A few weeks ago, we interviewed Filips Lindfors, who composed two Dziesma 2013 entries: “Upside Down” by Sabine Berezina and “Phoenix Fly” by Kristine Somase. Today, we interview his co-composers of “Upside Down,” Kristoffer Eriksson and Bertel Osterberg.
ESC UNITED: Hi Kristoffer and Bertel. Congratulations on making it to the next stage of Dziesma 2013. Tell us a bit about yourselves and how you became songwriters.
BERTEL: Thanks! I’m really happy about the song and to be honest I had a really good feeling when we submitted it for the contest. Well, I started writing songs as soon as I got a guitar on my 10th or 11th birthday and it’s been my passion ever since. Other than that there’s not much to tell. I spend most my days in my studio in Stockholm and I love it.
KRISTOFFER: It all started when I moved to Stockholm and ran into Bertel Osterberg, who I first met in LA where I studied songwriting/music-production and we decided to write together. A few weeks after that we started a Songwriting/Production-team along with Herman Gardarfve. So now we have our own studio together in Stockholm and just writing as much as possible.
ESC UNITED: How would describe your song “Upside Down“?
KRISTOFFER: I would describe “Upside Down” as a feelgood song that’s happy, hopeful, freedom and liveliness!
BERTEL: It’s a really happy song with the intention of making people smile and hopefully dance.
ESC UNITED: What led you to deciding to submitting “Upside Down“ to Dziesma 2013?
KRISTOFFER: Scandinavien Song publishing told us that Latvia needed song for Dziesma so me, Filip Lindfors and Bertel Osterberg decided to give it a go.
BERTEL: As soon as I heard from Filip what kind of songs they were looking for, I thought it was perfect for Kristoffer and me to cooperate with him. We have made plans to write together earlier, but this was the first time for us.
ESC UNITED: So where were you when you found out “Upside Down“ made it? What was the first thing you did?
BERTEL: In the studio, writing. First thing I did was calling everyone to make plans. We went to our usual pub hang out spot and had some burgers and beers. Very nice night.
KRISTOFFER: I was working in the studio and I got a call from Filip and he told me to meet him and Bertel at Bar/Restaurant to eat and drink.
ESC UNITED: Tell us about who’s performing the song. How did you find Sabine?
BERTEL: Sabina is great. Unique voice that fits the song, and she made it into her own with her vocals.
KRISTOFFER: In this particular situation we didn’t knew who the artist’s were so we just wrote a song that could fit a female vocalist and In this case it went well cause Sabine voice fits “Upside Down” perfectly.
ESC UNITED: Now that we are a few days away from Dziesma 2013, how are you feeling? How are you and your team preparing for your Semi-Final?
KRISTOFFER: I’m feeling great and I’m very excited.
BERTEL: I, unfortunately, can’t make it for the Semi-Final. I really hope I can follow it online somehow. It’s a bummer I can’t go, but if we’ll make it to the finals, I’ll have to move some stuff around
ESC UNITED: What do you believe is the key to winning a song contest like Dziesma or Eurovision?
BERTEL: A strong hook that is easy to remember and sing-a-long to.
KRISTOFFER: I don’t know really, but if we win I might have a clue! Haha.
ESC UNITED: Do you have any favorite Eurovision songs?|
BERTEL: Euphoria. It was no surprise to me that it won last year. Amazing song.
KRISTOFFER: None that I can think of right now, no.
ESC UNITED: What advice would you give to anyone interested in songwriting?
KRISTOFFER: Listen to other’s work and never love your own stuff too much.
BERTEL: Write with other people. You’ll learn a lot working together with other musicians and songwriters
ESC UNITED: Any closing thoughts you would you like to share with your fans?
BERTEL: If you like the song, vote! If we make it to Eurovision in Malmo, no one will be happier than me!
KRISTOFFER: Vote for Sabine Berezina, cause it’s going to be Upside Down
ESC UNITED: Bertel and Kristoffer, thank you so much! We wish you and your team all the best this weekend at Dziesma 2013.
Catch Bertel and Kristoffer’s song at Dziesma 2013! “Upside Down” will be performed by Sabine Berezina on February 8, 2013.
Roy van der Merwe
February 6, 2013 at 18:02
I like Bertel’s comment – write with other people – team workis so much better as you can help each other – so many song writers want to be on their own. I think that is where the success of Swedish composers lie – teamwork.