Singer Asa Orbison chatted about her new album “Swedish Jazz Standards,” which will be released on June 2nd.
She is also the daughter-in-law of Rock and Roll Hall of Famer Roy Orbison.
How did you approach the song selection process for the new album?
The selection process was very personal. I grew up with these songs in Swedish, sung by women I’ve always looked up to, like Monica Zetterlund, Siw Malmkvist and Alice Babs.
When I met Roy he would be stuck in my apartment in Stockholm when I went to work. I don’t watch much TV and I didn’t have a TV in my home so he spent most of his time with my old guitar.
He got really into jazz And quickly learned how to play the jazz standards. I would come back from work and he would play the melodies and hear me sing them in Swedish and wonder where I got them from.
That’s when the idea to make a collection of “Swedish Jazz Standards” came to us. It’s really special to have the final product here.
What is your personal favorite song on there and why?
It’s hard to choose, but “Varmlandsvisan” or “Dear Old Stockholm” as you know it, holds a special place for me. There’s something incredibly moving about how an old Swedish folk melody traveled into the world of American jazz with help from legends like Miles Davis – and then found its way back again now with our version.
It really captures the heart of this project—a sense of home, distance, and return. Every time I sing it, it feels like I’m connecting different parts of my life.
Were you going for a certain theme with this album?
Yes, very much so. This album is a musical bridge between Sweden and the United States. It’s about identity, memory, and reinterpretation—taking timeless jazz standards and letting them speak Swedish again. There’s also a sense of homecoming in it for me, both musically and emotionally.
What do your plans for the future include?
I’m continuing to develop this project live and bring it to both Swedish and international audiences.
At the same time, I’m very excited about releasing more original music—something that’s been a natural next step for me as both a vocalist and songwriter. I want to keep building projects that feel meaningful and collaborative, and that connect different musical worlds.
Were there any moments in your career that have helped define you?
Performing and collaborating with incredible musicians like Jim Horn, Grace Kelly, Charlie McCoy and now Ulf Wakenius, and working closely with my husband and producer Roy Orbison Jr. have all shaped my artistic direction.
Those experiences helped me understand the importance of staying rooted in who you are while still being open to evolution. And I really feel like this is a project where I get to be fully myself, both Swedish and American and it feels so special to unite the two worlds.
What is your advice for young and aspiring singers and musicians?
Stay curious and stay honest. And patience. Don’t rush the process—some of the most meaningful things take time to develop. A lot of times I really let go of a song idea, song or even project and let it mature in my head and heart for a while.
If it’s meant to be it comes back – most of the times even better than before. Also, surround yourself with people who inspire you and challenge you in the right way.
What does the word success mean to you?
Success, to me, is about connection. If the music resonates with someone—if it makes them feel something or recognize a part of themselves—then that’s success. It’s less about numbers and more about creating something that feels true and lasting.
What would you like to say to your fans?
I’m incredibly grateful. The fact that people take the time to listen and connect with what I do means everything. I get DMs from people all across the globe and it’s amazing to me that I have fans in Japan listening to my music – Swedish recordings from America.
This project is very close to my heart, and it means a lot to be able to share that journey with you.
What’s the one thing you want them to get out of your new album?
This album is a musical bridge between Sweden and the United States. It’s about identity, memory, and reinterpretation—taking timeless jazz standards and letting them speak Swedish.
There’s something beautiful that happens when you don’t fully understand the lyrics. You begin to listen differently—you lean into the melody, the phrasing, the emotion in the voice. In a way, the music opens up on another level.
That experience has been very present for me, living between two languages, and it became an important part of this project.
Her new album “Swedish Jazz Standards” is available for pre-order on digital service providers by clicking here.
To learn more about Asa Orbison, follow her on Instagram and visit her official homepage.
