A CHAT WITH OMAR RUDBERG

BY GITIKA SANJAY

Just hours ahead of the release of his new EP, the 25-year old singer reflects on music, style, pride, and his ever-changing world.

Fantasy: imagining the impossible. A word that conjures faraway realms, multicolour magic, realities we cannot even attempt to grasp. The multitudes of worlds that remain locked away inside our heads, trapped by the boundaries of reality or by our own fear - special, private universes we don’t often share with others, but play on repeat for our own viewing. A place where you can be entirely yourself, do whatever you desire, find joy in an absolute freedom. For Omar Rudberg, it’s all about creating these worlds. Just hours away from the release of his EP Every Night Fantasy, Omar recounts his experiences with finding his sound, exploring his style, and learning to be entirely himself - as well as sharing his favourite Queen tracks.

Omar is no stranger to the entertainment industry, having stepped into the professional music scene at fourteen as a part of the Swedish pop group FO&O. After four years, during which the band had won eight music awards, participated in Melodifestivalen 2017, and held several sold-out shows, FO&O halted to allow members to focus on solo careers. Omar then embarked on his solo career with the 2018 singles “Que Pasa” and “La Mesa.” Collaborating with artists such as Lamix and Elias Hurtig, Omar quickly established himself as an upcoming artist. It was acting which brought Omar international fame: in November 2020, he was announced as a lead actor in Netflix’s Young Royals, a queer coming-of-age drama about a young prince. Omar, who played Simon Eriksson opposite Edvin Ryding’s Prince Wilhelm, had never acted in a series before. The series, which ended earlier this year after after three seasons, brought him worldwide recognition and acclaim. Omar continued to release music throughout the show’s run, including “Simon’s Song,” featured in the second season of the series, and his first album OMR.

For Omar, music reflects life. As we delve into the sounds of his newest album, he recounts the influences and experiences which have shaped both him and his songs. Having moved from Venezuela to Sweden at a young age, Omar has roots across the world. He cites musical influences from Latin America, Europe, America - and he’s constantly finding more. This blend of cultures is obvious in his discography, which covers everything from dance pop to Elton John-esque ballads to club bangers. This variety is essential to Omar’s work: he’ll never make an album without a ballad or a pop song.

Omar’s motto is a simple one: be true to yourself, and find what you enjoy, as long as it does not cause harm. Music, fashion, style, pride: whatever it may be, Omar is determined to be entirely himself doing it. He recalls feeling nervous to experiment with fashion when he was younger, choosing instead to stick with what he found comfortable, but the older he gets, the “less of a damn [he] give[s]!” Right now, his priority is to be entirely, one-hundred-percent authentic, do what he loves, and encourage others to do the same. His music reflects this: each song is different, each striking, each representing a different side of the multi-talented artist. Every Night Fantasy harnesses Omar’s Venezuelan background, his pop history; it’s bursting with up-tempo beats and the occasional piano serenade. Omar Rudberg is creating his world, and offering us a glimpse.

OMAR RUDBERG | COURTESY OF ADAM FALK

Q: To begin, let's just set aside music performance albums, all of that. How are you doing today?

Omar: I'm doing good! It's been it's been a long day with rehearsals and promo and posting stuff on social media. It's been it's been a fun day, and I'm very excited about tonight. It's going to be it's going to be crazy that the EP is actually coming out. It's crazy.

Q: Congratulations! An upcoming album release is so impressive. I really enjoyed listening to the tracks that your team sent over, - and audiences have gotten a taste of what the record will be like with your singles such as Red Light and Bye Bye. I really love the song Wrong - I'm a pianist and I love the piano in that. It's gorgeous. I was just wondering if you could tell us a little bit about the process of writing and producing that song, as well as the EP as a whole?

Omar: So Wrong was actually one of the pitch songs. I did not write it myself, but I the first time I listened to it - it was very funny because that song was actually with an AI voice. And it was a female voice, and I was like, oh, damn, she's singing - that's actually crazy. I was a little nervous at first because it's a huge song, you know, there’s a lot of vocals in there [...] And the piano, as you said, the first time I heard it, I was like - this is giving like, Elton John vibes. I just love it so much, I had to record that song like, three times, because the first time I was a little sore in my voice, so I had a hard time singing it because it's a huge song. And then I had to book in another studio day to record it again, and then I recorded a different key. And then we decided to change the key again to try it out. And then I sang this other key - and then at the end of the day, it was the first key that was the best. It was a process with this song because it's huge, but I really do feel like we definitely nailed it. With the production, it feels really big and heavy and beautiful [...] that's one of the songs that I'm the most excited for everyone to hear. For the EP in general - I've had some songs for two years, but also new ones [that] I've written this year. And some other pitch songs as well. But it's been a ride, you know, I've been working on this for the whole year, basically. And finally, I get to just let it live and let people listen to it and enjoy it.

Q: I mean - performing, too! I know we were talking about your show in London. That's coming up in a few days. It's well established that you're an incredible performer and dancer, but I was wondering what your favourite part of performing is. And is there a dream city or dream venue you would like to perform in someday?

