Halfway through the recording, the participants in "Så mycket bättre" are exhausted, tired, and happy.
It's almost religious, says Simon Superti, one of the three hosts of the programme.
Simon Superti is tired. It was a late night with a sauna the day before, and the time at Grå Gåsen has been emotionally draining, yet rewarding. He cried his way through the first two evenings.
It's been so nice to meet the others and hear their stories. We haven't even had a drink, so it feels real.
Burned by reality
The winds howl over southern Gotland, and when the sun goes behind the clouds, it gets cold. Seinabo Sey is freezing, so we move indoors.
I'm genuinely happy about how good it's been. I've felt safe with the other musicians.
You've said that you're not a fan of reality TV and that you've turned down offers before?
Yes, I'm a bit burned from being on "Jill's Veranda" when I was young. It traumatised me a bit since I was promised a lot of things that never happened.
She adds that the reality concept isn't really her thing either, since it can take away some of the mystique of music.
It's more interesting to let the listeners make their own interpretations. But, I've challenged myself and dared. It feels really good.
Seinabo Sey has actually participated in "Så mycket bättre" before. In 2018, she guest-starred on the programme when Stor was a guest. It made big headlines when he proposed to her during the programme.
Haha, no one has proposed to me this year.
But maybe it'll happen in the last few days?
I'm leaving tomorrow, so I'll probably get away with it!
A bit like Truman Show
Dregen, known from The Hellacopters and Backyard Babies, is thrilled yet terrified to be one of this year's hosts.
It's a bit like Truman Show, you know. I usually think: bloody hell, they're crying on TV. But then you get here, can't sleep, and the schedule is totally Japanese-style rigid.
Today, Dregen is still happy. He turned 51 yesterday and got a sleep-in as a present. He's glad he said yes, despite some hesitation.
Live music on TV hardly exists. It's mostly just games and ball programmes, and here I got full artistic freedom to interpret other artists' songs. It's been a blast.
Arja is pleased
Arja Saijonmaa has also had a blast, or as she puts it:
I've enjoyed every second. Finding the unique when text meets music and magic happens has always driven me forward.
She's been asked to participate before, but it's never worked out with the timing. Now she's glad she got it into her schedule.
Taking it easy isn't my cup of tea, so it's obvious that being part of this is fun.
Three of the artists interpreting songs in the programme will be present throughout the entire season as hosts. This year, it's Dregen, Louise Lennartsson, and Simon Superti.
In a special episode, Povel Ramel's song treasure will be celebrated by both the participating artists and invited guests.
The participants in "Så mycket bättre" 2024 are: Louise Lennartsson, Per Persson, Dregen, Arja Saijonmaa, Alba August, Andreas Lundstedt, Simon Superti, Seinabo Sey, Kerstin Ljungström, Sophie Zelmani, and Peo Thyrén.
