Wir sind schon eine Weile Fan von Mia Berg. Wir hatten die Singer Songwriterin aus Norwegen 2022 im Interview und haben auch davor schon von ihrer Art geschwärmt, intime Emotionen in einem inspirierten Pop-Kontext zu verarbeiten.
Nach ihrem Debütalbum Sleepwalkers at noon musste wir aber ein wenig warten, bis neue sanfte Mia Berg-Klanglandschaften unsere Seele besalmen sollten. Auf ihrem zweiten Album Aftermath hat die Norwegerin ehrliche Texten gesammelt, die vor allem wenn man sich gerade mitten im Herzschmerz verliert, sehr nahe gehen. Still und herzzerreißend, aber auch irgendwie heilend begleiten sie den dreijährigen Prozess einer Trennung und die Phase danach. Wir haben mit Mia über diesen Prozess gesprochen und warum sie immer Wollsocken dabei hat.
Mia Berg im Interview
Anna: Hey Mia, very happy to get the chance to talk to you! Last month, you released your new album Aftermath – how does it feel now that it’s finally out in the world now?
Mia: It feels so good to share the album with the world and everyone who wants to listen <3
The second album is always a big step for an artist. How did you feel about your debut album and how did you approach this new one?
Since my debutalbum was released in 2022, I started working with producer Mikhael Paskalev, even though I didn’t think too much about what we were gonna create in the studio. It started as a couple of ideas and songs and ended as an album.
„I got lost somehow.“
I fell for your music a couple of years ago and am so happy you’re finally back! This album tells a lot about what you were going through in this time. You made acquaintance with a painful heartbreak.. and you accompanied it with music. How did it help you through this whole process?
For me, writing songs was a way of processing my thoughts and emotions. As a songwriter or artist I think whatever we experience in life, we bring into our art and thats what makes it real and truthful. But it’s also scary to open up about such raw and painful emotions.
You mentioned that you also thought about quitting music in the middle of it all. What made you hold on?
At one point in the process I didn’t feel that connected to making music and got lost somehow. I didn’t feel that what I did mattered in a way, and also felt confused about my own intuition. But I chose to trust Mikhael as my closest collaborating partner, and that’s what made me hold on I think. This and finally getting back to a place where everything made sense again.
What are some of the learnings you can share of it all?
I think there is a lot of things to learn going through a break up: navigating grief, loss and finding out who you are on your own and building your way forward.
„It felt like a very natural journey from start to finish.„
From all the beautiful songs on the album, which one stands out to you and why?
How did you approach this album musically? Did you want to change some things up or dideverything come quite naturally to you?
It felt like a very natural journey from start to finish. Some ideas were thrown around, some ended up not making it and finally we ended up with these 9 tracks that completed the album. I started writing them on the guitar or on the piano in my parents house. But some of them were also written with some incredible songwriters and musicians that inspire me, and that I feel very grateful to be able to work with.
About Berlin City & warm woolen socks
I know that your music will be a safe place for many people that go through a similar experience. Do you have an artist or an album that catches you when you’re feeling down and defeated?
I will say Adrianne Lenker & Bon Iver!
In June you’re gonna come to Berlin to play an intimate show at Flux Bergfest! How is your relationship to this city? Are you excited to come?
Im so excited to come back to play in Berlin! Last time was in 2023! I love the city, the streets, parks and just how warm and friendly the audience that comes to shows are.
Last but not least we ask about an untold story of yours – something you haven’t shared in an interview before. That can be a hidden meaning behind a song or a fun fact about yourself, anything really.
Hmm, a small hidden secret is that i’m always afraid to get cold wherever I travel or go. So I always have tea and a pair of wollen socks in my backpack or bag. Always! It’s a bit strange, but I rather be safe than sorry.
Am 03.06. spielt Mia Berg im Fluxbau Berlin ein Konzert im Rahmen des Bergfests! Der Eintritt ist frei, es gibt also eigentlich keinen Grund, warum ihr nicht kommen solltet!
Foto: Mikhela Greiner