Stunningly gorgeous with wavy blonde hair and statuesque body, Eurovision 2018 hopeful Charlotte Kjær a.k.a Charla K, could easily be mistaken for being a fashion model. The Norwegian beauty who is competing in Melodi Grand Prix (MGP) this year, will perform Stop the Music that she co-wrote with Per Gessle and Alex Shield on March 10th in Oslo Spektrum. Speaking exclusively to ESC Plus, the blonde bombshell is over the moon after knowing international fans’ reception of her MGP contribution.
“I personally hope the song could reach out to everyone out there, regardless of age and gender. I hope everyone can relate to the melody and the lyrics”. As an avid fan of the song contest, Charla K has a big respect for Eurovision, and for what it represents.
“It’s fun and fantastic! Eurovision is the world’s biggest music competition that unites millions of people around the world”.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OlWqsr6uTZM
Even though initially Stop the Music was written without MGP in mind, the moment when the recording wrapped up, she and her team thought that they could do something big with the song. “We suddenly thought it could be a potential Eurovision entry, and so it began!”
Fun and bubbly, the talented songstress who was discovered by Norwegian music legend Per Gessle revealed that her entry was originally written as a duet. However, as the songwriting progressed, the initial plan was omitted.
“My involvement on the song, together with Alex Shield, is mainly on the melody. He is also the one who produces, mixes, and arranges the song. It was a long process, to be honest, and we tried out different versions before finally settled with the current one,” she admitted.
“When we had the melody ready, we sent it to Per Gessle and asked if he would write the lyrics. Because we think he is a brilliant songwriter, and we’re so happy when he said yes!”.
The songwriter, who wrote Stamina for Anastacia in her newest album, revealed how she was scouted by Space Station 12, Per Gessle’s record label.
“I and Alex were writing a new song in his Stockholm studio. Meanwhile outside, in the big studio, Roxette was recording a TV-commercial. Per Gessle was Alex childhood hero, and so he took the courage and went out and asked if he would like to come inside and have a listen to our songs. And to our surprise, he did. He sat with us for half an hour – inspired and enthusiastic. The production team came in, and Gessle told them to wait outside because he wasn’t finished listening to our songs. And the rest is history! We both, me and Alex, got signed to Gessle’s new record label!”.
Charla also revealed a little bit about her MGP performance, stating that she wants it to be warm and welcoming, just like the message of the song.
Growing up, the former X-Factor contestant familiarized her self with musical juggernauts like Michael Jackson, Whitney Houston, Mariah Carey, Stevie Wonder, and Amy Winehouse, who later influence her style and artistry. “My father used to play their songs a lot at home when I was little. Thus, it feels really natural when I finally slip into the genre of pop and soul. Looking back now, I’m glad and thankful for what I’ve got through performing and what I’ve made through my hard work”.
“However, I’m also open to exploring other genres. More pure soul, jazz, or country maybe,” she added. Besides music, the stunner also expresses her desire to branch out to other fields such as fashion or modelling. “Even though music is my main career, I don’t want to close the door to other possibilities as well”.
After Melodi Grand Prix, when some of her fellow musicians prefer to take a break and go on vacation, Charla will waste no time. She is set to drop her very first EP mid-March, and we couldn’t be happier for that!
“After MGP we have so many more songs to release and I hope, of course, I can sing and perform them on many stages around the world”.
When asked about her stint on the X-factor and how it helps her performing on live TV, she kindly shared that it was a very exciting, fun, and challenging experience.
“X-Factor was a lot of hard work, but it gave me connections and opportunities that never would have been possible without the competition. It was like the best school you could experience and go through for 3 months,” she said.
To her international fans who have been supporting her all along, Charla K has a message: “Be kind to each other and be kind to yourself. Do what makes you happy and appreciate every single day that you have!”.