Norwegian singer-songwriter, producer and sound designer Merete Mongstad has developed a distinctive musical identity through atmospheric arrangements, experimental textures and deeply personal storytelling. With a creative background spanning alternative pop, jazz, electronic music and cinematic sound design, her work reflects an artist committed to exploring complex emotions through imaginative and carefully constructed compositions.
Her latest single 'Pull Yourself Together' offers an intimate reflection on the realities of living with an invisible illness, confronting the emotional exhaustion, shame and frustration that can accompany struggles others cannot see. Drawing on her own experiences, the track challenges societal expectations surrounding productivity and resilience, ultimately finding hope in acceptance and the freedom to acknowledge personal limitations.
So with the new single available to stream now, we sat down with her to find out more about her origins and what has been inspiring her most over the years.
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What was the first instrument you fell in love with?
Piano
What kind of music did you love when you were younger?
So much different stuff, but I think the common denominator I that they all had unique sound, and made songs that had the qualities of catchy catchy popsongs, and or had strong integrity. Abba, kiss and she see cheesy hits on the radio.in my teens I listen to new wave , Punk, Bowie, Iggy Pop, The Doors, The Cure, The Police, Blondie, Joy Division et cetera and later on I listened to a lot of genres, Trip hop, Air, Nancy Sinatra & Lee Hazlewood, and went through periods of gypsy music, Piaf, Female singers with 60’s bigband arrangements like Julie London, and cabaret songs. currently some of my all-time favourites are Goldfrapp, Nick Cave & Let Love In.
What was the first album you remember owning?
An ABBA album
What is the one song you wished you could have written yourself?
Love me by the cardigans, & Are You Human by Goldfrapp
Do you have any habits or rituals you go through when trying to write new music?
Freestyle writing, going for a walk, looking through my million sentences written in my notepad on my iPhone. Trying to zoom out mentally, looking at the horizon or water, hoping something brilliant enters your brain, inviting trying the unknown in.
Who are your favourite artists you have found yourself listening to at the moment?
Celeste Strange, Lately and Stop This Flame, Goldfrapp Felt Mountain.
If you could open a show for anyone in the world, who would it be?
Goldfrapp
What do you find is the most rewarding part about being a musician?
The creativity, this inner space where you can explore freely and associatively. To me creativity is a way to deal with my feelings & inner life, and it can be therapeutic. If I am not creative, making music & sing, it may turn into negativity or self destruct.
And what is the most frustrating part?
They overwhelmed of all the stuff you have to do, for someone to notice you at all. But that being said, no complains, in the old days it could be even harder actually because of a few gatekeepers decided if your music could be released, because it was extremely expensive to record and release yourself. Not like now, where you can record in your bedroom, have full creative control and reach people all over the world through SoMe & internet.
And what is the best piece of advice you have received as a musician?
You do you, follow the joy, and think of it like a marathon.
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Merete Mongstad's new single 'Pull Yourself Together' is out now. Check it out in the player below.