SANDPOINT — In her late teen years, Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik was using a unique tool to help her learn how to play guitar: songwriting. 

At the time, Talvik’s mind was enveloped with classic singer-songwriters like Aimee Mann and Suzanne Vega, later adding the works of artists like Bob Dylan and Joan Baez to that list. The lyrics and style made an impact on her, resulting in her pursuing a path of Americana and folk music as a career. 

“If you look at the songwriters from the ‘60s and '70s, there were more protest songs and I just feel like today is kind of a time that is similar,” Talvik said. “In the way that as an artist, you have the chance to say something, you have a chance to use your voice and give a message to people in a way that maybe not everyone has.” 

It’s that style that has brought her in an RV alongside her husband to 49 of the 50 states in the United States and will be bringing her to Sandpoint’s Panida Theater on May 17. Attendees can expect to hear plenty of her 2023 album, Center of the Universe, which was considered for a Grammy award in the year of its release. 

The 10-song album, like much of Talvik’s discography, blends her Scandinavian roots with folk sound and thought-provoking lyrics to create an atmosphere not unlike albums of her heroes. 

“I could sing songs about just love and heartbreak or whatnot, but with all the stuff that's going on in the world, I think it's kind of important to say something,” Talvik said. 

As a one-person show, Talvik promises an intimate environment as she weaves through the stories about her songs between singing them. Talvik said she prefers this type of environment because it allows her to build a connection with the audience that she said is lost at larger events. 

With songwriting a major focus of Talvik’s art, she said that she also prefers being able to see reactions to her songs and the emotions they invoke. 

“I always enjoy it when people laugh and have a good time because some of the stories and some of the songs, you can laugh about it, and some of the songs are sad and some of the songs are thoughtful,” Talvik said. “If the audience has a good time, then I have a good time.” 

The trip to Sandpoint won’t be her first venture to North Idaho, as Talvik played two concerts in Bonners Ferry back in 2019. Talvik, who uses an RV to travel the country on tour, said Idaho is one of her favorite states to tour in because of its natural beauty, which makes it easier for her to find camp sites to stay at. 

“That is 50% the reason why I do this,” Talvik said of her unorthodox touring method. "I can combine this, really intense time of meeting people at the shows, and then just get away and sit and look at a lake somewhere.” 

Talvik will be at the Panida Theater on May 17 at 6 p.m. Tickets are $18 and available at panida.org. 

    Swedish singer-songwriter Sofia Talvik is set to perform at the Panida on May 17.