Q&A: Iceland’s Brynja Rán has luck on her side with latest EP ‘SEVEN’
INTERVIEW
INTERVIEW
☆ BY STARLY LOU RIGGS ☆
SEVEN IS BRYNJA RÁN’S LUCKY NUMBER – and we’re lucky enough to hear about it out loud. The Icelandic artist is pouring her heart out with recently-released SEVEN, featuring emotional outcries like “Bastard” and crooning R&B tracks like “Lullaby.” Soulful and swooning, Rán has been singing throughout her life and it shows. Calling on the influence of artists like Amy Winehouse, Rán brings her own spice to the timeless sound, recounting pieces of her life and the reality of rocky relationships that we can all relate to.
SEVEN came together in Reykjavík with a small team. Joined by producer Bjarki Ómarsson, the EP was recorded at Sundlaugin Studio, built and owned by the Icelandic band Sigurrós. Most of the instrumentals were created by Bjarki, who played everything but the brass, which was performed by Veigar Margeirsson. It’s clear in the sound that this piece was produced with care and full attention to detail. From gentle piano to jazzy bass lines, each piece is intentional and highlights the echo of Rán’s bluesy voice. We had a chance to catch up with Rán about her history with music and what’s to come.
LUNA: SEVEN is your debut EP, though you’ve been playing music since childhood. What is your relationship to music? When did you start writing your own music?
BRYNJA RÁN: I’ve been drawn to music for as long as I can remember. I started writing songs at a very young age—my first complete song was actually a lullaby I wrote when I was around eight or nine, maybe even earlier. My relationship with music is hard to put into words; it’s something deeply personal that I can’t fully explain. Music has always been my safe space. It helps me process and understand my own emotions, while also giving me the freedom to let my imagination roam without limits.
LUNA: These tracks seem to dig into some raw emotions around betrayal, love, and complex relationships. Do you tend to write autobiographically? Is there a certain someone, or a compilation of someones coming out in your lyrics?
BRYNJA RÁN: It honestly depends on the song. Some are ripped straight from my own life, others are inspired by things I’ve watched unfold around me, and a few are a messy cocktail of both. And as for which song is which… Well, I’m not here to hand out a cheat sheet. That’s for you to figure out.
LUNA: This EP seems to speak a lot to feeling blindsided by someone, finding out they weren't who they first appeared to be. I feel like music can be a great tool for healing and processing tough emotions, and at the same time it’s so public. How do you feel having such a vulnerable piece out in the world?
BRYNJA RÁN: Honestly, once it’s out there, it’s fair game. People can pick it apart, relate to it, or completely miss the point, and that’s fine. I wrote what I needed to write, and now it’s theirs as much as it’s mine. Feeling exposed just comes with the territory.
LUNA: Your music seems to be influenced by jazz, R&B, and pop, and features a big team of musicians, including piano and horns. Who’s on the team? Who produced the album? Where was the album recorded? The studio looks so beautiful; I’d love to hear more about the space and what the recording process was like.
BRYNJA RÁN: The album was recorded in a home studio in a small town just outside of Reykjavík. The process was honestly perfect. The people I worked with made it fun, stress-free, and completely comfortable. I couldn’t be more grateful for that kind of environment.
LUNA: What does the number seven represent for you? What’s the story behind the EP title?
BRYNJA RÁN: Seven has always been my lucky number. While I’m not usually a superstitious person—especially when it comes to little things like numbers—I figured it couldn’t hurt to have a bit of extra luck on my side. This whole project is a big, exciting, and slightly scary step for me, so it felt fitting to have something personal and symbolic tied to it. We even planned the release dates for each single—and the EP itself—on dates that included the number seven.
LUNA: Can we expect some new music or live shows soon? What’s the horizon?
BRYNJA RÁN: We’re already working on a new album. From what we’ve done so far, I’m really excited about it. As for live shows, nothing’s set in stone yet, but I definitely hope so.
