IN CONVERSATION WITH BENJAMIN INGROSSO

interview by JANA LETONJA

Sweden’s biggest touring artist and billion-streamed act Benjamin Ingrosso just released his newest album ‘Pink Velvet Theatre’ on 25th October. Fans can look forward to an exciting new era of music and live performances as Benjamin continues to push the boundaries of his artistry. 

What can fans expect from your new album ‘Pink Velvet Theatre’ in terms of sound, themes, and the overall story you want to tell?

In terms of sound, I've been very much inspired by my childhood idols. On this album, you can hear a bit of Queen, a bit of ABBA and Elton John, but there are also bits and pieces from the likes of Sade and Franz Ferdinand. Unintentionality, the UK became my main source of musical inspiration. The narrative is sort of a modern Romeo and Juliet story, where we follow the protagonist through all the emotional phases that falling in love entails. In the end, you're not sure if it's a love story that only exists in the protagonist's own head or in the real world.

The title ‘Pink Velvet Theatre’ is intriguing. What does the name symbolize, and how does it connect with the music on the album?

I came up with the title first, and then used it as kind of creative framework. It represents a sort of alternative universe, born from the theatre world I was brought up in, and my love for old-school music.

Your new single ‘Back to You’ appears on the album, a song you described as a personal journey that revels in self-realization. Can you share the meaning behind this track, as well as its role in the storytelling of Pink Velvet Theatre?

It’s about personal growth, suddenly realizing that everything you've been searching for has always been deep inside yourself where no external factors can actually impact it. On the album, it becomes kind of a catharsis that kicks off the high, energetic tempo again.

Another track on the album is called ‘Angela’. You mentioned the songwriting process for this track was unique, but that it’s also inspired from the story of Peter Pan and Wendy Darling. What personal discoveries or experiences did you draw from while creating this song?

I have always been a day dreamer who spent a lot of time in my own head. I'm also very nostalgic, romanticizing both my own childhood and the past. In ‘Angela’, I play with the feeling of not really wanting to grow up.

You’ve had several international collaborations, such as the song ‘Man on the Moon’ with Alan Walker, as well as ‘Honey Boy’ with Purple Disco Machine, Shenseea and Nile Rodgers. How do you approach collaborations with artists from different genres and backgrounds, and what do you enjoy most about these partnerships?

With Nile Rodgers, it all started as a joke where we never thought we would ever be able to land a collaboration of that dignity. If I could dream big, which artist would I want to collaborate with on the record? Nile Rodgers from Chic was my number 1 choice. I would never have thought that it would become reality. I guess, from that process, I learned to set higher goals, realizing that great music always will be the ultimate bridge into collaborations amongst songwriters and producers.

How do these kinds of collaborations push you creatively, and what do you learn from working with such diverse artists?

It’s a way for me to push myself creatively in new directions, but also to develop as a songwriter, producer and an artist. There are so many talented musicians out there in different genres, and we can learn so much from each other.

Your ‘Better Days’ tour this year was attended by over 200.000 people, and you’ve had the largest tour in Sweden two consecutive years in a row. What has the experience of performing live for such large crowds taught you about yourself as an artist?

It has developed me incredibly as an artist, and most importantly as a performer. I take my live performances very seriously, putting a lot of tireless hours into perfecting the shows. Before hitting the road, it’s always such an ambivalent feeling of whether the crowds will enjoy it or not.

Having gotten the blessing of doing two such large tours over two consecutive years has truly fueled my creativity when it comes to the live side, and I’ve learnt to embrace my voice a lot more. A few years ago, I was so much more of a studio artist, hiding behind autotune and compressors.

Lastly, I’ve come to use the tours to truly try out unreleased material, and the opportunity of getting so much immediate feedback from playing in front of a huge audience has given me the chance to also develop and tweak songs based on the crowd's feedback, bringing it back to the studio.

You’ve had an incredibly successful year, from winning Artist of the Year at the Swedish Grammy Awards to receiving multiple Rockbjörnen awards. How do these accolades impact your career and motivate you moving forward?

It’s obviously a great honor and a sign that I’m working in the right direction. I’m a real workhorse, with my main focus being on creating music and working on my live shows, but sometimes it’s good to pause and celebrate something, taking a step back from the days filled with studio time, touring and promotion.

Looking back on your journey, from the release of your first single to the release of ‘Pink Velvet Theatre’, what has been the most surprising or unexpected part of your career, and how have you grown as a person and an artist?

I’ve been in the music industry for the last 20 years. Over the last ones, I’ve really come to a deeper understanding of what a team play it is to truly elevate an artist’s career. In everything, from management, label, agents, PR-reps, band, stage-hands and everything in between, the collaboration between each party needs to be on point in order for the symphony orchestra to truly come to blossom. I’m blessed to have a strong team behind me in all of those aspects, from the high-level 5 year plan down to the nitty gritty details of stage light positions.

You’ve already achieved so much at a young age. What are your aspirations for the next phase of your career, both in terms of your music and personal growth as an artist.

I have a 10-year plan that I work towards every day. One of my most important goals right now is to keep connecting with fans outside of the Nordics. I went on my first European tour this spring, and in 2025, there will be a lot more exciting things happening in both Europe and the US. Personally, my goal is to stay grounded, keep growing musically, continuously challenge myself and try to have as much fun as possible along the way.