#Inspired #150 - våra
With a mixture of dreamlike vocals and relaxing harp sounds - classical musician våra talks us through the inspiration of her track ‘Lake’.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why
Listening to Tristan Prettyman, Feist and Regina Spektor made me feel more confident singing at a softer volume.
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
There are many, but one that comes to mind is “Stranger Than Fiction.” I watched the first half at the dentist’s office. Just when the procedure was over my dentist told me how much he loved the movie and that the part I had paused at was the pivotal point of the film. One of the characters, Ana, asks the main character, “Didn't your mama ever make you milk and cookies?” He told me that was the scene where Harold Crick’s life began to do a 180. It was Ana’s kindness that brought Harold out of his inner world and into the real world.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
San Francisco is so gorgeous. I have a lot of memories going there as a child — riding the trolley, seeing the tourist attractions. I love the beachy air, amazing restaurants, and parks. When I lived there I appreciated the diversity, culture, architecture, countless vistas, and proximity to West Coast gems.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
My grandmother was very inspiring because of what she overcame, her positive outlook and her fierce belief in every one of her children and grandchildren. Her childhood in Tennessee wasn’t easy, but as a young adult she forged her own path and started fresh in San Diego, where she met my Grandpa. For him, it was love at first sight. He just knew.
One of her favorite sayings was “It’ll all work out!” Come to think of it, maybe that’s what inspired the end of the chorus in Lake: “…and you’ll be ok.”
What were your inspirations when writing the track?
This song began as I was coming home to my home state of Washington after a few years of living away, and driving through the sublime forests of Oregon and Washington in the fall. I had a particularly euphoric feeling returning to those forests. I started with the rhythm and then created the words around it, including memories in Pacific Northwest mountains.
How would you like to inspire people?
The harp has been known for its peaceful sound for centuries. In the frenetic world we are in, I hope that my music can inspire people to feel more tranquility.