With a diverse and unique blend of musical influences, Lilly Ahlberg has carved her path in the music industry, becoming known for her distinct style that seamlessly fuses contemporary pop elements with soulful undertones. The Anglo-Swedish artist started her career sharing acoustic covers on YouTube, then later released several well-received scandi-pop singles. Soon after this initial success, collaboration requests began, and Lilly found herself working with electronic music artists like Sondr, VIZE, GotSome and Sonny Fodera. The latter gave rise to the popular club track ‘The Moment’ – igniting her passion for crafting dark, dreamy dance tracks.
Now the multi-instrumentalist, singer, and songwriter Lilly Ahlberg arrives on Destructivo, a sub-label of the esteemed Tileyard Music group, with her mesmerising new single, ‘Cold‘. We caught up with Lilly for a chat around this new release.
Who is the artist who has influenced you the most? Why this artist?
I’ve had a lot of influences in the past and I still do, it’s really difficult to say just one main inspiration but if I had to, I think Elderbrook is the biggest current inspiration for my new music. I love his melodies, and the emotional indie feel he brings into the electronic dance world.
Do you find inspiration outside of music? If so, where?
Living life haha! A lot of my music is lyrically quite deep, I’m definitely an over thinker and I reflect a lot about the decisions I make and have made in the past and who that makes me… Which influences what I write about. I’ve recently started to read a LOT (usually romance novels) and they inspire my writing also.
What are your goals in music?
I guess my biggest and most achievable goal is to never give up. It’s quite hard to keep your head up because of all the rejection that comes with what I do but I will never ever give up. Another goal is to have a song that I’m either singing on, or written, reach over 100 million streams, however, I know that that isn’t really in my hands so maybe it’s more of a wish? I can just keep working hard and keep putting myself out there!
How did the Sonny Fodera collaboration come about and how was the experience of working with him?
The first time I worked with Sonny was for his track ‘The Moment’. I initially wrote it as a pop song with Irwin Sparkes and Silvano Stuurman. Silvano’s partner really liked the song and knew Sonny and sent it over to him and he loved it and turned it into a dance banger! Sonny is just such a lovely, grounded guy and I look forward to working with him more in the
You have played legendary venues like KOKO, can you describe that night?
God I was nervous. It was the last show of a European tour I was supporting Emma Blackery on, and definitely the biggest show, and when I performed the venue was already It was so magic! I remember I couldn’t afford to have a band with me so I had everything set up on my computer, and I was playing keys and guitar with the track so there was a lot of room to mess up, but I think it was my best performance of the tour!
Once I walked off the stage and kind of realised what had just happened I had such a high and it’s definitely one of the moments I’ve been the most proud of myself.
If you could play main stage at any festival in the world, which would it be and why?
I’m gonna be very mainstream and say Glastonbury! I just feel like if you’re performing on the main stage at Glasto, you really have made I can’t even imagine how insane it would feel!
How would you describe the difference between the UK music scene and the Swedish music scene?
I would say the music scene in Sweden is very pop focused, whereas the music scene in the UK is a bit more quirky and cool, and there’s definitely more opportunity for people who aren’t super pop-focused.
Can you put us on to any Swedish artists that you like?
YES! The album ‘Everybody’s Heart Is Broken Now’ by Niki & The Dove is so good! Veronica Maggio, Robyn, Lykke Li are also
What can your fans expect from you in the future?
Lots of more music, singles, hopefully an album, lot of co-writes for other artists and DJ’s, and vocal features.
Finally, if you could give yourself one piece of advice when you first started in music, what would it be?
That the biggest rejections will be the biggest Also that everyone has a different taste in music, there’s never a right or wrong song.