Ahead of Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2025, ESCBubble’s Joe B had the chance to catch up with Tim Schou, a name already familiar to many Eurofans since he finished 5th at Eurovision 2011 as part of A Friend In London, with the song New Tomorrow. This year, he returns as a solo outfit, with the song Proud.

You can remind yourself of the song below, and vote for you favourite act at DMGP in our poll. The show takes place on Saturday 1st March at 8pm CET on DR1.

Hi Tim – thanks for taking time out of your busy schedule to chat to ESCBubble! How are the preparations for DMGP going?

Honestly? It’s a wild ride. I feel like I’m juggling chainsaws while riding a unicycle…on fire. But that’s showbiz, right? Between vocal coaching, staging ideas, and making sure my hair looks effortlessly messy (which takes way more effort than I’d like to admit), things are moving fast. But I’m loving every second of it!

Most of our readers will probably know you as the former lead singer of A Friend In London, who came 5th at Eurovision 2011 with New Tomorrow. What are the key memories you take away from that year and your time in Düsseldorf?

Oh man, 2011 was a fever dream of glitter, press conferences, and sleep deprivation. I remember standing on that massive stage, looking out at 35,000 people, thinking, “How did we get here?” It was like being strapped to a rocket ship with no idea where it was going to land. And of course, hanging out with the other artists, the Euroclub madness, and our hotel room basically turning into the unofficial Danish embassy.

You may remember that you famously turned a few heads in the final for something you said to Dutch spokesperson Mandy Huydts after receiving 12 points… what was the atmosphere in that green room like on the night?

Hahaha, oh wow, we’re really going there? Alright, so yeah, I might have gotten a little too comfortable live on international television. The green room was electric – a mix of nerves, excitement, and possibly a little too much caffeine. I was just running on pure adrenaline, and when the 12 points rolled in, my brain apparently decided that flirty banter was the way to celebrate. Classic Tim. No regrets!

What, in your opinion, has changed for you, and for Eurovision / DMGP itself, since you competed in 2011 with A Friend In London?

For me? Everything. Back then, I was the frontman of a band, riding the pop-rock wave, wide-eyed and soaking it all in. Now, I’m an independent artist who’s spent years couch-surfing, writing songs, and figuring out who the hell I am. I’ve built a career on intimate concerts, storytelling, and just doing things my own way. Eurovision itself has also evolved – it’s bigger, slicker, more diverse. DMGP has had its ups and downs, but I feel like there’s a hunger to bring Denmark back to the top. And hey, I’m here to help with that!

What have been your standout Eurovision performances of the last 14 years, or the ones that inspired you to return?

Oof, tough question. Arcade by Duncan Laurence was a masterclass in simplicity and raw emotion. Måneskin obviously blew the roof off the place in 2021. But if we’re talking personal impact, Salvador Sobral’s Amar pelos dois in 2017 was magic – just a guy, a song, and a moment. That’s the kind of power I want to bring back.

I was first made aware that you were back in the DMGP-sphere when I chatted to Søren Torpegaard Lund back in 2023 about the song Lige her, which you co-wrote, as you have several other recent classics like Ville ønske jeg havde kendt dig. What prompted the decision to return to DMGP as an artist, and why this year?

The truth? It just felt right. I’ve been writing for other artists, but at some point, I realised I had a story to tell that only I could tell. Proud isn’t just a song – it’s a letter to myself, a reminder of why I started all this in the first place. Plus, I love a challenge, and what’s bigger than standing on that stage again, this time as me?

So, let’s talk about your 2025 song, Proud. Obviously, it’s a very different feel to your 2011 song, and it’s probably the most personal track in the line-up, with you directly addressing your younger self. Can I ask: what was the young Tim like, and why did you feel the need to write him this song?

Young Tim was a dreamer. A kid who would sneak into music venues just to soak up the energy. He was fearless, but also scared as hell – always wondering if he was good enough. Somewhere along the way, I lost a bit of that fearless dreamer. Proud is me reaching back and telling him, “Hey, you’re doing okay. You’re still that kid.” And maybe, just maybe, someone else out there needs to hear that too.

Were you originally planning to take Proud to DMGP or was it written for another reason?

I wrote it just for me. But it was actually the first song out of a bunch of 10-15 songs with the purpose of coming full circle with DMGP and Eurovision. And the more I played it, the more I realised it wasn’t just my story – it’s universal. And that’s when I knew it was the right song for DMGP. What better way to share something so personal than on the biggest stage in Denmark?

I couldn’t help but notice that one of the writing credits on Proud was for Benjamin Rosenbohm of Ben & Tan, who won DMGP 2020 with Yes. How did this relationship come about, and what advice did you exchange with each other?

Benny Boy! He’s a legend. We met through the songwriting scene, and I just love his vibe. When we worked on Proud, it just clicked. We didn’t really exchange advice – it was more like two music nerds geeking out and pushing each other creatively. But if I had to pick one thing, I’d say he reminded me that honesty in a song always wins.

With a personal song like this, Eurovision convention dictates some sort of visual narrative in the live staging to convey the message to an international audience. Without giving too much away, can we expect something similar at DMGP, or have you got something else in mind?

Oh, we’ve got something special brewing. Let’s just say, if you’ve ever lost something important to you, you might see yourself in the staging. It’s raw, it’s emotional, and it’s gonna hit home.

How many of the artists in this year’s DMGP line-up did you already know, and who have you got on with best in the process? Whose song is your favourite and why?

I knew a few of them from the industry, but it’s been awesome getting to know everyone properly. As for favourites? Let’s just say, there are some bangers in this year’s lineup.

Finally, it’s worth pointing out that Denmark hasn’t had the best track record at Eurovision recently – the last time they qualified was back in 2019, pre-pandemic. What, in your opinion, has been done wrong in that time, and what would it mean for you to go back to Eurovision and try to put that right?

Look, Eurovision is a different beast now. Denmark needs to take more risks, be bold, and stop playing it safe. If I get to represent my country, I’m bringing heart and honesty to that stage. And I’ll be damn proud to do it!

Thanks so much Tim – best of luck this weekend!

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