Interview: Medina

Danish electro-pop singer Medina, whose 2009 single “Kun for Mig” spent a remarkable 17 straight weeks in the Top Five, including six weeks at number one in Denmark, has been on a mini promotional tour in the US.

Her latest US single, “Addiction,” has been gathering steam here in the States and the infectious single is showing no signs of slowing down. The song, which has been a staple the past few weeks on SiriusXM’s BPM, channel 51, is now comfortably sitting atop the US Hot Dance Airplay Chart.

As her promotional tour wound down, I was able to catch up with Medina to ask her about her new single, when her latest album, Welcome To Medina, will be released in America and her future plans.

Jared: Hello, Medina?

Medina: Hello, how are you?

I am doing good, how are you?

I’m good.

Thank you for taking the time to answer these questions.

Thank you for having me.

I noticed that you co-wrote every song on your latest album, Welcome To Medina. Did you find the writing process therapeutic?

I think my first entire album I did in Danish, like 5 years ago, was really therapeutic for me, but I have said most of what I had in my heart back then. It is therapeutic in many ways, but I have learned to talk about it more than I did back in the days.

I read that you are releasing your album in the US on Ultra Records. When is it coming out here?

This summer, but I don’t have any dates yet. I think mid/end summer.

You have had several hits in Denmark. Does it seem overwhelming to come to the US and launch a career, or are you just having fun with it?

I am having so much fun with it. I did four gigs over here now and the people were really happy and screaming in my face. They couldn’t believe I was here. They were touching me and stuff like that. Some of the other gigs were a bit more tough, but in the end, people were all singing along and they have been really happy to see me. Yeah, everything is just  going really well, I think.

I’m not starting from scratch, which I did in the beginning in Denmark. People already know about me. That is really, you know, nice.

“Addiction” is getting heavy airplay on BPM.

Yeah! It went to number one this week!

You can’t turn on SiriusXM radio without hearing either “Gutter” or “Addiction.”

I know, it’s sexy. [pauses] Oh,  “Gutter”, too?! Wow. That is the last single I threw out in Denmark. It is crazy you are already catching up on that one. I really love it!

Yeah, I heard it [Gutter] on BPM Saturday night.

Oh, you did?! Nice! Wow. I don’t even know what to say. Yeah, I have passed so many great things with this career. I don’t know. Everyday is a really good day for me.

You have to be excited about the response.

I am totally excited. It is so crazy. You know, it is my first time over here doing radio shows and gigs as well. I just talked to Kanye West and Katy Perry. That’s crazy!

Well, it is getting a good response. That’s always a good sign.

I am so happy. I am feeling so blessed.

How did you hook up with Providers? I know they produced Welcome To Medina.

We met like seven or eight years ago when I was making sandwiches in this sandwich bar. When there was no customers, I was sitting there writing my own songs and recorded it with another producer. When nobody was there, I was playing it loud on the stereo and, one day, they came in to buy lunch and they were asking about it. They were like, “What’s this music?” and I was like, “It’s just me. I am just a songwriter. I just do my own stuff.”

We got to talk. One year later, I called them. Then we started working and three months later we had the first album. It went really fast from there.

It was fate.

I think so, too.

Your music has been remixed by everyone from deadmau5 to Blank & Jones, do you have a favorite remix?

[laughs] Oh my God, that is so tough! I love the deadmau5 remix and I love the Spencer & Hill remix. Then our own guys from my own label called Svendstrup & Vendelboe, they remixed almost all of my songs and I really love their sound. It’s so hooky and it’s a very, very awesome pop sound they have but still very electronic. I don’t know, it depends on my mood.

Is their anyone you would like to work with that you haven’t worked with yet?

That is a tough question. It depends on the song and my mood. There are a lot of people I would love to work with. I would like to work with deadmau5 again. There are so many opportunities. I don’t have any favorites.

It depends on what direction you want to go in?

Yeah, what is going to happen and stuff like that.

Are you working on another album or what is in the pipeline?

I am working on my next Danish album. I just finished my first single, which is going to be out in two weeks in Denmark. The whole country can’t wait. They are in wait position. We are going to shoot the video in June. That is my main focus, besides doing the radio stuff over here and the promo. After that, I am going to start with the next English album. I am busy as fuck.

I know you are in New York right now. Are you there promoting “Addiction”?

Yeah, I am just doing interviews today. I had a gig yesterday at Griffin. I am going to go back to Denmark in a few hours, so I am just chilling and drinking coffee, you know?

I am sure you got some shopping in. I read your blog and I have noticed how much you love shopping.

I am good at it, yes. Actually, I am trying to make it to the Christian Louboutin store, but I don’t know if I can make it. There is a pair of shoes that I want and they don’t ship to Europe. I have to go find it over here. It’s so stupid. [laughs]

What has been the most memorable moment of your career?

I don’t know what the most memorable moment would be. Today is definitely a really, really big day for me because I am #1 on the Billboard dance charts, which is really insane. I think I am the second person in Denmark’s history to do that.

Do you have anything you want to say to your fans, especially your new US fans?

I know that I am getting a lot of fans over the next couple of  weeks now. I think to get to know me really quick, people should go to my blog. I blog almost everyday about anything I do – from what I am wearing and what I am buying to where I am going and what I like. It is medinamusic.dk. I am on the blog almost everyday. I call it a lifestyle fashion blog. You can really get to know me there. It is really interesting, I think. It is much more than just any other fashion blog.

Thank you for taking the time to chat with me.

Thank you for having me. Have a great day!