After a decade of fame in Scandinavia, former Swedish Idol winner Darin is suddenly breaking worldwide, with 2012 single Nobody Knows a surprise smash in Asia. Stopping off in the UAE on his way to gigs in China, we caught up with the 28-year-old star.
People tell me Nobody Knows is tearing it up across Asia. What's the song about?
It’s probably the happiest song I’ve ever written; it has a lot of energy that makes you want to jump up and dance. It’s about that moment of feeling love for the first time and not knowing what’s going on.
Is it written from personal experience?
Well, of course – but not right now. The song first came out in Sweden in 2012.
That relationship didn’t work out, then.
Well, now I’m single.
What would someone have to do to change that?
Right now it’s pretty difficult to imagine, I’m so busy touring.
But if you had to settle down?
I don’t have a type. It’s more about having a good time together than how someone looks.
Your 2010 album was called Lovekiller. Does that sound like a good description of you?
No. I’m a nice guy, not a love killer.
OK, so pick a better one.
I’m very spontaneous, I like travel, food and music. I’m very easy going. I try to help other people as much as I can, with the big questions of everything that happens in the world.
Now, you've been famous in Sweden since 2004, when you were runner up on your country's Idol. But this is your first tour outside of Europe. Why now?
My new single is getting played everywhere in China. That’s how this whole Asia and Middle East tour started. It’s a country of 1.3 billion and it reached 1.2 billion.
That’s a lot of people. How?
It was on a car advert for Honda.
Do you drive a Honda?
I don’t actually. I would if they gave me one.
Now you’re touring internationally, where have you found the craziest fans?
I still have to say Sweden.
You seem to have a loyal market – six of your seven albums have hit No 1 at home. I guess at this point you would be disappointed not to top the charts?
I never take it for granted – there are so many artists out there and a lot of work behind it. For each album, I feel like I’m starting from scratch.
So come on, why is it that Sweden is so good at making hits?
That’s a good question. A lot of people take music seriously when it comes to education. People see it as a real job and there are a lot of opportunities for musicians. It’s dark a lot in winter, so people are at home with nothing else to do. There’s something about Sweden, it’s very creative. Even Spotify is from Sweden.
The single Nobody Knows is out now. The album Exit by Sony Music Middle East is out later in the year
rgarratt@thenational.ae
