Lopez Blogs

This week Loreen's fantastic single "My Heart Is Refusing Me" has become one of last three Melodifestivalen singles left in Swedish chart - with "Popular" and "Me And My Drum". Song is still growing as radio-hit and you can already find The Attic's mix of the song sneaking into radio-charts of Russia, we could also notice it in Norwegian iTunes-chart and taken as hit-warning at Rix FM in Sweden. Label is currently giving new push to this single with pack of new mixes - Anders Nyman dance mixes and whole 3 acoustic versions. Due to samples we're mostly intrigued in electro acoustic version but we can already listen to dance mix (which is really strong clubfiller) and light acoustic version (which is loads of crazy goosebumps indeed) and our heart is accepting both completely!

And don't forget to check this magic live version of the song that I didn't present here before but which is just mesmerizing!

This year we give victory in nomination Best Melodifestivalen remixes pack to... Loreen with mixes to her single "My Heart Is Refusing Me"! It's fine that it was delivered with a small delay, result has become worthy waiting. Three brilliant mixes - dark house-mix from Ali Payami, beautiful trance-mix from Michael Feiner & Eric Amarillo (The Attic) and club stomper from PJ Harmony. Our fave here is The Attic's mix with dreamy piano-keys switching to powerful dancefloor killer track that we've completely fallen for last weeekend in Stockholm.
I also recommend you to check very interesting Loreen's interview taken during Schlagerfiasko's melotrip, in this interview Loreen revealed that "Sober" that was earlier announced as next single can be replaced by another track "If She's The One". We don't care about choise actually because any new step of Loreen's career is gonna be exciting, inspiring and not less than amazing!

The Moniker som en tupp på en hönsgård bland 12 kvinnor, som motsvara 7 bidrag. Eller? Jag har en känsla av att det är de sju kvinnliga bidragen kanske inte betraktar sig som några höns eller låter sig styras av någon tupp. Men en sak är klar – det blir dueller där vinnarna kan vara vem som helst. Det är dueller med totalt olika låtar och det finns ringa möjligheter till en rättvis bedömning.

Såhär ser schemat ut enligt SVT:s eminenta grafik:





Foto: Lilian

One of our biggest favorites of Melodifestivalen-2011 Loreen has visited studio of XL Live to perform her Melodifestivalen-hit "My Heart Is Refusing Me" with one of her songwriters Moh Denebi in acoustic and to prove one more time what a brilliant singer she is! Tones of broken feelings in every sound and every key especially touching with nothing but guitar and beautiful Loreen's voice. Another performed song was forthcoming single "Sober". Loreen will compete this Saturday in Second Chance round of Melodifestivalen and currently she's the most successful participant of Second Chance on iTunes staying #5 so we really hope she has a big chance to break through to the final.

It's time for new schlager-heroes to visit Linköping this week to fight for tickets to Globen and we're getting probably harder pack of names than it was in first semifinals. Eric Saade looks like even bigger favorite by odds than Danny was before 1st semifinal followed surprisingly by The Playtones (because of Dansbandskampen win + Fredrik Kempe's song I guess), Shirley's Angels (oh, this project looks more and more interesting!) and again surprisingly newcomer Sara Varga (Sara sounds very Anna Bergendahl these days so probably repeat of Anna's success is expected here as well). Simon Forsberg, Sara Lumholdt, Sebastian and Linda Sundblad go close next. There are no outsiders by bookies and no outsiders by good sense. Everyone has strong background, songwriters or label support behind. Tomorrow evening we'll hear first press-reviews and maybe then we'll get first winner-feeling responses (what I miss for now).

Takling about news of participants.
Linda Bengtzing joins artists already announced about wish to release new albums before Melodifestivalen-final, her compilation "Min Karusell" except MF-hits/MF-rejected hits ("Hur svårt kan det va", "Värsta schlagern", "Alla flickor", "Jag ljuger så bra", "E de fel på mig", "Victorious") will also include fan-favorite "Not that kind of girl", duet with Brolle "Varför gör du som du gör", "Kärlekens barn" released on separate EP in 2009 and brand new song "Man i uniform" that you can already listen in the end of this video. Some karaoke-tracks are already included as bonuses.

Linda Sundblad after making soundtrack for "Let's Dance" show on TV4 year ago this time has recorded soundtrack for another TV4's "Sveriges mästerkock" show. As we always love Linda the most with a bit rockier sound (yes, she's gonna stay Lambretta-Linda forever for us) we really like it!

