Q&A: Shy Martin on Her Latest Single “wish I didn’t know you,” the Importance of Family & Doing Things for Yourself

Q&AMusic

Nov 3

☆ By GRAYSON KEGLOVIC ☆

BURSTING THE BUBBLE — Swedish singer-songwriter Sara Hjellstöm, better known as Shy Martin, has returned to the music industry, this time going her own direction and straying from her original path. Shy’s formerly traveled road consisted of writing for artists such as The Chainsmokers, Ellie Goulding, Bebe Rexha, and Astrid S and releasing occasional singles to display her own musical talents.

Shy has also been a participating member of several different feminist groups, such as the Equalizer Project and Bebe Rexha’s Women in Harmony events. The Equalizer Project is an initiative by Max Martin that works to both celebrate and promote the women of the music industry, a similar mission to Rexha’s Women in Harmony.

She has spent the past year and a half in her own “bubble” of isolation, where she has focused on what’s most important: her own well-being. While secluding herself in this personal bubble, Martin fell in love with music all over again after immersing herself in her Swedish childhood roots. Bursting this bubble amidst the release of her latest single and accompanying music video, “wish I didn’t know you,” she is ready to share what she’s created and learned with the world.

Read on to learn more about the creation process behind Shy Martin’s most recent single, her collaborative family ties, and the importance of doing things for yourself.

LUNA: How would you describe the “bubble” that you have been living in for the past year? How has that bubble molded you into the person you are right now?

SHY: I’ve only been focusing on my own music, working with the same people — Fanny Hultman, Kerstin Ljungström, and my brother Hampus Hjellström — keeping the circle small. I’ve intentionally taken a step back from the “music business” to completely focus on enjoying the process of creating without being distracted. This has allowed me to create something that I’m really proud of.

LUNA: You haven’t released new music since 2021. Why did you choose “wish I didn’t know you” as the first single to reintroduce yourself to the pop world?

SHY: I have, for a long time, felt lost and exhausted creatively. Writing “wish I didn’t know you” in my bedroom on the guitar that I used to when I first fell in love with music really gave me an eye-opening excitement for writing again.

LUNA: You’ve written for a variety of big-name artists such as The Chainsmokers and Ellie Goulding. Has your personal sound and upcoming music been influenced by any of these artists you’ve worked with?

SHY: I think there’s always a level of influence. That’s also why I’ve chosen not to write for or with other artists for the last year, to really deep dive into my own creative world and focus on my own sound.

LUNA: What has the transition from writing music for others to writing music for yourself been like?

SHY: In the beginning, I found it really hard and kind of terrifying, to be honest. I think I function really well as a songwriter because I don’t enjoy being the center of attention. As a songwriter I put less pressure on myself, allowing me to have more distance to the art. When it comes to the previous music I’ve released, the process has been the same as when I’m writing for other artists. Maybe that’s why I feel the music I’m about to release is way more personal to me than my previous songs. Now I approach writing my own music in a completely different way, focusing more on delivering what I really feel instead of focusing on making a song that sounds like “a hit” or like a great “pop song.” Basically I’m making music for myself instead of others. That has also made me enjoy the process more.

LUNA: Why is it important to do things for yourself?

SHY: Because everyone has different tastes and ideas and there’s really no way you can please everyone at the same time. I’ve spent years trying to do that only to end up feeling both confused and lost.

LUNA: Beginning new chapters can be challenging. What has entailed this “new chapter” thus far? What have you learned?

SHY: I’ve been working with music for a few years now, overvaluing pleasing other people higher than my own needs. Writing this upcoming music has made me respect myself a lot more. The most important thing for me right now is to be creative for myself in a way I find enjoyable.

LUNA: You said, “My brother pushed me to go back to how I first started writing.” What role does your brother play in your creative process?

SHY: My brother has had a big part of it in many different ways, ever since I started releasing music. At the beginning, he helped me make my visual ideas come alive, but today he’s involved in almost every aspect of my project as a creative director/manager. He’s also one of my closest friends and is always supporting me, pushing me to create a healthier way of working. It’s something I’m very grateful for.

LUNA: Your brother co-directed the accompanying music video for “wish I didn’t know you.” What was it like working with him to make your ideas come alive?

SHY: I’m very lucky to be working with my brother, and I’ve truly enjoyed every second of it. We have a very special creative bond where we know each other inside out. I think also because we’re family we have our own special “lingo” when we’re doing creative work. He understands my vision and I trust him like no one else.

LUNA: Describe the production process of the “wish I didn’t know you” accompanying music video.

SHY: We shot the visuals in our home village, Lerdala, where we both grew up — a small village in south Sweden with only 500 residents. Me and my brother spent a lot of time there last year creating visuals for all upcoming music. It’s been so much fun and it has also given me more time with my family that still lives, including my grandmother, who I love dearly. Having the family involved means the world to me — it keeps me grounded.

LUNA: What did you originally envision for the music video, and were those expectations met in the final product?

SHY: I’m very happy with how it turned out. It portrays my home village and the beauty of the Swedish nature, which is an important part of my childhood.

LUNA: Being and working with your siblings, what was your favorite moment from the production process of the music video? Did you experience any moments of “twin telepathy?”

SHY: Hampus is not my twin brother but my big brother. Martin is my twin and he’s working with something completely different. I do think me and Hampus have a lot of “sibling moments.” Adding more people to my team has made me aware of Hampus and my synergy. We’re extremely synced, and most of the time we don’t have to explain things to each other because we have the same vision. That has definitely made it a challenge inviting people into our creative process but it has also taught me how important it is to get to the same level with other people I’m working with. It really sets a good standard.

LUNA: In addition to new music, what can we expect in the months to come?
SHY: I hope I can get back to doing live shows and meet everyone listening to my music again. Even if I have severe stage fright, the connection you get with people at live shows is truly something special.

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