It’s not even funny anymore: can anyone please show us a Swedish artist who is not an amazing popstar in the making? High-school-student-turned-pop-songstress Cilia is yet another example of a Scandinavian fairy that is capable of capturing all sorts of emotions and turning them into undeniably catchy hooks. Her latest single is called “Hardcore Heartbreak,” and we decided to learn more about the singer who’s making our hearts beat faster.

Hometown/homebase? Originally I grew up in a small town about 20 minutes from Gävle, in the village Skutskär. At the age of 12 I moved to Gävle with my family and last year I moved to Stockholm to focus on my career, and that’s where I live now. 

What’s your story?

I would call my story into this business clear luck. I met my manager at the age of 13 when we rented a house from him on the beautiful island Gotland one summer. Basically what happened was my parents somehow found out he worked in the music industry and started terrorizing him with singing videos of me, haha! After that we started working, harder than I ever had at that point: I had guitar lessons, singing lessons, “media lessons” and all you could think of. We built up an image and made a whole package to present to record companies. And when we thought we were ready, we presented it to and signed a deal with Roxy Recordings. That’s my “music story,” the one I think I’ll only ever be able to tell using my songs.

What was your favorite song when you were 13 and now?

It must have been “Piece of my heart” by Janice Joplin or “Heart of Glass” by Blondie, but right now I’m shifting between “Higher Than Here” by James Morrison or “Weight in Gold” by Gallant. 

Being quite a young musician, how do you balance recording music with studying? 

By planning and structure really, since I study, work with music and work part time it’s crucial for me to set up times for each work and studying. For example Monday through Thursday afternoons I’m open for sessions or other work, while Friday through Sunday I use to study/part time work.  Basically I just try to book all my meetings and stuff on those special days. It’s hard to balance, I’m not going to lie, and it took me a while to figure out what worked for me. 

Why do you think people love pop music so much?

Personally I always get happy listening to pop music. I think it’s such a mood changer when you’re sad, it just instantly boosts up your mood. I just love how a melody can change your entire mood for the day and looking at the statistics I think other people do too. 

Being a Swede, you know how to craft a perfect pop song. What’s the secret your guys possess over there?!

I actually think it has a lot to do with our climate. For example in the winter time there’s seriously nothing to do, zero things if you’re not into going sledding. I´m not doing anything else but music. Practice makes perfect and when there’s nothing to do outside (which is quite often), that’s what we do — we practice. So basically just move to Sweden, haha! 

In your song “Silhouettes In Slow Motion” you name-check Dirty Dancing. Is this your favorite movie?

I wouldn’t go so far saying it's my favorite movie, but it’s absolutely in the top with my absolute faves like Snatch and Rock n Rolla. 

What’s the best way to deal with the “Hardcore Heartbreak”?

Cry it out, just get everything out of your system, cry to sad songs, watch sad romantic movies, go boxing, get all the anger you might feel out, and surround yourself with friends, always keep busy and do things you love, do things for you. 

My dad always told me that the love you feel isn’t in the person you love, it’s inside of you; love is ability and if you’ve loved once you can love again, when in moments like breakups, that’s what I think of. 

When should we expect an EP or an album?

I don’t know yet, but hopefully sometime soon, I’m working on it.

What’s the most fun thing planned for you this summer? 

Actually I’ve been working all summer so I can get an apartment, not so fun but I’ll definitely be doing fun things when school starts again. 

What do you do on a perfect Friday night?

I’ll start the night off with a few cocktails playing cod with my friends, then we’d probably get something to eat before going to the club, and after the club we’d probably go eat some more. 

How many pokemons did you catch on Pokemon Go so far?

Haha none actually, I haven’t even dared to download the app. Last time I played Piano Tiles I broke my finger hitting A CHAIR when I lost my high score to a friend, and I don’t even want to know how many controls I’ve broke losing at Fifa. I am not good at losing, haha!  

5 fast fun facts about Cilia. Go!

I’ve been boxing since I was 10.

I have a huge interest in cars. 

I love being on the country side just as much as I love being in the city. 

I rarely use my phone.

I’m the clumsiest person you’ll ever meet. I’ll seriously hurt myself 10 times a day, my toes look like they’ve lived through all two world wars.