Perdita
17-11-2008, 10:13
Swedish electropopper Robyn may have put together the best singles run of the last 18 months: 'With Every Heartbeat', 'Handle Me', 'Be Mine', 'Who's That Girl'. Ever the individual, she's now singing about "thieves and muggers" and "scum and lowlifes" on new single 'Dream On', a collaboration with fellow Swede Christian Falk. Intrigued, we met up with her to find out more.
The new single features some rather unusual lyrics. What's it about exactly?
"We actually recorded the single two years ago, so it's not a comment on the present time, but I actually think these lyrics make a lot of sense now. The lyrics are about anyone who's a little bit on the outside - it doesn't have to be thugs, criminals, drug addicts or crazy people, even though the lyrics mention them. It's about how people who are different in society are often discriminated against or bullied."
That's quite dark subject matter for a pop song.
"Yeah, but you don't have to go all the way with it! If you're having a bad day and feeling a bit different, that song could be about you as well. It's for everybody. I love the fact that it's a song you can dance to with real deep content."
Your album came out in Sweden more than three years ago. Have you started thinking about the follow-up yet?
"I've started to think about it, but I've been on the road a lot this year so I haven't recorded anything yet. I hope to get back in the studio as soon as possible, maybe even as soon as January. I'm going to continue with the same sound on the next album and I'm going to work with Kleerup and Klas Ahlund, who I worked with on this album, again."
The album's done especially well over here. Why do you think that is?
"Because you're cool people and you know good music! I think you guys have an acceptance of things that are different and you don't always have to put people in boxes. That's why my album was able to break through over here. In other countries people want things to be very pop or very indie, but my album's kinda in between and British fans can accept those kinda records."
You recently supported Madonna on her 'Sticky & Sweet Tour'. How was it for you?
"Really exciting! It's a once in a lifetime experience and to see a big production like that from the inside was really cool. Even though it was Madonna's audience, they were really nice to me and really embraced my music. I think it's because her fans are so hardcore - anything she puts on before her they're gonna love."
Did you watch her shows?
"Of course! I watched every show because I'm a huge fan. I did eleven shows with her and I wanted to see what bits she'd change from show to show. She's pretty incredible and if she asked me to tour with her again I would definitely do it."
Kylie asked you to write a song for her last album. Has anyone else asked you to write for them recently?
"Well, people call me up all the time and I never do it because I don't have time. If I did I'd go crazy because I wouldn't be able to write for myself. You know, I don't write consciously for others; I write for myself and sometimes other people happen to record my songs. Of course if someone I really loved called me and asked me to work with them, I might consider it."
Who would you make an exception for?
"Well, I just came back from LA where I worked with Snoop Dogg for three days. It went really well - he's a really nice guy, super funny and we made a couple of things that I think are going to turn out great. I think they're going to go on my album but I don't know yet. We just did it and I'm not sure what it's going to be used for."
Finally, what do you think of Britney's new single?
"Which one? Oh womanizer, womanizer, womanizer, womanizer... Well, I've heard some of the other stuff that's going to appear on her new album and I think that's cooler. How would I describe it? It's Britney, bitch."
'Dream On' by Robyn and Christian Falk is out now.
I quite like some of her stuff :thumbsup:
The new single features some rather unusual lyrics. What's it about exactly?
"We actually recorded the single two years ago, so it's not a comment on the present time, but I actually think these lyrics make a lot of sense now. The lyrics are about anyone who's a little bit on the outside - it doesn't have to be thugs, criminals, drug addicts or crazy people, even though the lyrics mention them. It's about how people who are different in society are often discriminated against or bullied."
That's quite dark subject matter for a pop song.
"Yeah, but you don't have to go all the way with it! If you're having a bad day and feeling a bit different, that song could be about you as well. It's for everybody. I love the fact that it's a song you can dance to with real deep content."
Your album came out in Sweden more than three years ago. Have you started thinking about the follow-up yet?
"I've started to think about it, but I've been on the road a lot this year so I haven't recorded anything yet. I hope to get back in the studio as soon as possible, maybe even as soon as January. I'm going to continue with the same sound on the next album and I'm going to work with Kleerup and Klas Ahlund, who I worked with on this album, again."
The album's done especially well over here. Why do you think that is?
"Because you're cool people and you know good music! I think you guys have an acceptance of things that are different and you don't always have to put people in boxes. That's why my album was able to break through over here. In other countries people want things to be very pop or very indie, but my album's kinda in between and British fans can accept those kinda records."
You recently supported Madonna on her 'Sticky & Sweet Tour'. How was it for you?
"Really exciting! It's a once in a lifetime experience and to see a big production like that from the inside was really cool. Even though it was Madonna's audience, they were really nice to me and really embraced my music. I think it's because her fans are so hardcore - anything she puts on before her they're gonna love."
Did you watch her shows?
"Of course! I watched every show because I'm a huge fan. I did eleven shows with her and I wanted to see what bits she'd change from show to show. She's pretty incredible and if she asked me to tour with her again I would definitely do it."
Kylie asked you to write a song for her last album. Has anyone else asked you to write for them recently?
"Well, people call me up all the time and I never do it because I don't have time. If I did I'd go crazy because I wouldn't be able to write for myself. You know, I don't write consciously for others; I write for myself and sometimes other people happen to record my songs. Of course if someone I really loved called me and asked me to work with them, I might consider it."
Who would you make an exception for?
"Well, I just came back from LA where I worked with Snoop Dogg for three days. It went really well - he's a really nice guy, super funny and we made a couple of things that I think are going to turn out great. I think they're going to go on my album but I don't know yet. We just did it and I'm not sure what it's going to be used for."
Finally, what do you think of Britney's new single?
"Which one? Oh womanizer, womanizer, womanizer, womanizer... Well, I've heard some of the other stuff that's going to appear on her new album and I think that's cooler. How would I describe it? It's Britney, bitch."
'Dream On' by Robyn and Christian Falk is out now.
I quite like some of her stuff :thumbsup: