The first time he submitted an entry to Melodifestivalen was 22 years ago. Then he waited for the right song. Right opportunity. Correct year. But a certain Ola Salo and his band members slowed down with victory in 2007.
– Mello felt like something achievable until The Ark made “The Worrying Kind.” “It was so great that I gave up,” remarks Timo Räisänen.
Almost 20 years later, he is still fulfilling his dream of taking part in Sweden’s biggest entertainment program. On Saturday evening, the 46-year-old pop artist from Gothenburg will be appearing with the entry “Nothing is after us”.
– It’s a pretty typical Timo song: dramatic high key, fast tempo but still has the feel of a power ballad. Dunk-dunk, with a luxurious, easy-to-hear Melloko suit. It’s about love as an addiction and the constant fear of getting rid of it.
Are you worried about losing love?
– Oh yes. I recently wrote a song with the phrase “Worry is my legacy.” I’m very worried about myself. A lot of what I do is to counteract fears and negative feelings.
What did you think when you were told you had joined Mello?
– I was so happy! Then I thought, “I need to increase my social media activity.” I haven’t done that yet. I find it so difficult to pick up the phone and point it at myself, even when the recipient is obvious. For example, if someone asks me to record a welcome video for their wife turning 60. Then I reply, “I will, but it won’t be good.” I am in favor too real. It’s a self-awareness, my brain goes to “Now I have to perform” instead of being in the moment. It doesn’t make life any easier for me, who is afraid.
Given the performance orientation, are you a competitive person?
– Far too little. I’m a pretty bad loser and there are a lot of things that were lost when I lost: everything from wall clocks in squash courts to… my own clocks. But it’s probably been over 20 years since I’ve had an outburst like this, it’s so terribly ridiculous to be a angry loser. I tried to get rid of all competitive nerves. I can’t even summon it when I really need it. But you don’t win Mello because you’re an aggressive winner.
What did the 21-year-old Indie-Timo say about the 46-year-old Mello-Timo?
– He probably would have said, “Damn, what a long time it took.” He thought it was cool and everything felt natural.
Did you have much time to scratch, you who seemed to be completely consumed by knitting?
– Ha ha, but knitting doesn’t take that long. And it is my salvation in many ways. Damn, how cruel it is to knit! I never get tired. I’m currently making two identical pillows in a two-tone zigzag pattern. It will be great!
What do you love about knitting?
– I get some distance from my thoughts and the present when I sink into the monotonous knitting. Time is experienced differently; people take turns knitting instead of dividing time into seconds and hours. When I first started touring with a boy band, there was constant noise around me. Then it was nice to be able to sink into the knitting, to be in the room, but at the same time not feel like I had to participate the whole time.
You and your family have been living in a house in Provence in the south of France for several years. Is it as dreamy as it sounds?
– No, it’s not that. Fear follows you wherever you go. I thought it would feel like a vacation, but when we suddenly had to live there, I had a rude awakening. Everything is part of it, the whole inside. But also: Yes, it is incredibly beautiful and fantastically good food. My mood has improved a lot and my creativity has made great progress.
You’ve often made songs about the hustle and bustle of life. Now you have settled in the middle of the vines. Does it feel like things have come full circle?
– I don’t believe in closing circles, but I’m in the right place now. As much as I enjoy the abundance of wine and raw fat, I also enjoy setting limits for myself. It’s about periodic abstinence, fasting and sober weeks. I love getting drunk in different ways, with food and all, but I also love making rules and showing myself that I can follow them. There is a lot to discover and enchant here.
Facts.Timo Raisänen
Age: 46 years.
Family: Two teenage sons, a bonus daughter and wife Lina Räisänen.
Life: In an old family house in Draguignan, Provence in the south of France.
Background: At the beginning of his career he was a guitarist in Håkan Hellström’s backing band. He made his solo debut in 2005 with the album “Lovers are lonely” and has released a total of nine albums.
Current: Participation in the fourth Melodifestivalen competition with the song “Nothing is after us”. Also takes part as a musician in the production of the Gothenburg City Theater show “Göteborgskravallerna”, which premieres on March 27th. She is writing a book about knitting.
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