Behind the Song: Introducing Óskar!

And as promised, here are the creators behind this year's ESC song from Iceland...

First stop, Iceland's very own - Óskar Páll Sveinsson, also known for his hits in the UK & Europe as Oskar Paul....

Óskar Páll Sveinsson was born in Sauðárkrókur northern Iceland and showed interest in music at an early age when he learnt to play the clarinet and piano. Óskar Páll played in local bands in his teens and started working as a sound engineer at RÚV’s Channel 2 in the mid eighties. He subsequently became a recording studio engineer in 1990 at the age of 23. Working as a chief producer, engineer and programmer at Sýrland Studios in Iceland for almost 5 years, he produced a number of Icelandic best selling albums. When moving to London 1995 it only took him two weeks to get a job in the London studio circuit assisting producer Trevor Horn. To his surprise Óskar Páll found himself immediately busy working with Genesis and other big names in the music industry. After changing agencies he started working with Simon Fuller the manager of Spice Girls and S Club 7 who was responsible for launching the Pop Idol contest. Óskar Páll successfully produced S Club 7 no. 1 smash hit ‘Never Had a Dream’ and some tracks for their follow-up album. He co-wrote and produced the single ‘Turn Around’ by Steps as well as Pop Idol Will Young’s no. 1 record breaking single ‘Anything is Possible’ and has written and produced several other successful songs. He has worked with Robbie Williams, Mike and the Mechanics, Marc Almond, Seal, Depeche Mode, Secret Garden and Ian McCulloch. Óskar Páll was signed as a songwriter to Sony Publishing U.K. and he currently runs his own studio in the countryside in Iceland.

What's coming up - co-writer #2.... Christopher Neil - the man behind some of the biggest artists ranging from.... well, check out the upcoming blog tomorrow! :-)