was just as fun and I love to combine them both. Now when I write my own music I really try to write music that I can dance to. Music that makes a really good show.

Twist Online : Tell us about your upcoming release “Don’t want to know”?
Elinda : It’s my third single. The first two are more up-tempo and happy but now I’m getting a bit serious. Since I launched my solo career I spent a lot of time on social media and met hundreds of interesting people. I enjoyed following peoples lives and to learn more about what was going on out there. But every now and then I stumbled upon things that got to me. Really got to me bad. The little boy lying dead, washed up on the shore. Horrible. Animals getting tortured. Or simple things as old boyfriends or a friend or colleague doing stuff that I would have loved to do. I felt I needed to write a song about that feeling. How things can hit you hard when you least expect it.

Twist Online : How was the response to your recent singles “Superwoman” and “Bam”?
Elinda : When “Superwoman” was released I had no anticipation or hopes at all. It was my first song and I had just gotten started building up a fan base. Luckily it got picked up by two New Music Friday lists in Scandinavia on Spotify, unusual for a first release, and is being played on radio stations around the world. It’s written to all women who go through their everyday struggle with the kids, fighting to prove themselves in a man dominated world. Many of my fans play it when they need to boost their confidence. Now “BAM” is released and some think that it’s an even better song. It’s also been played a lot on the radio. It’s a nice song to dance to and many listen to it when they work out. I’ve even heard that a group of doctors love to play it really loud when they perform surgery.  I love performing it live because of the energy.

Twist Online : What attracts you more, performing on stage or working in studios?
Elinda : I love the creative process, the focus and stillness that I feel in the studio. The feeling when you get it right and when you know it’s going to be good.  But the reason I do all this is because I love performing. I love to meet the eyes of my audience and feel how they travel with me on a journey through time and space. See their energy go through the roof and feel that they want more.

Twist Online : What’s the role of your husband Mikael in your success?
Elinda : My husband has also been working in the music business for many years. He had a band in the early years and released a few albums but later on mostly been working with music in other kinds of media like TV-series, commercials and games. We decided that we couldn’t face age decently without doing this together. He is my co-writer, producer, photographer, webpage designer and of course a major support in all the decisions I make. My partner in crime! It’s really a lot of fun working together and we spend many late nights discussing what and where to go next.  How we want the next song to sound like or who we should contact to help us out.

Twist Online : Have you set some target to achieve as a music artist?
Elinda : Off course! A sold out Madison Square Garden. And I’m not kidding. Why aim for anything less? That would be boring. But each day I do this I achieve parts of my goal because I learn, meet interesting people and have a lot of fun. I would also like to contribute to changing the stigmatised view of age in the industry. Many have told me that it’s far to late for me, and really no point in trying. Most record labels don’t even listen to the music if you are older than 25. I would love to be the one proving them all wrong and pave the way for more experienced women who have a greater foundation and confidence. Maybe the business would get less shallow and more about making people feel the music. If I compare myself now to when I was twenty the difference is really huge. I’m a far better singer and performer today.

Twist Online : Are you currently working on any other project?
Elinda : All my time I spend trying to spread my music. I would love to find co-operations in the fashion industry or some other major company with good values. Many of my songs and lyrics are written to inspire people to stand up straight and follow their heart no matter what other people might think or say. That motto should work for many companies. If you mean other music projects (besides writing more music for my first album) I will be recording a Christmas album.

Twist Online : What’s the best way to follow you online?
Elinda : I’m everywhere. 😉 On Spotify (or other streaming services) or Youtube if you’re mostly interested in my music. If you want to know more about me and my crazy life as a mother of five kids (three biological and two bonus) and my so called impossible path to the top, the best source is always my webpage where I blog and post most links to my music, Instagram etc. But I’m also pretty active on Facebook where everyone is more than welcome. Here are some links.

Webpage: http://www.elindamusic.com
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Elindamusic  
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/elindamusic
Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCwfx-bI-Ff5UmX-vozjJ50g
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/linda-elinda-frithiof-737a498a
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Elindamusic