Inspired #265 - Alva Ravn
Rising artist and producer Alva Ravn has just released her genre-bending debut EP ‘Hindsight’ - she took a moment to talk to us about the inspirations behind her music.
Who are your top three musical inspirations and why?
Naming the top three is quite hard, but I’ll rate them as my first, second and third love. First being Amy Winehouse, I listened to one of her first records over and over when I was a kid, and something about her attitude and lyrics just really struck something in my body that never went away. I cried for days when she died. Lana Del Rey hit me in the most emotional teenager phase of my life and somehow taught me how to own sorrow and sadness, without letting it consume me. Third love is FKA Twigs. She has this courage to push boundaries in music and sticking to her vision with these incredibly crazy visuals. All of these women have inspired me to dare to write, to be personal and claim my space. (Frank Ocean, Bon Iver and Mac Miller are my top three male artists)
Is there a certain film that inspires you and why?
I’ve had a lot of favourite movies throughout the years, but one that really stuck with me is «Moonlight». It has this raw, naked and humane storyline combined with an amazing soundtrack and mesmerising visuals. It’s simply a work of art.
What city do you find the most inspiring and why?
I have not nearly traveled enough or seen the places I wish to see. But so far it has to be Copenhagen. To me it was this new beginning with a different, more accepting attitude towards creativity than what I was used to back in Oslo. It gave me a clean slate, and with it’s streets always filled with thriving people, the inspiration wasn’t hard to collect.
Who is the most inspiring person to you and why?
I would have to say my father. He has always been working in acting, directing and music and is this powerhouse of creative ideas and an endless drive. Having watched him deal with creative work and the boundaries society hands out in this area, whilst never giving up has taught me a lot.
What were your inspirations when writing your new EP?
I had a lot of time to reflect and to just be during lockdown. And after a while I experienced a level of clarity and closure after a longer period of chaotic events I never really understood while growing up. It was a combination of wishing things went down differently and accepting that it is out of my hands. It’s both a bittersweet farewell and an ode to being a girl.
How would you like to inspire people?
Probably in the same way others have inspired me musically. “Lyrics” being the key word. I have always been a huge geek when it comes to lyrics and can easily spend several hours reading and analysing my favourite artist’s lyrics. And I find it so comforting, safe and real. So in an inspirational sense I hope my words can leave a mark, whether it’s to help you feel good, or help you cry.