A new world opened up for Bergen artist Hedda Mae when she started writing songs. The star will play at by:Larm on Thursday and Friday.
/ 27/02/2020 / Kristian DugstadWho is Hedda Mae?
An energetic 21 year old Bergen girl with a tempo that is sometimes a little too fast. Loves music. Loves playing it live even more. And writing it!!
Why Mae? What does the name mean?
My real name is Hedda Aalvik Grønhaug, which is not super catchy and difficult to pronounce. Hehe. Mae is taken from a relative of my manager. Now I feel like it's part of my real name.
Tell us about your musical background?
I have always been involved in something related to music. In the past, I have been to classical piano and choir. When I was in middle school, I was introduced to "Lipstick music" - a cultural program where girls were put together in bands. That's when I really found my security on stage. I also started taking singing lessons with Myrna Braza, who introduced me to songwriting. I was probably around 17 at the time. Since then, things have really been going well. I grew up with a lot of music in the home, which I am very happy about - I have sat around a lot and discussed songs with my father. However, I am probably the only one in the family who is involved in music to the extent that I am now.
In recent months you have played at Vill Vill Vest and Trondheim Calling and now it's your turn at by:Larm. What does it mean to be booked at the big Norwegian industry festivals for a artist at the beginning of his career?
Wow, yes! It's really cool. Hopefully it can help more people open their eyes to the project. For many, the industry festivals are an important stepping stone for the way forward, so I'm really excited about the response we get after by:Larm. In any case, it's a really cool thing - which gives significant exposure in an early phase.
Last Friday you released your first single as Hedda Mae, "Pride Goes Before A Fall." How was that?
It was very strange. And fun. And scary. But mostly fun!!
Was it nerve-wracking to give the world a first impression of your sound?
Absolutely! I've been doing this for so long now without people really knowing what the project sounded like – so it's really strange to suddenly release it into the world. And at least Pride Goes Before A Fall, which is a pretty special song. But I've gotten a lot of nice feedback, so it's incredibly nice!
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It seems like you enjoy playing with the vocals. You hear it both in "Pride Goes Before A Fall” and in your studio vlogs on YouTube. How do you write a topline? Do you enjoy experiment?
Yes I am! I usually jam out a topline for an instrument, and I usually spend a good while doing that – I really like experimenting!
I would say that the debut single is funky and very danceable. How would you describe it? the music? Are you genre-conscious?
Great to hear! Like fun, retro and sassy pop 🙂 Hmm, yeah. I would say there is a kinship between the songs, but I still try to keep doors open and challenge the genres. I don't want to tie myself too much to a specific sound. I think it's really cool that artists have put themselves in a position where they can suddenly release an EDM song, when their previous single was a 70s ballad - without people raising an eyebrow.
What made you start writing music?
It was Myrna Braza, my singing teacher at the time, who introduced me to songwriting. It opened up a new world for me. In the early years I sat in front of the piano and wrote alone (which I still do), but lately it has become mostly songwriting in sessions with other producers.
What inspires you?
I get inspired by going to concerts and listening to artists I love, like Anderson .Paak and Bruno Mars. In terms of writing, I get inspiration from events in everyday life. Whether it's something that makes me happy/angry/sad, something that makes me feel something different than I usually do.
Where and how do you write?
I write either in front of a piano at home or in the studio. I've worked a lot with producer Benjamin Giørtz over the past year, and he's been involved in almost all of the Hedda Mae songs. So there's been a lot of writing at Tanken in Sandvika. When I write with Benjamin, we usually jam out a topline over chords or a fat bass line. We spend a lot of time on this, as it becomes the backbone of the song. I think it's important to try to find the full potential of the topline - and refine it until you're 100% satisfied.
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Do you have any equipment or tools that are indispensable in the writing process?
An instrument - preferably a piano. And rhymezone! hihi
Back to by:Larm. You'll be on stage twice during the festival next week. What can audience expect?
Lots of energy and unexpected twists!! And a great atmosphere! Plus fun and danceable music 🙂
Do you especially think about the fact that there are industry professionals in the audience when you play at festivals like by:Larm, Trondheim Calling and Wild Wild West?
Now, most of the concerts I've played with this project have been industry festivals – so I don't have much to compare it to yet. But yeah, I probably will.
It does something to you when you know that there are people in the audience who can help you further – and who have the resources to take the project to the next level. And since not many people other than those in this particular audience have seen me play live, I feel like that has a lot to do with the kind of coverage I get. But it's super exciting!
For those who are not going to by:Larm, where and when can they see you?
Time will tell!! 🙂
What are your plans for the spring? When will we hear more music?
Writing new songs, finishing them! And releasing them! There will probably be more in the spring.
What is your career highlight so far?
I feel like it's a highlight all the time, me! Everything is really fun, as I'm constantly experiencing things for the first time – there's something about that excitement now before the project is "properly" launched. But if I had to choose, I think it would have to be Trondheim Calling. It was insanely fun. The audience also stood there for a long time cheering, and it felt really good.
Can you share your greatest music experience as a listener?
When I heard the live version of "Gravity." Absolutely awesome. There's something about that version that just gives me an inner peace.
And finally – Would you like to recommend one Norwegian artist you are currently listening to?
Hmm… There are so many great Norwegian artists these days, and I really like Norwegian music. So it's hard to choose just one. But if I had to, I think it would be Anna Of The North. Raw lady.
