Margaret Berger | FESTIVALPHOTO
| Margaret Berger Norwegian singer/songwriter Margaret Berger feeds us her heart, soul and individuality. Her aptly titled, Grand Prix winning song "I Feed You My Love", coinciding with her undeniable stage presence and intoxicating vocals in Oslo February 9, is already making huge waves beyond her mother country, across Europe, U.S. and on the web worldwide. So strong the waves, that the masses and critics alike are tipping Berger and Norway the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest winners in May 2013. It's not difficult to understand why. Margaret embodies all the essential ingredients for a worldwide super star, one with the real possibility of a colourful career in front of her, the kind of potential longevity rare in the current popular music climate. With classic beauty, songs, the elusive “xfactor”, and an indescribable aura in the mix, this artist is being likened to a captivating blend of her Nordic female counterparts like Björk and The Knife with the delicious, all important essential of strong, timeless electropop songs in her back pocket to substantiate comparisons with these iconic idols. Of course, this Trondheim born “overnight sensation” has been a work in progress ever since she was 5 years old, as an artist and songwriter in her own right. Behind this schooled musician and artist is a paradox: a person so unique and yet so relatable. Now at 27 years of age, her time in the music business to date is already interesting, successful and not without its heartbreaking setbacks. In 2004, at the young age of 18, she was voted runners-up in Norway Idol, released her debut album "Chameleon" and was nominated for a Norwegian Grammy as best newcomer. In 2005, Berger won the Norwegian Grammy award for the engaging and somewhat controversial video of her single "Lifetime Guarantee" and in 2006, her critically acclaimed, much loved “Pretty Scary Silver Fairy” album, did not reach the commercial heights she had hoped for. But Berger was onto something bigger and unbeknown to herself, was creating a popular “brand”, from which she is now enjoying the fruits of through fashion projects, DJing and being a unmistakable presence and name in the Norwegian underground electro scene. Margaret can even admit herself that she's always played life in a "quirky way" and has always made a statement not by meaning to, but by simply being who she is. So perhaps who she really is, is a perfect marriage of contrasts, and by no accident, describes her music in the same fashion: edgy but beautiful, tough and playful, experimental but grounded, layered and authentic. Behind any great artist, is usually a great team. Berger is no exception. She has very wisely teamed with up with like-minded producers and label managers Robin Lynch & Niklas Olovson of “Macho Psycho”, masterminds at delivering international hits with a difference. Their runs on the board include contributions to heavyweights such as Pink, Justin Timberlake and Vanessa Amorosi’s monumental comeback album, “Hazardous”. Their latest production and co-write with the equally talented and interesting artist/songwriter Karin Park on "I Feed You My Love" is an exquisite entree for Berger's new album and a refreshing standout entrant for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest. It's thinking man's pop, made up of haunting & industrial elements, against the backdrop of a commercial sensibility that any world-class, hit song of our time is built on. Berger now prioritises the importance of "mentally preparing" for her place in the contest this May: "In the face of the kind of opportunity that can change your whole life, it's daunting and fear can literally take you. It is so unnatural for a human being to stand in front of 120 million viewers. So, what I try to focus on, and it's so simple this is what I always wanted and I repeat that to myself before I go on stage. I know I wasn't put into this situation, I chose it…..It has gotten me really far, and now it's time to take a step further. It's also about taking your own space, without pushing anyone else aside, but saying, now I will stand here and none can take that away from me." And so, the world awaits the inevitable rise of Margaret Berger. No matter what the outcome in Malmö, she feeds us something real, rare and true to look forward to. 
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