LETTING GO
Sweden's next pop sensation is spelled HON. Singer, song writer and producer Mikaela Mohlin introduces an extravagant character with a particular love for sunglasses. The first songs hit us during spring 2020 and we can't wait to hear more from her. Thank god the current pandemic hasn't stopped her.
HON IN OH-11
HOW DID YOU FIND YOUR VOICE?
By letting go. Taking away the pressure of what my music should and shouldn't sound like and just letting whatever came out come out. Letting my emotions speak and just creating out of happiness, feelings and healing.
WHAT’S YOUR EARLIEST MEMORY OF MAKING/EXPERIENCING MUSIC?
My mom singing goodnight lullabies. I also remember my dad making music and playing his demos in the car while I was singing along, knowing all the words in pretend-English. One of my first memories of making music is a poem I wrote about a dream I had about a magical place where we go when we die, after my aunt passed away. Then my grandmother found it and we made a melody to the poem.
WHAT IS YOUR MUSIC ABOUT?
Mostly love and at the moment independence and celebrating yourself. It's about everything that comes from dealing with life. Almost like therapy. Like when I wrote Bättre nu which is about how you’ve already gotten over someone and are feeling better now. When I wrote it, I was newly dumped and heartbroken and definitely didn't feel better now, but I knew that one day I would. So I wrote a song to myself to remind me that one day soon I would be okay. One year later I’m feeling so fucking good and couldn't have been more right.
HON IN OH-12
YOUR FIRST SINGLES RÖR MIG SOM DU AND BÄTTRE NU RECEIVED GREAT REVIEWS, WHAT ARE YOUR DREAMS GOING FORWARD?
Ever since I was little I’ve wanted to reach out with my music everywhere, but honestly just focusing on that would kind of kill the fun, it's so easy to get lost in the future and almost forgetting to enjoy the present. So, to get there, my dreams right now are to just keep on making music, not limiting myself in any way, staying present and mostly just follow what makes me happy and then let the rest unfold.
WHAT MUSIC MAKES YOU DANCE?
All the music. I love to dance and can honestly make most music work. My latest on-repeat-dance-tune is a song called In these arms by JP Cooper.
WHAT’S THE MOST IMPORTANT ALBUM TO YOU?
I’m more of a great song-kind-of-girl than an album girl. There are some amazing albums out there but it's so hard to choose just one. An album that will become the most important though, is definitely my debut album next year. I get super excited and grateful just thinking about it.
HOW HAS THE PANDEMIC AFFECTED YOU? HAS IT TAUGHT YOU ANYTHING?
I always try to focus on the positive in everything that happens in life. It's obviously a super weird time right now and I would of course love to be able to play and be out touring which I would otherwise. On the other hand, my band and I have been able to rehearse a lot and will be so ready when it's finally time. I also been a lot in the studio, making more music than ever and have so many songs ready.
HON IN OH-12
WHAT’S NEXT FOR YOU?
I will soon release another single. A song I wrote over a year ago but has been a favourite since! I’m super excited. Then just keep on releasing more music. The pandemic has left me with so many songs and I can’t wait to share all of them.
WHAT UPLIFTS YOU FOR THE FUTURE?
I’ve had quite a few conversations like this the last months due to the pandemic with people who have given up on the world. I haven't. I believe in the young people and it's much easier to get educated today. Social media is great in that way. I believe that for everything bad that is happening in the world, the people that are fighting against that- for the earth, human rights, feminism, against racism and homophobia etc, will grow larger. Besides, the men in dangerous power positions are getting older. It's our time and to possibly be able to experience that shift during my lifetime is uplifting and beautiful.
WHERE DO YOU FIND MOST INSPIRATION?
Just by living. Experiencing sights, emotions and meeting people. I have a tendency to feel and overthink a lot. Which can suck for me personally sometimes but is amazing for my song writing.
WHAT DOES FASHION MEAN TO YOU?
I love fashion. It's an amazing way to express yourself through. It’s fun, creative and often extra. All things I love.
OH MY EYES IS ALL ABOUT LIFTING UNIQUE CHARACTERS, HOW WOULD YOU DESCRIBE HON?
She is whatever she feels like. A force that won’t let anything stop her, she thrives from facing fears. She’s super extra, super fashion and always on point but also sometimes just walking around in a week-old sweatpants not leaving the couch. Also she loves sunglasses and would prefer to wear them all the time.
DO YOU HAVE A PERSON THAT INSPIRES YOU?
My sister is a huge inspiration and support, HON wouldn't be the same without her. Also, non-music related, my grandmother is my biggest source of inspiration ever. She’s 92 and her life motto is “Life is only as fun as you make it” that's probably why she still does yoga sometimes, study Italian for fun and still is trying to learn how to play the piano even though she's been trying for 30 years.
HON IN OH-11
