Artist Tommy Fredvang reveals he was filled with anxiety and dread during the X Factor

STAVANGER / OSLO: Artist Tommy Fredvang (41) became “common property” when he took part in the “X Factor” singing competition on TV2 in 2009. There he finished fifth.

Friedwang had barely landed, let alone made a plan for his music career, before the following year he was a participant in another TV 2 show – the “Skal vi danse”.

Now he talks about the years of television, which did not end as he would like.

– “What the hell am I doing”?

Se og Hør meets the musician in his hometown of Stavanger, where he has once again gained full momentum in his career with his solo projects and not least the band Stavangerkameratene, which in addition to himself consists of three other men who also participated in singing competitions on television: ‘Idol’ and “the voice”.

In addition to this, the 41-year-old started a family and engagement.

become a father

He remembers the lead-up to his move from Oslo to Stavanger – in 2015.

– I realized a few years later that I was watching too much TV. “Master”, “We dance” and God knows best. Finally I thought, “What the hell am I doing?” He says to Lcy W He listensbefore proceeding:

– I did it to keep my career alive, but what was I actually selling? That’s when I decided to quit TV and instead go home to Stavanger and focus one hundred percent on music.

was terrified

Today, 13 years after “Shall We Dance” and 14 years after “The X Factor,” things probably could be different — if they were. now He participated in TV shows.

“Idol” – David: – It was overwhelming

– I think I did it too early. But: You have to be careful about regrets, too. If it hadn’t happened then, I wouldn’t have become part of the Stavanger Companions either. At the same time, I can now do “Every Time We Meet,” because now I already have a large catalog of songs. Now I’m going to do TV because it’s fun, not because I want to stay relevant.

Let’s turn the clock back when Fredvang was performing one night a week in prime time on TV on “X Factor”, the music show that was going to take Norway hard and that was billed as a continuation of “Idol”.

At first, it was all just fun. The 28-year-old talented musician believed that this was where he would realize his full potential.

He knew that music, he had steely control over it.

– But then I was horrified. When that light came… things happened behind the scenes. I knew it was competition and TV was TV, but what I didn’t fully understand was that it was about powers greater than my little trip. Then I started following exactly that.

– empty in the eyes

– What happened behind the scenes?

– Ha ha, now I have to be a little careful here. But I saw that there was some tugging on the rope, if you understand? In retrospect, you could say I’ve done enough TV to realize that this is the case. It is about those who make the program appear in the media, which they get through the participants. And this is completely understandable!

This is how it went with the forgotten winner “Idol”

– How did it affect you?

– For my part, I went there with great confidence. But in the midst of the competition, something strange happened. I can watch those recordings on YouTube today and see for myself – I am completely empty in my eyes and full of anxiety and horror. Then a round or two went by, and then I was out. I went from favorite song to singing so bad at the end that it’s almost impossible.

I got help

In 2021 his band Stavangerkameratene will take part in the Melodi Grand Prix. Friedwang grew up and entered the singing competition with a completely different attitude.

– I often think of those 16-17-year-olds who participate in shows like “Idol” and “X Factor”. It’s very difficult. And I was 28 years old! At the same time, I’m glad I experienced it, because I can afford more now. MGP was something completely different, I went in with shoulders down. He thinks it may be due to past experiences.

According to the previous TV profile, something happened during Shall We Dance in 2010 that, over the years, contributed to him finally finding himself and his place.

– It was completely insane, I had the “ugly on my back” and I was absolutely out of place. It ended up that someone in production gave me a trainer to get me out of it. Suddenly, two more coaches appeared. They fell into my life.

– shock

Friedwang knew he could. At the same time, his head was about to lose the hope that had settled in his psyche.

– I had so many thoughts in my head that completely destroyed me. I have a lot to thank these coaches for.

What has your head been telling you all these years?

– I always walked around with the idea that everyone is smarter than me. And it’s greatly amplified when you’re somewhat new to the game, standing on stage and knowing a million people are going to see you on TV. It hurts, and if you had a small wound there before, it quickly ends up in a big one.

Rasser: – What will happen next?

– For ten long years after that, I delved into everything I could find on this subject. I dealt with myself, my traumas, and what might be called childhood illnesses. I cleaned up, and experienced something completely different today.

Tommy Friedwang is going on a summer tour with his friends in Stavanger this summer. In the fall, he goes on a solo tour.

Also read: – looking forward to death