Interview by Timotej Letonja

Duncan Laurence is a talented Dutch singer, known for having won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Arcade” in 2019. With his fiancée, Jordan Garfield, they set out to craft an album filled with fervor and passion: ‘Skyboy’. The album showcases Duncan’s full range of talents, from vocals to composition, lyrics, and dramatic storytelling. Inspired by musical luminaries such as Elton John, Freddie Mercury, The Rolling Stones, or Elvis Presley, Duncan sought to infuse theatrical elements into his new album, allowing him to fully embrace the freedom to dream and push his creative boundaries. We had the honor to meet him, and we chatted about the album, the meaning and creative process behind it and about his upcoming tour. 

Your upcoming album ‘Skyboy’ has just been released. Could you tell us about it and share more about the inspiration behind this second album? What should we expecting from? 

I wanted to delve into a world where I could truly dream big. I was raised in South Holland, near Rotterdam, and the prevailing wisdom there was, ‘Be normal because you’re already crazy enough when you act normal.’ That’s the saying we lived by. So, I thought, ‘I don’t really buy into that notion.’ I just wanted to explore a world where I could authentically be myself and push the boundaries of that. Suddenly, I found myself in the world of Skyboy and Los Angeles. I need to mention that my husband, Jordan, and I got married just a month ago. We wrote everything together, and we found ourselves daydreaming about what that little boy, who grew up in a very conservative area in the States, and what I, growing up in an environment that constantly told me not to be ‘too much,’ would aspire to. What would he dream about? How would he evolve from being a ‘small-town boy’, which was the title of my first album, into a Skyboy? So, that’s the essence of the album—the journey of that boy who finally landed in Los Angeles and said, ‘You know what? Forget those opinions. Let’s create something that resonates with all my heart.’

What does “Skyboy” exactly mean? 

It’s finally spreading your wings and flying, as cliché as that might sound. But I almost had this image of Greek mythology, Icarus, who had wings made by his father and got a little too cocky, started flying too close to the Sun, and eventually, he dies. But it’s another story. It’s like that moment of putting your toes off the cliff and jumping into the air. That’s what “Skyboy” feels like to me—symbolism from that story. And I loved it. The verses are a combination of mine and Jordan’s stories. I wasn’t raised religious; he was. I faced bullying in high school; that’s more my part, and his part is more the Christian upbringing. 

But we combined it into this new person who eventually, in the choruses, turns into this Skyboy, flies to a big city to chase his dreams, and puts on his neon shoes—Jordan actually had big, bright red neon shoes when he was younger, but he wasn’t allowed to wear them because it wasn’t allowed at church. So, it’s all those little details that you’ll find—our personal stuff mixed with a fictional character we created from both our stories.

You collaborated with your fiancée, Jordan Garfield, on this project. Was this your first time working together, and how did the collaboration go?

No, we actually collaborated on my first album during the midst of COVID. We were rowing with the road, so to speak, doing what we could with the limitations. This was the first time we were able to travel and get inspired by new places, fantasize more about what we could do, work with the producers we wanted to work with.

What were some of those places?

LA is a big one. Another big one is Amsterdam, and Stockholm as well. So, we moved back and forth between Stockholm, Los Angeles, and Amsterdam. Our house is still here, but we love that triangle of inspiration. I’d love to add London to it because I still love it, but it’s… anyway, that’s where you’ll find us most of the time.

In your opinion, which song on this album resembles you the most? Is there one song you’d like to single out?

Obviously, I could go for ‘SkyBoy’, but to me, it’s more the title. So, I think that really resembles the album and the story and the journey of this person. But the one that I personally feel closest to is the track called ‘Broken Parts’. In that song, I finally learned to accept and love the parts of me that aren’t necessarily seen as conventional or fashionable, to put it that way. They’re a little quirky and weird parts in me, and I started loving them, even the things I got bullied for all my life. It’s a very personal one.

You mentioned having been a victim of bullying in your childhood. How did you manage to free yourself from this painful past and turn this experience into music? Do you believe music serves as a cathartic medium for both the artists and the audience?

I think so. I think the therapy goes both ways. It helps to write things down, to get things out of your system, and it helps to relate to someone. From a fan-based perspective, I feel the same when I look at artists like Sam Smith, Miley Cyrus, or Demi Lovato, people who are genuinely themselves. Finally, for some of them, now is the time. Not everywhere, though. In many countries, there’s finally some sort of shift. I think that, to me, letting that person that was inside me, who got bullied, finally come out, felt very healing. It was something I tucked away under all the memories that made it difficult for me to enter that place. But I really found myself in a whole different way, and that’s what I think is fun about creating albums. I know a lot of people release singles these days, but I love creating albums because it’s like a journey I take on myself. This time, I was determined to find out this part of me and share it with the world.

How long did it take you to make this album and is there a particular meaning regarding the number of songs, 11? 

I think we finished it a couple of months ago, but then I decided to take a mental break because I wanted to focus on my marriage. I didn’t want to just write continuously; it was becoming a bit overwhelming. So, I put it on hold for a while and decided to release it in the fall because I felt these songs had more of a fall vibe. We started two years ago with the writing process. There are 11 songs because I’m very spiritual and 11 means something. I was born on the April 11th, but in general I see it as a sign in my life, even appearing in the lyrics of ‘Lucid Dream.’ ‘Electric Life’ also references 11. So, it felt right to have 11 songs on the album, as this number resonates with me on a profound level.

I still think there’s room for more. I love albums. You might see more songs on my next album because we write every day. We’re both living together, Jordan and I, so we inspire each other constantly. It’s a very nice creative partnership.

What role does fashion play in your life and your career?

I think fashion is something that constantly changes and helps me get into the artistic position I need to be in to create and be who I want to be. It’s like an empowerment for me, and it can also serve as a compass. When I dress a certain way, I wonder if I’ll feel a certain way. It helps me find myself and feel comfortable and powerful. Sometimes I take risks with my fashion choices, and later, I might wonder why I wore something, but at least I tried. It’s a way for me to explore and discover who I am, and it’s also a source of inspiration for both myself and others.

Do you already have some gigs or performances where you’ll be performing these songs for the first time?

Yes, I’m going on a tour. The European tour will be next year, and there’s a possibility we might add a few dates in the States by the end of this year! Excited!

Buy tickets here.

Words by MARIE-PAULINE CESARI @itsjustmp
Photographer DANIELA GYLLENSTEN