Andreas Papayiannakis and EurovisionFun is accredited by SVT to follow the Melodifestivalen tour for a third year in-a-row. In Malmö we got the chance to meet a few people involved in this year’s Melodifestivalen. Among those was Elisa Lindström who had us over at Quality View Hotel, the appointed artist hotel in Malmö next to Malmö Arena on an extensive interview.
Εveryone who’s following Melodifestivalen knows who that wonderful lady is, Elisa Lindström. We got the chance to see her perform on stage, yesterday morning. Her song is like a Schlager-bomb, the Schlager-bomb we all need! But what was the thinking behind the song, when Elisa co-wrote this?
“So, Henrik Sethsson, Henric Axelsson, Thomas G:son and Erik Bernholm have written it. And I was just in the finishing of writing it. When I got the song to me, it was almost done. So, it was a super nice experience to listen to the song for the first time. And I was, okay, yeah, the demo, I need to try this. And I just thought, it’s something special here. And then I went up to Stockholm to Henrik and recorded it. Then we did some changes in the end and it felt like it was written to me.”
They did not write the song at a songwriting camp, they did it privately. As she says, the genre is totally Henrik Sethsson and Thomas G:son, it’s their soul. Henrik Sethsson and herself talked about it earlier that it all came from their heart.
“We love this kind of music. And it’s so nice to show it for people. And yeah, we want everybody to dance and sing.”
To my eyes, Elisa is literally doing what Sweden knows to do best. It’s the Schlager song, with that kind of pop diva on stage. So much glitter and glow. Elisa adds on that:
“Yeah, we wanted to create a number that was exactly as we feel for the song. That it’s the glitter and this uplifting feeling. And I think Jennie Widegren and Lotta Furebäck has really worked that out so well. We had a mood board that we sent to them. And some words that were important. We want a modern Schlager party. And we want glitter and feminine energy. And then they came back with an idea.”
The Eurovision fan base, on Twitter mainly, they’ve gone nuts with Elisa’s song. How did she react when I mentioned that?
“Oh, I’m so happy. You know, it’s crazy. I’ve just been in this little bubble. And I’ve lived with the song. And now it’s like, people they’re going to listen to it. And maybe I can meet the fans and sing this song along with them. And I get goosebumps because that’s what I live for. I’m longing to meet you. And when you’re a bit drunk, you can like… And just scream out. The message is just throw yourself out in love, to be brave and just sing it and dance and be free..”
Her last time at Melodifestivalen was in 2021, so this is her third time. How does she feel she has evolved as an artist? She explains:
“Oh, I think a lot because I’ve worked so much on stage and I’ve worked with so many talented people that has inspired me and helped me grow. And also, I’m 10 years older from when I first did Melodifestivalen here in Malmö and I have the opportunity now again. I also have a little daughter, so she has also taught me so much about myself. So I think I’m much more calm and secure about who I am and what I want to give to people. And I’m a bit touched when I talk about that because she has really shown me that what’s important and that I just want to bring joy through music.”
She wants people to focus on the fact that the song is up-tempo. That it has a lot of energy and it suits her energy very well and she can totally be herself and just throw herself out there.
“So I want them to feel the love and the joy and the power that I feel and that the song has and that power that music has also. Just that the people can feel the joy and the love is what is important in the world and that also maybe this can be a break from all the troubles that we live in. So this can be like a magical little bubble that we can rest in and just be happy and fill up with energy.”
She wants to touch the soul of the viewers to help give themselves that break to also just be happy.
“And I don’t know, it’s a competition and you know, there’s so many great songs. But for me, it’s the most important thing that I reach people and I feel that I’m doing it already. So that’s my goal. And also my goal is to come out there and sing live with you.”
She is also sending a message to all her Swedish and international fans out there:
“The song that I’m going to sing is about to be brave enough to stand in love. And yeah, I hope you will feel that and feel my love to you and to the music.”
You can watch our exclusive interview with Elisa Lindström at the video down below:
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