Talking about other news. Love Generation's leak this time doesn't seem to cause any consequenses due to Thomas Hall's response to escsweden.com.

If you remember this year we'll get CD with rarities celebrating 10 years of new Melodifestivalen, Sarah Dawn Finer has revealed that it'll include demo for Alcazar's "Not A Sinner Nor A Saint" recorded by her. And you can already listen to that demo on Poster Girl blog!

The Moniker in recent chat with Aftonbladet's readers revealed that he's album is on the way.

Anniela's album will be out on March 14th and MF-single "Elektrisk" will be released there in English version.

Brolle and Anders Fernette also record new albums and Anders already has preliminary tracklist on his blog (with "Lola", "Hungry Eyes", "Tell me Why" but unfortunately without "Don't Stop").

Loreen also revealed she has so much stuff that she could release three albums but for now her closest aim is to release next single "Sober", you can check its acoustic version below. Very beautiful song!!!

Simon Forsberg who will compete this Saturday in Linköping seems to be ready for the fight and due to pics from rehearsals he's gonna be alone on the stage, we'll know for sure later. Check also video from rehearsal and other pics on Schlagerfiasko.

Le Kid who were left 5th in Melodifestivalen's first semifinal last Saturday celebrates victory today. Their newly released single "Oh My God" has reached #1 of Swedish iTunes-chart in the first day of sales! Impressive start and hopefully big hit of this year. Rasmus Viberg has also charted on iTunes with single "Social Butterfly" (currently #25), Dilba's single will be out very-very soon and Jonas Matsson's single also to come (thanx to Schlagerprofilerna for covers).

Talking about forthcoming singles - Sanna Nielsen who will perform this Saturday has also presented her stunning cover before and today we get another one and also pretty amazing cover of single "My Heart Is Refusing Me" from Sanna's Göteborg rival - Loreen. We already starts to fall for Loreen exploring this dark mysterious image and we're sure her entry is gonna be something very special! (stort tack for cover to Schlagerfiasko)

Melody Club today unleashed cover, tracklist and release date of their new album "Human Harbour". Besides MF-single "The Hunter" album will include previously released "I Don't Believe In Angels" and recently performed in XL-live "Sweet Disaster" and "Dreamers Wasteland". Album will be released in one day with Sanna's one - on March 2nd (few days after 4th semifinal).

Jenny Silver today revealed in chat with Aftonbladet readers that her album is planned for this Autumn and Swingfly's new album "Awesomeness" will include (among others) songs recorded with Kleerup and is planned to be out soon after Melodifestivalen final.

 Today I attended the press conference where SVT presented the artists in semi final 1 and 2. Without having a clue about the songs (they are not allowed to be played until the event kicks off in February) it seems to be a cocktail of known, unknown, young and older artists, English and Swedish language and a dictionary in music genres. Very often the participation is connected to an album release. Melodifestivalen is the best PR you can get for your new album.

Christer Björkman, the producer of Melodifestivalen, said he was happy with the mix. He looked a bit tired - maybe it was because of spending the last week in Minsk with Junior Eurovision Song Contest. And if you heard that Sweden will arrange the contest next year it is only a rumour without any essence.   


I had the possibility to interview some of the participants. Among them was Elisabeth Andreassen who is very close to a world record in this context. Her CV includes five times Melodifestivalen, five times Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix and four times in Eurovision where she won 1985 with Bobbysocks and "La de swinge".



 Another wellknown artist in Sanna Nielsen. She celebrates 15 years as an artist and this is her sixth attempt in Melodifestivalen. Keep in mind that Sanna is only 26 years so Elisabeth Andreassen might lose her record one day to Sanna.

All the interview will be published here but already on Wednesday you can listen to Sanna and Elisabeth on www.radiointernational.com or www.oikotimes.tv.


Here are the entries in alphabetic order - the running order has not yet been decided. Next Monday the semi final 3 and 4 will be presented.

