Friðrik Dór is well established in Icelandic popular music, but will take his first journey into the Söngvakeppnin world in Saturday’s first semifinal. We spoke to Friðrik – that’s Frikki to his friends – about his participation with ‘Í síðasta skipti’ (‘For the last time’).
X: We’re used to seeing Söngvakeppnin shows filled with ballads, cheesy pop and a bit of rock, but your usual sound is something different to what we think of for Iceland in Eurovision. Are you aiming to bring something new and different to the Söngvakeppnin stage?
F: No, the thing is I have always loved power ballads which is the most typical kind of a Eurovision entry from Iceland and that is the kind of song I wanted to compete with. Therefore that is what you are getting from me, a power ballad.
X: You’re new to Söngvakeppnin. What made you decide to take part this year? I have had the idea to compete in the back of my had for many years.
F: I have been offered songs to perform before, but I felt “Í síðasta skipti” just was the right song.
X: Is your aim to win Eurovision, or are you in it for the experience/fun/exposure?
F: I want to win in everything I do. Eurovision is no different.
X: Your song is from the StopWaitGo team. How did that collaboration begin?
F: I started working with StopWaitGo when I was making my first album back in 2010. We went to the same college so we already knew each other, they came to me with a song which ended up on the album along with one other we made together. We have been working together ever since.
Pálmi Ragnar Ásgeirsson, Ásgeir Orri Ásgeirsson og Sæþór Kristjánsson, better known as the StopWaitGo production team.
X: What can you tell us about the story behind the music and the lyrics?
F: Pálmi (a member of the StopWaitGo team) came up with the melody and the words for the chorus. Me and Ásgeir then wrote the verses.
X: You’re already very experienced in the music industry. What’s the main bit of advice you would give someone who wanted to start out making music?
F: My main advice would be not to try and please others, make music for yourself. Authenticity is what makes music good.
X: Have you followed Eurovision before? Have there been any songs that you’ve liked?
F: My favourite Eurovision entry is the French one from 2008, Divine by Sebastian Tellier.
X: If there is one song you could give the experience of listening to to everyone in the world, what would it be, and why?
F: I think “The Bear” by My Morning Jacket is a great song with great lyrics. I think the message of the lyrics is to never give up, which is a good message for everyone 🙂
X: I’ve seen a fair few football tweets from you- who are you team(s)?
F: Yeah, I think the vast majority of my tweets are about football haha… My daughter and girlfriend share the top spot on the list of things I love most in this life but in a close second is my hometown team FH Hafnarfjorður. My father is chairman of the club and Kaplakriki, their homeground, is my second home.
X: Some very important questions to finish off… What’s your favourite day of the year and why?
F: My favourite day of the year would be Christmas Eve because I love spending quality time with my family.
X: And what’s your favourite flavour for skyr??
F: I will go for vanilla!
Good luck to Friðrik on Saturday. as he and the rest of the first semifinalists will battle for qualification. Join us on escXtra for coverage at 20:30cet on Saturday.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jSrWF0hXPxQ
Í síðasta skipti
Ég man það svo vel
Manstu það hvernig ég sveiflaði þér
Fram og tilbaka í örmunum á mér
Ég man það, ég man það svo vel
Því þessar minningar, minningar kvelja mig, kvelja mig
Gerðu það, leyf mér að leiða þig
Í síðasta skipti
Haltu í höndina á mér og ekki sleppa
Sýndu mér aftur hvað er að elska
Og o-o-o-o
Segðu mér
Að þú finnir ekkert og enga neista
Og slokknað í þeim glóðum sem brunnu heitast
Þá rata ég út
Ég man það svo vel
Manstu það hvernig þú söngst alltaf með
Hver einasta bílferð sem tónleikar með þér
Ég man það, ég man það svo vel
Því þessar minningar, minningar kvelja mig, kvelja mig
Gerðu það, leyf mér að leiða þig
Í síðasta skipti
Haltu í höndina á mér og ekki sleppa
Sýndu mér aftur hvað er að elska
Og o-o-o-o
Segðu mér
Að þú finnir ekkert og enga neista
Og slokknað í þeim glóðum sem brunnu heitast
Þá rata ég út
