Salwa is a dynamic artist whose talents span acting, filmmaking, modeling, and songwriting. Her latest release, ‘Ghost You’, is a bold anthem of defiance set against a backdrop of Electro-Pop, Disco, Prog Rock, and Jazz influences. The accompanying music video is a striking blend of 80s gymnasium aesthetics and darker undertones, reflecting her fearless approach to exploring themes of nightlife, relationships, and reclaiming agency.
Rooted in her Lebanese/Palestinian-Scottish heritage and shaped by her upbringing in Beirut, Salwa’s artistry is a fusion of cultures and experiences. Her work delves into identity, mental health, and connection, offering listeners a deeply personal yet universally relatable perspective. In this interview, she opens up about the inspiration behind ‘Ghost You,’ her creative process across multiple disciplines, and how music serves as both a passion and a grounding force in her life.
Congratulations on the release of your music video for ‘Ghost You’! Can you tell us about the inspiration behind the song and how it reflects your personal experiences?
thank you! The song was inspired by multiple nights out where I could feel a general frustration from myself and others. I explore themes of unwanted attention, boredom and disillusionment of city and nightlife.
The visuals for ‘Ghost You’ are striking, with their mix of 80s gymnasium aesthetics and darker undertones. How did you and director Ted Clarke bring this vision to life?
Ted has this brilliant way of interpreting nostalgic fashion and bringing it into the kind of aesthetic you see in the video. It’s a mixture of my own style with his direction and cool laid-back attitude.
You describe the song as a bold anthem of defiance. How do you hope ‘Ghost You’ resonates with listeners, especially women navigating similar challenges?
Hopefully women – and people, anyone really – can identify with the irony of the concept of ghosting and the statement in which choosing to do that over confronting a situation while remaining collected presents.
Your music blends genres like Electro-Pop, Disco, Prog Rock, and Jazz. What drew you to this eclectic mix, and how does it shape your storytelling?
It’s just brilliant music, it has tension and release. I tend to get restless if I’m only listening to songs with major chord progressions and happy resolves. I need the jazz, the dissonance and the groove.
How has your Lebanese/Palestinian-Scottish heritage and upbringing in Beirut influenced your artistic style and approach to music?
My heritage influences me daily, from the confusion and of being a mixed woman to the actual polarising cultures themselves. I can explore my feelings through my art and self expression. At the end of the day, I just want to connect to people and feel less alone.
You’ve built a career across acting, filmmaking, modelling, and songwriting. What role does music play in your creative process compared to your other mediums?
I think they are all interconnected and part of one another. I see them as different parts to one big show.
The themes in ‘Ghost You’ touch on nightlife, relationships, and reclaiming agency. How do you approach tackling such personal and complex topics in your songwriting?
I enjoy writing about complicated subjects that you wouldn’t normally think to write about for a 2 minute song. Lyrically, I approach things the way I would if I were writing a poem or a film script. Subtext is key and I love word play.
Mental health and identity feature prominently in your work. How does your journey as a bipolar woman living in East London inform your art?
When I was diagnosed with the disorder in Beirut and then again in London over the years, it was hard to grasp what it all meant at first. With time my music has helped me find my voice with it all and navigate difficult situations where I might have lost touch with reality. It helps ground me. It also helps me platform the illness a bit more and advocate for something that is deeply misunderstood.
You mentioned that iconic tracks like Justice’s ‘D.A.N.C.E’ and Caravan Palace’s ‘Mighty’ inspired ‘Ghost You.’ What elements from these songs influenced the track’s production and energy?
I’d say the energy, the groove, and the choir elements of both these songs are what inspired me. Both bands are masters of playing and bending genres. It’s something that inspires me!
With such a multidisciplinary career, how do you balance your various creative pursuits, and how do they influence one another?
I tend to create in whichever way my mood takes me. Music is my purest passion but I spend a lot of time writing short fiction and creating little films just for my circle. I love workshopping and using that time to play and create.
