Swedish star Benjamin Ingrosso opened this year's Melodifestivalen final with a new song of his: his rendition of Lionel Richie's "All night long (All night)". It's not easy to imprint your own signature to a worldwide hit, as it is already part of people's memories, but Benjamin manages to do it. You can totally feel a mix of the original and his own way of making music!
This song doesn't have an official video on YouTube, but you can listen to it on Spotify.
New year, new weekday for 10 Questions For. From now on, our interviews are always going to be published on Wednesdays. And we start this new phase with one of the best new talents rising in the Portuguese music scene. These are our 10 questions for Tomás Adrião:
Sounds European!: We always like to start our interviews getting to know a little bit about the interviewee's childhood. What are your first memories with music? What artists did you listen when you were a kid? Do you believe you take something from this period to the artist you currently are?
Tomás Adrião: It all began, I think, with the "school" my father offered me when he introduced me to bands and artists he used to listen to. At home and in the car, there was always music for me to start humming. I remember, as a child, listening to bands like The Beatles, Pink Floyd, Queen, David Bowie, etc., and all the great legends of the music world. Nowadays, I continue to listen to the same music, because these were the artists who made me get to know the artist I wanted, and want, someday to be!
SE!: We can say that everything began, for you, at the age of seven, with your first guitar. What can you tell us about this moment of your life? Who were the first people to notice your potential as an artist? And what were your steps, from then on?
TA: My passion for music was born from the moment I had the first contact with musical instruments, more specifically with a guitar that I was offered when I was seven years old. Later, I began to study music and to have my first projects, like two bands that I formed between when I was 14 and 17 years old. I started playing on the streets and in bars, and then I decided to participate in The Voice, which made my life change a lot.
Nowadays, I take these days with me, for what I am today. Because in fact, I am still the same kid with the guitar on my back and with dreams to come true.
SE!: An important page of your history was your victory in The Voice Portugal. What made you try to participate in the show? How was your period with your coach, Amor Electro's Marisa Liz, and what lessons do you take from her (and from your experience in The Voice as a whole) to your career? And, of course, how did it feel to win the show?
TA: I decided, at the time, to take part in The Voice to seize an opportunity. Winning the show was never in my plans – but of course I was very grateful for the victory, because it gave me much more than I asked. Today, I take this opportunity with all my strength, to be able to do what I love the most. If it wasn't for this victory, I would probably never be able to do what I currently do.
My period with Marisa Liz was very important for me. In addition to giving me excellent advice throughout the show and teaching me a little more about this world that is so new to me, she stayed by my side after the show, and kept by my side to always teach me a little more every day.
SE!: You name as influences artists such as John Lennon, Paul McCartney, Bob Dylan, David Bowie and James Bay. They are all known as singer-songwriters, as well as great instrumentalists. Is this the path you see for yourself? And what else do these artists inspire in you?
TA: Yes, these are my main influences, because in addition to identifying myself with their sounds, they also teach me that music can not be plasticized, but felt and sincere. That is how I always want to make my music. I wish one day to be as good a singer, songwriter and instrumentalist as they are.
SE!: Now, you are starting your solo career. How was this period between the victory in The Voice and the release of your first solo single? What were your main concerns, searches and desires when planning the beginning of your career?
TA: After my win in the show, I was very enthusiastic, but also scared of what was to come. I had suddenly signed with Universal Music, and I didn't even know the artist I could be. I had to grow up and realize what I wanted to be. I made songs after songs, and most of them were not the best. Over time, I matured and started to write my first songs and collaborate with other songwriters. At the beginning of August 2018, I had the pleasure of having in my hands a song by Moisés Premoli to sing, titled "A vontade", my first single. Now, after all this, I am starting to write songs for my first album.
"I am still the same kid with the guitar on my back and with dreams to come true" (Picture: official Facebook page)
SE!: We cover the music market of all countries in Europe. And, comparatively, we can say that Portugal is one of the places where there are more opportunities for male singers. For an artist who is starting, this may be a good thing (because there is a consolidated space), but there can also be more difficulties (because there is a lot of competition). How do you see this situation for yourself?
TA: Portugal is very well served with the artists it has. Luckily, there has been more and more space for new artists – I hope to have this luck too. I think that there is more and more space for everyone. It is not easy, but with time and dedication, everything is possible.
SE!: Your first single, "A vontade", left us in love and wanting more! So the question is obvious: What are your professional projects for the near future? What can your fans expect from you?
TA: First of all, many thanks to everyone who liked my first single! Secondly, I can say that they can and should wait for a second single and for my first album, which is going to be released later this year.
SE!: Looking a little further, since your future is still all ahead of you. What do you want to achieve in your career? What are your biggest professional dreams?
TA: I just want to be happy, I really want to continue playing and doing my music for a lot longer. I want to play all across my country, from small halls to large venues, from small parties to big festivals. This is what can make me happy, I wish it to be so.
SE!: If you could choose anyone, who would be some Portuguese and international artists you would like to collaborate with?
TA: Choosing a Portuguese artist, I would choose an artist who has influenced me a lot, like Luís Severo.
SE!: We would like to finish this interview with a song of yours. What is your favorite song by Tomás Adrião, and why?
TA: As I still have little to show, I think I can only choose the song that defines me the most, my first single "A vontade".
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