Thomas gears up for the world’s biggest songwriter competition

“The primary objective is to make it to the Norwegian final. But the ultimate goal, of course, is the Eurovision Song Contest,” says aspiring Eurovision contender Thomas Jenssen.

He is a master’s student in the Department of Popular Music and specialises in songwriting. However, the practice rooms at UiA have in recent weeks been replaced with costume fittings and vocal rehearsals at the national broadcaster NRK’s headquarters at Marienlyst. Thomas will be on stage as a songwriter and artist with the song ‘Take Me to Heaven’ in the semi-final on Saturday 27 January.

“Participating in Eurovision is a childhood dream come true,” says Thomas, who has been captivated by the song contest for as long as he can remember.

“I appreciate that it is live and authentic. The competition offers a variety rarely found elsewhere. Here, you can have the courage to add some flare.”

“There is something authentic about the national contest and Eurovision that really appeals to me,” says Thomas.

UiA student Thomas Jenssen expertly juggles the Eurovision circus and his master’s studies. His master’s thesis in songwriting is set to be submitted in the spring. (Photo: Hildegunn L. Holtan)

The songwriting camp where everything fell into place 

Thomas’s contribution to the competition was conceived last autumn when he participated in a gathering of fellow songwriters in Malmö, Sweden. These songwriting camps serve as brainstorming sessions with time constraints. Thomas highly recommends this type of collaboration:

“The challenge may be to produce a fully-formed song within, say, eight hours. It forces you to be creative. For me, it’s almost a therapeutic way of working,” he says.

During the camp in Malmö, many ideas were brought to the table. While many were set aside or discarded, one song had something very special about it:

“‘Take Me to Heaven’ had a funky vibe, with an 80s touch and nods to Prince and George Michael. The melody resonated with me, and I quickly got the feeling that it could stand on its own acoustically, as a radio-friendly track, and live on a Eurovision stage. I have great faith in the song,” says Thomas.

Artistic intelligence? 

Thomas is competing in songwriting in in an era where artificial intelligence (AI) has made its presence known in the creative fields, as both a friend and enemy. 2024 could be the year when compositions in Eurovision may be increasingly attributed to machines rather than humans. Thomas embraces this challenge with curiosity and does not fear that AI will take over in artistic craftsmanship.

“I have more faith in songwriting skills than AI-generated music in settings like the national contest and Eurovision. With a live format like this, where personality and artist performance are so important, I believe that the extensive use of AI will quickly be revealed.”

“The future may prove otherwise, but we do want music and art to originate from the artist,” says Thomas.

He explores AI in songwriting and acknowledges it as a tool for inspiration and brainstorming.

“AI is a helpful tool, but for me, it will not be the solution. I always end up writing my own lyrics.

“I get much more out of being creative in the traditional way – preferably in collaboration with others, such as at a songwriting camp,” Thomas concludes.

The art of being oneself 

Although the stage show for ‘Take Me to Heaven’ will likely be colourful, up-tempo, and celebratory, the song itself carries deeper message. The song is about being vulnerable and having the courage to love someone no matter the starting point. Lyricist Thomas often writes about the art of being oneself: vulnerable, honest, and fearless.

“I am passionate about the rights of the queer community and that everyone is good enough just as they are. No one should feel the need to hide parts of their personality to please others.”

Thomas Jenssen shares that he has personally experienced doubts and uncertainties throughout his artistic journey, and that is reflected in the stories he tells as a songwriter and artist. He has greatly benefited from honest, constructive, and educational feedback he has received from the music community at UiA and the Department of Popular Music.

“The time at UiA has provided me with valuable opportunities to perform on stage and gain experience. Here, you can showcase what you’re working on in a supportive environment. Students receive ongoing constructive feedback. This culture is truly priceless,” he says.

He is also grateful to have the support of the record label Byrå Music as he continues to develop his artistic project, both during and after Eurovision.

“My goal as an artist is to keep releasing music and inspire others with the messages and stories I have to share.”