In celebration of Rising Women across all genres and styles of music, we’re shining a spotlight on Rising Women in the Nordics. From indie to electronic pop, these women are making their mark in the Nordics music scene.
ARY
Norwegian ARY first made her mark back in 2015, when her electronic pop beats and spectacular voice captivated music lovers — leading to streams in the millions and appearances at festivals like Glastonbury, Roskilde and Pitchfork Paris.
Three years after the critically acclaimed album For Evig (2022), which won the award for ‘Best Electronic’ at Spellemann (Norwegian Grammy) and was praised by fans, ARY is finally back with her new project.
“‘Running in a Dream’ marks the start of a new phase. My first album, ‘For Evig’, was about a time consumed by grief, which is still with me in my writing, but now in another form. Where ‘For Evig’ dealt with the initial shock and all-consuming darkness, ‘Running in a Dream’ and the upcoming album, reflects on trying to find a way out, or moving forward,” says ARY about the first single of the upcoming album.
RHYS
Amassing 200+ million streams, Swedish-American artist Rhys conquered the pop scene at the early age of 18. Acclaimed single ‘Last Dance’ recorded the most yearly plays of all songs on Swedish Radio in 2018. Followed by a performance at the Swedish Grammy Awards and a feature piece in Vogue, she entered international festival giant Lollapalooza Stockholm’s main stage in 2021.
Two years later, after a phase of endeavored self-exploring, she cut off from her old musical self, record label and management. This resolution essentially created a rupture from her previously sleek pop, and in contrast led her down an uncharted path of sincere emotions; resonating with the heartbreaking indie of Arlo Parks, boygenius, Clairo and MUNA which has since landed in the EP ‘Portland’, her first ever project as an indie artist. More to come in 2025.
SVART RIDÅ
It has been a rapid and straight path for Svart Ridå over the past year. First, the band won the prestigious GAFFA Award for “Breakthrough of the Year,” and then singles like “Illusion” and “Kall” rocketed into rotation on P3. A much-acclaimed performance at Way Out West, praise from outlets like ELLE and PSL, and support gigs for The Soundtrack of Our Lives, Glasvegas, Terra, Dungen, and Solen have brought the band’s music to an ever-growing audience.
Svart Ridå is one of the most uncompromising acts you can see right now. The audience has flocked, and stories of the trio’s explosive energy have spread from mouth to mouth. This spring, the band will tour across Sweden as the support act for Markus Krunegård’s extensive tour – a tour that culminates in the trio’s biggest headline gig so far, in Stockholm April 12th.
The upcoming album “Aponia” once again proves what many already know: Svart Ridå is one of the hottest bands on the Swedish indie scene.
GUNN KVAALE
Gunn Kvaale is a 23-year-old pop artist from Sogndal, Norway. Growing up in a musical family, she developed a deep appreciation for acoustic sounds and storytelling, which shaped her approach to music. Her style blends pop with elements of country and singer-songwriter, creating a sound that is both introspective and relatable.
In 2025, Gunn released her debut album, Eit fullt møblert hjerte, which explores themes like mental health, self-love, and personal growth. The album combines emotional lyrics with a mix of acoustic and pop influences, offering a reflection on the experiences that shape us.
Gunn’s music has gained recognition in Norway, earning her both Newcomer of the Year and Artist of the Year at the Luttprisen awards. Her songs have been featured on NRK P1 and P3, received outstanding reviews from music blogs and newspapers, and topped Spotify’s Made in Norway playlist.
She has earned praise from major artists, opened for Maria Mena at three holiday concerts in 2024, and performed alongside artists like Olav Stedje, Tone Damli, and Jarle Bernhoft. This September, she is also set to perform at this year’s By:Larm festival.
Beyond music, Gunn focuses on connecting with her audience through events like Girltalk, where she creates a space for fans to gather and reflect. She is also working on a podcast and a poetry collection that delve deeper into the themes of her album.
JULIE PAVON
Julie Pavon has been making waves from the Hermès Paris Fashion Week-catwalk, over Gilles Peterson’s BBC airwaves, Power Play on Danish P3 to the crowds at The Great Escape, Heartland, Roskilde Festival, and Lollapalooza in Berlin.
For Julie music is a playground where she can experiment with her immediate and direct approach to songwriting, and a way for her to process the turmoil as well as the joys she carries inside. Fuelled by the contrasts she experiences in life, her intuitions and energies, the singer creates songs that empower her generation.
In her lyrics, she examines and challenges her own view on society, her generation, the mind and her inner duality and contrast-always matched visually by raw and confrontational videos and imagery.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jr-blx_-P7E&ab_channel=JuliePavon
TAMARA MNENEY
Faroese RnB artist Tamara Mneney’s journey in the music industry is just beginning, but her accomplishments already speak volumes about her talent and determination. With each release, she continues to build her project up and attract attention from industry professionals and fans around the world.
Tamara Mneney’s most recent single ‘Drip’ is no exception. Her unique and authentic way of blending her diverse cultural influences continues to set her apart, which is why Tamara Mneney is often found on tastemaker playlists like Equal, Lotus and Fresh Finds.
