Music
How would you describe your album?
"I would say that it's an afterparty, before the party, being in bed with your girlfriend type of record. Think Pink Floyd's Dark Side Of The Moon but without those bells in the middle of it! It's actually a concept album about getting through being poor and having all these visions and dreams that don't come true. It was written through some dark times but it has a positive message that there is light at the end of the tunnel if you believe in what you do."
Why's it taken so long to get a UK release?
"It has a lot to do with a certain record company whose offices we're both sitting in now - who I love I should add! We could have released something little as a taster and then seen what happened, but we decided to do it properly. I think it's always better to wait and make sure all the little bits and pieces are set."
Were you surprised with how well 'With Every Heartbeat' did over here?
"That song wasn't a particularly major success in Sweden, but then it got picked up over here and went to number one. I put my entire soul into that song so it was like seeing 20 years of hard work finally paying off. I couldn't have put more into a song than I did with that one. It's funny though because that song was an experiment to see how a single of mine would do. If it didn't work, I could have ended up back playing the drums."
What was it like collaborating with Robyn?
"She's like a good looking Yoda! It feels like she's been reincarnated a couple of times because she's been around so long and has been through a lot of stuff to get where she is now. I've actually known her for a long time because I used to play in her band. She's easy to work with and really interested in every detail of what you're doing. She's one of the most professional people I know."
There is a rumour that your song 'Thank You For Nothing' was written about Cyndi Lauper. Is that true?
"I'm not sure how that rumour started but it's not true. I actually wrote the song two years before I teamed up with Cyndi Lauper. I never had any beef with her. The problem was that I worked with her on a track for her album but then my mix didn't make it onto the record in America. I liked the track but the new mix...."
You've also teamed up with Neneh Cherry. What's the story behind that?
"That track is on hold for a very big thing so it won't be on this album. We're saving it for something that you'll know about soon. The only clue I can give you is a revolver with a knot on and a message of non-violence. It involves a certain Japanese-born artist who was married to a legendary recording artist from Liverpool."
Who would you most like to work with in the future?
"I have a problem working with people I don't know, so I always like to spend time together talking about stuff other than the song. I'd really like to work with Amy Winehouse - we could do something a bit more synthesized to get away from the whole soul Motown sound. Her voice and my sound would be a good combination. Oh, and also Chris Martin."
Are you a Coldplay fan then?
"Actually I am. I think they are really, really good. I could never listen to Travis or U2 but I heard a story that Chris Martin was always a really shy boy and didn't have sex until he was 21 or something. I just thought, 'Aw go on, have Gwyneth Paltrow, have everything you poor dude'. My company is called 'Bully the Bullies' so I believe in supporting the underdog."
Scandinavia seems to be producing a lot of great electropop at the moment. Why do you think that is?
"I think the most edgy stuff is actually coming from elsewhere. Apart from the tracks that get written for Westlife, we have good songwriters in Scandinavia but it's the production that sucks. We need to focus on that before we can take things forward."
What can we expect from Kleerup over the next year?
"I've just been working with someone else over here, but I can't tell you who at the moment. Other than that I'm enjoying the balance of being a producer and an artist. I get to hide behind the knobs if I want to but also enjoy some of the glamour too - like getting my cab fair paid! I'm hopefully going to be spending a lot of time over in London this year so watch out for me around the town."
Kleerup's self-titled debut album is out now.
