Måns Zelmerlöw has been charming a lot of people for a long time. But it’s in his current incarnation as host of SVT’s Allsång På Skansen that he’s really peaked in terms of popularity – so far. Six weeks ago, a nervous Måns took to the stage for the almighty task of lording over the opening night of the 90 minutes of music, chat, and comedy entertainment. And everyone fell in love with him. Even more than they had already done in the past. Even the Swedish press have been unusually generous in their praise for him. In fact we heard one journalist talk about him on radio saying that the only problem with Måns Zelmerlöw is that he’s just TOO perfect!
This is all very well of course, but what about Måns Zelmerlöw the popstar? It’s been over two years since his last pop album, and with everything else in his career taking off so spectacularly well, there becomes the worry that the recording and releasing of another album is going to take a backseat. Jazz-lite Christmas album excluded, of course! So we nabbed a quick chat with Måns backstage the last time we were at Allsång På Skansen, to put our concerns to him. And he answered. And you can read what he says below.
One thing we want to add though is how ridiculously busy this guy is. His evening doesn’t stop at 21.30 when the cameras stop rolling. Not at all. Once the show is finished, he’s got to keep smiling, and indeed charming, a whole manner of fans, children, and guests backstage. And then there’s the more difficult press. We assumed that having left it until week 4 to grab a chat with the main man, it’d be a lot easier to speak to him, as everyone else would have interviewed him by then. But no. EVERYONE still wanted to talk to him.
Patiently though, we waited. And here’s what was said;
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scandipop: Goodness me, you must be tired!
Måns: I am a bit right now, yeah. I’ve had a really long day today. And this was probably the hardest show of Allsång so far this summer…
scandipop: Because of THAT Malena Ernman duet I imagine?
Måns: Yes, that! And also because the songs were so long – they each had like four verses, at least. So I’ve been studying a lot for this week. But it feels really great right now, like we did a great show. And I had such a good time doing it.
scandipop: So you’re having fun with it all?
Måns: I am having fun, yes. Definitely, and *sips from glass of white wine* this tasted really good!
scandipop: Ha ha, that’s only half a glass in one whole evening. I think I’d have needed half a bottle to get through what you’ve just done.
Måns: Ha ha, true.
scandipop: I do wonder though – every week you have all of these music guests on promoting their new album or their new single. Does it make you long for releasing….
Måns: My own stuff? Yes, of course it does. I mean, I have the best job on the planet I think. But I am also still a solo artist, and I want to release something new. I’ve started writing for it, and so we’ll what happens with it.
scandipop: Cos a lot of music fans are worried that we’re gonna lose you to television. Because you’re so good at it!
Måns: Ha ha, oh thanks. But you won’t. I promise. Cos I love this, but there’s still a part of me wanting to become more when it comes to a solo artist. I wanna perform a lot more abroad too.
scandipop: Actually I was gonna come to that! A story surfaced a couple of years back that you might be heading to London to take a role in the musical Chicago.
Måns: Yes, it did.
scandipop: And I spoke to you before about it, I think it was at last year’s Melodifestivalen when you were hosting. And you said that just because of timing it didn’t quite work out. But I wondered if that could still happen.
Måns: Oh of course it could, yes…..
scandipop: Are negotiations still taking place or have they stalled completely?
Måns: Well now they’ve completely stalled. I mean, that was a while back, I think it was two years ago now, or one and a half. The thing is, I would still wanna do it, but I’m not sure when because I love what I have here now. And it feels like if I was to go to England for half a year, then I would lose a lot here. But of course it would still be great. It’s a dream part. Even though I feel that maybe I am still too young for it actually, to do it.
scandipop: Ok. Well looking beyond musicals and back to your own music now – now that the likes of Ola and Danny Saucedo, and probably soon Eric Saade too, are all releasing their music in the UK. Is that something which you might aspire to for your next album?
Måns: Yes that’s definitely what I’m thinking and what I’m hoping. I mean, who wouldn’t want to have a career in England and be released in England. And the US of course. But I think that I still haven’t found my sound. And I don’t think that either of my two records so far have been good enough.
scandipop: Internationally perhaps. But they HAVE been good enough Måns, don’t sell yourself short!
Måns: Oh well thank you, ok. But yes, definitely not international enough. And I’m still looking for that special sound which makes my music its own and I’m hoping that the next album will be that.
scandipop: And hopefully we won’t have to wait too long for it either! Can you give us a roundabout figure – an estimated time of anticipated release?
Måns: Aaaahhhhhhh….errrrrmmmm…..next Spring
scandipop: Ok. We won’t hold you that, but it’s nice to have a distance point anyway! Thank you Måns.
Måns: Thank you.
