Kalle Johansson: “I feel totally ready for this adventure and I’m very excited!” (Melodifestivalen participant – Interview)

ESC+Plus has talked to Kalle Johansson, participant of the Swedish selection for Eurovision 2015 “Melodifestivalen”. Kalle will sing “För din skull” in the third semifinal set on February 21.

ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all congratulations on having been selected to compete at Melodifestivalen 2015.

Hi there! Thank you so much! I’m very excited being a part of this!

E+: Can you tell us about you, your musical evolution and important achievements?

I’m 18 years old and born in a very small village in the south of Sweden. Music has always been important in my life. I’m raised in a family that loves music, some of them even work with it. I started out on stage at the age of 3 when I sang a little lullaby. When I was about 14 years old I started busking. I took my guitar to the nearest city to collect money to an orphanage in Ghana, West Africa. I took a flight to visit and hand over the money.

Last summer I entered the stage for a competition called “Svensktoppen Nästa” with a song called “Den där dan”. It went very well and I actually won the whole competition in Sweden. “Den där dan” was one the most played songs on National radio P4 later that autumn.

E+: Why did you decide to take part in Melodifestivalen 2015?

The price in Svensktoppen Nästa was to get a spot in Melodifestivalen 2015, so that’s my way in to this circus. I feel totally ready for this adventure and I’m very excited!

 

 

E+: What it would mean for you to represent Sweden in Vienna?

It would mean the world for me! But I’ve just started my career in music taking it step by step and I am basically just trying to enjoy to participate first and foremost. Melodifestivalen is a perfect opportunity to reach out to a big part of Sweden and hopefully find new people who likes the performance and the music.

E+: Your song is called “För din skull”. Can you tell us about your song and the story behind the lyrics?

“För din skull” (For your sake) is an uptempo pop song with a catchy chorus. I’m singing it to a girl who I’ll do anything for. The song is written by Thomas TK Karlsson, Martin Eriksson and Thomas G:son. I feel very fortunate and happy to work with TK & Martin as writers. And to have G:son who is a real legend in this business is wonderful. He is, as you probably already know, the songwriter of many successful Melodifestivalen tracks with Loreen’s “Euphoria” being my own favourite.

E+: How are you preparing your stage performance? Can you reveal us anything about it?

I’m working very hard every day with my performance. I will bring my band with me and we´re aiming to create an energetic performance.

E+: What are your main strengths so as to get the people support to reach Eurovision?

I think I am just an ordinary young guy doing the thing that I love and I hope that comes across.

E+: If you win Melodifestivalen, would you sing in Swedish or in English at Eurovision?

Oh! That´s way to soon to plan for. There would probably be a number of people who likes to have a say in this if this would happen.

E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? Do you have any favourite song in the story of the contest?

Yeah of course, most of us in Sweden have a relation to this competition. Loreen “Euphoria” is my favourite one.

E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?

I have a tour coming up this spring and summer. I´m really looking forward to travel with my band! There will hopefully be couple of more singles released too.

E+: What is your favourite music style? Do you have any favourite singer?

My favourite style is pop but my favourite singer is Adele.

E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?

I really hope you guys gonna love my song and feel the energy.

You can follow Kalle Johansson on his Official Website and Official Facebook Page.