Taken by Trees

Victoria Bergsman, the introspective songstress behind Taken By Trees, croons in an almost otherworldly voice brimful of knowledge beyond her years. In her latest album, East of Eden, she graces us with an all new sound, one she travelled far from home to procure.

AVANT: East of Eden largely reflects your artistic venture to Pakistan, a stark contrast to your home country Sweden. It’s fascinating you chose such a rigid culture buried deep in tradition to expand the realms of your musical creativity. How did this setting lend you inspiration?

VB: The East has always been a mysterious direction for me; unexplored and deep. I wanted to try something else, something very far away from my safe Swedish home and environment. I felt uninspired by the settled, traditional ways of recording and playing music as I was used to. I needed something new and unexpected, where I could feel surprised and swept off my feet.

AVANT: The album is undeniably Eastern in sound and composition, yet successfully remains quite true to your inimitable style. Was it difficult not to lose yourself in the process?

VB: No, not really. I feel confident in my art and how I express myself as an artist, so I never felt worried in losing my origin or what is me. Sometimes I wished I could let go more; see what would come of that. One day…

AVANT: Some theorists say we must look to the past for answers to our future. Would you agree?

VB: Yes and no. I believe one can learn from their mistakes and make a change and try not to make the same mistake again. But, there is also a danger in looking back to the past—it can restrain one from living here and now. As in everything, it is a question of balance. Isn’t life a walk on the tightrope?

AVANT: What restrictions do we have as humans in expressing ourselves?

VB: Our own fears and preconceived notions in how we should lead our lives, behave, and react.

AVANT: There seems to be a recurrent expression in your music of your very fundamental needs. Besides the obvious necessities– food, shelter, rest– are there three things you absolutely cannot live without?

VB: Sunlight, love, and my dearest cat, Chico. But, the correct list would consist of more than three things. I would say there a few more things I just couldn’t live fully without having in my life.

-chelsey bingham