10 Questions For: Bryan Rice

INTERVIEW

New year, new section for the fans of Sounds European!. From now on, we are going to present interviews with some of the coolest artists we post on the site. This section will be called 10 Questions For – for the obvious reason of our asking ten things to each of them.

We debut this new section with one of our favorite stars from Denmark – and, among all the artists we've ever had contact, undoubtedly the most friendly one. These are our 10 questions for Bryan Rice:

Sounds European!: You became an instant hit in 2005 with your debut single "No promises". But let's take a step behind: How was your life before that? When and where did you start singing, and how did it develop until you reached fame?

Bryan Rice: Before releasing my first single in 2005, I was working at a Scandic Hotel as a receptionist, writing my thesis as a candidate in Spanish. I thought I was supposed to be a Spanish translator and studied six, seven years for that. In the meantime, I have always been singing a lot. Making theatre in my village and attending a gospel choir in Copenhagen later on. Music has always been a great part of my life! My mother told me that I was always singing no matter the mood I was in. A little boy with a tune for each moment. I left my home when I was 17 to start my own life, so I have always been a responsible man knowing what I want and how.

SE!: We perceive your music to be "more international" than the usual Danish pop, one step ahead than others on adding worldwide elements to your work. What were your idols in music when you were growing up? What artists do you have as influences to your music?

BR: Oh, I take that as a very big compliment! I'm glad that you perceive my work as such, because from the very beginning it was intended so. And at this point, my music is played in all corners of the world, which makes me a very happy singer! As a boy, I listened to all kinds of music. A lot of radio, popular music, but also classical, rock, at times heavy rock, a lot of ballads, Danish music from the '80s and so on. A wide variety of music, nothing is bad for me, I can cope with almost all genres, and the lyrics do stick! As an artist now, I try not to compare myself to any other artists, as I believe that it's not fair to them or me. I listened a lot to Bryan Adams, George Michael, Robbie Williams, Elton John and many others. So popular music!

SE!: Part of your career is related to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, the Danish National Final for Eurovision, both as a composer and as a singer. What called your attention on trying to represent Denmark on Eurovision? And how was your experience with taking part of DMGP?

BR: Yes, I have had four entries, two as a writer and two as an artist. I have always watched the show, so it is a great privilege for me to be able to be a part of it. It has been four wonderful experiences, especially in 2010 when I became second with "Breathing". That evening will always stand as one of my best ever.

SE!: This year, in Copenhagen, many Eurovision fans were extremely happy when seeing you hosting the pocket shows on Eurovision Village. This shows your name is well accepted among the fans. Would you ever consider trying the National Final again?

BR: As it is now, I have no plans about participating again. Music for me is not anything you need to participate about, and getting it out and played on radio is quite a difficult competition in itself, so I will focus on that for now with my new album. I have said no before, and I changed that opinion this year with "I choose u", so I should never say never, but as I feel it now, I don't want to. I have tried it, I loved it and will never regret it, but I gave it what I have.

SE!: Your albums were released in several countries, even getting to other continents. Some of your songs were already covered by artists of many nationalities around the world. How does it feel to know your work is spreading through so many nations? And what about listening to other voices singing some of your biggest hits?

BR: That is exactly what I love about music and the Internet. It travels by itself and thereby I get to make a difference for as many people as possible around the world. That is and has always been my main purpose and what makes me happy and realized. I still need the "big breakthrough" some would say, to make the whole world know my name, but actually I feel very happy to a musician that people know by choice. :-) Of course, I go for the big stages as well, but in the meantime, I'm really having fun being Bryan as he is now. When other artists sing my songs, I only see it as a big compliment. Shayne Ward doing "No promises" after me was something I already knew would happen, and I only think that that song deserves all the plays that it can have.

"Music for me is not anything you need to participate about, and getting it out and played on radio is quite a difficult competition in itself" (Picture: official Facebook page)

SE!: Your albums only feature songs in English. What took you to this direction? Do you feel more comfortable singing in English? Do you think you reach a wider range of public this way? Do you feel going for English is a trend for the future of music?

BR: My first single, "No promises", was in English, and my whole album therefore was made in English. My artist name, Bryan Rice, was made to match this international approach, and Remee (who was my mentor and record company owner) had no roof. Everything was possible, and I like that way of thinking. So what we started was an international career which I have chosen to follow. Many Danes ask me why I don't sing in Danish as many of my colleagues, but I prefer to stick to my path. Still, I would disappoint a lot of you by starting releasing my music only in Danish, right? There's a big trend in Denmark these years that music should be in Danish, and the most played artists sing only in Danish, but I'll stick to what I planned, and fight for it.

SE!: We know you lived in Spain for a while, and that you know how to speak Spanish. Do you have any plans to record anything in Spanish, and maybe expand your career to the Latin countries?

BR: Yes, as I said, I thought I was destined to be a Spanish translator, but life proved me wrong. I have never been sorry that I moved to Spain and spent a lot of years learning Spanish, 'cause it's great to have a third language and my years in Spain really matured me and taught me a lot about life. It shaped me in many ways! On my live album "A live piece of me", there's a song in Spanish called "Lo ves?", originally by Alejandro Sanz. We sometimes play it live, and therefore it found its way to my album. I like singing in Spanish, but still, the songs that I write are in English. If a Latin American record company should want me to record in Spanish, I'm game! Bring it on!

SE!: If you could choose anyone, who would be some Danish and international artists you'd like to collaborate with?

BR: I have always dreamt about working with Kelly Clarkson. I believe that our voices would match perfectly! And her pop-rock sound is something that I like very much. I just had the chance to record a beautiful duet with a legendary woman that I know from my childhood years. Maggie Reilly ("Moonlight shadow", "To France", "Every time we touch", etc.) asked me to record her song "Where the heart lies", and so she visited me in Copenhagen and we did the song. It will be out in 2015. I love duets, inviting someone to sing with you is really interesting and you learn a lot about giving space, listening, etc..

SE!: We were extremely excited with your new single "Hear me as I am", which is also the title of your future album. What can we expect of the other tracks of it?

BR: You know what, I'm SO happy that you like it! I was ecstatic with your review 'cause this song means the world to me! After the DMGP 14, I was misunderstood in an interview, and the Danish press wrote that I thought my dear colleague Basim to be tasteless. I would never, and have never said that! Actually, I said all the opposite and I praised him that evening, 'cause I already knew that he would win, and I think he deserved it! But due to a stupid talk about his use of the Danish flag on the stage, I was misunderstood. It brought a lot of harsh comments to my Facebook, and many Danes thought that I was just a simple jealous guy, talking bad about my colleagues. I'm not! So my way of getting back at this was writing "Hear me as I am". Listening to the lyrics, you will understand that I would like people generally to listen to each other, to go to the source itself instead of listening to rumours and tabloid headlines. Honestly, I'm not interested in anyone passing my private borders, I would like to be able to be private and share what I want, and I'm not here to make any scandals, just to sing. The album will be a very personal travel through love and life as I live it. About fighting and doing things your own way. There are many important songs as "Hear me as I am", and this time I'm really anxious to release it, as it's so truly important to me. Stay tuned! It's out on February 23rd, just sign up to my newsletter at bryanrice.com to get the latest news about the release, etc..

SE!: We would like to post a song of yours to close this interview. What is your favorite song of yourself, and why?

BR: Oh my, that's a difficult choice... I think you should maybe post this one, as it is my way to thank for all the follows, likes, etc., on my social media. It's a medley of two of my songs that was chosen by my followers.