The artists of the second Melodifestivalen semi-final arrived at the city in which the event will take place, and that is no other than the ESC 2013 host city, Malmö.
In this semi-final we have three returning artists and one of them is a true veteran. Of course, we talk about Roger Pontare. The other two are Mariette and Lisa Ajax. Among them, four debutants.
Mariette – A Million Years
Text & music: Thomas G:son, Johanna Jansson, Peter Boström, Mariette Hansson, Jenny Hansson
Mariette returns to Melodifestivalen two years after her debut. In 2015 she finished 3rd in the final with “Don’t Stop Believing”. This year she competes with “A Million Years” which is also written by Mariette herself. “The song is very different, it has a higher tempo and is more pop than “Don’t Stop Believing““, she says and describes it as powerful and captivating.
Roger Pontare – Himmel Och Hav
Text & music: Thomas G:son, Alexzandra Wickman
It may have been 11 years since he last entered Melodifestivalen but now Roger Pontare is back. Roger first entered Melodifestivalen in 1994 with Marie Bergman and the song “Stjärnorna” with which they won the contest and brought a 13th place to Sweden in Eurovision. In 1999 he came back with “Som Av Is” and finished 5th. In 2000 he won Melodifestivalen with “När Vindarna Viskar Mitt Namn” which he later performed in English (“When Spirits Are Calling My Name”) as the host entry of the ESC 2000. His last attempt was in 2006 with “Silverland” but he only made it to andra chansen. This year his song is called “Himmel Och Hav” and is an ethnic anthem. It has large symphonic arrangements and one can call it a movie theme. It is a thought-provoking text for the sky and the sea.
Etzia – Up
Text & music: Johnny Sanchez, Hanif Sabzevari, Simon Gribbe, Erica Haylett
Etzia makes her debut in Melodifestivalen with “Up”. Her real name is Erica Latilda Haylett and has roots in Panama and Trinidad. Etzia is a reggae artist from Gothenburg. “I feel that the song and I spread joy, especially in February, it’s nice to get a little joy and warmth that music provides. And for all the women who work with urban music I want to show that it’s okay to enter Melodifestivalen, and also to show to all colored people, as me, that it feels great to represent our roots. As a colored woman, I feel that I stand for something important”, says Etzia. Her song is described as uplifting, loving and happy.
Allyawan – Vart Haru Varit
Text & music: Masse Salazar, Samuel Nazari
Allyawan makes his debut with “Vart Haru Varit” which is a mid-tempo hip hop song. “It all comes from darkness to light. I make a conscious choice every time I’m in the studio to bring light into a genre and a world that is perhaps very dark. It is a love altogether. It was written in a rather unloving period in my life, in autumn 2015″, says Allyawan.
Dismissed – Hearts Align
Text & music: Ola Salo, Peter Kvint
Dismissed is a rock group that cares a lot about the LGBT+ community, as you can tell by their style. The group consists of Tor Höglund, Johan Carlsson, Freddie Van Eijsden and Douglas Woodbridge. They enter Melodifestivalen with “Hearts Align”. “It is a fairly arena rock-like song, but a little rougher. A little Muse-ish. It has both hard and soft parts. It has dynamic! It is hopeful and raw.”
Lisa Ajax – I Don’t Give A
Text & music: Ola Svensson, Linnea Deb, Joy Deb, Anton Hård af Segerstad
Lisa Ajax returns to Melodifestivalen after last year’s strong debut with “My Heart Wants Me Dead” with which she finished 7th in the final. Lisa’s song this year is called “I Don’t Give A”. “The song is about love, there are two people who make mistakes all the time, but they will be themselves, no matter what people think. I love the song and it has a great feel. I have no idea if I can win with it, but that’s not the point. I’m here for the fun, of course, and I hope it goes well for the song”, says Lisa.
Benjamin Ingrosso – Good Lovin’
Text & music: Benjamin Ingrosso, Louis Schoorl, Matt Parad, MAG
Benjamin Ingrosso makes his debut in Melodifestivalen with “Good Lovin'” but this is not really his first time. He has won Lilla Melodifestivalen in 2006 and represented Sweden in MGP Nordic. He is the son of Pernilla Wahlgren who has entered Melodifestivalen four times. Benjamin describes himself as a soul-pop artist. “The song is about a break-up that isn’t really over yet. You start to remember the good moments and just want to feel that feeling again”, says Benjamin.
What do you think about this week’s artists? Let us know in the comments below.