When I looked at myself

Anna Eriksson got fed up with interpreting radio hits penned by others so she wrote an album of theatrical pop in English. How has the dance-pavilion interpreter adapted to her new role as a songwriter?

Garden of Love, released last February, is Anna Eriksson’s first album exclusively featuring her own music and lyrics. The idea of writing her own songs was sparked off in 2005 by the album Sinusta Sinuun, compiled in collaboration with her then boyfriend Sipe Santapukki. Before that she had done the odd composition and written a few lyrics.

Work on Garden of Love got under way in September 2008 by sheer coincidence.

“I was between gigs and just wanted to write songs for the hell of it. When I had come up with a few numbers in English I suddenly realized I was working on my next album.”

It was clear from the start that she was going for a pop album with a theatrical, grand sound and lots of dramatic string parts. In other words, she was about to commit commercial suicide in a country where the overwhelming preference is for heavy metal, light pop and turbo-processed rock.

New horizons

What gave you the self-confidence to let go of the old formulae and do the lot yourself?

“It’s taken 15 years to find the confidence to make such bold decisions. I couldn’t do it before because I was too immature early in my career. I’ve always known that I don’t belong in the hit-tune or entertainment department, though.”

There were no problems working in the studio with Arttu Takalo, the co-producer of Garden of Love, who also wrote the string arrangements. The two tossed ideas around and discussed them. The arrangements were finalised by mutual agreement.

“We shared the responsibilities rather equally, except that Arttu was more involved in keeping an eye on the musicians and their playing.”

As a composer Anna Eriksson describes herself as a solid nine-to-fiver who does not believe in flashes of divine inspiration in the hung-over small hours.

“I get up in the morning, go to my study and start playing the piano. When you find good melodies you usually also find the words. Then when the tune and a rough outline of the lyrics are ready, you get to work on the song. The lyrics are usually the hardest bit. Or it may be a snippet of melody or a C-part. Then you might have to leave the song unfinished for a while.”

“In one respect I’m a typical melancholy Finn: I always end up choosing sad or nostalgic themes. I’ve tried very hard to write cheerful songs, but I just don’t like them.”

Before turning songwriter she gained fame as a clear-voiced beauty of the dance pavilions and concert halls. The commercial radio stations played her records incessantly.

What is the difference between writing a song and performing it?

“When you write a song you’re cocooned in your own world. Somehow you’re more exposed and more honest than when you stand in front of people, as all performers put on some kind of front. If I had to choose between the two, I’d choose songwriting”. Anna Eriksson sets out on a concert tour in October.

Text: Mervi Vuorela
Translation: Joan and Henrik Nordlund
Photo: Maarit Kytöharju

This interview and translation is a part of the article "Kun katsoin minuun" in Teostory 3-2010.