His song made it on the blockbuster How to Train Your Dragon 2 and he’d like to collaborate with Malta on the Junior Eurovision contest. Marc Bayliss interviews 2009 Eurovision winner Alexander Rybak.
Music is a term which is best described as a series of sounds combined in a manner as to produce beauty of harmony and expression of emotion.
Alexander Rybak, winner of the 2009 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with the song Fairytale, believes that music is not only therapeutic but also a means for others to express their emotional woes by relating to both the actual composition and the lyrics that each second encompasses.
“Music is not about being the best,” is the opening statement from Rybak, signalling that his involvement in the arts is true and genuine, aiming to channel his talents into something that the public will appreciate. With a smile on his face and a violin in his hands, the male singer/songwriter quickly demonstrated his words, exchanging speech for music by playing his latest track, Into a Fantasy, which has been included in the soundtrack of How To Train Your Dragon 2, being played during the end credits in European countries.
Putting the violin down and showing photos of both the premiere and also while in the recording studio, Rybak recalls that belief was a big part behind this song.
People told me that “it was too late to send the song and that they will not even care to listen to it, especially two months before the premiere”.
But then, he received a call, one that made his day, saying that not only did they like the song but they also wanted to include it in the motion picture. He still smiles when he thinks about it.
“I hope that my story inspires other people not to give up. The worst thing that could happen when you try is a no.” Into a Fantasy is also being supported by a music video.
Rybak came up with the concept himself, wanting to include children because of their “honesty and energy”.
Aiming to be a mentor to future artists, Rybak recalls his experience as a songwriter and mentor to Annsofi, a female vocalist who tried to represent Norway in the 2013 edition of the Eurovision Song Contest.
People told me that it was too late to send the song two months before the premiere
Her entry I’m With You bagged the fourth place. Rybak learnt a lot from working with such a young vocalist and aims to channel his talent into supporting future stars.
Speaking of what lies ahead, Rybak brings up the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, saying that he wishes to find a way to collaborate with the talented children taking part in the show.
“I would definitely put on a great show for all of you to enjoy,” he smiles persuasively, adding that Malta is the right country to host such an event.
Eager to share his knowledge with young artists, and with the speakers blaring the intro to The Start, Malta’s winning entry at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2013, Rybak shows a clear desire to write “a song for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest as of next year”.
With the rules and regulations for 2015 already out, the artist acknowledges that there’s no time to get anything done to his standards. This is why his plans will have to wait a little bit longer before his name is attached to a local artist.
Back to How to Train Your Dragon 2, it is interesting to note that his participation goes beyond songwriting and performing, having also had the opportunity to lend his voice to the main part of the Norwegian version.
When did Rybak figure out that this is where his career path lay?
Giving advice, Rybak urges artists to follow his model of self-promotion in order to help showcase talent, be it in music or any other market.
“It will always find the right audience ” is the mantra he speaks of, noting that he never imagined his career to take the shape that it did. Yet, he is really happy about the outcome and would not change a single thing.