We had the opportunity to interview Jon Henrik who will be participating in the upcoming Melodifestivalen edition , he was born in Colombia and we spoke about it among other topics, here is what he told us.

Hello Jon, 

We are really excited to be able to talk to you and have the opportunity to learn a little more about your history, your two previous participation in the Melodifestivalen and your new attempt for this year, here we go… 

OLRA: What emotions define you as a musician and a person?

JH: I don’t define me with any specific emotion, as a human we have all different emotions depending on the day. In my music, it is always real what you feel when you listen to it, either if it is sadness, joy or whatever the feeling is that I want to communicate.

ORLA: In 2014 you won the Swedish version of Got Talent. You also won the Sami culture festival “Saepmie Welcomes Festival” and did the same with “Let’s dance” in 2018; What did these experiences mean to you and why did you decide to be in those competition?

JH: For me it is just about getting new experience in life. To learn more about yourself and your own ability’s. But of course, it is always nice when people like what you do and the feeling of wining something.

ORLA: In 2015 you entered the Eurovision race being part of the list of participants of the Melodifestivalen with the song “Jag är fri” and you got second place, what did you wanted to say with this song?

JH: As the song is called if you translate it into English, I am free, that is allow pretty much what the song is about. To leave the old troubles behind and start on a fresh new page.

ORLA: Two years after your first attempt, you came back to participate but this time Aninie joined you with the song “En värld full av strider (Eatneme gusnie jeenh dåaroeh)”  how was working with Aninia and how was this second chance compared to the first one? 

JH: It was great working with Aninia, we had much fun along the way with many laughs. The things that was different this time was that I knew a bit more what I was entering with the competition and everything around it.

ORLA: Again, two years later, it is announced that you will participate in the Melodifestivalen to represent Sweden in Tel Aviv with the song “Norrsken”. What is the story behind this new song and what is the message that you want to send?

JH: The new song came to me through a dream, it´s about when you get caught up in a bad pattern and you finally get out of it and you start seeing the good things in life and you find the light

ORLA: What would be your goals for Tel Aviv if you won the Melodifestivalen? just as a window for give the world an opportunity to know or there is something else?

JH: Well, first I have to win the Swedish Melodifestivalen to be able to represent Sweden in Tel Aviv. But great that you have strong believe that it will be the case! We just started to work on the song and I had a good feeling about it.

As you say, it is off course a good window to show a bigger audience my music. The Jojk is a way of singing that lays very close to my heart. It can help you many times do deal with emotions that you carry inside. And to learn or show people this, I see as a great honor!

ORLA:  We know that you were born in Cali-Colombia and that you visited the country a few years ago, tell us about you memories of that trip?

JH: It was a great country, in a strange way it felt like home when we first landed there. I liked the people, they were all very nice to me. And for once I felt a bit tall, it doesn’t happen so many times when I travel in Europe, haha. The weather was nice too, not to cold and not to warm.

ORLA: Do you have plans to go again?

JH: I would love to go to Colombia again, and maybe stay a bit longer, I was only there for a few days when went we went the last time.

ORLA: We also know that you have a tattoo on your chest with the name “Colombia”, what does it mean to you?

JH: The tattoo is just a remainder of my roots, to be proud over who you are and where you’re come from.

ORLA: The Melodifestivalen and Eurovision is a festival that awakens many passions to thousands of fans in Latin America, did you know this?

JH: I knew that I had some fans in Latin America but I didn’t know that Melodifestivalen was so big there, happy to hear that!

ORLA: Finally, what message do you want to give to the people who are reading this interview?

JH: I don’t have any particular message but I hope I can inspire more people to listen to my music, and that they will find my new song “Norrsken” as good as I do. But above all take care of the once you love and always be nice to each other!

Once again, thank you very much for your time, your kindness and passion. We wish you all the best successes and maybe we can see you this time in Eurovision #crossingfingers 🙂