If you haven’t heard the term Nordicana, make sure you get familiar with it, as there’s a whole offshoot of the Americana genre that’s represented by a host of talented, Scandinavian artists. Today we’re talking with one of those artists, Malin Pettersen, who wowed us with her last album, Wildhorse. Although in the past Pettersen’s music drew from her influences in bluegrass and country, Malin’s newest music is embracing the genres of jazz and R&B, while “redefining the boundaries of pop music.” Whatever direction Malin plans on going, the world would be smart to follow, as she’s a talented and ever evolving artist. Malin Pettersen is back with new music and she just released her new single, “Cry If I Want To,” a duet with Bergljot Bejella. Her video for the single debuted on June 14th and if you haven’t had the chance to watch it yet, you can find it below.

It's been almost 3 years since you've released Wildhorse and so much has happened since then. How has this time and all the events that have happened, changed you and the music you're making?

I find myself back in a place of trying to figure out who I am again. A little bit like when you’re a teen and try to find out what you like, what you want to be, and what your identity is. The past years with the pandemic stripped us all of so many social meeting grounds where – at least I - get my identity calibrated. I mean - I find myself partly in all of the things I do and are when I am with other people. Which is consolidated over time and a lot of alone time as well of course, but I feel like bumping into other people in this life at least for me helps me to get to know myself. So, I needed to kickstart my creativity with doing something a little bit outside of what I already know. I asked some new people to join the project and try to push my own boundaries to see where I’d end up and who I’d be at the end.

Your single, "Cry If I Want To," features Bergljot Bejella, an artist that you said was your dream duet partner. How did this come about and what about Bergljot made her perfect to collaborate with on this single?

I knew who Bergljot was through my dear friends in Darling West. They had her up on stage at a festival called Sundreball last year and I was just blown away by her musicality and voice. So, when we were looking for someone to sing on “Cry If I Want To” I was so happy when we thought of her as she has a voice that brings something that my voice does not have. I’m not sure what or how to put it into words, but there are some movements being done there in the voice, so effortlessly, that I could just listen to it again and again.

What are you most excited to share with your fans on this new album? Is it an upcoming single? Another special guest appearance? Growing and changing as an artist? Or something else?

All of the above! There are more incredible guests, and I can’t wait to show the rest of these duets with the world! Also, very excited about the next song coming out - it’s an energy bomb! And when it comes to the album, I just can’t wait for the world to hear the whole thing. I feel like we’ve really pushed some boundaries towards places I have yearned to be musically and of course - as always - I have tons of philosophical and everyday contemplations I hope will resonate with people out there.

So excited to hear that you'll be at Americanafest this year, do you have more plans to tour the US with this new album?

As of now, Americanafest is the only thing I know is going to happen. But travelling is what makes my blood rush, so I hope I’ll be back again not too long after, and my goal is a full tour at some point!

Find out more about Malin Pettersen at the links below: