We choose bravery over perfection with our new favourite dark-pop star.

Imagine if Mitski and PJ Harvey’s sound would come together in unholy matrimony. The fruit of their shared creative womb would be Brimheim. She comes from a place of mystique, dark-shaded tones and melancholia threaded with thrilling melodies. In all that emotional despair, hides a light of love and hope, leading the way out of the turmoil. On her debut album ‘can’t hate myself into a different shape’ Brimheim demonstrates the art of transforming anxiety and depression into something beyond beautiful. Today, she tells us how it’s done.

Can you tell us who you are, where you’re from and about the music you make?

My name is Helena. I perform under the moniker, Brimheim, and I’m a Copenhagen/Malmö based, perpetually ruminating, 31-year-old half Dane, half Faroe Islander with a soft spot for quietly desperate indie rock-leaning art pop. My songs are my somewhat successful attempts at making sense of the absurdity of it all.

How did it all start?

When I first heard the album, ‘Uh Huh Her’ by PJ Harvey and thought - “I can totally do that”

If you were to describe your sound to someone who’d never heard you before, what would you say?

Radically dynamic, melancholic pop songs with intricately observed lyrics on a deconstructed, indie rock backdrop.

Can you tell us a bit about your new album ‘can’t hate myself into a different shape’?

I recorded and produced it over the course of 2021 with producer Søren Buhl Lassen. We nurtured these sad little iphone memo ideas that I had tinkered with during a six months long depressive episode in 2020 into a full album in 8 months time. As I was rising back to the surface from the muddy waters of depression, the little song seeds I had vulnerably brought to Søren, blossomed into full arrangements as we connected and played and said yes to everything. It was an enormously life-affirming and playful studio experience and the album is my favorite thing I’ve ever made.

Can you tell us more about the themes behind the album?

Resiliency in the face of existential loneliness and self doubt. Grappling with the banal absurdity of the human experience, but ultimately recognizing its beauty.

Is there any song on the record that’s particularly special for you?

I love the title track which is the second song on the album. It was the first song we made after deciding to make a full record together. For me, it sums up the album really well - the despair as well as the resilient hope that runs throughout.

Are you planning any other releases this year?

No plans. I want to let the album breathe a little bit, you know. I most certainly will be making tons of music though, but that’ll be for my sophomore release.

What inspires your music?

People who are bravely and unapologetically vulnerable in their art and still manage to make it approachable. Also memes about anxiety.

What advice would you give for anyone trying to achieve a similar sound to your band?

Put an acoustic drum kit on everything, always think about dynamics, and remember that ‘genre’ is for boomers.

How do you find operating in Danish DIY music scene?

There’s so much incredible music sprouting up from the underground these days. I’m in awe of people’s creativity. It’s very inspiring. There’s a good community and it's been especially strengthened during COVID. There’s been a real sense of camaraderie and support between bands rather than competition.

If your music was in a film or TV show which would it be?

Season two of Arcane.

Name an album you’re still listening to from when you were younger and why it’s important to you?

Radiohead’s Kid A will forever be with me. The stars must’ve been aligned in an unreal and improbable way for this music to exist. It doesn’t make sense to me that real people made it because It still feels like sorcery even after all these years.

What do you hate right now?

Cancel culture. Let’s unite the left, make room for nuance and end capitalism instead.

What do you love right now?

My wife. I wake up every day and can’t believe my luck.

What comes next in Brimheim's story?

Making great art and music that resonates with as many people as possible across the whole world. But I'll start with touring Denmark and the Faroe Islands this spring and play a bunch of festivals this summer.

What upcoming 2022 music releases are you most excited about?

Mitski’s upcoming album, ‘Laurel Hell’. She is possibly my favorite artist alive and everything she’s made so far feels like it is made for me specifically.

Is there anything else you would like to share with our readers?

Always choose bravery over perfection. I tell myself that every day.

Start Listening To: Brimheim