Vilde Johannessen is songwriter from Tjøme, Vestfold. After completing a bachelor’s degree in music at the music school LIPA in England, she moved to Oslo in 2018 to pursue an artist career. At the same time, she released her first single, “Get You”, and has since released seven songs on his own record label. In recent years, the artist has also written for other artists both at home and abroad, including Stina Talling. Among the highlights of her own artist career, she has opened up for Matoma, Röyksopp and Julie Bergan, sung at the opening of the Norway Cup. At the beginning of 2021, Vilde released the single “Never Said Enough”.

Hello Vilde, after finishing music school LIPA in England you moved to Oslo, released your first single and after that one you released seven more songs for your own record label if I am not mistaken. How was that whole experience it seems like you are fully emerged into music and you already achieved some things other musicians dream about?
– Hey! Yes, that’s correct. Studying at LIPA was a great experience and I quickly fell in love with production and electronic pop music. I built a home studio in my flat in Liverpool and spent up to 10 hours a day producing and writing my own songs. After a performance I had at an event in Oslo (together with Ulrikke actually) I got signed to a booking agency and started playing a lot of shows in Norway. It was stressful flying back and forth, so I decided to move back to Norway and pursue my artist career here. The reason why I started up my own label was actually because nobody wanted to sign me. But, these days you can do so much on your own so I thought “okay, let’s do this. I’m gonna work hard and show the industry that it is possible to be independent and still gain success”. Even though it has been a lonely business and my mental health hasn’t been great, I am so grateful for the steep learning curve that I’ve had over the last four years and extremely grateful for my listeners and fans who support me and make it possible for me to do what I love the most, music.

What’s the first musical moment you remember from your childhood?
– When I look at videos from my childhood I can see that I already started singing at an early age, around 1, but I don’t really remember that. So, I think the first musical moment I remember is when I started playing the clarinet at age 9. Another fun musical memory is when I was a child I was sitting on Jan Teigen’s (Norwegian artist, MGP winner 4 times) lap on stage singing one of his greatest hits with him. You were opening for Matoma, Röyksopp and Julie Bergan, sung at the Norway Cup, and many other experiences.

Is there any other collaboration, stage on which you’d like to sing or performance which you’d really like to create?
– I love performing on stage, so my absolute biggest dream has always been to go on a world tour and share my music with people from all around the world (preferably a big stadium tour with a band, dancers, full production etc). Another BIG dream is of course to win MGP and perform on the ESC stage in front of 200 million people, that would be HUGE! When it comes to collaborations I would love to write a song with Ed Sheeran, he’s such a talented guy.

What made you decide to take part at Melodi Grand Prix?
– I’ve been wanting to participate in MGP since I was a kid! However, I am glad that I have waited until I was a bit older and more confident in myself as an artist, my sound and image. So, now that I had the right song I didn’t even hesitate when I got asked 3 months ago. It was a big YES from me 😀

Can you tell us a bit about “Titans” given the fact that you are one of the coauthors of it and what does the song mean for you?
– The song is me putting words to fears that sadly many women have felt in different situations, letting them know they aren’t alone, and that we can find strength together by opening up about our experiences and hopefully change the way the world is. The song has meant a lot to me the last couple of months and has helped me when it comes to my own mental health.

Your songs are mostly followed by some great dance moves, will there be the same case with the performance of “Titans” or not?
– There will be a lot of great dance moves on stage, yes! I’m not gonna dance too much as I need to focus on the vocal performance (it’s a difficult song for me to sing) and conveying the message of the song. But, I’m gonna have four very talented women with me on stage dancing. The choreography is very powerful, so I’m super excited to have them up there with me.

Melodi Grand Prix has long history, 62 years have passed from the first edition, What is your favourite song which competed at the stage of MGP and tell us why did you choose it?
– I think I have to say Alexander Rybak with “Fairytale”. It’s such a clever song with a catchy chorus that just gets you in a good mood. The stage show with the folk dancers is also fun and very “Norwegian”.

Do you watch Eurovision regularly, if so would you like to share a memory which you have of it or a favourite song from the contest?
– I know other artists have said the same haha, but my favorite ESC song is “Euphoria” by Loreen. Such a great song and strong vocalist.

What do you do when you’re not singing? Any hobbies?
– When I’m not singing I work at a specialist nursing home for young people with dementia and alzheimer. I hardly have any days off, but when I do I like to go skiing, workout, hang out with friends, play football and crochet.

What are your plans after Melodi Grand Prix 2022?
– First I have to see how MGP goes. The best case scenario would of course be that I win MGP and get to go to Turin and represent Norway at the Eurovision Song Contest! But, no matter what happens I will definitely release more music and hopefully get to play some concerts again!

Thank you so much for your time Vilde. We wish you the best of luck at Melodi Grand Prix. Do you want to share something else or you maybe have a message for readers of escbubble?
– Thank you so much! I want to thank all the ESC fans around Europe for taking the time to send me messages and for listening to my song “Titans”. I feel so grateful for all the love you’re sending!!

You can listen to “Titans” on Spotify or below

Don’t forget to vote for your favourite at the third semi-final of Melodi Grand Prix 2022!