On Saturday, the stage is set for the second final of Melodi Grand Prix, and three new tickets to the grand final in Trondheim will be awarded. One of those who will fight to continue is Bjørn Olav Edvardsen (40).
– I am extremely grateful
Edvardsen participates with the personal song “Turn Off My Heart”, which he received help from none other than Christian Ingebrigtsen (45) to create.
When Dagbladet met Edvardsen, he was able to say that the music video for the song was already recorded in August.
He and some close friends went to Vågsøy in Western Norway to use the spectacular nature at Refviksanden.
But the recording took a dramatic turn, and could have ended in tragedy, says the MGP-ready artist.
– In the video, I go far into the water, and at one point I will fall backwards into the waves. What I didn’t think about then was that the clothes were going to be very heavy.
– Becomes very strong in adversity
Furthermore, he can reveal that in addition to heavy clothing, his rain jacket filled up with water.
– I got completely stuck in the water, couldn’t move, couldn’t get up, the waves got bigger, and the water had pulled me further out while I was floating around there.
Edvardsen goes through the dramatic experience, and tells of the moment he felt that the water was starting to pull extra hard in him, and that he therefore realized that a big wave was on its way.
– The water came over me, into my mouth, into my nose, and then I went under water and got nowhere.
– I remember thinking: “Now I’m drowning”.
DRAMATIC: Bjørn Olav’s clothes became so heavy that he could hardly get out of the water. Here from the music video for the MGP song. Photo: Screenshot
sea view
Was terrified
To get the great distance shots in the video, a drone was used. Everyone except Edvardsen therefore had to hide away, so that they were not caught on camera.
– I feel like I’ve already won
There was therefore no one in the immediate vicinity who caught the drama that unfolded in the water.
– The pictures in the video probably look idyllic, nice and beautiful, but I was terrified. I don’t think those on land understood what really happened, and how dramatic it was. It could have gone really wrong, says Edvardsen.
He eventually managed to wriggle out of his jacket and get back up to the surface of the water.
– I know people say “everything for the sake of art”, but this was not exactly what I envisioned. I recommend anyone who is going to make such recordings to be a little more careful than what I did, and perhaps use a life jacket.
Edvardsen nevertheless has a bit of humor about the incident, and sees the irony in the title of his song “Turn Off My Heart”, or “turn off my heart” in Norwegian.
– It could have happened in reality that day, he says.
– Very hungry for revenge
– Affected everything in life
Many will probably recognize Edvardsen from “Idol”. In 2005, he took to the live broadcasts, where he competed against, among others, Alejandro Fuentes (35) – who he will also compete against in Saturday’s circus.
After “Idol”, Edvardsen was met with negativity, criticism, many nos and closed doors. It has left its mark on the artist, and given his self-confidence a crack.
It is these feelings that the song he participates in Melodi Grand Prix with is about.
Remember these MGP stars?
– I have always been a person who has taken in a lot, both negative and positive things, says the artist and adds:
– Much of the negativity has stuck in me a bit. Eventually I began to feel that I wasn’t worth as much as others, that I wasn’t good enough, not pretty enough. All this about self-esteem affects everything in life. Then you finally start to say it to yourself too, and believe it.
Edvardsen says that many will probably think it’s just a love song, but says it’s more of a love song to himself – or those who feel the same way as he does.
Last Saturday, it was Ulrikke Brandstorp (27), Alessandra Mele (20), and Umami Tsunami who progressed to the final on 4 February.
We will find out who advances from the second dolphin final on Saturday evening.
