Meet Ulrika Lindstrom, a multitalented, creative genius and brilliant Atlanta-based, up-and-coming popstar who will be performing live at Sweden Day 2016!
We met with Ulrika and her team, Nick Chahwala and Charles Malone, to get to know her and their production company a bit better. Bravo Ocean Studios is a versatile Grammy-nominated production and songwriting team who have worked with artists such as Katy Perry, T.I., Gym Class Heroes, Beastie Boys, Mariah Carey, and The Dream. They work, produce, develop and create everything from music and design to artist development, record production and branding. You can read more about the Bravo Ocean Music Group and their three different divisions here.
Here’s what she had to say about her past experiences, current expectations, projects and goals, as well as her future dreams, hopes and insights to her incredible and successful journey which has taken her from a musical upbringing and classical training in Stockholm, Sweden, via the golden coast and entertainment industry of Los Angeles to the ecclectic and innovative southeastern hub, cluster and music scene that is Atlanta, a place she loves and now calls home in the U.S.
Tell our members who you are!
My name is Ulrika. I am an independent pop artist from Stockholm who now resides in A-town. Just kidding, Atlanta.
How would you describe your music?
I call my music “epic pop”. It’s electronic with influences of late 80’s and 90’s. Some songs are fun dance songs and others are emotional mid tempos and ballads. I’m inspired by Annie Lennox, Sia, Ellie Goulding, Phil Collins and Benny Anderson.
Could you tell us a bit more about Bravo Ocean Music Group?
Bravo Ocean Music Group is located by Grant Park and was built 2014 by myself, Nick Chahwala, Charles Malone & Prisca Strother. The music group consists of three divisions: Bravo Ocean Studios, Bravo Ocean Production and Ullis Design. We endeavor to provide our clients with the most important elements that are fundamental in successful artist development. With record production and songwriting at our core, we also recognize the importance of having an image and identity that reflects the creative direction of the artist. All under one roof, our three divisions specialize in helping recording artists recognize and create their own unique avenues through our approach to record production and brand content development.
In addition to being a Bravo Ocean artist, I am spearheading the group’s branding department, Ullis Design.
Marketing & Event Coordinator Sabina Woldai and Executive Director Sara Henriksson with Ulrika at Bravo Ocean Studios
What brought you to Georgia?
Short version: I lived in LA for a few years and was signed to a label which had it’s core organization in Atlanta. The head of the label knew of a group of producers and songwriters in Atlanta and thought that we would be a great match creatively. He was right! The group was Nick Chahwala, Charles Malone & Prisca Strother. As soon as I heard their music I knew I was sitting on a gold mine. We started working and everything just made sense. I ended up parting ways with my label and moved to Atlanta.
What is your impression of the music and creative scene in Atlanta?
When I first was introduced to Atlanta at 19 all I saw was the hip hop scene. But when I came back a few years later I got introduced to folk, blue grass, swing, all these amazingly care free and southern music styles. I fell in love with the people and their untroubled outlook on life. After seeing two completely opposite ends of the music spectrum in Atlanta I realized that everything exists here. You just have to track down whatever you’re into. I must say that I have found some incredibly talented artists and creators here! What I love more than anything is the sense of collaboration and support for the arts. The only thing Atlanta might be missing is really good modern pop, but hey, that’s why I’m here!
How is your Swedish heritage incorporated to your daily personal and professional life in the U.S.?
Sweden raised me and will always be my home. My family, values and outlook are Swedish and I looove sharing my Swedish heritage and traditions with my friends and family here. I incorporate it in so many ways. For instance, my esthetics, from my home to my design are Swedish (go Ikea!). Simple things like setting the table before dinner and eating with fork and knife comes from my childhood. I also bake a lot of Swedish cakes like chokladbollar and grandma’s drömtårta, and I often cook meatballs with lingonberry jam and mashed potatoes. Swedes are obsessed with good lighting and so am I! I use dimmable track lights throughout my house, even in my closet, ha. I also prefer to walk everywhere which is pretty non american, and I LOVE Swedish music and find a lot of inspiration from people like Robyn, Benny Anderson in my professional career.
Last but not least I have to mention that I celebrate Swedish Christmas every year with glögg, pepparkakor, Kalle Anka, julbord, dans runt granen, tomte, julrim och risgrynsgröt. I’m also always singing and crying a little during Lucia just because that tradition meant so much to me growing up in Adolf Fredrik’s music school.
We thank Ulrika for this interview and look forward to seeing her mind-blowing live performance together with her superb band on Sweden Day, June 6th, in Piedmont Park! You don’t want to miss this – we’ll see you there! Register here.
Ulrika’s social media:
youtube.com/ulrikamusic
instagram.com/ulrikamusic
twitter.com/ulrikamusic
soundcloud.com/ulrikamusic
facebook.com/ulrikalives
ulrikamusic.com
Here is the link to her new single “Oh Sally!”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fdrgaEgpKoI
Here is the link to her previous single “Animal”:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mm8D5ZhfTNk
Text: Sabina Woldai
SWEDISH AMERICAN CHAMBER OF COMMERCE | GEORGIA