Music Q&A: The Cardigans

What informs your music and songwriting?
To marry sounds and words in different ways is a great way to tell things that plain talk can’t on its own.

How have you evolved as an artist over the years?
I have simply become an artist! Or rather, a singer. When I joined the band in 1992 I was not a singer and not even aspiring to be, so I have done all my developing and my figuring myself out in the Cardigans.

What are you up to at the moment artistically?
I just recently wrapped up a big project that I started and lead together with a friend – a sort of a political cabaret in the state theatre here in Malmö – and we toured Sweden with it. So at the moment I’m chilling a bit, no huge plans. Just doing this lovely little tour of the UK with The Cardigans!

What’s on your rider?
Hmm, it’s probably time we looked into that! Nothing craz,y I think. We went bananas in our early days and then we realised that we actually pay for it all ourselves. But we have fine wine, of course, local beers (and I’m looking forward to the English ones), some snacks and vitamins. Ginger and honey. It’s very sensible.

Tell us your most embarrassing or surreal experience.
There was a day about nine years ago, when someone told me on the phone that absolutely all the money I ever made was gone. Crazy. But it’s back now!

What song do you wish you’d written?
Happy Birthday.

What’s your worst lyric?
There’s a song on First Band On the Moon, I think, called Losers and I’m not proud of it. I think it makes me sound like an asshole.