It was during her time at art school in Norway that Swank Mami realised she had what it took to be a pop star. When we speak over Zoom, the musician – real name Umal Moses – fondly recalls her time at Oslo’s Prosjektskolen, an experimental college where subjects range from installation, sculpture and theatre, to sound art, video and costume design. “I just sent in all my demos, and I got in”, she says, quite matter-of-factly. “It was very free and open to do whatever you wanted. I just got to express myself artistically. It was super scary, but here we are, so I guess it paid off.”

If Swank Mami’s new music video is anything to go by, then it most certainly did pay off. The clip, directed by Maria Hilde and shot by Chris Helberg, sees a flame-haired Swank wander wistfully around a housing estate car park, while motorbikes and cars run rings around her, encasing the musician in plumes of grey smoke. In another surreal shot, the pop star herself sits on a motorbike, while a green screen behind her beams images of a blue-skied Paris, the Eiffel Tower whizzing past her left ear. The sweet, pop-stylings of “I Saw U” contrast with the flurry of motorsports happening on screen, something that Swank was fully aware of. For her, the video is “the exterior of being strong but also being soft. I feel like I’m both in many ways and I hope that the video shows that.”

Below, we chat to the musician about cornershop snacks, internet obsessions, and the origins of her popstar name.

Hi Swank Mami! Congratulations on the ‘I Saw U’ video. Can you talk me through some of the inspiration behind it?

Swank Mami: What’s crazy about this video is that it came out exactly how I had envisioned it. I always envision this song with motorcycles or fast cars, so we tried to incorporate that. I also wanted a fun green screen thing where I'm a bit more animated, maybe – play with the whole ‘Eurostar’ thing, because the project is going to be called Eurostar. We just wanted to have fun with it. The song is super dramatic and sad, but in a ‘we’re gonna cry in the club with motorcycles and shit’ way. That's the vibe.

‘I Saw U’ is sonically quite sweet, but the lyrics are about cheating and abandonment – was that contrast something that you wanted to express?

Swank Mami: When I started the song, it was acoustic. It’s supposed to be a ballad with a piano. But then the producer Santell was like, ‘this is boring.’ And I was like, ‘oop, OK.’ He just flipped it and then it was perfect, so that set the whole tone for the rest of the project. That’s what I wanted as well, making things very sad, but also you can sing and dance to it. All my friends are cute, they all sing my songs. It’s the best compliment.

When did you first start making music and what inspired you?

Swank Mami: It was around 2016. At that time, I had a lot of friends that were making music and we had this little collective. They were like rappers and stuff. At first, I was doing behind-the-scenes stuff – they were performing a lot and I was just with them. They knew that I always wanted to do music, so they were always like, ‘OK, are you going to do it? What's up with you?’ But I knew that I wasn’t ready to actually release stuff properly, but I did release it on SoundCloud. And you know, it was cute.

What was the name of the collective?

Swank Mami: By Any Means. Super collective-y.

Where did the name Swank Mami come from?

Swank Mami: So one of my friends from that collective actually gave me that name in 2014. It was the only Instagram handle I’ve ever had, so it’s been with me for a long time. And now it’s real. She’s real.

When did that moment happen? When Swank Mami became real?

Swank Mami: Maybe this year. Even last year before I dropped my single ‘Venus Retrograde’, I didn't even know what the stage name was going to be. I thought about my own name, Umal. Everyone said, ‘what do you mean? You already have a name?’ The name Swank Mami, she’s very strong. I feel like it’s me, but it’s also not me. Maybe an alter ego.

When did you first become aware of the power of good music?

Swank Mami: I’m usually nauseous on the bus. I hate taking buses, but when I put on music, I don’t know why, but it stops. I’m no longer nauseous. I feel like it’s a feeling thing, it’s a vibe. The music just puts you somewhere else. You can be sad and put on a good song and you're fine you know? And seeing how happy my mom gets when she blasts Somali music. Stuff like that. It’s just joy.

What’s the last text you sent?

Swank Mami: It was from my boss. She just asked me if I could come to work on Friday. I said ‘no, I cannot.’

The most recent screenshot on your camera roll?

And the last meme you saved?

Your favourite cornershop snack?

Swank Mami: Any crisps, preferably Lay’s BBQ.

What’s your ghost outfit?

Swank Mami: Anything Cher would wear in the 60s and 70s. You know, the outfits? The bling bling?

The worst advice you’ve ever been given?

Swank Mami: Probably something misogynistic. When people are like ‘you should this.’ I’m from a very cultural background of Somali people and Muslims and all that. I feel like there’s this thing of belittling women in certain cultures, and I just don’t like people telling me what to do.

What’s your star sign and are you a typical one of that star sign? (Or, if you’re a real astrohead, can you share your ‘big three’?)

Swank Mami: Yes. I’m a Cancer, with a Scorpio rising and a Sag moon. So emotional, crybaby, but also very funny, you know? I’m always in a silly, goofy mood.

What’s your weirdest internet obsession?

Swank Mami: There’s this woman on TikTok who records thieves in Italy.

The ‘Attenzione Pickpocket’ woman?

Swank Mami: Yes! I love her. That’s one of my favourite obsessions. They’ve even made a song with the voice, it’s so funny.

What’s your love language?

Swank Mami: Maybe quality time and physical touch. And what’s the helping one? Acts of service, that one’s nice. I want all of them! I have a Leo Venus, so I need a lot of love and attention. It’s because I give the same back. Come on, I ain’t stingy. You just gotta give it to me first.

“I Saw You” is out now via Honeymoon.

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