She was the winner of Swedish Idol back in 2005 and now Agnes Carlsson, mononymously known as Agnes, is finally taking her career over to the States. Propelled by her chart topping single "Release Me," the 22-year-old chanteuse is certainly showing no signs of slowing down. Bay Windows got the chance to sit down and talk to the Swedish pop superstar over the phone. She discusses her time stateside, meeting Britney Spears, and her growing gay fan base.
Bay Windows: Hello, Agnes! It’s such a pleasure to talk with you. Where are you currently?
Agnes: Hello! I am currently in New York City, doing press for my single "Release Me," On Thursday I’m doing the Wendy Williams Show, and just a lot of promotion.
BW: How has the US been treating you? I understand you’re on a promotional tour.
A: You know, I’ve been having a wonderful time and it’s been really fun. I’ve been performing a lot in clubs. We were just in Palm Springs for [Jeffery Sanker’s] White Party a couple of days ago, and that was really amazing.
BW: I understand Britney Spears was there.
A: Yes! [laughs] I didn’t know she was coming. I met her, like, ten minutes before I went on stage. I was like, "Oh! Hello!"
BW: Are you just here to promote "Release Me" or are you promoting another single as well?
A: Right now we’re just promoting "Release Me," but when I do interviews and you know, morning shows, I played my songs acoustically, and on those shows I did my single, "Release Me," "On & On," and "Sometimes I Forget."
BW: What has been the highlight of your career so far?
A: Hmm...a lot of things have been happening. But it was a while ago, we were in Morocco, I had never been there before, but I knew I was performing. I asked the people who were working the show "How many people are coming?" and they told me, "a couple hundred thousand." The next day I went and 200,000 people were there, screaming my name. It was really wonderful, I had never been to Morocco before and they all knew who I was and the words to my songs! [laughs]
BW: Do you have any plans to release "Dance Love Pop" here in the U.S.?
A: Right now we’re just releasing "Release Me," I think now we’re going to release it to all the radio stations. That’s what I do right now, I just do a lot of promotion for that. Then I’m going to Europe, and then I’m coming back to record some new songs. I have already released the album in Sweden, but I think we’re going to change it with the new songs.
BW: Is it going to be very different from "Dance Love Pop"?
A: I don’t know yet! [laughs] It depends on how many good new songs we’re going to record.
BW: Who are you recording with? Any big names?
A: Actually, we’ve been talking about that right now, so I haven’t decided exactly, but the guy I wrote "Release Me" with [Swedish record producer Anders] Hansson. So I hope to work with him some more.
BW: "Release Me" was number one on the dance/club songs chart. How did you feel when you received that news?
A: You know, it was so fun. The last time I was here doing promotion, the second day I was here, they told me I was number one on the dance Billboard charts. So that was really, you know...when you work a lot, to hear that kind of stuff, it gives me more motivation to keep recording.
BW: Who has influenced you musically over the years?
A: I’ve always listened to Whitney Houston, Beyoncé, and Robyn.
BW: How about now? Who are some artists that you admire?
A: I really like La Roux, and Gossip, I don’t know if you know them, but they’re really good. [Lead singer] Beth [Ditto] is really crazy and wonderful.
BW: Who would you like to work with in the future?
A: I would love to do a duet with Justin Timberlake, and work with [the Black Eyed Peas’] will.i.am.
BW: You have a strong gay fan base; do you have any words for them?
A: It’s been so amazing here in the U.S. and also everywhere I go, when I go and play for a gay audience, they’re just so lovely and give you so much energy and love, I’d just like to say that and that I really appreciate that they like my music and like what I do
BW: Thank you for your time, Agnes. We hope to see plenty more of you in the future!
A: [Laughs] Maybe you’ll come see my show? You’re welcome, have a good day!
Agnes will be performing at the House of Blues on May 1 as a part of the venue’s Epic Saturdays event series. For more information visit www.houseofblues.com or call (888) 693-2583."
Interesting interview! Especially the part about the new recordings...
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