ESC+Plus has talked to Marie Klåpbakken, finalist of the Norwegian selection for Eurovision 2015 “MGP”. Marie will sing “Ta meg tilbake” in the final set to take place tomorrow.
ESC+Plus: Hello Marie! First of all congratulations on having been selected to compete at Melodi Grand Prix 2015.
Thank you very much, it is a great honor to be a part of MGP.
E+: Can you tell us about you, your musical evolution and important achievements?
Most people know me as the girl who plays violin and singing backing vocals with other artists. But in 2012 I released my debut album “Framtida” which means “The future”. I actually got 8 amazing reviews were they rolled a five on the dice. The Norwegian radio channel NRK P1 has also listed three of my singles (“To Unge Vakre”, “Sommardrøm”, “Uro”). I have also been on many tours, recordings, television projects and received awards such as lyrics scholarship, talent award, folk-musician prize.
I started as a classical violinist and changed to folk music at the age of 18. I also took a master’s degree in folk music from the Norwegian Academy of Music in Oslo directly after high-school. It has taken me a few years to find my own sound, but now I feel like I`m comfortable both with vocals and violin.
E+: Why did you decide to take part in MGP 2015?
I played with Helene Bøksle on MGP in 2011 and thought it was a wonderful experience. I never dreamed or thought that I could be relevant for Melody Grand Prix before my record company MER came with the proposal after they had a meeting with the MGP committee. I really wanted to participate, but was also a little scared. It took some time before I dared to say yes, and now I’m really looking forward to this adventure!
E+: What would mean for you represent Norway in Vienna?
At the time I try to concentrate at the performance in Oslo Spektrum 14.mars, but obviously it would be a great honour if Norway would choose me to represent our beautiful country in Vienna.
E+: Your song is called “Ta meg tilbake”. Can you tell us about the song and the story behind the lyrics? How was the composition procedure?
“Ta meg tilbake/take me back” is a song about the journey in life, and a desire to go back to when the days were innocent. The procedure of the song; I met my colleague Olav Tronsmoen and we started to write a song thinking on MGP, and the words “ta meg tilbake/take me back” came across and suddenly we had a story and a sketch to send to my producer Alf Magne Hillestad. He started making the landscape around the song, and my boyfriend Eirik helped me compose the violin hook. When I write my own songs I get so afraid of making something on violin that isn`t good enough, and my mind basically freezes After a few sessions in studio I still needed a little more help and called my good friend and co-writer Linn Hege Sagen. We finished the song together, and the final product is the song I`m going to perform on March 14th.
E+: Can you reveal us anything about your stage performance?
This is still a secret, but me and my designer CåreJånni Enderud has started on the dress that I`m going to wear and it is awesome!
E+: What are your main strengths so as to get the needed support to win the contest?
My strength is that I’m very down to earth and it is important for me that my audience can feel something when I express my music. I`m proud of my song, and incredibly happy that I get the opportunity to perform it on MGP, I hope the audience vote for my song and me.
E+: If you win MGP 2015, would you sing in English or Norwegian at Eurovision?
I haven`t decided this yet, would be fun to translate the song though.
E+: What can this competition contribute to your musical career?
I can reach a larger audience, and that means everything in the music industry.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? Do you have any favourite song in the history of the contest?
I watch Eurovision finals and really like the variations of the artist and light/show/sound/camera productions. When it comes to the best song I need to say Loreen with Euphoria. I am a huge fan of Loreen, and I`ve actually used that song a lot with my electrical fiddle. It is a huge hit on closed events.
E+: What is your favourite music style? Do you have any favourite singer?
I like almost every style in music, but right now I`m listening a lot on Lykke Li and Sofia Karlsson. I find a lot of inspiration in both but Lykke Li has an image and stage performance which makes me very creative and gives me courage to try something new. Sofia Karlsson touches me, and takes me back to the days when I played folk music. She is an artist who keeps her concerts and her music very simple, who reminds me that simplicity often is the best way to reach the listener.
E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?
I want to thank the readers who wanted to get to know me a little better. And hope that they will continue to follow me into the MGP adventure. Perhaps we`ll meet in Vienna!
You can follow Marie Klåpbakken on her Official Website and Official Facebook Page.