We mentioned on Monday how this weekend’s Melodifestivalen heat is probably the strongest and toughest on name alone. And Sebastian was part of that evaluation. The last time he appeared in Melodifestivalen back in 2007, he qualified directly to the final with ease. And before that, he managed to make his name in the 2005 series of Idol, coming second only to Agnes, and finishing above Sibel, Måns Zelmerlöw, and Ola Svensson. So Swedish televoters clearly have quite a thing for Sebastian!
This time around, his song, ‘No One Else Could’, has been described as disco pop, which makes him an even stronger candidate in our eyes. At the Melodifestivalen press conference in December, where his participation was announced, we had a brief chat to him about what to expect and when a new album will be forthcoming.
You can also read our pocket-size interviews with some of the other contestants competing this weekend; Eric Saade, Linda Sundblad, Sara Lumholdt, Shirley’s Angels, and Simon Forsberg, by clicking on their names!
………………………………………………………………………………..
scandipop: So Sebastian! This is your second time in Melodifestivalen. How was it for you the first time? Did you learn things that are going to make you approach it differently this time around?
Sebastian: Yes. The first time I did it I was just so overwhelmed by all of the media and by everything around it. So this time I think that I will be able to enjoy it a bit more, and just focus on having a good time. Because it is a lot of fun! So yeah, I think I’m gonna enjoy it more this time around.
scandipop: I’ve spoken to so many artists who have said the same, you’re not alone in thinking about it that way! Ok, so what is your song like this time?
Sebastian: Hmmm, I don’t really know how to describe it. It’s an up-tempo, regular pop song….
scandipop: Is it up-tempo guitar pop, or dance pop, or….
Sebastian: It’s written as a guitar pop song, but there are actually a lot of synths and that type of sound.
scandipop: Ok. And as regards releasing music, you’ve been quite quiet recently, you’ve been doing the musical Grease with Marie Serneholt. So have you been working on an album that might be ready to go after the contest.
Sebastian: Yes, yes, I did Grease for a while. And yeah I’m recording a new album now, this is gonna be my fourth album. And it’ll be released after Melodifestivalen.
scandipop: How would you describe it compared to your previous three albums? Is it more of the same, is it a slight twist on what you’ve done before, or is it a huge step away from anything you’ve done before?
Sebastian: Well of course people who have liked my previous three albums will find things that they will enjoy in this album also. But it’s different. The main difference is that before, I always co-wrote everything and worked with a lot of producers and a songwriter, Peter Kvint. But this time, I’ve written everything myself except for ‘No One Else Could’, which I’ve co-written with Andreas Alfredsson Grube. So it’s a different kind of songwriting and it’s gonna be different production-wise also. You’ll find a lot of things that you recognize from the previous albums, but a lot of new stuff also!
scandipop: Sounds good. Right, well I’ll see you in Linköping then! Best of luck.
Sebastian: Thank you! See you then.
While waiting for Saturday night, you can check out his 2007 Melodifestivalen performance below;
