Here’s a debutante in Melodifestivalen 2013 that we’ve been looking forward to seeing in the competition for a while now. We knew it was only a matter of time that he found himself here. After finding fame in Swedish Idol in 2009, finishing 6th, he maintained that fame for a little while as one half of the pop duo REbound. They had three hit singles, one of which went to number one. But since the two disbanded, he’s been rather quite. The occasional tease of solo material, but nothing released. Last summer her performed at the massive Stockholm Pride concert, re-introducing himself to his audience. And now this weekend he competes in Melodifestivalen – launching his solo career properly, and on a huge scale, with debut single ‘Alibi’.
He comes into the contest with some caliber behind him, ‘Alibi’ was written by Peter Boström and Thomas G:son – the two chaps who wrote ‘Euphoria’ for Loreen last year.
Click here to read our review of what his song and performance was like at today’s rehearsals.
We met up with him at the end of last year when he was announced as participating in Melodifestivalen, and had a chat with him about the whole thing. Here’s what he said;
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Scandipop: Eddie! It’s nice to see you here.
Eddie: It’s nice to see you here too.
Scandipop: Cos I know you’ve wanted this for a while. To be here.
Eddie: I have. I’ve been sending songs for three or four years now. And now I’m finally here!
Scandipop: It’s been a quite a while since Sweden saw you in Idol. And it’s even been a while since you’ve been known for being in REbound. So do you think when people see you they’re gonna know you as Eddie from Idol? Or Eddie from REbound? Or do you think it’s actually been so long now that people will be viewing you as a new, familiar looking artist, and with open eyes, ears, and minds? Do you think you’ve lost the Idol tag?
Eddie: Well I’m actually very glad that I have the Idol tag. It’s given me so much and I wouldn’t be here without it. As for losing the tag – I don’t know, if it happens, then it happens. I’m not planning anything that way.
Scandipop: So you aren’t prioritising it then, like some artists do.
Eddie: No, I’m just doing my thing, and hopefully people will like it. I’m thankful for my time on Idol, being on such a big show and I learned so much from just being there.
Scandipop: And now you’re doing another big show – Melodifestivalen. And of all the people to get a song from in 2013 – you got one from the composers of the Melodifestivalen and Eurovision winner last year, Thomas G:son and Peter Boström.
Eddie: I know, I know. It’s huge. The song is amazing – it’s big, it’s powerful. It has the same power as ‘Euphoria’. Really big. Up-tempo, dancepop. And there’s a lot of a middle eastern vibe, I think so anyway.
Scandipop: And is it gonna be big choreographed number, is it more of a mic stand job.
Eddie: Choreography.
Scandipop: I don’t think I’ve ever seen you dance like that before.
Eddie: Me neither! So it’s gonna be entertaining. I’m exercising really hard and I’m working out a lot. Six times a week. I’m running.
Scandipop: Don’t do yourself an injury Eddie.
Eddie: Honestly, my neck is so sore right now.
Scandipop: Be careful.
Eddie: I am. I have a good trainer.
Scandipop: Scandipop readers are familiar with your music as you’ve previously previewed two tracks on the website. But that was quite some time ago, and obviously a lot changes within an artist’s sound in that time. So I’m gonna ask you again what I asked you back then – what is the sound of the album gonna be like when we finally get it. And also – when will we actually finally get it?
Eddie: Well I just signed with Warner Music, and we’re planning on doing an EP. And it’s gonna be out in spring. As for the sound – well it’s pop of course. I mean, I love to experiment with different sounds and stuff, but it is gonna be pop. It’s gonna be a little mature. That’s what I want, to have a broader audience and not just the younger generation. Some ballads, some up-tempos, and some mid-tempos. And I’m writing a lot too, so I’m gonna be involved in that process too.
Scandipop: To make it more personal.
Eddie: Exactly.
Scandipop: How about those two songs that people got to hear you perform at Stockholm Pride, ‘Lifeline’ and ‘Head Up High’, are they gonna be on there?
Eddie: I hope so, I really really hope so. But ‘Alibi’ is gonna be my first solo single. And it gives me goosebumps thinking about it!
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More from Eddie Razaz over at SVT’s Melodifestivalen website.
