Elin Larsson
Thrills, (Blues) Pills and literal bellyaches before striking Gold.
When it comes to female lead singers of the modern era, there are few more spectacular than Elin Larsson. She’s been fronting
Blues Pills since 2011, leading the Swedenbased quartet through a hail of heavy psychedelia, classic acid blues and strident soul. Last year’s revelatory Lady In Gold, their second album, was followed by a year of hard touring that established them as one of Europe’s most breathtaking live acts.
Is it too early to ask about a follow-up to Lady In Gold?
No. We’ve been doing demos and we’re almost finished setting up our own studio in Örebro, which we’ve been working on for a few years. The goal is to get it done, head out on the road again, then try to record the next album. Having the studio is definitely going to help Blues Pills a lot. We’ll have way more freedom – freedom to do whatever the fuck we want. Six years down the line, have you become more accustomed to the spotlight?
Yeah, I feel way more comfortable. When Blues Pills first took off, I wasn’t prepared for it at all. It was a complete shock to me and I stopped eating. We’d play at these massive festivals and I’d be like: “Are we even worth this?” I couldn’t cope with it, really. But now I feel way better mentally. I’m stronger and I know what I’m doing.
Going back to the formation of the band, after you lost your waitressing job, you went to California where you met bassist Zack Anderson. Was there a grand plan? Not really. If I hadn’t been that young and naïve, it wouldn’t have happened. But if you really want to become a musician, you have to throw yourself out there – there are no half measures. It can end up like shit or, thankfully, it can end up like us.
Was there always music in your house when you were growing up?
There was a lot of creativity. My mum had a small theatre and she wanted us to do stuff like that. We weren’t allowed to watch TV – we were supposed to paint or sing. It was way more creative than the typical Swedish upbringing.
What might you have done if music hadn’t been a career option?
Maybe I’d have been a painter. But I love how music makes me feel when I sing and share it with people. I would be so sad if that wasn’t a part of me. I never started singing to become rich and famous, I started because I loved it. Even if Blues Pills hadn’t been successful it still would’ve been such a big part of my life.
Is there room for anything else in your life at the moment?
I do a lot of sports, I run almost every other day. I’m actually the worst rock star there is. I don’t drink on tour, only when I’m home, and don’t take any drugs. When my voice is fucking up on tour I have to drink water at room temperature, like a complete diva. And when I do start drinking there is no end.
So you’re a compulsive personality? Everything I do is to a hundred per cent. It’s not like I have just a glass of wine,
I’ll drink bottle after bottle, get shitfaced then fall asleep. So I pick the days when I want to party. Also, of course, if I got drunk every night I wouldn’t be able to perform on stage like I do. So I think rock’n’roll has actually made me a healthier person.