WIKTORIA TALKS I TOLD SANTA

Behind the Coastline

You are reading an independently published interview-series published and carefully curated by Swedish pop-culture journalist Daniel John. Ever since its start in 2015, the core curiosity remains the same, surfing the creative currents of music, film, fashion and everything else on the pop-radar, catching the waves of culture as creative

Culture Coast TalksDaniel John

There’s a new Christmas-banger in town! But which Christmas-songs are must-have essentials for you?

I love Christmas music, in December there isn’t much else playing (laughs) For me, it's 'All I Want for Christmas Is You' by Mariah Carey, Céline Dion's 'Ave Maria' and Michael Bublés entire 'Christmas' album are definitely essential.

The song opens the Christmas EP 'This Is Christmas', which you share with five other artists. How did you come to be part of it?

Sony asked if I wanted to be part of the project and then this song came up. I felt it was a fun way to release a great Christmas song.

It's a song written by Peg Parnevik and Josefin Glenmark?

Exactly! Really fun.

What is it about?

I interpret it as being about someone you're tired of, a person you're like done with, someone you no longer want to be part of your life. You simply feel better without that person.

This isn’t your first Christmas song. But where 'Not Just for Xmas' leaned more towards Mariah Carey-style pop this one has more modern RnB- and soul influences?

Yes, exactly. Both songs are very “me”, in different ways. 'I Told Santa' goes against everything else you usually hear around Christmas. It’s often all about being in love and wanting to be close to that person. My song is the opposite, and I think that’s fun. It’s happy and a bit cheeky.

Many Christmas songs have been recorded in the middle of summer. When did this song come about?

I actually do not know when the song was written, but I recorded it in the fall. The Christmas feeling was not really there just yet but it was also kind of fun to get a little taste of Christmas in the autumn.

I have previously had your sister Malin as a guest, about her music, and she mentioned that there was strong support for making music in your family, that it was really part of everyday life. How did that show during Christmas-season?

Yes, there was. We played a lot of Christmas music at home, and on Christmas Eve the entire extended family would sit, and still does, and sing Christmas songs together.

Just a couple of years ago, you became part of that world and the long Disney tradition with your role in and as Vaiana. What does it actually feel like to voice a Disney character. Were Disney films- and music big in your home?

Disney was huge for me as a child. I’d say it still is. I truly loved the films and the music, and I still think they’re just as good today, which is why I started crying when I got the role as Vaiana, it was a dream come true. I am so proud to be able to say that I’ve actually been part of that film, because I really love it.

Around this time last year you were on a Christmas tour with Loa Falkman and Kalle Moraeus. Will there be similar shows this year too?

Yes! I am going on tour with Stjärnklart. I hope and want people to feel something. I want to move them in every possible way.

What's been your most memorable performances, so far?

I have several. Every show is really different. And it is just so much fun to create new memories that are tied to different cities and people, but I still have to say that the tour in the summer of this year was the best since I broke through.

There has been talk from time to time about a U.S. launch for you. Is that something you want?

I’ve always wanted to work as an artist internationally, and the U.S. has always been the ultimate dream in some way, so moving in that direction is absolutely something we’re working on.

Is there anything you can share about what is coming next after this Christmas-release?

Next year is going to be a really fun year. I will be releasing more music, music I have written myself, that means a great deal to me. And I’ll be going on tour again! I have a lot to look forward to.

What is the very best thing about Christmas?

The best thing for me is being with my family. Just relaxing and being around people I love is my favorite thing.

What would you most like to find under the Christmas tree this year?

Oh. Tough question. I’d like a bathrobe, and a pair of slippers.

Any Christmas greeting to readers before they soundtrack their holidays with 'I Told Santa'?

Merry Christmas, and a Happy New Year to all the wonderful readers! Enjoy the holidays together with your loved ones and we will see each other again next year. It is going to be a fantastic year!