Sebastian Rydgren
Sebastian Rydgren opens up about heartbreak, personal growth, and the emotional journey behind Night Hours and his upcoming EP Midnight Confessions Pt. 1 in this candid interview.
1. “Night hours” explores the pain of being deceived by someone you love while still holding on to hopes for a future together. What inspired you to tell this story, and how personal is the song to your own experiences?
‘Night hours’ describes a situation where I thought I had the perfect relationship, and then suddenly everything turned into a personal disappointment. The song is about the time it took to accept that there would never be an “us” again and the emotions that came with that realization.
Even though that process has been difficult at times, I’ve never lost my belief in love. In that sense, the song is very personal. It reflects both the heartbreak and the continued belief in love.
2. This single continues the more personal and modern direction heard in songs like “how i wanna die” and “Talk To Me.” How has your songwriting evolved emotionally and creatively over the past year?
I’m constantly trying to elevate my songwriting and find new sources of inspiration. Over the past year, I’ve also started writing for other artists, which has really expanded my creative perspective. It’s pushed me to explore different styles, emotions, and stories that I might not have considered before.
At the same time, I feel like I’ve started to find my own sound. Combining those new influences with a clearer sense of who I am as an artist has naturally led to the music I create today.
3. The themes of love, longing, and heartbreak seem to connect several of your recent releases. Do these songs form a larger narrative that will be revealed on the upcoming EP?
Yes, absolutely. My most recent releases are all part of a larger story that comes together on my upcoming EP, Midnight Confessions Pt. 1, which will be released on June 26.
Each song represents a different chapter of the same emotional journey. While they can stand on their own, the full EP gives the listeners a deeper understanding of the story and the personal experiences behind the music.
4. You first gained national recognition through Swedish Idol 2022. Looking back, how did that experience shape your confidence as an artist and influence the music you’re creating today?
I would say that Swedish Idol gave me a lot more confidence in my ability to perform on stage. Being able to step in front of such a large audience week after week taught me to trust myself as a performer and become more comfortable expressing myself through music.
However, the biggest impact has been the people I’ve met because of Swedish Idol. The collaborations I’ve had with producers and songwriters since then have helped me elevate both my sound and my songwriting step by step. I’ve also had the opportunity to meet and learn from many artists who have shared valuable advice and insights about the music industry, which has helped me navigate it and grow as an artist.
Overall, Idol opened a lot of doors for me, not just professionally, but creatively as well and those experiences continue to influence the music I’m making today.
5. Having worked under previous monikers such as NORR and San Sebastian, what does the name Sebastian Rydgren allow you to express that feels different from your earlier projects?
Over the past year, I’ve been focused on releasing music that reflects who I am and staying true to myself as both an artist and a person. Because of that, using my real name felt like the natural next step.
Releasing music as Sebastian Rydgren allows me to be more honest and personal in my songwriting. It feels more authentic, and it gives me the freedom to share my experiences
6. With five singles now released from the upcoming EP, what can listeners expect from the full project, and what do you hope they take away after hearing it from start to finish?
Even though many of the songs explore themes of heartbreak, I still wanted the music to feel confident and hopeful. I wanted the project to reflect the personal growth that can come from rejection and difficult experiences.
I hope listeners leave ‘Midnight Confessions Pt. 1’ with the feeling that even when things don’t go the way you hoped they would, it’s never wrong to dream big and pursue the life you want. I also hope it reminds people that it’s okay to take risks and follow what might seem like crazy ideas, because you never know where those choices will lead or what you’ll learn about yourself along the way.