Omar: Oh, a dream venue. I'm just going to say the typical one that all the artists say, but Madison Square Garden would be crazy. Performing in New York, that's like - that alone is just crazy. And I'm doing it this tour as well! But, you know, arenas in general, like, that's definitely my dream. I've performed in arenas a lot in my life and in my career, so I know the feeling. And it's just, like, unbeatable. So, you know, I want to. I want to do it again, and again. Also [new] countries, like, everywhere! I want to go to Japan. I want to go to Latin America, and obviously the US and places here in Europe as well. I want to go everywhere. It's a dream come true to be able to do a tour, and I finally get to do it. And I have people that are coming that are as excited as I am. It’s just a dream - like, what can I say?

Q: Hopping back to the music for a second. Your music style is very varied, and you bring it together a lot of different genres. You've harnessed elements of your Venezuelan roots and your Swedish pop influences, and you can create everything from the most upbeat, energetic, turn-the-lights-down- and-dance-until-my-neighbours-hate-me songs to the ballads like Wrong, which are so sentimental. There's really something for everyone in your music, which I think is very special. I was wondering what your journey has been in terms of finding your sound as a musician, and what influences would you say are the most prominent for you?

Omar: It’s a never-ending road to finding my sound. I feel like I'm always, you know, finding new beats and productions and vibes and feelings and sounds all the time. I love music, and that's kind of one of my issues because I love everything so much, so I want to do everything. What I feel is the most important for me is to slim it down just a tiny bit. So, you [can] create like a little world, even though it's different vibes and rhythms. In this EP, for example, I feel like it still gives like the lyrics and the whole vibe in general. I feel like kind of creates this little world. I've always loved ballads; I've always loved upbeat songs. I love to dance. So, I'll never do like an album without a ballad or like, without a dance-y, clubby pop song. I need all of those elements. And especially I think show wise, what do I want to do? What kind of show do I want to bring?

And so that's how I go forward. I just write music. I just record songs. And if I like them and if I enjoy them, then I'm going to put them out, you know? One of my biggest influencers when it comes to music and artists - I've had a lot during my life - but one that is special to me is Rihanna. She's also done a lot of different types of sounds and rhythms. She does the pop and the ballads, but she also does the club and the Caribbean - she has all of her flavours in there. That’s kind of like what I love and enjoy about her. But I've also been a huge fan of Michael Jackson. I love Prince - his overall style and look and feel. I love Queen. I've loved so many artists, it's crazy. On top of that, Latin American artists as well. My whole music world is very broad, you know? Spanish, English and some Swedish local artists as well that I enjoy. I love a lot of different kinds of music and sounds and flavours.

Q: Can I ask what your favourite Queen song is?

Omar: Oh my God. Oh damn, I completely forgot all of them right now, but I mean Bohemian Rhapsody. A classic. It's just a classic and it's like a dream. There's another, ballad. What's the name of it, though? Oh, I keep forgetting, I’m sorry! But I just love their whole world - like, the Queen world, and how they performed and their energy and their creativity. How Freddie Mercury performed live in his vocals and his attitude and charisma. It's just something that I bow down to - I love Queen. They're so dope. MJ [Michael Jackson] - obviously one of my biggest inspirations as well, since I was a kid. The dancing, the clothing, the power. I also love Madonna. I just take a little bit of everyone.

Q: Apart from your music, you've also established yourself as a bit of a fashion icon, and you started your own beauty brand as well. I really admire how you blend elements of masculinity, femininity, and more androgynous styles in your fashion. I was wondering how you would describe your personal style and how has it evolved over the course of your career? 

Omar: It's kind of the same with the music. I've always loved fashion and makeup, and so the older I've gotten, the more I've been exploring fashion and makeup and all of those things. When I was younger, I didn't have the courage, really, to be out there and,  find what I like and wear what I like and use makeup - because I'm a guy, you know? For me, it was hard at first. But the older I get, the easier it is for me and the less of a damn I give! I feel like now, though, my style has definitely grown. I'm definitely more sure about what I like and what I don't like. I had these few years when I was a little younger [...] when I was a teenager it was hard because I didn't have the money, but I just didn't know who I was, you know? I just think it takes time. Some people find their style and their flavour earlier in their life. Maybe they get lost when they get older. For me, I've kind of slowly gotten into it more, being more self-confident about my style and myself.

Q: I'm so glad that you found that over the past few years. That's incredible. Well, you clearly have a very busy schedule with music, performing fashion, acting - absolutely no free time! But tell me about something you do enjoy doing in your free time, rare as it may be right now. 

Omar: [...] I'm actually at my friend's house [now]! I just love to just chill. Simple as that. Life can sometimes be very hectic, and when I have the time off, I don't want to do hectic stuff. Sometimes I go out and party - stuff like that. But for the most part, I just like chilling. Now, I'm helping a friend with a self-tape. We're reading some scripts. We're going to watch a movie, maybe, and we're just going to chill. I love to talk with my friends and just, like, chit chat, you know?

