Sunstroke Rain is the provocative and playful alt-electro project from Swedish singer-songwriter and producer, Karin Turesson. Having spent many years perfecting her craft and accumulating an impressive roster of artists she’s worked with, including Robyn, it’s no wonder that she felt driven to start sharing her own creations as Sunstroke Rain. The artist’s most recent release, ‘Go Greta’, is an environmental anthem of hope and encouragement to the young climate campaigner, Greta Thunberg. Balancing direct and at times confronting lyrics with uplifting and experimental production, Sunstroke Rain offers something different and I hope you’ll enjoy getting to hear more from the artist in our interview below!
You are a brand new artist to our audience. What inspired you to start creating as ‘Sunstroke Rain’?
I have played and made music for a long time and worked for many artists. Sometimes it was fun and sometimes I got tired of playing other artists’ music that I didn’t like at all….so I had this idea “one day I will make and perform my own music”….and you are waiting for someone to tell you ”Now it’s your turn”….it never happened, so I started late. But I lived in France for a few years and it wasn’t easy for me to start the project there so it was hello up again. I also put a lot of time into investigating what kind of music I was going to do….
Your track ‘Go Greta’ really caught my attention. Is that juxtaposition of serious topics and playful production an important element to your music?
With these topics and songs I thought it was a good thing to combine them like that, but with the coming songs that might change:-) I have written very different kinds of music so we’ll see what will come up next 🙂
I’m always so curious as to how people arrive at certain sounds, styles and identities. What’s been a notable or formative moment in your sonic journey so far?
Well there’s so much new music released every week so it’s important (but not easy) to stand out. I really tried to find something ”new” …made up by my experiences, new influences and some home-made sounds. For instance I discovered that since I started making music chord progressions and functions have changed, so if I used the old ones they sounded «has been»….I try to develop the music continuously, it’s an ongoing process, so it will change a little bit all the time hopefully:-)
Sunstroke Rain is possibly the best anagram of a person’s name that could exist. Was it a happy accident, or does it represent something more?
Haha, Thank you! It’s a happy accident:-) The Swedish alternative was ”The big cousins” so I chose the English version;-) And it represents the basic elements that always were important but maybe even more so today. Also if you want to see the Sun and the Rain as two sides of life, the sunny and the darker grey with rain its a good picture of life as a whole, you need both.
You have two wonderful singers and collaborators who are part of your band. How did that come about?
I started to work on my music and one day after some months I took a break and wondered where I was heading. So to get some feedback I sent an email with some songs to a big venue in Malmö. They answered ”we would like to book this, please send line up, stage plot…etc” I was of course very happy and afraid at the same time. Because you have to send it over more or less the same afternoon if you are serious. So where could I find good and interested musicians? I asked old music colleagues of mine who were teaching at preparatory music schools close to Malmö and got a tip about Lisa. And Lisa later brought in Olivia.
I want to believe that we can change.
sunstroke rain
Do you feel hopeful for our future or does your uptempo music disguise despair lurking beneath?
No. Even though the situation with the climate is very worrying, I’m a positive person and despite the difficulties I’m hopeful and I want to believe that we can change a lot of things to carry on in a good way. Some songs were “pilled up” with the climate issues but I have a lot of other songs also. it’s just that these issues are really topical, so that’s why I wrote about them.
Can you share any music you’re currently listening to?
Hmm, I discovered some music lately that I liked, they’re called April & Vista, not Swedish, from the US. A Swedish group I like is Little dragon. A friend of mine has a group called Promise and the Monster, she just released a new EP.
What are some of your hopes or goals for your music going forward?
I really hope to reach out with my music, and to be able to play in Sweden and abroad, especially in the UK where we have a fan base. Through Instagram, I have made many friends and I would like to meet them IRL! The more followers you get, the bigger are the possibilities for you to get booked, which leads to new music etc so progressing further as an artist is the most important part for me.
At Indie Top 39 we are completely focused on independent artists. What are some of the highs and lows that come with being an indie act for you?
One ”high” was our first major concert (booked before the group existed..) it was sold out and my first gig when I was in front as the lead artist….not behind a piano stand or another lead artist. The ambience was magic, and people were shouting, a fantastic and new feeling to me. Now when you can make a lot of things yourself as an artist and you don’t have to get signed, the possibilities are endless. But there a lot of difficulties, at the same time: to have the time & energy to focus and to move on….despite all the challenges; to reach out even if there is so much music getting released every day; to get the opportunity to play; to make new, interesting music; to take care of your PR/Social media; to work as I do 80% as a teacher at the same time.Then it’s easy to use your weekends for things that people do normally, but weekends mean Sunstroke Rain time for me. Also all mornings and evenings, so I work a lot. If I could make a wish I would like to quit my teaching work – AND employ 2 or 3 people to work for me, and things would proceed in another way, better and more quickly!
What’s been a career highlight? It sounds like you’ve worked with some amazing acts!
Playing with Robyn was one highlight! And many others too, I learned to feel “at home on stage “ by playing with them, and of course I had a lot of fun!
The world is slowly coming out of its lockdown slumber. What was your experience of lockdown like in Sweden? Did you learn anything about yourself?
I have been quite active, recording music that wasn’t recorded, (I’m working on an album) sending out press information regarding ”Go Greta” and taking care of the feedback & social media – quite a lot of work. I’m checking out new ”plug-ins” and I have been teaching (piano) so it has been a busy period. I am a social person so I miss being with people, but I also like to do things by myself, so I think I have borne it better than many others.
Finally, is there anything else you’d like to share with our audience?
Hope to see you in the UK! We would really love to come and play there someday!
Make sure to connect with Sunstroke Rain
This coverage was created in collaboration with Musosoup as part of the #SustainableCurator movement.
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