When you think of Sweden, urban radio probably isn’t the first thing that jumps to mind. The Scandinavian country has produced a number of great artists over the years, but it isn’t a hotbed for R&B and street sounds that dominate U.S. Radio. Styles that inspired a young Sebastian Mikael, an early lover of all things music related. While still in his native country, the aspiring singer/songwriter practiced his guitar and piano, attempting to duplicate the rhythms bleeding out of his stereo. Even though his aspirations were lofty, he continued to believe that he could create the music that initially stirred his soul, for the masses. However, he would have to leave Sweden for America, which he did.
He has been in the States for some time now—originally in Los Angeles, but then moving to Boston, in order to study at Berklee College of Music—continually working to attain his goal. During his tenure in school, Sebastian recorded his debut mixtape: J’Adore. This collection of tracks demonstrated his already diverse skill set, as his instrumentals included acoustic guitar, club type production, and excellent vocal treatment. His breakthrough “Beautiful Life” video, helped garner him rave reviews and the attention of A&R’s from a plethora of record labels. Eventually leading him to a partnership with Sylvia Rhone, who worked out a joint venture with Epic Records.
We had a chance to sit down with the talented artists at the Akoo workshop, before his photo-shoot. He explained to us about his upbringing and the trials that have faced him, as an internation artist and assimilating to America’s lifestyle. A lot of his observations were unique and enlightening; displaying why he may one day become an inspiration for those Swedish youth looking to make a name in America’s R&B market.
Growing up in Sweden?
In the beginning it was definitely a culture shock. I moved to LA first, seeing how the people were acting, the whole environment was different. I came over for music so I was always focused on just trying to make moves, trying to become an artist. So that was my whole focus that was my whole drive. Honestly in LA they focus on pop music so it was kind of similar but just in general in Sweden it’s very pop and rock, there’s really no urban scene. The only urban artists the play are the artist that crossover, Trey Songz, Drake, they’ll even play The Wknd but they won’t support local urban acts. When I was in HS we had one urban radio station and for a while it was the hottest thing in Sweden, everyone was listening to it, then they closed it, so it just felt like there was no longer a market for what I wanted to do.
So you moved out of LA?
Got into Berkley, they gave me scholarship but I didn’t feel ready. Felt like everyone out there were musical geniuses. I wanted to develop myself first. So I went to another school there and after two years I decided there was no point being in LA if you’re someone trying to be an artist, connect with people, grind and all that stuff, NY is better for that, even Boston is better for that, but LA is just the worst place for that. So after two years I decided to move to Boston and that’s where everything started. Started putting out music doing college shows, doing high school shows…
How’d you get your first deal?
Signed from a video on Youtube, song called Beautiful Life. Started out just being college blogs, college kids really supported us, it spread started gaining a lot of attention. We did a meeting with them, they flew us down in 2011 but we didn’t actually do the deal until 2012. I still have the same freedom now that I’m with a label as when I first started. That’s why I waited to do the deal. I wanted to make sure that we had the same vision.
What is your vision, when it comes to making music?
As far as sound wise I put out something I thought was very soulful and very real, like “Beautiful Life” was the first thing I put out, it’s an acoustic song, very personal and honest. Moving forward I made the single Last Night, took something very soulful and classic and mixed it with a trap beat, so I infused the two styles and I like that contrast. As long as me and the label are on the same page with what I’m trying to do then it works.
Did you feel like you had a clean slate, since you’re from Sweden?
In Sweden people expect you to do House music, they expect the pop stuff in Europe. I feel like now music, we listen to all the same stuff, with everything breaking on the Internet. For example when ASAP came out, they had fans in the UK, Caucasian kids dressing like them but don’t’ know where the sound came from. I grew up listening to the stuff that I liked, and R&B got stuck to me, I grew up listening to Marvin Gaye, Babyface and all these artists. At the same time I’m affected by Swedish artists like Little Dragon and all those artists. That’s how I look at my music, as kind of a melting pot. You just gotta focus on making good music.
How do you pick a sound?
Make sure it clear for people, if it’s for radio make sure it fits the format. When people ask me what I do I say I make R&B, but that can be so many things. At this point I’m putting out my sound more and more.
What are some of your immediate plans?
We just did a remix for Worst Behavior, it’s a fun R&B mix of the song. Dropping a new song called Lose It next week, then the EP top of next year and the album next year as well.
Jimi (@Nativejimi), Transcribed by Mario (@m5motie)
