shy martin on “wish i didn’t know you” and Finding Herself Again in Her Hometown

[UNPUBLISHED:] I am so incredibly excited to get to chat with you as you get ready to release “wish i didn’t know you!” What’s on your mind as release day gets closer?

[SHY MARTIN:] I’ve been working on new music for the last year so I’m very excited, very nervous and very proud to finally share it. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] I’ve been a massive fan of your music for a few years now, and I didn’t think you could get more vulnerable in your lyricism but you somehow have with “wish i didn’t know you.” What inspired the creation of this song?

[SHY MARTIN:] Thank you! During 2020 I had a pretty rough year not only because of Covid and everything that was going on in the world at that time. I also stopped working with my previous management, publishing and label, and that left me completely exhausted and lost. My brother who I’ve been working really close with since I started releasing music really pushed me to keep going. He kept telling me to start writing at home by myself as I used to when growing up. When I finally sat down in my bed, I wrote this song. And that made me fall in love with writing again. So my brother really deserves a huge thank you. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] The accompanying music video for “wish i didn’t know you” is stunning as you let go of someone you loved in the beautiful scenery of your hometown in Sweden. How did you decide on setting the video in your hometown?

[SHY MARTIN:] Me and my family grew up in a small village in south Sweden with only 500 residents. It’s a beautiful place but I don’t think I realized just how beautiful until I had spent years away from it. That place will always be a big part of who I am and I that’s one of the reasons we chose to shoot the video there, but also because we really wanted to spend more time with our grandma, mum and dad who still live there. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] The video was co-directed by you and your brother Hampus. What was it like collaborating with him on this project?

[SHY MARTIN:] We’ve been working together for years now and there’s no one I trust more with my vision. And because we know each other so well we usually understand each other without having to explain things. Which is extremely helpful. He’s also one of my closest friends so getting to spend this much time with him capturing beautiful moments while working makes me extremely lucky. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] You have amassed over 660 million streams on your music and you have a major list of notable songwriting credits for artists like Ellie Goulding, Bebe Rexha, and The Chainsmokers, but “wish i didn’t know you” feels like a new introduction into who shy martin is as an artist. Do you think this is the beginning of a new era for you?

[SHY MARTIN:] The music I’ve written last year is way more personal to me than my previous songs. I’ve really focused on creating a safe creative space for myself. I’ve also allowed myself to be more selfish when it comes to my own music, making sure I don’t compromise my vision. I think my listeners will hear and feel that. 

[UNPUBLISHED:] As listeners get to know you further through “wish i didn’t know you,” what can they expect to see next from you?

[SHY MARTIN:] Lots of music.