[Interview] « Dancing to forget »: Red Sebastian's message in 'Strobe Lights'
A few days ago, we received an email that made us very happy. Red Sebastian's manager gave us a 15-minute interview with the Eurosong winner, who will represent Belgium at Eurovision 2025 in May.
Red Sebastian arrived with a smile on his face, very approachable, and despite his crazy schedule, he took the time to answer every question with sincerity and passion. We were touched by his message, impressed by his humility and completely won over by his maturity.
Hello Red Sebastian. We're delighted to be chatting to you today. We're going to get straight to the point because we know how busy you are at the moment. You won the Eurosong two months ago with Strobe Lights. What's happened since then?
Hello! I'm doing well, very busy at the moment. I've got a hectic schedule, but it's everything I've ever dreamed of. To experience this is crazy. What I'm also discovering is that Eurovision isn't just about getting up on stage: there are all the interviews, the meetings, the staging, the outfits... It's a whole world. I can't wait to get back on stage for the pre-parties. It'll be like a warm-up before Basle, and it'll finally give me a chance to do what I love: sing and perform in front of people. I'll be at the pre-parties in Amsterdam, London and Madrid.
You say in interviews that getting on stage was your dream. In one interview, you explain that you sent a lot of emails and demos to the Belgian broadcaster. Were there times when you almost gave up?
Never. Since 2012, after Loreen's victory, I knew that it wasn't a question of "if », but of "when ». I started contacting VRT (editor's note: the Belgian broadcaster) in 2017. And every time, it was no, or "we're going in another direction ». But I never gave up.
Loreen, for example, didn't win the first time (editor's note: at Melodifestivalen) with My Heart is Refusing Me. The following year, she returned with Euphoria and she wins everything. So I said to myself: "I've got to keep going. »
Last year, I finally got the email: I'd been selected. There were 30 of us and we each had to send in two songs. I wrote 12, sent in 2, then had an internal audition. And I was chosen as one of the 8 finalists. I was so happy to have persisted.
It's a great story. We don't know you very well in France yet, so we've got a few fun questions. If you were a red fruit?
A strawberry, I think!
And an ice cream?
I'd love to say banana ice cream, but it's not red! You could say strawberry ice cream too.
Tell us, what's the most surprising thing your fans don't know about you?
I hate chocolate. Ever since I was a child. My parents couldn't believe it. I don't eat it, I don't like it!
Let's talk about Strobe Lights. It's a tribute to the rave culture of the 90s. How do you explain the fact that this track, despite its 'niche' style, manages to appeal to such a wide and varied audience?
I'm a big fan of mainstream music, so when I started writing Strobe Lights, I wanted to create a real club hit, while adding something a bit different, going back to my Belgian roots. Belgium has a very strong history in the EDM and rave scene. We were inspired in particular by Zilliona very well-known club here, and we gave free rein to our imagination.
What's interesting is that if you remove the electronic beats, the song remains a real pop song, with an accessible vocal melody. I wanted to mix this intense world of electronic music with a more classic pop structure, to create a balance. This allows the song to speak to a wider audience, even if it remains daring.
Obviously, it's not a song that will appeal to everyone - like any song, in fact - but I'm really proud of what we've created. We've managed to marry two worlds, and I think the result is both original and refreshing.
Yes, it's an incredible song. And the message is strong too. You talk about self-confidence and feeling strong. Was it important to you that your song had meaning?
Absolutely. I was offered other songs that I hadn't written, but they didn't sound like me. I want to sing what I feel. Red SebastianIt's all about big voices and a touch of edginess, whether it's in the look or the staging. Everything has to be consistent. It's really important that the song reflects my world.
Your voice is incredible. Do you have a special routine for maintaining it?
Yes! First of all: sleep. I try to sleep 7-8 hours a night, which is hard at the moment. And then, a healthy lifestyle: sport, diet, no alcohol, no cigarettes.
And of course, the vocal warm-up. I have a coach and we always do 15 to 20 minutes of vocal exercises. If I have more time, I take an hour to really warm up the voice gently. Strobe Lights goes very low and very high, so you have to be ready to avoid injury.
You'll be on stage on your birthday (Editor's note: during the 1st semi-final on 13 May)! How does that make you feel?
It's just crazy. I'm going to be 26 that day. Even before I won the Eurosong, I was saying to my manager: "If I don't win, it'll be the worst birthday ever! » So now I'm so happy. It's the greatest gift. I've seen the breakdown of the semi-finals, and I'm very happy with my position. I've got artists ahead of me, so I can watch, concentrate and prepare myself. And of course I hope to make the final... and why not be the last to go through?
I'm so looking forward to this adventure, getting up on stage and discovering all the other performances - because frankly, this year is shaping up to be incredible.
You studied at the Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and one of your teachers was Gustaph, who represented Belgium in 2023. Did he give you any advice?
Yes, of course! He's in my phone, so I can call him whenever I want. We met for lunch and he gave me lots of advice. It's reassuring to have a mentor like him, someone who's been there and knows me well.
Can you give us a hint about your staging in Basel?
It will be... red! Lots of strobes too. I really want to recreate a rave atmosphere, turning the arena into a giant club, with everyone dancing together, both in the arena and in front of their screens. That's all I'm saying, but it's going to be really cool. I can't wait for you to find out.
45 days to go! Is there a particular message you want to get across with Strobe Lights?
Basically, Strobe Lights is about going out and party. But beyond that, I wanted to convey a message: enjoy life to the full, give yourself the means to make it beautiful, because you only get one. And if some people are going through difficult times, I hope the song can offer them three minutes of lightness, a moment to breathe, forget their worries and simply feel a little joy.
Even though it's a real banger for the dancefloor, I hope it can also play that role - bringing a little light and comfort to those who need it.
Thank you so much for your time. We know you're super busy, so we'll leave you to it. We'll be there in Amsterdam, and then in Basel, to support you! Good luck with everything, and we'll be following you all the way.
Thank you for your time! See you soon!
Artist details Red Sebastian
