Interview with Agnes Hustler

Paving the way for pop music in Sweden, Agnes has carefully crafted her signature orange universe as an artist, songwriter and content creator with her confident and daring take on pop.

Naming artists like Tove Lo, Sia and Rihanna as her main inspirations, Agnes draws from her combined influences, seamlessly blending elements of rock and soul with big pop melodies to form her distinctive sound. For Agnes, music is power and she aims to do everything she can to spread meaningful messages with her music.

Who inspired you to make music?

I grew up with music all around in a family that sings in choirs and I’ve been singing all my life. It’s just such a vital part of life, it always felt natural to sing and I started writing songs in my teens and producing at 18.

How do you feel the Internet has impacted the music business?

I’m a millennial so the Internet developed as I grew up, I don’t really know the music business without the Internet… For me personally, I think the internet made it more fun and more democratic/equal for aspiring artists. As long as you have internet you can get your music up to the whole world in no time, that’s power.

Agnes Hustler Crededit Shijun Li — Photo Credit: Shijun Li

Have you got a ritual of sorts when making music?

Yes, one prayer before, one in the middle and one after the song’s finished.

No haha. Honestly, each song has its own journey. Sometimes I start writing them as I travel, sometimes I write a whole song in front of a piano myself, sometimes in a studio with a bunch of people. There’s no ‘one’ ritual.

How would you describe your music?

I call my music Goddess Pop. Listen and let me know what you think of it.

What’s next for you?

I’m continuing my Sweden tour, playing at a bunch of Pride festivals and other concerts in cities like Malmö, Luleå, Stockholm, Halmstad and Örebro. I’m getting some well-deserved vacation and preparing surprises for this autumn…

What are your top two favorite songs of all time? Why those songs?

OUFF! I won’t be able to choose two all time songs. But two songs that Dancing Queen by Abba is such a euphoric life celebration song that I and my siblings have danced to since we were born. I would also say If I Ain’t got you by Alicia Keys, her album was one of the first I received in my CD shelter.

What was the last series you watched on TV?

Bridgerton Queen Charlotte.

What do you think the greatest invention has been?

Agnes Hustler.

Do you have any lucky items, objects, or traditions?

My Norrbotten ring, a special silver ring from my region in Northern Sweden.

A tradition we have is my big family reuniting in my hometown Luleå in the summer. That’s priceless.

If you could ask your future self one question, what would it be?

Are you happy? (I really hope you are man!)

If you had to describe yourself as a flavor, what would it be?

Sweet & sour. Yummy with a sticky edge.

Agnes Dei Cover Art — Photo Credit: Agnes Strand

Agnes announces her debut album, Agnes Dei, out now. The album was recorded between Reason Studios Stockholm and at Robyn’s / Icona Pop’s producer Patrik Berger’s studio, and is entirely produced and written by Female and Queer producers and songwriters, including Agnes herself – “for anyone who claims there are no female producers, here’s a whole album made by women and queer people only.”

Tracklist: