Hey Sebastian, thanks for taking the time to talk to us today. Could you tell us a little known fact about yourself?

Sebastian Rydgren is a Swedish artist, songwriter and DJ known for his emotive voice, modern pop sound, and magnetic stage presence. He first rose to national attention as a standout contestant on Swedish Idol 2022, where he finished in fourth place and quickly became a fan favorite. His talent caught the eye of Idol’s chairman of the jury, internationally renowned producer and songwriter Anders Bagge (Madonna, Celine Dion, Robyn), who connected him with various songwriters and producers.

Born and raised in Järfälla, Stockholm, Sebastian began performing in childhood talent shows and later refined his craft at Rytmus and the Global Songwriting Program by Musikmakarna. Sebastian Rydgren has previously released music under the monikers NORR and San Sebastian.

There’s something quite diaristic about your new EP, Midnight Confessions Pt. 1, so how much of your personal experiences did you put into these songs?

The entire EP is about letting go of everything that has been holding me back. It’s about taking control of my life and choosing to do what truly makes me happy. The songs explore different relationships—both with other people and with myself—so in many ways, this EP really is a part of my diary.

Previously, you’ve released music as NORR and San Sebastian, and now you’re under your own name. Would you say there’s a new level of courage that comes with this development?

The decision to release music under my own name came from reaching a point in my songwriting where I felt comfortable being myself. I’m comfortable to joke about my own shortcomings, like I do in ”Imaginary Lover”, and to tell stories from my own perspective instead of hiding behind an alias.

I also feel like I’ve found a sound that feels genuinely personal and represents who I am and where I am in life right now.

You move from heartbreak in ‘night hours’ to hope in ‘In My Dreams’, so how did you reflect this journey through your songwriting and production?

To reflect the emotional journey throughout the EP, I wanted both the lyrics and the production to mirror the different states of mind. Some songs lean into heavier, more melancholic sounds, while others have a more playful and uplifting energy. Each track was built to support the feeling and message it was meant to convey.

‘how i wanna die’ has a striking title, so what do you hope your audience understands before making assumptions about the song?

Even though ”how i wanna die” sounds like a very dark title, it’s actually one of the most positive songs on the EP. I started writing it during a time when I genuinely felt happy and at peace. I’d just been hanging out with my friends, and I remember sitting in the studio thinking, “This is what I want my life to look like”—being surrounded by people I love and making music.

The song is really about finding your own path and surrounding yourself with as much positivity as possible in order to build the life you want.

Fun fact: ”how i wanna die” was actually the song that sparked the idea of creating an EP.

What do you hope that listeners will take away from these songs?

I hope people come away with the feeling that, even though change can be scary, it also brings excitement and growth that can lead to something so much better. But more than anything, I hope they remember to enjoy the journey along the way.

What’s next for the project?

Pt. 2 will be released this autumn…

Follow Sebastian Rydgren on Instagram.