Q&A with the "Love Of Your Life" Tilsen

Canadian independent artist and songwriter Tilsen starts 2023 with her awe-inspiring new single "Love Of Your Life". We discovered Tilsen with "Doubt", her second single released in 2019 that speaks on lasting love and commitment, as a recommendation by Spotify to feature on QH Sound Eclectic Playlist and we were instantly hooked! Ended up listening to her entire catalogue.

Since her debut release "Hurts" released in 2019, Tilsen has accumulated close to 10 million streams on Spotify alone, with her top-performing song “Are You Lonely” gaining more than 3.5 million streams. Tilsen has managed to build a strong and steady base of monthly listeners rarely dropping below 300K.

Tilsen wrote "Love Of Your Life" after a close friend confessed his love to her but she didn't feel the same way. The song was written for him to not give up on love but to look elsewhere.

Signed to SNGL music publishing (Grayson Music Group), Tilsen has written for artists such as BANNERS, Delaney Jane, and Molly Moore and has had her writing placed into various film/tv including Magum PI, Virgin River and the CBC 2021 Tokyo Olympics.

We couldn't resist finding our more about Tilsen and "Love Of Your Life" so we got in touch and put some questions forward to her..

• What or who inspires you?

The lives and relationships of myself and those close to me inspire me most. I am endlessly curious about human nature and how we interact with others and the world so I love exploring that in my music. Telling my story gives even my worst moments meaning, and makes me feel less alone.

• How would you describe your sound?

I would describe it as indie or alt-pop, with catchy melodies and honest conversational lyrics. I am exploring some more rock elements within pop in my current body of work and I will be moving into folk-pop later this year. I love exploring different styles within pop. I think that keeps me inspired and growing musically.

• Tell us about “Love Of Your Life”

I wrote love of your life after a close friend of mine confessed his romantic feelings for me, wanting to have a relationship with me. I didn’t feel the same- which was heartbreaking for him but also sad for me, because I really didn’t want to lose the friendship. This song is for him, to encourage him to not give up on love but to look elsewhere.

• Tell us about the writing and production process

I wrote this song in the countryside of Austria. I was invited to a writing camp and was set up with a new writer and producer each day. I wrote this song with Emily Middlemas and Julian Ambs. That’s where I met Jules, who is now one of my best friends and we work together all the time. I just talked about my life and what I was going through and we wrote the song together very naturally. Jules made the production and we recorded vocals the same day. After that, Tupai hopped on to co-produce and Dany Weisz did the vocal production to reach the final product.

• What do you plan to achieve with “Love Of Your Life”?

I hope to reach many people who have gone through this hard experience with a friend; either when they caught feelings or were in my position (wanting the friendship to not be ruined.)

• What artist would you compare yourself to and why?

I would compare myself to Taylor Swift because she’s probably the artist I look up to most, and whom I am often told I sound similar too. She has experimented with many sounds within pop but has maintained her unique writing style and I feel I do the same in my own way.

• What is the most meaningful and personal song you have written?

I would say “I Blame You” because I was scared to put that one out since it was so vulnerable for me. So proud that I went for it, because it was the most fulfilling thing for me.

• How do you keep up your creativity and motivation?

It definitely goes up and down, but generally my curiosity about life and…not gonna lie, my own rumination about relationships give me endless creative ideas. Booking writing sessions with other creators helps to force me to stay creative and writing even when I don’t feel like it. I think it’s important to take care of yourself, so I make sure I get enough sleep and don’t over-work myself outside of music- that way I have enough energy for my art.

• Do you see your sound evolving in the next few years?

Definitely. I always want to try new styles and want each body of work to evolve. I’m moving into folk-pop for my next album and we will see what inspires me next.

• What are your musical highlights so far?

Well last year had a lot of nice milestones for me: I signed my first publishing deal, first management deal and released my first fully self released EP. I had two syncs and travelled to LA, Austria, Germany and England for the first time and wrote. I put out eight songs and played CMW. I hit 300K monthly listeners on Spotify and had my first solo Tilsen song hit 200K streams.

• Do you have any other interests or hobbies you’d like to share?

My friends are the most important thing to me so I spend a lot of my free time with them, but I also love learning so I’m always listening to audiobooks and podcasts- mostly about psychology, personal growth and politics. I love travel, working out and am definitely a foodie. I also act on the side.

• What differentiates you from other artists in the industry?

I think the storytelling in my songs is a stand out from me. I try to be as honest as possible and figure out life through writing about it, so I think you can feel that when you listen.

• What would you like to see more of to support new and emerging female musicians?

I think that we should work to form more communities of young female artists who can relate and help each other rise. I am so thankful to finally have that now. I have often felt so alone and lost along the way but have learned so much- so if you’re an artist feeling that way, be sure to reach out.

• What should we be expecting from Tilsen this year?

You can expect an EP in March, a few nice collaborations, and an album this year! You can also expect a new image, sound and music videos!

Tilsen • Love Of Your Life

Tilsen • Doubt