Back with their brand new single, Icelandic synth-pop duo East Of My Youth are hoping to take the world by storm with their unique sound and brilliant talent. We got the opportunity to catch up with Thelma and Herdis who make up the duo and talk all about their music, inspirations and more.
East Of My Youth are back with new single 'Broken Glass'
For those who may be new to your music, how best would you describe your sound?
Thelma: Poppy ballads with a heavy cinematic flair.
Herdis: Big, cinematic, emotional, melodic, textural and warm.
What challenges have you faced in the music industry so far?
Thelma: I guess as a female duo it’s been hard for a lot of people to think that we wrote and produced the music ourselves. Herdis is the instrumental composer and the producer in the duo and has often had to deal with a good amount of disbelief, which is something we desperately need to see change. But it’s also just hard to surface as a new band in this enormous pool of talented artists.
Herdis: Loads of challenges to say the least! It’s not easy to release music on your own and get the music out to a big audience. It’s always a bit funny when you’ve put so much hard work into something and your heart and soul and the only ones who hear it are your friends and family (and they are great by the way, I would write for only them every day!). But in the end, what matters is that if you touch one person deeply, that’s worth more than millions thinking something is OK. And something makes you just keep on doing it and learning by every step you take.
How difficult would you say this career path is in terms of making a name for yourself?
Thelma: I think I’ve definitely come to terms with being an artist in this life and by doing so you’re also coming to terms with a life of uncertainty and possibly never making it big. I guess that should never be the point. You always find a way to sustain yourself. You have to.
Herdis: The world is big and there is so much music. So I guess it is not easy to create a name for yourself, you probably need a mixture of really good music and a dash of luck.
How important is it for you to have creative control over the work you produce?
Thelma: I’ve come to realise that in each artwork you make you have to look at what brings in the strength to the core and sometimes it means letting go of certain ownership. I like to have control but I’m also learning how to let go of it.
Herdis: Very important.
Where do you draw influence and inspiration from for your work?
Thelma: I guess all around. Sometimes it is the most simple mundane things like driving the car, or doing the dishes, that is going to inspire you the most in your work that day.
Herdis: So many things, mostly being inspired by good music. But also energy; I like to write early in the morning with a fresh mind. I normally don’t feel inspired when I’m tired.
If you could collaborate with anybody going forward, who would you choose and why?
Thelma: Oh… Erm, on the top of my mind within the realm of music I would love to collaborate with Dolly Parton, Rihanna, Lorde, James Blake and many, many more! Just a good mix of different vibes. Oh dear… There are also so many amazing producers that would be super exciting to work with. Ask me again another time!
Herdis: I would love to collaborate with Grimes. She is one of my favourite producers and a big inspiration. She produces and writes all her stuff from beginning to end. You have to dream big, right?
Tell us a random, funny fact about you that not many people know.
Thelma: I believe in aliens and all kind of extra-terrestrial and otherworldly creatures. It’s just more fun to believe.
Herdis: I’m hyper-sensitive to sounds. If there is a clock that ticks anywhere near me I have to take the batteries out.
Do you have definitive aims or goals for your career?
Thelma: To go big and happy… Hahah! Yeah, let’s live this life.
Herdis: Just being able to work as a musician.
Where do you hope to be by this time next year?
Thelma: I hope to have just got back from Burning Man where I’ve participated in an amazing, multi-dimensional sculpture/happening with a very strong community of creative spirits and to have developed my skills as a multi-disciplinary artist and to have clear prospects of where I want to put my energy and love.
Herdis: Living completely off just writing music.
What should we expect from you in the coming weeks and months?
Thelma: Well, as we are in opposite ends of the world – Herdis in Berlin and I in Los Angeles – we will work individually on our artistic skills and keep on finding this golden flow of magic that exists inside all of us, waiting to be released.
Herdis: Hopefully something good!
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East Of My Youth’s new single ‘Broken Glass’ is available now via West Of My Future Ltd.