Ida Redig has been in the performing arts for over a decade, releasing her debut album ‘Standing Here’ in 2010. This first album was in a singer-songwriter style and she followed up in 2014 with her second album ‘Thou Shall Not Be a Pussy’. Also, in 2014, she toured with the immensely popular Swedish band Kent together with amongst others Miriam Bryant, but now she has set her sights on Melodifestivalen, wrote a song called ‘Allting som vi sa’ and got chosen!

So now we have had the pleasure to interview Ida. She’s aiming high! Read what she had to say here below:

Ida, first of all: Congratulations on being selected for Melodifestivalen 2018! What was your first reaction
when you heard you made it?

I’ve worked so hard the last 7-8 years with my music. I’m a self-made artist and producer, I’ve made my music totally uncompromised through the years and I have never taken any short cuts. I’m working day and night just to make the best songs. It’s all about not giving up. When I finally decided to participate in Melodifestivalen, it was my only goal to make it. And I did! So of course, I was very happy and relieved.

Could you tell us a bit about yourself?

I’m an artist, songwriter and producer based in Gothenburg in Sweden. I released my first album in 2010 and shortly after that I build my first analog recording studio. Since then I’ve been working full time with my own music and other artists and today I have made my self a name in the industry, both as an artist and as a producer (where I work under the name GIRL) I’ve release three albums and several EPs. In 2016 I was nominated as “The best music producer of the year” by Swedish “SKAP”, and last year I was nominated for “Best music in commercials” at Roygalan.

My productions and songs have been sold all over the world, for example McDonalds in Australia and French/Brittish Bourjois. 

What is your song ‘Allting som vi sa’ about?

It’s a happy song about how you don’t care about anything else when you’re in love. It’s pure passion and it’s Swedish pop at it’s best. You just want to dance and clap your hands. The song is, like everything else I do, totally true to me as an artist. It’s an Ida Redig song all the way and I really think that I can win with this song. The first step is to go straight to the final, then aim for Portugal!

What made you decide to compete in Melodifestivalen?

I just thought it was time for me to bring really good Swedish pop into the competition. I will show Sweden and the rest of Europe the best of Swedish music and that it’s possible to do your own thing, follow your dreams, never give up and yet succeed. I have never stopped working and I have never stopped making music that I love.

What would it mean to you if you won?

It’s my call to make music for everyone. It would be huge and my biggest goal right now!

What kind of music do you listen to yourself?

I think that one of my strengths as a songwriter and producer is that I have always listened to a lot of different music. I have for as long as I can remember always fallen in love with songs, regardless to genre. I can listen to a song a thousand times until I find a new one that I love. I remember listening to Don’t Stop with No Doubt and “Lemon Tree” with fools Garden over and over again as a kid. Today I find it quite hard to find new songs that I really love. My latest obsession must have been when Lorde released her first album a couple of years ago.

What is your favorite food?

I love seafood. Shrimps and crawfish are favorites, but also typical Swedish food like meatballs etc. I love food and cooking!

Do you have a favorite Eurovision song?

No, not really…

What is your favorite song right now?

To be honest I’m always obsessed with my own new music. My song “Allting som vi sa” that I will compete with in Melodifestivalen Is actually my favorite right now..

Do you have a message for the readers of ESCBubble?

Thank you for reading and I hope to see you in Portugal! Love / Ida <3

Thanks for taking the time to talk to us Ida and good luck in Melodifestivalen!