Exclusive Interview with FREDRIKA REI

Fredrika Rei, a producer and upcoming Swedish/Finnish performer, releases her debut EP titled “less depression, more dancing”. It involves writing, dancing, and dreaming until you find yourself somewhere different from where you began. It’s an assortment of the catchy extra track “think about” together with the soulful electro pop hits she’s recorded in the last year. Check out the exclusive interview below:

1. Can you tell us a bit about where you come from and how it all got started?

FREDRIKA REI: I was born in Finland, moved to Belgium at a young age, and now live in Stockholm, Sweden. So I’m very much a European. I released my first song “100 years old” in 2022, after I finally got my act together and started learning to produce. I’ve been singing, performing and writing songs since forever though. But the production part was the key for me to start releasing music as Fredrika Rei.

2. Did you have any formal training or are you self-taught?

FREDRIKA REI: I’ve had plenty of training in singing and piano playing from a young age. Lessons in guitar when I was a teenager. One year of musical theatre studies. And now two years of music production studies.

3. Who were your first and strongest musical influences and why the name ‘FREDRIKA REI?

FREDRIKA REI: My first and strongest musical influences were probably Lauryn Hill, No Doubt and Jewel. I’m a 90’s girl. Fredrika Rei comes from the latin expression Panta Rei which means that everything flows, everything changes. The point being that my music will keep moving in different directions, like my life in general. Nothing is constant.

4. What do you feel are the key elements in your music that should resonate with listeners, and how would you personally describe your sound?

FREDRIKA REI: I would describe the sound on my debut EP “less depression, more dancing” as electronic soulful pop. From the messages I receive and from reviews, it seems that my listeners resonate with the feelings I try to convey through my singing, which I think is so cool. I tend to dive pretty deep into the situations or stories I’m singing about, and it seems listeners pick up on that. Also, people usually like my intros and outros haha.

5. For most artists, originality is first preceded by a phase of learning and, often, emulating others. What was this like for you? How would you describe your own development as an artist and music maker, and the transition towards your own style, which is known as POP?

FREDRIKA REI: Emulating others has been a great way for me to learn music production. But the core of the songs often just come to me, and they feel very much like mine to finish. Although I’m sure they’re influenced by all the music I’ve ever listened to of course. I’ve had others tell me that they can recognize my sound (someone asked me to produce one of my typical “sad dance tracks” for them haha), so I guess I must have my own style. Maybe it’s easier for others to hear. For me it’s about finding melodies, lyrics and sounds that I want to hear in that moment. And I hope I’ll continue to evolve and change forever when it comes to making music.

6. What’s your view on the role and function of music as political, cultural, spiritual, and/or social vehicles – and do you try and affront any of these themes in your work, or are you purely interested in music as an expression of technical artistry, personal narrative, and entertainment?

FREDRIKA REI: I’m interested in music in all those functions. I’ve written songs about climate change and war. And I’ve written songs about love and depression. Everything is linked anyway. But unless you’re Beyonce (and barely even then) you probably won’t change a complex world with your pop song. But if it matters to you, then write about it. There’s nothing we can affect more than our own little world. And I do think making music (and art in general) in itself can be a political act. You barely make any money from doing it, it takes you hours and hours and hours, but you do it anyway. Most of the time it’s like the opposite of being an economically efficient member of society.

7. Do you feel that your music is giving you back just as much fulfillment as the amount of work you are putting into it or are you expecting something more, or different in the future?

FREDRIKA REI: That’s an interesting question. I don’t think I’m expecting anything more or different. I’m just very happy that I’m making music. But let me get back to you when I’ve been hustling for a couple more years.

8. Could you describe your creative processes? How do usually start, and go about shaping ideas into a completed song? Do you usually start with a tune, a beat, or a narrative in your head? And do you collaborate with others in this process?

FREDRIKA REI: I usually get an idea for a phrase (lyrics and melody) quite randomly, often in the middle of the night. I drag myself up from bed to record it as a voice memo (night braces slurring the words, sounding like a crazy person), and then as soon as I have the time I sit down at the piano and the computer and try to create a song around that phrase. Sometimes there’s something there, sometimes not. If I write with others it’s more like we’ll have a day or a couple hours in a studio together, and then get back to those idea for the next session. I like both ways of working. I like the mix.

9. On the contrary, what would you consider a successful, proud or significant point in your life or music career so far?

FREDRIKA REI: I said no to a very interesting job opportunity as a lawyer and after months of soul-searching decided to study music production instead. One of my bravest moments.

10. Do you think is it important for fans of your music to understand the real story and message driving each of your songs, or do you think everyone should be free to interpret your songs in their own personal way?

FREDRIKA REI: Everyone should be free to interpret my songs. For sure! There’s no rule that says pop music is autobiographical. There’s no right or wrong way to understand my lyrics. It’s storytelling. That being said, I do share some of the stories behind my songs on social media, so I’m happy if listeners follow me there if they’re curious. But some songs I’ll never say anything about. I don’t want to get in too much trouble haha.