He’s the Swedish singer who won Melodfiestivalen 2017 before becoming a Eurovision finalist with his sexy intonations and slick treadmill choreography.
And last week Robin Bengtsson reminded us why he’s so loved during a laid-back interview in Stockholm.
The 28-year-old dishes on what he’s been up to since last year in Kiev, his new summer bop “Liar” and his thoughts on Israel’s win at the recent Eurovision.
Scroll down for interview
Starting from the day after the song contest in 2017, we asked the Instagram post in which he described Salvador Sobral‘s winners speech as “below the level of a true winner”.
Speaking of Sobral’s takedown of “fast food music”, Robin said: “I just thought his statement was kinda, maybe not rude, but unnecessary in some kind of way.”
“It was just seconds after he was the winner of the Eurovision. Everyone that I know, everyone that was there was doing their best, doing the music they like and I just thought it was unnecessary to say something like that.”
From 2017 we turn to 2018 and Robin’s take on Israel’s victory.
“I think she has a great voice — like a great control over her voice, and I think she did something completely different, just as Salvador did last year in Eurovision terms. But I think she is like an icon. I think Eurovision is about more than music these days — it’s also to inspire other people.”
In the year since Robin competed in Kiev, he has kept himself busy not only recording new songs, but also opening a barber shop called Rusty Rascals. He’s done so in conjunction with Tess Merkel (of Alcazar fame) and her husband.
“The interest was just to have a place that was my own that I could come hang out with my computer, and I just like the vibe in there, we have the barber shop and the coffee shop.”
Want to visit, but don’t speak Swedish? Don’t worry! He says the barber shop has, “this international vibe, most of our barbers are not from Sweden, so you have to talk English when you come to us.”
We finish the candid interview by talking about his latest single, “Liar”, which he co-wrote.
“It’s basically about a relationship that you know is not good for you but you keep coming back to it, because it gives you what you need at some level, but it’s really bad for you at some levels.”
“I just really feel the lyrics of this one and I really like it, but it’s not like a personal experience story because I co-wrote the lyrics.”
The new single is a fun bop, with a bit less electronic production than “I Can’t Go On” and a bit more of Robin’s soulful vocals. It’s already on our summer playlist!
We had to ask Robin why he thought Benjamin Ingrosso scored so low in the televote this year at Eurovision, and also if he would ever return to Melodifestivalen. Watch the full interview below for those answers and much more.
Do you agree with Robin’s comments? Would you like to see him back at Melodifestivalen and Eurovision? Let us know in the comments section below.
This is possibly the most irrelevant piece I have ever read in wiwibloggs. Who cares what he thinks or what kind of shop he opens up just to hang out… And why going after this obsession of Salvador? Haven’t you have enough of that? Please!!!
He’s gorgeous and smart. Compared to Salvador’s cockiness and rudeness
He is horrible and so empty… what a looser
How important is his opinion? Can somebody tell me?
Same as you doing this question!
You got it ?
What an intelligent answer. Getting soft there, Davve-boy
someone need to have a brain scan i see.
So you are from a country where opinions are not allowed? i feel sad for you :(. Outside of scandinavia we are allowed to have opinions.
And so is Salvador by the way
While Robyn is opening a barber shop, so he has a place to hang out and “publishes” one song, Salvador has a new album and has the Summer full of gigs in his country and abroad. So sad for Robyn, as he clearly is a looser!
So you are from a country where opinions are not allowed? i feel sad for you :(. In scandinavia we are allowed to have opinions.
I wish more people were as odd.
You have the oddest behaviour
Fast food music always in the wrong way and nobody needs it and Netta’s isn’t just clishe pop trash like Robin’s song, so her music isn’t exactly fast food
Omg you are bitter. Lol.
It’s true! This is the ultimate swedish bully. This Davve-“person” really makes me sick
Be careful. This Davve guy might accuse of you as childish when he himself tends to act like one in this site 🙁
So you are from a country where opinions are not allowed? i feel sad for you :(. Outside of scandinavia we are allowed to have opinions. And so is Salvador, btw
Robins song talks about love so as Salvadors song…. the only thing different about them is the genre .. so i can call Salvadors song “Fast food music” as well… Salvador is a hypocrite
Salvador is just a s much fast-food Music as Robin. He just pretends it isn’t which makes him hypocrite and slightly worse.
And of course where is Davve there is Denis… so predictable
And of course you know Salvador’s work to be able to make statements like that.
Her song isn’t fast food cuz it is “super fcking fast toy”, which means, worse, at least to me!
I really agree with robin here… he is an amazing persom (;
I LIke him!
bella paige from jesc 2015 came 2nd on the voice 😀
He should get over Sobral. Having those kinds of comments about him still make him appear vindictive in the long run. I don’t want to see him as that kind of person.
He is right about Salvador.
I hope he comes back to Melfest! That skit at the end was so jokes.
Also in melfest news, Dotter released a hot new single!!
I’m sure he will…
lol