Semi final 1, Luleå, 5th March 2011










 Pernilla Andersson: "Desperados"
Danny: "In the Club" 
Swingfly: "Me And My Drum"
Le Kid: "Oh My God"
Jonas Matsson: "On My Own"
Rasmus Viberg: "Social Butterfly"
Jenny Silver: "Something In Your Eyes"
Dilba: "Try Again"

Semi final 2, Gothenburg, 12 March 2011:











Anniela: "Elektrisk"
Babsan: "Ge mig en spanjor"
Sanna Nielsen: "I'm In Love"
Christian Walz: "Like Suicide"
Loreen: "My Heart Is Refusing Me"
The Moniker: "Oh My God!"
Brolle: "Seven Days And Seven Night"
Elisabeth Andreassen: "Vaken i en dröm"

Photos: Lilian

I've got 3 important news regarding Melodifestivalen-2011 which I'm gonna share with you right now!
First one and the most important that we oficially have got new 8 announced artists and the most exciting word here is new! Just like Linda Bengtzing from the first bunch only Sanna Nielsen can be called here schlager-veteran and just like Linda she's coming with support of Thomas G:Son (I guess we're gona have a lot of G:Son's songs this year after his Top-5 on Eurovision this year). But not alone - Peter Boström, Bobby Ljunggren and Irini Michas are hard team behind the song "I'm In Love" so it's gonna be schlager of higher calibre.
Another one participant who already participated in Melodifestivalen but not solo is international sensation Danny and again song is co-written with Peter Boström (yesss!!!), Figge Boström and Danny, song is called "In The Club" so everything's pointing to the saddest heartbreaking ballad in the world, nah, this team is made for dancefloor killer-hit and the final in Globen without any "if" and "but"!
But the name I'm completely blown away is Dilba! One of the most inspiring artists of Sweden with music that's completely out of time is finally back after a long break and I'm so happy she's coming to Melodifestivalen. What makes it more interesting is that she's coming with Niklas Pettersson (responsible for some Velvet's and Daisy's hits) and Linda Sonnvik (who worked with Belle before) who wrote the song "Try Again".
Second ex-A*Teens part Sara Lumholdt is coming to Melodifestivalen with the song "Enemy" by Niclas Lundin (this year's song of Erik Linder) and Anton Malmberg Hård af Segerstad (Le Kid). Unfortunately Sara hasn't managed to properly establish solo-career so hopefully she'll make it this time.
Among loud names of this bunch you can also find Melody Club - popular pop/synth rock band that rotates in speculation lists not the first year and can easily be this year The Ark with the song "The Hunter".
More fresh names are Loreen (first Idol participant who completely disappeared for years after the show) with the song "My Heart Is Refusing Me" co-written with Moh Denebi and Björn Djupström and even newer for big audience Simon Forsberg with Fredrik Kempe's song "Tid att andas" and Rasmus Viberg with "Social Butterfly" written by another schlager-veterans - Amir Aly and Henrik Wikström. I'm gonna tell you about them a bit later.

Another exciting news are for all who's gonna visit Sweden to see Melodifestivalen next year. Tickets sales will be open this Thursday on October 21st so you'll be able to buy them from outside of Sweden on http://ticnet.se Prices and dates of concerts and general rehearsals are mentioned here.

And the last news. This week has shortened amount of webbjokers participants to 100 so you can check the chart and take a look at which songs are still in competition and which are going to leave it next week here. We have 25 favorites left so keep hoping that someone of them will reach the final!

Рор-solo
Nadina - Change of heart (127)
Engla - Don't stop (142)
Jonas Matsson - On my own (240)
Mona Ersare - Over the Rooftops (245)
Ghena - Stand here (269)
Maliq - Believe in me (115)
Anna Palmér - Echo (147)

Eurovision pop
OneVoice - Varje steg (299)

Schlager/Dansband
Emil Johannisson - En sekund (153)
Göran Frödin - Kan du inte välja mig (#206)
Trison - Lovar & svär (211)

Pop-group
Fredrik och Magnus - Get out (162)
Adam Sandahl - Att vakna vid din sida (112)
Marcus & Fredrik - She's making my day (261)
Predicament - A fist full of maybe (104)
MLVNS - Denight (139)

Jazz/Visa
Natalie - Just a dream (204)
Conny Andersson - Kura Skymning (208)
Lise Edman - Ta mig som jag är (329)

Rock
Ann-Christine Johansson - Sanningen ska segra (255)

Ballad pop
Julia Alvgard - Better or worse (118)
Niklas Dahlquist - Här står jag för dig (180)
Fabian - Simple life (262)

House/techno
Keylas - Crying in my dreams (131)

Various
Anton & Dejo - I wanna be with you (185)

By the way you can already mention logo of Melodifestivalen with silver gradient background in sales shops so seems like we've got new color of Melodifestivalen-2011!