“ Once spring hits, we remove our clothes '' – Gothenburg of the musician Yukimi Nagano

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No place has shaped me as much as Göteborg. It was there that I was born, where I wrote all my music and where I formed my group (the little dragon nominated for Grammy) with friends. I moved a lot when I was a child, living in Sendai in Japan, then Anaheim Hills in California (my mother is Swedish-American; my father is Japanese). Now I come back from the tour and I like to have the impression of having roots here. There is a feeling of peace in Gothenburg and proximity to nature. I find it hard to see myself living elsewhere.

My growing thing was going to record stores to find inspiration. One of my main adolescent haunts, Bengans, is still there. He has a large section just for jazz and sometimes he has shows in the cafeteria region. There are so many pop groups from Gothenburg, but also tons of songwriters-performers and many metal groups: acts like the knife, José González and El Perro del Mar started here. There are many opportunities for young people to learn musical instruments and many rehearsal spaces available. This environment is very fruitful. But I also think that, in adolescence, starting a group was the most exciting thing I can do.

Another essential of music is Nefertiti, which has a typical feeling of jazz and good music of many different genres – you can catch new sounds that are curious or West African artists. I played some of my first concerts in Nerfertiti when I was about 18 years old, and I recently played For youMy first solo album, there, which wanted to complete the loop. It's intimate; People are a little opposite because the scene is so weak. The Swedes could be reserved, to a certain extent, but when the public likes something, they go crazy.

The Swedes could be reserved for a certain measure, but when the public likes something, they go crazy

Göteborg is comfortable and easy to walk. It is a portable city with a history of the working class – a humble city. The seafront gives him life and is a beautiful place to watch the sunset. The Gothenburg Opera is an incredible modern building right next to the port where I saw more dance than music; Little Dragon collaborated there once with ballet dancers. The opera has huge glass windows, and you can watch and see a small island called Hisngen, where I lived when I was little; It was a shipbuilding district, but it has been renovated like crazy in the past 20 years.

There are great promising fashion designers based in Göteborg, including Kristine Boström and Sylvi Sundkler. I love getting dressed for the scene, but I only buy used or vintage clothes. MyRorna is a chain of used clothing and furniture in Järntorget. I found once an Italian leather jacket there. For grocery store, I will cycle for Fram Ekolivs, a cooperative of natural foods where everything is well fed.

The best museums are in the city center. I really like the världulturmuse and (museum of global culture); The last show I saw was on the history of games in different cultures, which was fun. I took my sons there when they were babies – there is a perfect space for children to explore. My parents met at the Gothenburg City library, another of my favorite places; I will choose poetry books to feel inspired and start writing songs.

My studio is right next to the central station; If you listen carefully some of my songs, you can hear the tram in recording. I generally take guests on a visit to a Swedish meal in Noot nearby – he has very good meatballs with lingonberes sauce and potatoes. Gaffelkonst is another place close to the studio; He changes his menu every week and food is inspired by a variety of kitchens, with a Swedish touch. He has a beautiful salad buffet.

I cycle everywhere, by almost all time. I cannot think of anything that makes me more agitated than to sit in traffic. There is so much beautiful nature that you can explore on the outskirts of the city; If you don't try it, you don't really live Göteborg as much as possible. Härlanda Tjärn, a lake east of the city, has a small sauna. I do one per month, followed by a diving in the lake. Winter is the most exciting moment to do so; You cannot appreciate the sauna and a cold dive in the same way if it is too hot outside. He really takes off stress. Also close to the city, Delsjön has two beautiful lakes with trails and cute small summer houses with attributions.

Once spring has hit, we remove our clothes. Suddenly, there is this transformation in the city. You can feel it becoming lighter and everyone outside Coffee (A break for coffee and sweet pastries). You will find SEMLA – Cardamom buns with Massepan and cream – everywhere in early spring.

When my father moved to Göteborg in the 1970s, an area like Haga was known for a really cheap rent. These days, it's super priority. But while some things have changed, the spirit of the city is certainly the warmth of the people.

For you is released now via Ninja Tune