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Despite being only 20 years old, Emily Bowen has released a debut album, Hate Me For This, that radiates dedication and uncompromising, innovative musical play. Within the indie pop genre, she’s a talent with potential for both the Danish and international scenes.
On her origins
I grew up in the suburbs just outside of Copenhagen —those laid back pockets that really set the scene for a classic Danish childhood. Long winters meant riding our bikes to school in the dark and coming back home—still in the dark. But then summer would come, and the days felt endless, like perpetual daytime. I’d spend those finding new trails in the forest. Later, we’d go there to have bonfires and drink wine coolers.
I had a lot of freedom from early on. I’d take the train into the city by myself and started performing in theatres when I was around eight. Copenhagen is such a fun place when you’re young and creative. It’s vibrant, full of culture, and kind of intimidating at the same time. But I never felt far from the people doing the things I dreamed of doing—they were just there, at the same coffee shops. So I just thought, fuck it, and tried to get to know everyone.
I'd say I learnt to listen to music before I had any ideas of making my own. I was put in dance classes when I was two, and that shaped a huge part of my life for fifteen years. That’s where I first understood how music feels in your body--how different rhythm and style can move you. In school I was intuitively drawn to writing and enjoyed experimenting with words. I’d come up with little songs on my bike ride home and eventually started writing them down in a notebook my big brother gave me for Christmas. Around that time, I was also working in theatre and picking up what I could from the adult professionals around me - especially when it came to music. One older colleague told me to buy a MIDI keyboard which at the time was just a strange word but it totally opened up my world to composing and creating.
From seventh grade on we were given full days in the music room to play in bands and learn instruments, and from that point forward there wasn't a part of my life or my friendships that wasn't centered around playing or writing music. The smartest thing I ever did was finding a community of like minded people and learning to share our individual work with each other. There is no way to skip the part where you aren't very good, it's just about finding the right people to grow with
On her sound
I like to think its the experience of stepping into someone’s late-night thoughts. Sonically, it sits somewhere between alt-pop and indie, with moments of grit and softness layered together. Everything i make is rooted in my folk and americana influences. Those inspirations are apparent as ever in my next releases. The storytelling is simultaneously cinematic and brutally straight forward.
On her influences
My dad is majorly responsible for my musical upbringing. When i was little he gave me an oldschool mp3 which he downloaded mixtapes onto for me to listen. I think he was sneaky about it—slipping in his favorite rock and folk songs between the pop tracks I was into at the time. Looking back, I know he was trying to expose me to great songwriting early on, and it definitely worked.
His love for music and the way he’d talk about music history has inspired me more than I probably even realize. It laid the foundation for how I listen, how I write, and how I think about songs as stories.
On the Danish music scene
Copenhagen’s music scene has this really special undercurrent, especially in the indie and underground spaces. It’s always harboring the next cool thing. What’s exciting to me about the city is that it’s a frontrunner in so many creative fields. Whether it’s fashion, design, visual arts, or film, there’s this constant cross-pollination of ideas that makes the city feel incredibly alive. It creates a space where artists can push boundaries by drawing inspiration from all different corners of the artscape.
I’ve also come to really love and appreciate the small size of not just Copenhagen, but Denmark as a whole. There’s something about the intimacy here that creates the perfect environment for collaboration and community. You’re never physically far from someone who’s working on something new and exciting.
Who else at SPOT she's excited to see
I’ve honestly got a fully stacked schedule for both days. This year is special for me because it’s my first time at SPOT, and I get to be alongside a whole wave of artists I not only admire as musicians but also have great friendships with.
At the top of my list has to be Kayak. Eva, the lead singer, is one of the coolest people I’ve ever met, and I’ve been a huge fan of theirs long before we even connected in person. Downtown July is a must-see. In my opinion, they’re one of the best live bands we have right now. I mean, that's why I poached two of the guys for my own band, haha.
You’ll definitely catch me at Cevil, Mekdes, DJ Lilli, Søn, Astrid Schick, Dork, and Vilma Crow, to name just a few.
What we can expect from her live show at SPOT
I feel like a wind-up toy that’s about to shoot off. The guys in my band are unbelievably talented, and we have so much fun playing together. I think you’ll be able to feel that energy and join us in it. Playing at Musikhuset is such a privilege, so we’ve poured everything into making this show our absolute best. I’m bringing the favorite tracks from my debut album - ones that I think really come alive in a live setting. And most excitingly, the SPOT audience will be the very first to hear songs from my next release. I promise you won’t want to miss those. What I love most is that feeling after a show, when it’s like we’ve all just shared something special - something you really had to be in the room for. That’s what I hope to create in Rytmisk Sal.
The greatest misconception she thinks the rest of the world has about the Danish
People tend to associate Danish style with minimalism, and while that’s part of it, I think the best spaces here are the ones that break the mold a little. There’s this idea that everything is sleek and cold, but actually, Danish homes are often incredibly warm and personal - full of candles, textures, and weird little objects that make you feel something. My favorite interiors look like they’ve been lived in by someone with a really rich inner world. The magic of Danish living isn’t just in clean lines and neutral tones, it’s in how the space makes you feel.
English (US) · 