Norwegian artist ST. NIKLAS recently released his debut album, habits of a complex mind. It’s a coming-of-age album about the beauty and chaos of growing up. It’s late-night drives, 80s nostalgia, dreaming of simpler times, bad decisions romanticized in hindsight, and all the overthinking that keeps you up at night -the kind that defines the habits of a complex mind.
If you’re a fan of Del Water Gap, Sam Fender, Inhaler, or LANY, you’ll be hooked on first listen! We chatted with ST. NIKLAS about writing cinematic tracks inspired by The. O.C., One Day, and John Hughes films, while diving a bit deeper into his songwriting process.
POETRY DANS LA RUE: You wrote habits of a complex mind over a long period of time. Has your vision changed from the beginning until the release?
ST. NIKLAS: “What started as a single slowly turned into a full album over a year and a half. I wouldn’t say my vision changed, but I realized the songs captured a specific time in my life – when my emotions were either way too intense or barely there. So I kept writing while that vibe was locked in. In the end, I had a solid batch that clicked together as an album.
That said, I have to admit my vision has evolved since finishing the album. Now that I’m working on album two, I’m pretty sure it’ll build on what I’ve already put out – but with themes that aren’t so typical, ones that have shaped me as both an artist and a person.”
PDLR: I love that “if we never met that night” is inspired by the Netflix series One Day. Do you often draw inspiration from emotionally charged moments and stories?
ST. NIKLAS: “Yeah, for sure. Since I was a kid, I’ve been hooked on music that’s tied to visuals. The O.C. basically introduced me to indie music and shaped my taste so much – I can’t stress that enough. I still remember hearing Jeff Buckley for the first time in the season one finale, or when The Killers dropped “Mr. Brightside” before anyone knew them. That show was everything.”
PDLR: If your music could be featured on a specific film, which would you choose? (Besides Drive)
ST. NIKLAS: “Tough call. Honestly, landing a spot in an A24 film would be a dream. Their movies are always super character-driven with that distinct vibe. But if I had to pick a classic, I’d say any John Hughes flick.”
PDLR: When you’re writing songs, do the melodies come first, or do you start with a lyric or a line? I find it interesting to hear different artists discuss this (The 1975 talk about this, and boygenius have different approaches).
ST. NIKLAS: “For me, it starts with a feeling I can’t put into words. So I make a melody that matches that vibe, and then the lyrics come from that. It’s pretty instinctive and all about the mood.”
Check out his most recent music video for the infectious single, “if we never met that night,” below and follow for more!