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Agnes

May 2009 | Pop

Agnes is the latest singing sensation to come out of Sweden. Since winning "Swedish Idol" in 2005, she has found huge success in her homeland, and is now ready to take her Swedish success global - "Release Me" has recently stormed into the UK charts at No.3, and is also big on dance floors across the continent.

Earlier this week we called Agnes to congratulate her on her UK single success and to find out more about her. Here she reveals her favourite singers, her hopes for her forthcoming third album, "Dance Love Pop" and what she does in her spare time...

The interview

Congratulations on the number 3 single!

Thank you, it's wonderful. I'm really, really happy. With this my album it's my first release outside of Sweden, so it's really great! I am in Sweden at the moment, celebrating!

This is your first release in the UK, but you've already had lots of success in Sweden...

In 2005 I won the Swedish idol, so after the final I recorded my first album, then I toured and recorded some more. This is my third album now! Of course now it is going really well for Swedish musicians in the UK - lots of artists coming into the charts.

You first found fame on Swedish Idol. What was the favourite song you performed?

I think it was the song I performed when I won, "Right Here, Right Now", because I really loved the song; it was a really special moment in my life. In the beginning, it was like a funny thing to do, I didn't really think I could win, of course I wanted to, but I didn't know how it would happen. When we were five people left in the contest, I started to think maybe I can win this...

I heard an acoustic version of "Release Me" - do you plan to continue in the pop dance direction, or do you want to try different styles?

I think the fourth album will be up-tempo, but I don't know. I haven't decided what the future will be like!

How did you want to change your sound from your first two albums?

I felt with this third album, "Dance Love Pop", I really wanted to do something new. The first two, it was more like ballads and pop songs. I wanted to do an up-tempo party album. The mix between the sounds and my voice really works I think.

What was your favourite singer growing up?

I think it would be two artists. Two women - Whitney Houston and Beyonce. I think Beyonce is really wonderful. I love her voice, and she is really good on stage.

You were over in the UK recently; did you have a nice time?

Yes, it was really great. I was there for 5 days and it was really wonderful. I was in Liverpool, Manchester and Sheffield and then in London too. I didn't really have a lot of spare time. I had some afternoons when I got to take some time off and look around London. It's a really beautiful city.

What do you like doing outside of music?

I really like to work out, and shopping. I really love fashion. And hanging out with my friends. I am really busy with my music these days, but of course I get some free time!