Project Description
Interview with
KEiiNO
Interviewer – Mirrin Gray
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KEiiNO dominated the global voting for the massive Eurovision Song Contest in May 2019. Their song Spirit In The Sky won the global audience vote and topped the voting in eight countries including Australia. Since then Spirit in the Sky has been streamed over 60 million times (Spotify, YouTube & Apple Music combined).
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For any new fans, how did KEiiNO come together?
Tom and his husband had an idea for a song for Eurovision Song Contest, and wanted to work together with a Sami artist, so they got in touch with Fred. When Spirit in the Sky started to take form, all in the team pointed at Alexandra as the perfect front-woman, as she’s got the best pop-voice in Norway.
Which musicians are your greatest inspiration?
Tom: Muse, Max Martin
Alexandra: Beyoncé, Bebe Rexha, Sia and Jessie J
Fred: Rammstein
How would you describe your sound? What makes you unique?
Our sound is a mix of uplifting dance-pop, nordic folk, and joik, combined with traditional Sámi elements.
Can you tell us about your song Spirit in the Sky? What does it mean to you?
We are inspired by historical struggles for equal rights regardless of ethnicity, gender, identity and sexual orientation. Especially how the Sami population for many years were denied to speak their language and joik in schools in Norway by the government and church. And this story and message was put into a pop-song which also includes folk-tones and joik.
The song also represents all three of us individually as minorities, with Fred being a Sami, Tom being gay and Alexandra a woman in the music industry.
How did it feel to see such a positive response around the world in the Eurovision Song Contest?
It was amazing. We believe that we are a pop-group of the people, and we wanted to spread the message about equality and respect to as many people as possible in the time before the contest. And to get the confirmation that so many people had heard our song, that we actually won the public votes, was a dream come true. We really feel ESC2019 as a victory.
What was the highlight of being a part of Eurovision for you this year?
Definitely meeting so many lovely people and becoming a part of a family. And of course, winning the public votes!
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While on tour in Australia you’ll be working with local indigenous act Electric Fields. What is the importance to you of collaborating with indigenous musicians around the world?
For me (Fred), it is a great honor to be able to collaborate with other indigenous peoples, get to know their cultural expressions, and exchange experiences as indigenous peoples. I feel a very special bond with other indigenous peoples within the circumpolar region, and I think the case is the same also outside Europe’s borders. For me, the most important thing is that we can motivate other indigenous people to actively use and develop their language so that it will exist in the future. And the best way we as artists can do this is through our common language, the music. Together we stand stronger and together we can make our rich cultural heritage visible to the rest of the world.
How does your identity as an Indigenous Norwegian band influence the music you make?
Our music stands out compared to other music on the radio these days. People find it interesting, and we want to include music of indigenous people in every song we make.
You’ve just had new shows added in Sydney and Melbourne, too! If you could perform with anyone, who would it be and why? (Dead or alive)
Well, that’s a tough question. But it must be to have concerts in Australia with Sia and Kylie Minogue. They are both amazing and some of our Idols.
What are you most excited to do in Australia?
To finally get to meet our Australian fans! Thanks for giving us 12 points and coming to our shows! But other than that, we all dream to one day meet a kangaroo.
What’s the next achievement you would like to take on in your career?
We are releasing our first album ever, and we are really excited about that. The album is released in February, and will be the biggest achievement we’ve all had in our careers.
Finally, a few questions for some quick answers –
FAVOURITE:
Artist – Sia, Beyoncé, Muse, Max Martin
Movie – “I am legend”
Place to visit – The beautiful Northern-Norway
Venue to play – “Telenor Arena in Norway”
Food – “Tacos” or “Reindeer-meat”
Drink – A good bottle of wine is never wrong
Person in History – Nelson Mandela
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Check out KEiiNO below
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