Swedish and Norwegian soprano Nadia Eide has released her first collection of holiday music, entitled Winter Light. Learn more about the album and the tour that follows.
What does Winter Light mean to you, and how does it reflect your personal connection to the holiday season?
Christmas is such a magical time for me. Growing up in Scandinavia, I experienced dark, cold winters every year. Our way of getting through that is to create a cozy atmosphere with lights and candles—a concept we call hygge. The name for my Christmas concerts and new album, Winter Light, came from this feeling of bringing light and peace to a dark, cold time of the year. It’s a true celebration of one of the most wonderful holidays.
Tell us a little bit about the selection of songs you’ve chosen for this album. Was there a particular song that resonated with you emotionally or stood out as a unique recording experience?
I really wanted a mix of old and new—timeless and traditional blended with modern songs. I love offering a variety of styles and genres in my concerts to appeal to a wider audience. This way, I hope there’s something for everyone! The tracklist is really a compilation of all my favorite Christmas songs. One song that stands out to me is “No More Night.” This is my version of the original song written by Walt Harrah. It’s a powerful song with beautiful, touching lyrics.
How does your Nordic background influence the atmosphere or themes of Winter Light?
Absolutely! As I mentioned, creating a warm, inviting atmosphere is so important in this magical season. I’ve also included my version of a Norwegian hymn on the album, which is a nod to my heritage.
Can you share a memorable moment from the recording process or a story behind one of the songs on Winter Light?
Recording a Christmas album in the middle of an August heatwave was definitely memorable! There’s so much preparation that goes into making music, so naturally, we end up recording in the height of summer. It made for some good laughs in the studio!
What are some of your favorite Christmas traditions that you enjoy celebrating each year?
Even though I’m based in the UK now, I’ve kept my Scandinavian tradition of celebrating on December 24th. We always prepare a special Scandinavian smörgåsbord with salted lamb and lots of seafood! Then, we celebrate the English Christmas on the 25th, so it’s like a double celebration!
Do you have a favorite Christmas album or special you return to year after year?
I’m a huge fan of Pentatonix’s Christmas albums. They remind me of the Christmases I spent renovating our home over the holidays.
Alongside the album, you’re also going on tour this holiday season. Can you tell the audience what they can expect from your performances?
Live concerts are where I come to life! I’m lucky to have several guest choirs joining me on tour, many of them children’s choirs. They bring such joy and fun to the shows. The album is really a little taster of the eclectic mix of songs I’ll be performing on tour! I also do a meet and greet after each show, where I get to meet the audience and give them a chance to grab pictures or a signed album.
Can we expect any surprises or unique elements in your live performances that fans might not anticipate from just listening to the album?
Definitely! There will be lots of guest performances that add so much energy, and I’ll also be sharing some special Christmas memories and stories.
With this being such a festive time of year, how do you balance the joy of performing with personal time to celebrate with loved ones?
It’s definitely a juggling act, but that’s life for me! I have two lovely little boys, and my husband and I always make time to do special things with them. Sometimes that means baking Christmas cookies in the morning before I set off on the road! And over Christmas and New Year, we always spend quality time in Scandinavia with my family, which really sets me up for the year ahead.
Purchase “Winter Light” from NadiaEide.com
