And because I had previously expressed an interest in journalism, my mother, a professor of journalism at Texas A&M University, had been trying to arrange for me to interview Aurora. They immediately confessed, much to my surprise, that they already had acquired tickets. “Was there any chance we could go?” I asked my parents. At the beginning of the summer, I learned from fan sites that she’d be performing at the Liverpool festival in July-around the time we would be visiting my grandmother who lives just outside of London. And I could relate to them because, being 12, I was far more interested in nature and the meaning of life than anything about romance.Īfter that, I played and sang her music constantly and made sure my parents knew I would jump at the chance to see Aurora in concert. Her songs weren’t about love or heartbreak, unlike most other songs on the radio they were about love for the earth and humanity and navigating life. Music critics in Norway have stressed Aurora’s voice, which led to her breakthrough at the Bylarm music festival in Norway when she was just 17.
#Aurora singer free
The writer describes Aurora as “a mix of warrior princess … and wild and free fairy,” with an unusual style of dancing. The haunting melody entranced me because of how well it fit the story.Īt first I was drawn to Aurora’s persona: a mix of warrior princess, wise and noble poet, and wild and free fairy, and to her strange style of dancing, of storytelling with her body-jerking her hands around to paint a picture in the air as she sang. We were listening to Aurora’s Murder Song, which tells the story of a mercy killing.
I first encountered Aurora’s music when I was 12 while sitting on the floor folding paper cranes at my friend Gloria’s house. Watching her is like watching a play: her lively pale face expresses the meaning in her lyrics, and her melodies and dancing amplifies it. Her presentation is soulful but energizing, and looking out at the audience, Aurora seems to grab fans with her eyes, dancing with them even though they are far apart. PHOTO: Calla Duffieldīefore we met, I had watched many of her performances online: Onstage she projects a kind of Viking power, storming around like a warrior stalking her enemy. The Norwegian artist known simply as “Aurora,” in action at the Liverpool International Music Festival this past summer. Her voice was soft and she was kind, and although I had just 10 minutes to ask questions (another interviewer was waiting and Aurora would soon take the festival stage), while we were talking, I felt like we were all alone. While speaking, she gestures expressively, just like when she performs, with hands flying in the air. She has said she dresses the way she feels I hope yellow that day meant happy!Īurora asked my name I was almost too starstruck to move my mouth. She was wearing a sunny yellow dress over layers of tulle skirts along with sunflower wristbands and sneakers (Aurora usually goes barefoot or wears flats onstage so she can run around and dance more easily).
In person, Aurora is slight and tiny-just 5’3”, like me. Her assistant told us that Aurora wanted to sit outside for our interview because it was unseasonably hot that day and her trailer was sweltering, so we did an awkward dance around some folding chairs (or at least I did) before settling in to talk in the shade. I caught a glimpse of Aurora as we passed her trailer and cried a little to myself (I know it sounds cheesy, but she has that effect on me). PHOTO: Hannele RubinĪt the Liverpool International Music Festival last July, staffers led me to a secure area behind the stage where the performers’ trailers were located. ******************************************************************* The internationally popular Norwegian singer Aurora Aksnes (right) met this summer with a fan and aspiring journalist from Texas, Calla Duffield, who can now help explain why Aksnes’ music and performances have such huge appeal.
Here’s the unabashedly starstruck Duffield’s account of the encounter, which offers insight into how and why Aurora has struck a chord with so many followers around the world. Calla Duffield is a 14-year-old fan and aspiring journalist from College Station, Texas, who got a chance to interview the singer known simply as “Aurora” before a concert in Liverpool this summer. SPECIAL FEATURE: Aurora Aksnes is a 22-year-old Norwegian pop singer who’s been steadily gaining international popularity in recent years.