ESC+Plus has talked to Mørland & Debrah Scarlett, participants of the Norwegian selection for Eurovision 2015 “MGP”. The duet will sing “A Monster Like Me” in the final set on March 14.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all congratulations on having been selected to compete at Melodi Grand Prix. How did you feel when you were told you had been chosen for the competition?
Mørland: I was very happy with the song being selected as there were over 800 songs applied this year in Norway. I think the song can stand out in a positive way on the night as it has quite a different mood from the other entries.
DS: I can only say that I have the privilege to collaborate with a young and talented songwriter, who also has a divine voice. It’s great that he pulled me into this funny circus.
E+: Can you tell us about you, your musical evolution and important achievements?
Mørland: I have spent most of my musical carrier in the UK where I’ve been resident for the past 12 years. I have fronted a band over there called Absent Elk who I released the album ‘Caught in the Headlights’ with. We were lucky enough to do lots of touring all around the UK and Ireland, supporting bands like Keane, The Script and Girls Aloud – an amazing experience which I learned a lot from. At the moment I am working on my solo debut, which is expected to be out later this year.
DS: I have the great pleasure of being born into an artistic family that has given me a multicultural point of view. I’ve been playing music mostly around Switzerland with various artists, mostly with jazz-musicians where I have tried to combine my self composed songs with several other styles. In 2013 I took part in The Voice of Norway and made it to the semi-finales, which was a great opportunity. Back in Switzerland I was asked to join a very huge and interesting project called “The Rumours”. This project involved 13 artists from completely different genres finding one style on one stage. We released an album and toured between oct-nov 2014.
E+: Why did you decide to take part in MGP 2015?
Mørland: For me it was simply a good opportunity to showcase myself as a solo artist and a songwriter.
DS: I decided taking part in MGP because it’s a big arena to show a lot of people what kind of artist you are.
E+: How did the idea of participate together come to your mind?
Mørland: I wrote the song we are entering with as a duet. I remembered Debrah Scarlett from a TV show from last year and that I really liked the character in her voice. I had a good feeling she would suit the song very well – which she definitely does!
DS-: “Thanks Mørland”. It’s funny to imagine that I woke up being sick in bed with a cold on tour, when this stranger calls me and asks if I’d like to join him in the competition. At first I was a bit sceptical, but made up my mind as soon as I heard the song, which I am now so very thrilled to be performing with Mørland and a grand orchestra!
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Norway in Vienna?
Mørland: That would be a crazy experience. I’ve heard there were nearly 200 million viewers last year – which is pretty hard to comprehend. I think it would just be one of those surreal experiences that never would properly sink in. But I’d love to do it!
DS: It would be amazing! Surely it will be surreal but fantastic. And it would also mean that we would get to know Conchita, which I would be super stoked about.
E+: Your song is called “A Monster Like Me”. Can you tell us about the song and the story behind the lyrics? How was the composition procedure?
Mørland: It’s a song I wrote a good while ago which I’ve produced a few different versions of. I’ve really taken my time with it. I arranged the strings with a good friend of mine, and things really fell into place after that. The strings gave the song just the right mood and left it needing very few other elements.
The song lyric is about facing up to a mistake from the past, coming to terms with who you are and what you have done, but also coming clean and moving on as a stronger person. We all make mistakes, some more serious than others, and for some people bad memories and regrets can build a wall around them that stands to isolate them from the ones they love and care about.
E+: What are your main strengths so as to get the people support to win the contest?
Mørland: I think in Eurovision it mostly comes down to the strength of the song in the end – and whether it appeals to a wide audience. All we can do is perform it to our best abilities and do it justice. I think one thing that could lift the song on the night is the inclusion of The Norwegian Radio Orchestra on stage. I think that could work really well with this song.
E+: What can this competition contribute to your musical careers?
Mørland: As mentioned I think it can be a great window to showcase ourselves as artists and songwriters. We both write individually and have our own solo projects outside of this competition. Hopefully this could be a start to helping each other launch our careers as solo artists.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? Do you have any favorite song in the history of this contest?
Mørland: I actually rarely watch TV – there’s always something to be done! But I did like last years’ bond-themed winner. I think it was very cleverly arranged to fit everything so seamlessly into 3 minutes.
DS: I have sometimes watched it. I feel it sort of is more of a tradition in Norway than in Switzerland. The “Euphoria” and “Rise Like A Phoenix” winning songs, I did enjoy. I can’t remember agreeing to all the winners the last 15 years back though.
E+: What is your favourite style of music? Do you have a favourite singer?
Mørland: I don’t really have a favourite style – to me a good song is a good song. A couple of recent singers I’ve listened to lately are James Bay and Hozier who both have a character and vulnerability I really like.
DS: It’s an impossible question to answer. Since I’ve always listened to all sorts of music. Blues, Pop, Soul, Funk, Jazz and Classical music is the foundation of my childhood. I love old school and vintage music as much as I also enjoy modern sounds. But I can tell you a few artists that in my opinion are great today: Frank Ocean, Little Dragon, St. Vincent, Oh Land, Lianne Le Havas, Sia, Matt Corby and Thom Yorke.
E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?
Mørland: It would be really nice to hear from them. We’ll try to chat as much as possible on our Instagram, Twitter and Facebook profiles, so if they have any questions we’re more than happy to answer! They’ll find us under @kjetilmorland and @debrahscarlett.
You also can follow them on their Official Websites: Mørland – Debrah Scarlett.
@Plata2semis its my song of the year so far.A masterpiece!