Interview: Borg – Mission Impossible

After having spent a few years in different musical collaborations, lending her voice to acts as different as The Honeydrips and Olov Antonsson, Amanda Ingeborg Runestam sneak launched her solo project in December ’19 with the “Honest and Cool” EP.

Discovered via submithub.com

Hey Borg, How does being based in Stockholm affect your writing?

I’m originally from Gothenburg (west coast of Sweden) but I moved to Stockholm about 5 years ago. Stockholm has affected my music in many ways. It was in Stockholm I really started to figure out who I was as an artist. I would say I’m a late bloomer in that way. I’ve always been a musician, but it turned more serious and real when I moved to Stockholm. But what I can say generally about living and writing music in Sweden regarding how that has affected me is the weather. I am the most productive during the winter period – which is so long here in Sweden. I do not know what my music would have sounded like if I were based in let’s say L.A. I’m a weather person (as most people in Sweden are) which in my case means that I believe that the weather is reflected in my music. But I haven’t lived anywhere else, so I don’t know, I’m just talking 😀

What are the hardest challenges you’ve faced within the music industry?

The hardest challenges I’ve faced within the music industry must be the pressure over being relevant and cool and whatever on social media. I find it hard to sell my music and at the same time stay true to my craft. I wish you didn’t have to be so active on social media, and just focus on the music. But that’s the reality for many artists so we’re in this together. I just feel that I’m very bad at it.

The lockdown has affected everyone’s plans right now. What are you doing to stay productive throughout it and are you still able to work on new music?

Though I’ve had some canceled gigs, my main focus right now is writing music which I do from home or in my studio. So, the lockdown hasn’t really been that negative for me in that matter. With that being said, I really need to keep my focus right and plan my sessions. I’m a couch potato so it’s easy to get in Netflix mode if you don’t keep track of yourself ha-ha!

Which other artists are you listening to right now?

Right now I’m listening to Swedish artists Little Jinder and Håkan Hellström who recently released new music!

If you could curate a festival, who would the headliners be?

Oh man, that’s a tough one! How many headliners would I have? Let’s see… I would put Beyonce up for the main act for obvious reasons. She’s been my number one since I don’t know – forever? Then I would have The Dixie Chicks – maybe do a show with both of them, like on the CMA Awards. That was one of the best live performances I’ve ever witnessed.

I mean you could have a festival with just those two giants playing all their music for two days straight. I would be down for that. But maybe I would have to pick a few more… Oh! Celine Dion and Lauryn Hill would definitely be headlining as well. And of course, Robyn! And Cardi B! And Nicki Minaj!