Frida Sundemo may not be a household name yet, but that could be about the change with the release this week of a coal-black comedy that probes the seamier side of the Britpop scene.
The Swedish songstress, whose music has featured on US TV shows Grey’s Anatomy and Scream Queens, makes her big screen debut in the movie, which stars Nicholas Hoult (About A Boy, Mad Max, X-Men) as a ruthlessly ambitious A&R man prepared to go to any lengths to further his career.
Gavin and Stacey’s James Corden also features in Kill Your Friends, which is based on John Niven‘s novel, a searing send up of his time working for London Records in the ’90s.
Frida plays the frontwoman of a hotly-touted combo Hoult’s character Steven Stelfox is anxious to sign and the soundtrack features three of her songs including new single Heroes, alongside tracks by Britpop luminaries Oasis and Blur.
The Gothenburg alt-pop starlet took time out for a Q&A with Matt Catchpole after jetting in to promote the movie which is out in British cinemas from Friday (6 Nov).
So Frida, exciting times for you. How are you coping with all the attention?
Well, I must say it hasn’t been THAT much attention yet. But it’s really exciting with everything that is happening! I love it when I’m able to share my music with people who haven’t heard it before.
Are you worried things are happening too fast, or are you happy to ride the wave?
No, I’m not worried. I’m pretty down to earth and I would happily welcome everything to speed up a little (laughs). In the music industry you learn fast that things take time and you have to have a lot of patience and a cool head.
What do you make of our capital?
I love London so much! I’ve been there many times over the last few years and it feels like she (London) is starting to embracing me as one of her mates. That’s a nice feeling!
My favourite parts of town are Shoreditch, Hackney and Whitechapel. I love vintage shops and there is lots of tasty food and good coffee in those areas. Not to mention the best bagels in the whole wide world on Brick Lane! (The bakery with the white, blue and red sign).
Other fast food outlets are available! I’m guessing music is your first love, but is acting something you’d like to explore further?
I’m not gonna say that I won’t do it again but I will definitely focus on the music. I had a lot of fun shooting Kill Your Friends, though. It’s so exciting getting thrown into a whole new world, like the movie business was to me. I always try to be open to new adventures.
How did you get on with your co-stars Nicholas Hoult and James Corden?
I didn’t get to meet James Corden, unfortunately, but I spent some time with Nicholas in between takes. He was super friendly and a very talented actor. I was so impressed by him and the other actors when doing the scenes. Their professionalism made it a lot easier for me to relax on set and to get into character.
Were you starstruck at all?
I didn’t expect myself to be, but I actually was a bit starstruck when I was introduced to Nick for the first time. I came straight to set from the airport and somehow I was overwhelmed by everything. Apart from that, I did fine, haha.
Your music is featuring both on the small and big screen of late. Why do you think your songs work so well on film?
I’m not really sure. But I always see pictures in my head when writing and producing and maybe those fictional movies influence the music more than I’m aware of?
How much of an influence is your homeland on your music?
I think that the long cold winters have had a big impact on me – both emotionally but also simply practically; it’s easier to keep focused in the studio when the snow is whirling outside than on a perfect summer’s day. Emotionally, I always find myself thinking a lot more about different things during the winters than when the weather is fine. I guess that is a good source of inspiration for my writing. It’s like a lighter version of the classical saying that’s it’s easier to create when your heart is broken than when you’re luckily in love.
There’s a tremendous fascination with all things Scandinavian right now; from books, to crime dramas to music, does the interest surprise you?
I don’t know, I guess those things come and go. In Sweden we’ve always looked up to our big brothers, UK and US, in a lot of different fields, but we might actually have found our very own lane in the big highway network. That’s exciting and inspiring!
Who inspired you growing up?
My family inspired me a lot – they made me feel like I could do anything I committed myself to do. Also one of my teachers in high school. He used this revolutionary pedagogics and challenged me and my classmates’ every opinion. That was really inspiring.
Do you have any heroes? Who’s career would you like to emulate?
My big heroes are people who I’m personally related to. I’ve got a lot of them in my life. One artist that I’m enormously impressed by is Björk. It feels like every part of her music is packed with who she is. She inspires me.
What made you want to become a singer?
I’ve always loved to write and create music but it took many years until I sang to an audience for the first time. Somehow I discovered that performing your music live adds another dimension to it. It’s such a magical feeling when you get to deliver a message with your own voice in front of people who actually pay attention to you.
