In this interview spotlight, I chat with Marlene Oak about her latest release (Slip Away), motivations, challenges and more.

Full Q&A along with links and music below.

Where are you from and what style of music do you create? (In your own words, not necessarily in marketing terms or by popular genre classifications.)

I’m a singer-songwriter from Sweden, based in Stockholm. My taste in music is very mixed, but I’m mainly influenced by folk music, blues, and rock. Simply everything that sounds good to my ears. So I would say that my style of music is folk, rock, or blues. But I’d love it if my listeners can hear whatever they want to hear in my music.

What led you down this path of music and what motivates you to stay the course?

I have always loved listening to music and I got inspired by other artist and musicians, so when I was thirteen years old I started to play guitar. Later on I started writing my own songs. It’s a way for me to ventilate feelings and thoughts, and I think that’s the main reason why I got into music. I can’t even imagine how it would be like living without it. It’s literally my life.

How is your new release different than previous ones? Did you set out to accomplish anything specific?

For this single, I wanted to try and write something more up-tempo and experiment more with different guitar sounds, and see where it could lead. I’ve got a great band to jam it out with, so I’m very lucky.

Do you face any challenges as an indie musician in a digital age? On the flip side, how has technology helped you (if it has)?

Hmm, I don’t know. I haven’t thought about it that much. But I think it’s easier to find music today then it was before, and that’s a good thing.

Where can we follow you online and hear more music?

Pretty much everywhere! But I mostly hang out on Instagram, Facebook, Spotify, Soundcloud and Apple Music.