First up, Semi 4 in Malmö: Eight artists will compete. Four will advance. Two will go directly to the final. Two will get another chance in Karlstad.
Army of Lovers - A Swedish Eurodance group with international success, including the United States. They reunited in their original lineup for this contest. Their song "Rockin the Ride" opens semi 4. Alexander Bard describes the song as a mix of Swedish House Mafia and Gangam Style mixed in a washing machine with a ton of crack. The group members grab headlines with their provocative and sometimes controversial, statements and interviews. Expect their fans to show up in droves at the arena.
Lucia Piñera - A newcomer to the contest but she has competed in other song contests in the past, such as True Talent. Lucia is a Malmö native, so the crowd will be fully behind their hometown artist. Her entry, "Must Be Love" is described as a positive and happy soulful song.
Robin Stjernberg - Robin is a graduate of Swedish Idol, so he's no stranger to live performances in front of massive crowds. This 21-year-old is branching out to other contests. He wants to reach people with his music and show another side of his talent. Having a good show is important, but it's more important to reach out to fans and make a difference, he says. A self-identified perfectionist.
Sylvia Vrethammar - Sylvia is no newcomer to the contest or the music business. She has been singing in the spotlight since 1967. Sylvia has competed four times in MF, the last being in 2002. She has found international success in Germany and other European countries. This year, she will sing a Swedish song by the name of "Trivialitet". The lyrics focus on appreciating the small moments in life.
Ralf Gyllenhammar - Normally a part of hard rock band Mustasch, Ralf has chosen to enter the contest as a solo artist since his band mates did not want to take part. He sees the contest as entertainment and he's ready to entertain. He wants the audience to be pumped up and excited about the powerful performance they will witness.
Behrang Miri - Another Malmö local, Behrang has roots in Iran and has lived in Sweden since he was three. He loves to rap and can do beatbox. Music is for getting out your feelings, reaching people, and building bridges, he says. His song, "Jalla Dansa Sawa" means come and dance. The song is about being together and letting everyone take part.
Terese Fredenwall - Terese is a 26-year-old Stockholm native. Her song, "Breaking the Silence", is about breaking away from destructive things and embracing all the good things life can offer. She wrote her entry after meeting people in prison and being influenced by their stories. She won her place through a national song contest, but is no stranger to the music business. She has previously released three solo albums under her own record label and has written lyrics for well-known artists, including one of this year's co-hosts, Danny Saucedo.
Ulrik Munther - Teen heartthrob and contest favorite, Ulrik competed last year and placed third. This year, he wants to win it all. "Tell the World I'm Here" is described as a strong hit-song with a subject that is easy to relate to. He doesn't just want to be a well known musician, he wants to expand his skills and grow as a singer and artist, which is one reason he has decided to compete again.
Photos: SVT
No comments:
Post a Comment