Q: I mean, I think there's nothing better than just relaxing on a couch.

Omar: Yeah. And just talking about life, you know?

Gitika: Absolutely. Heading back into music - in your song Red Light, you sing “We only had a couple days / but I saw heaven in your face.”  Would you consider yourself a romantic?

Omar: I would definitely say that I'm a romantic. I have a lot of love to give. I'm a very emotional and sensitive person. I would definitely say that sometimes I can be a little - like, I don't know if I'm the greatest at planning romantic scenes and doing romantic stuff. I'm really bad at planning. It could be anything like a birthday surprise party; I get so anxious and so nervous and so stressed. I'm a very spontaneous person - I'd rather just do something spontaneous right here, right now. Let's go somewhere! But I'm definitely a romantic. I would say that.

Q: My publication, Out Jamz, is very focused on celebrating pride in all its forms. You've been quite vocal about your relationship with pride, especially with your reflections after your latest album and after Young Royals came out. I think a large part of your audience, myself included, identify with a lot of what you've been saying, and you've done such a fantastic job engaging with people from all backgrounds, all identities, all walks of life. I wanted to ask two questions related to this. First, what does pride mean to you? And secondly, if you could talk to your fans and tell them something, what would you want them to know?

Omar: Pride for me is basically what it means! For me, you’ve just - for me, it's very important to just be proud of yourself, and not being too hard on yourself. Just to be able to do the things you like to do and that you love to do and be 100% yourself is definitely something that is very important to me. And that is something that is very scary in this world that we live in. But I feel like it's your life - you cannot let people tell you how to live your life, because life is too short and you only have one, as far as we know! I Pride for me is something very important. But also, as I said, don't be too hard on yourself and take your time. That’s what I want to say to everyone that is listening. If you’re struggling with something or struggling within yourself – if it's your style or your identity or anything like that - I just think that you should just take your time. Don't be too hard on yourself. Do the things you love to do. And eventually time will do magic. The older you get, the more you're going to understand stuff and understand yourself. And I just feel like you have to take the time and go with the flow. 

Q: That's a great message. You've brought this up a couple of times and I noted it down - you talk a lot about creating a world, whether that's a world through music or a world through performance. I was wondering, what is your world? What do you want your world to be with your music?

Omar: My world is basically what I feel on the inside. How do I feel today? How do I feel right now? I just go with what I feel from within, you know? And my world could be anything. Maybe tomorrow, I’m something else. I feel like you don't have to identify or label what your world is like. I feel like your world is what you make or what you do. And so - I don't even know what my world is. I know my world is a world where I can do whatever I want to do without it harming anyone else, you know? It’s the opposite [of harming others] - just making people feel something, feel feelings. Whether it's emotional, sad feelings or happy feelings or angry feelings. You have all these feelings and all these thoughts and everything that is going on. I would say that my world is just a fantasy that I just live in, like a little movie. I don't know.

Q: With your title being Every Night Fantasy. I thought it curious that you use that word [fantasy] specifically.

Omar: Every Night Fantasy is probably - every single night is probably a new fantasy. I feel like it changes all the time. And the more you grow and the more you live, it’ll change.

Q: Alright, I don't want to keep you too long because I know you have a very busy schedule. I usually end most of my interviews with rapid fire questions that are just fun, cool, fast. So - dream artist collaboration?

Omar: Oh my gosh, fast question – you said fast! Okay, dream collaboration - Ariana Grande.

Q: Fantastic choice. Summer or winter

Omar: Summer. Summer. Summer! 

Q: Drink of choice?

Omar: I like fruits - I usually mix [them] – like, I have a little machine where I put in fruit, and it just [makes] pure fruit juice that so good with ice. You don't need sugar. You don't need anything like that. You just drink pure fruit juice. And it’s so good.

Q: That sounds amazing. That sounds so good. And lastly, what song has been on repeat for you recently?

Omar: Oh my god, recently? Sabrina Carpenter. That Espresso! Oh my god, I've been streaming that a lot. It took me a while though, because I'm not a trend guy. When it first blew up and Sabrina was everywhere, I was like - okay, cool, cool, cool, cool, cool. And then from one day to another, I was just completely stuck. I've listened to the whole album. I've been listening to a lot. I've been obsessed with different artists this year, like Ariana Grande, Sabrina, Raye, and SZA - I think those are my top artists this year.

Q: Stunning. Great taste. And last but not least, is there anything I haven't asked you specifically which you'd want to be included?

Omar: Oh, yeah! Just random stuff that you may want to know. The song you like, Wrong? I just wanted to say that we have recorded - we filmed a live version of Wrong. There will be an acoustic live music video type of version that’s going to come out and it's very beautiful. I'm very excited about it. And we're also working a lot on the beauty brand, there’s some stuff coming out there now as well. So – keep your eyes open for that! And then I'm not going to stop touring, so keep your eyes open, because next year I'm going to be touring as well.

EVERY NIGHT FANTASY | COURTESY OF OMAR RUDBERG

Every Night Fantasy is available to stream on all major streaming platforms.