Aurora Aksnes does not confine herself solely to music; she places equal importance on activism. A decade ago, this was a fashionable multi-hyphenate title, proudly displayed on social media. Today, the context is entirely different. She describes the current cultural climate as a kind of collective despondency, where public political expression is viewed as unfashionable or even suspect.
“People are more afraid of activists than of the world dying or of war. It’s genuinely astonishing,” she says. She pauses and wrinkles her nose, but it is not a rhetorical question – Aurora is truly curious.
She adds that the acceptance of a message depends on who delivers it. For instance, Bob Vylan’s calls to oppose the Israeli military received differing reactions. Generally, a young white woman’s words are accepted, whereas a Black man receives a very different response.
“People fear connecting with those who speak against the great forces of the world. It weakens us,” Aurora notes. After Vylan’s Glastonbury performance, chanting “Death to the IDF,” their agent dropped them and their US tour was cancelled. Yet, many in the public and fellow artists supported them.
In London’s Independent office, the 29-year-old Norwegian appears bright and somewhat otherworldly. Her music carries the elemental power of Florence Welch, the inventive spirit of early Grimes, and her own ethereal touch.
“To avoid using your voice simply because it’s uncomfortable? That denies a crucial part of your humanity,” she says.
She is in London to promote her Union Chapel show for War Child on 10 December. The performance is divided into Dusk, exploring activism and human strength, and Dawn, uplifting audiences with hope and renewal.
“Numbness is the greatest enemy. Social media dulls minds,” she observes, explaining how the mix of real war footage and makeup tutorials numbs viewers.
She adds, “War Child has helped 180,000 children in Palestine. That is the size of my city. That’s many lives.”
Aurora still lives in Bergen and grew up listening to Leonard Cohen, Enya, and Nina Simone. “If done right, your voice lasts forever. But it’s a pity if it only speaks trivialities.”
Excited to return home, she looks forward to starting a new creative phase with a broken piano. “I’m eager to see what shape it will take.”
Source- Total Entertainment.UK
AJ