Be The Bear takes over our Instagram tomorrow (6/20) 8AM CT from Gothenburg, Sweden!
YES, YOU HEARD THAT RIGHT!
Be The Bear will be taking over the Gold Hand Girls instagram tomorrow from SWEDEN and we got the exclusive insider on her new music, and what it means to her to be a female in the music industry. * Heart Eyes *
Pssst — she’s also the founder of Loud Attic Records.
Who are you, where are you from, and what books are you currently reading?
My name is Christina Wehage, my artist name is Be The Bear, I’m a Swedish artist based in Gothenburg, where I work in my own music studio. At the moment I’m thoroughly enjoying exploring three female Nobel Prize winners I haven’t read anything by before: Grazia Deledda, Herta Müller and Sigrid Undset.
We read that your name Be The Bear comes from facing internal challenges head on, and we instantly felt connected. Would you say that music was your out for those internal challenges? What are some things you’re scared of but hope to one day conquer?
That’s such a great question. Yes, writing music is my way of dealing with everything scary, difficult or wondrous going on inside myself. I'm scared of a lot of things. I'm scared when going on stage - but when I'm up there and I start singing it's the closest I get to a divine experience - my whole body is full of light and I'm one with a sea of people. Not many people get to do that. Doing the things that scare me most is my mantra. It's not that it stops being scary, it's how alive you feel and how you grow from it, evolve. I need reminding everyday, that's why I chose it as my artist name. What fears I hope to one day conquer... I'm scared of failing, or rather of disappearing in the growing crowd of amazing musicians who all deserve to be heard. That fear is what makes me a business woman, as well as an artist. I'm prepared to work very hard for it. So I will learn everything I can, try new ways and ask a ton of questions to get there.
Who are some of your biggest inspirations?
I’m inspired everyday. I love making endless playlists on Spotify with all the songs that move me. Some reoccurring names are songwriters like Tom Odell, AURORA, ionnalee and Kishi Bashi. All four of them have new records out, and I love them all.
What was your inspiration behind “Mermaid?”
Someone I love was in a psychiatric hospital, it was terrifying. There wasn’t anything I could do, apart from being there on visiting times. I was really upset one night and trying to get my head around the whole situation, picked up my guitar and sang the song as it is pretty much in one take. I recorded it on my phone and didn’t listen to it again until much later, when it felt like the right time to give it to my friend. Now it’s a love song for everyone who needs to hear it.
What is your biggest goal in life?
I just want to keep making music. I’m lucky enough to work with the one thing I love most, and I hope I get to do it for the rest of my life. Every song is a new story, a new challenge and learning process. I enjoy all of it - it’s always a rush, a high, a dive into sadness. But that’s what life is.
In your own words, what is it like being a female in the music industry?
I always expect to be treated equally to any man. I’ve been actively part of every step of the process when it comes to my music, doing most of the business meetings in person and making sure I work with people I like and trust. I’m in a position where I can write and be in charge of the production myself, which gives me a freedom most artists don’t have. I work from my own studio, bringing in my musician friends or any collaborators I want to work with. My point is, I’m independent. I’m in charge. That doesn't mean I don't see any sexism, and that I haven't had some unpleasant experiences with men in the industry, it just means I've built my own little empire where I am free to say no to working with anyone who doesn't respect me.
TUNE IN TOMORROW 6/19 8AM CT TO
@GOLDHANDGIRLS ON INSTAGRAM FOR BE THE
BEAR’S INSTAGRAM TAKEOVER
but until then… swoon over her music with us. <3
