Daily Inspiration: Meet Ella Lindström

Today we’d like to introduce you to Ella Lindström

Hi Ella, please kick things off for us with an introduction to yourself and your story.
Growing up in Gothenburg, Sweden, I was always surrounded by music through my family, and I started music school when I was 6. First, I played the cello, then moved to the flute, but I always had my eye on the saxophone—I thought it looked cool and matched my vibe (I still think so!). I picked it up at age 9, but back then, it was just something I did for fun after school. I didn’t take it too seriously until I was placed in my first big band. Being the youngest and one of the less skilled players in the group sparked a lot of motivation in me. I wanted to get better, and the feeling of nailing something challenging for the first time was so satisfying. That’s when I really started practicing and made up my mind that I wanted to be a professional musician.

I dove into jazz, which became my focus throughout high school, where I played in various big bands, small groups, weddings, and cocktail gigs. After high school, I enrolled in a jazz program at another school, but after a while, I realized I wasn’t really enjoying the music. Looking back, I think it was because I’ve always been drawn to different sides of music, and focusing solely on jazz saxophone performance just didn’t feel right.

I wasn’t sure what to do next because there weren’t many options for horn players in Sweden beyond studying jazz performance. That’s when Berklee College of Music popped up in my Facebook feed. I’d known about Berklee since I was a kid and had sometimes dreamed of studying in the U.S., though I never seriously considered it. I submitted an application kind of spontaneously. I liked that Berklee seemed more open to different genres and all aspects of making music. I ended up receiving a full-tuition scholarship and decided to go for it!

Now, I’m in my third year, focusing on jazz composition, arranging and music production. It’s been challenging sometimes, but I feel that I’m learning things every day, and I’m able to develop all of my musical skills and interests. I’m currently working on my own music and putting together a band to start playing shows and record a live session.

I’m sure it wasn’t obstacle-free, but would you say the journey has been fairly smooth so far?
I’ve struggled a bit to find path in music that feels sustainable—one where I feel satisfied but also inspired, while keeping it as my main focus. I’ve changed direction multiple times and even considered quitting at points. But lately, I’ve realized that being versatile in my musicianship is never gonna be a bad thing, so I just let my motivation lead the way. Whatever I’m inspired to work on in the moment is probably where I’ll make the most progress anyway, and forcing it just won’t work eventually.

Being a music student can also be tough—it can suck the fun out of something that started as a hobby. It can get frustrating sometimes when I’m told what to do since I already have a clear vision of how I want to be writing and playing. But that’s just part of the deal with school, so I try to balance my own music with school assignments as best I can, to keep things enjoyable!

Thanks – so what else should our readers know about your work and what you’re currently focused on?
I’d say my biggest strength is arranging for horns. I’ve done it a lot in different settings, and I often get compliments on my horn writing. I think I’ve developed a unique sense of phrasing and rhythm—like the specific beats where I start and end phrases. I feel confident about that, even though it’s a subtle detail others might not notice. My influences are a mix of different things, like everyone’s, but that’s what makes each person’s choices unique. Knowing no one else would make the exact same musical decisions as I would is reassuring, and it keeps me inspired to write more.

My influences are pretty broad, from older big band jazz to Swedish pop, funk, video game music, techno, singer-songwriter and so on. Somehow, all that comes together into something that fits pretty well into the sound of today’s Los Angeles jazz/electro scene. I released my first single, “Dr. Brian in Space,” in July 2023, and I think it captures the mix of everything that’s influenced me.

Contact Info:

• Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ellawilhelminaaa/
• Youtube: https://www.youtube.com/@ellawlindstrom
• Other: https://open.spotify.com/artist/71xPcw2RzVSVy7FpJGlXet?si=wNRT40-hRuyPDC9WmE6HDA

Image Credits
Ari Mei-Dan
Jordan McGowan