Isak Danielson X FAULT Magazine

Photography: Lamia Karic

Fresh from unveiling the beautifully nostalgic video for ‘Always You’, Swedish singer-songwriter Isak Danielson arrives in London tonight for a special performance at The Tabernacle. Known for his emotionally charged songwriting and soul-stirring vocals, Isak Danielson’s latest release explores the lingering ache of heartbreak and memory – themes that continue to resonate deeply with his ever-growing global audience. Ahead of tonight’s intimate Notting Hill show, we caught up with Isak Danielson to talk about grief, performance, vulnerability, and the creative challenges that come with modern artistry.

Can you take us back to the moment you first wrote ‘Always You’? What were you processing at the time?

I was processing a lost love. I was reminiscing about what I had been through with this guy and wondering, if it had worked out, what would have happened and what life would look like today if our relationship hadn’t ended.

Do you think closure is overrated when it comes to heartbreak?

Maybe. Sometimes you never really get closure, you just learn to live with the loss. Expecting closure can become its own kind of heartbreak.

How do you prepare yourself to perform songs like ‘Always You’ live without becoming overwhelmed?

I let myself become overwhelmed, it’s a good thing. It’s exactly the emotion I want to convey. It’s how I felt when I wrote it.

When you revisit songs rooted in past pain, do they evolve in meaning over time for you?

I find that you get thrown back into the state of mind you were in when you wrote them, remembering what you were feeling and going through at the time. I may be able to overlay a more distant or mature perspective onto it now, but it’s still the same core thought singing back to me.

With over a billion streams globally, has your relationship with your audience changed? Do you find yourself writing with a more global audience in mind?

No, not at all. Of course, I want people to like the music, but I try to write for myself because I think it turns out better that way. It’s important not to think too much about who will hear it or whether it will be successful.

You’re on a European tour. What can audiences expect from this next chapter of your live shows?

People can expect a very stripped-back, intimate setting, less is more. That’s my motto nowadays. Beyond that, it’s about having an amazing time, singing together, and chatting. I like to talk when I perform, so anything can happen, you never know.

Looking forward, what emotional or sonic territory are you still hoping to explore that you haven’t yet touched on?

I think my answer would simply be: dig deeper. I want to become better at writing songs that truly communicate my emotions, so people can begin feeling their own emotions through them.

What’s a creative hurdle you’re currently working to overcome?

TikTok, social media, honestly. That’s a creative hurdle that scares me. People are very nice, but I find myself thinking a lot: “What should I post now? How is this going to look? What is this going to portray? Is this really the right thing to say or post?” I think that’s something I need to overcome and just go with the flow, because people love authenticitc, at least I do. When something feels real and not too complicated or overthought, that’s when it connects.

What is your FAULT?

I don’t have any… kidding. We all have them, but I want us all to manifest confidence, so my answer is: I have no faults.