Victoria Bergsman is a Swedish songwriter, musician, and vocalist best known for the band The Concretes. She also lent vocals to the  insanely catchy Peter Bjorn & John single Young Folks. Her first solo project, Taken by Trees just released an album East of Eden which is a collaboration with Pakistani musicians. National Geographic did a mini-documentary on the making of the project- check it out here. Stephanie Tran sat down with Victoria, who just moved to New York to talk about her new album and what’s on the horizon for her.

Victoria Bergsman: I wanted a name that had some connection with nature- to describe how nature really moves me and always put me in in a balanced state of mind. The innocence of nature has always moved me, and I thought Taken By Trees was a nice phrase, to be taken by something so pure and innocent as trees.

Stephanie: You recorded East of Eden in Pakistan- was that an isolated experience, or are you planning on recording there in the future?

Victoria: Yes, and that is how I work. I see it as different projects and ideas. When it´s done I move on to the next idea. I constantly need new challenges.

Stephanie: What are you working on right now?

Victoria: I have been recording some vocals on a song for some friends. Also I have slowly started to get together ideas for my next album.

Stephanie: You recently moved to New York- has it done anything for your music- more exposure, inspiration, etc?

Victoria: Maybe, not sure yet. I think that is a question I could answer when I am no longer in New York, when I have some distance. I could see myself living in New York for some time, the city feels never ending, there is always a new little world around the next corner. It is very inspiring to live here but I feel it is hard to create, it is to busy and in constant motion. I can feel I have so much in me that I need to get out, in a song or in a film but I never find that peace of mind here. So I think I need to go away to somewhere boring for a couple of weeks and just create.

Stephanie: So where will you record your next album?

Victoria: Sorry, I can´t tell you.

Stephanie: There is a lot of great music coming from Sweden right now- do you still consider yourself a Swedish band, especially now that you are in NY?

Victoria: Of course, I am still Swedish. I will always be a Swede.

Stephanie: I read that you prefer to write in English as opposed to Swedish. Why is that? Is it an easier process even though it’s not your native language?

Victoria: I feel that English suits my melodies better, even though I have written a couple of songs in Swedish that I think worked for those particular songs. English flows better, Swedish goes up and down and can be very distracting.

Stephanie: I have a music blog with friends in which we post a song of the day each- your videos have been posted on a few occasions… If you were a contributor, what would your song of the day be, right now?

Victoria: Shadow Heart by Javelin, it is just an instant classic.

Stephanie: What other artists/bands are you listening to right now?

Victoria: Well, when I looked at my Ipod and on the most played artist it was a a hard competition between Cults and Javelin. I think Javelin has made this years best album so far, so playful and refreshing. Oh and Pure Ecstacy, I really look forward to their album. And the new Radio Dept album is not to miss!

Stephanie: What are the 5 top bands that have influenced your music?

Victoria: I would say bands and artists that have inspired my music have also inspired me in general, to be creative and create
If I have to choose only 5 then I would go for these, in no particular order:
The Supremes
Colin Blunstone
Orange Juice
Beach Boys
KLF

Stephanie: Who are your dream collaborators?

Victoria: My cat Chico, but I doubt it will ever happen. He is way too lazy.

Stephanie: Taken By Trees is a solo act, but tonight you are performing with a backing band. Who should we expect to see?

Victoria: It will be Mikael Karlsson (a swedish classical composer), Linton (multi-instrumentalist formerly in a San Fransisco band called The Aisler Set), Will McLaren (Willowz and Cults), Markus Görsch (Love Is All), and Elsa Chiao. A lovely little gang I must say.

Taken By Trees is performing tonight at Le Poisson Rouge, with a DJ set by Korallreven.
158 Bleecker Street (near Thompson)
10PM.