Ahead of this week's second semifinal of Melodifestivalen, escXtra has been catching up with the artists performing on Saturday night. Ulrik Munther has kindly taken time out of his very busy schedule to answer our questions on his career so far, his participation and the potential future!

escXtra: So my first question is about your "career", why did you write a song for Lilla Melodifestivalen in 2009?

Ulrik Munther: Well, to me it was just a good start for my career. Already back then I was writing a lot of songs and I just sended one to the TV-show.

X: Did you ever imagine that "En vanlig dag" would be as popular as it was?

UM: I had no clue...haha. People still ask me a lot about that song.

X: What did it feel like to win MGP Nordic 2009 for Sweden?

UM: Great! It was the first time I did something that broke me nationwide and it felt very cool. I’ll never forget it!

X: When did Universal Records get in touch with you about signing a deal with them?

UM: Right after MGP Nordic I had some contact with Universal. But I signed my management deal and started to work on the English album first, then we signed with Universal, that I´m really happy about.

X: The video for "Boys Don't Cry" was filmed in America, where did you go and what sights did you see?

UM: Oh, we were in LA for work so we just shot the video in the morning or late at night usually. Laurel Canyon and West Hollywood mostly. It was done very quickly and with a super low budget.

X: Your cover of Lady Gaga's "Born This Way" gained you worldwide attention thanks to American blogger Perez Hilton, you must have been amazed! How did that feel?

UM: Yeah, that was a big leap in my career. All of a sudden I had millions of views for Born This Way AND Boys Don´t Cry. It’s always very exciting when my music is played worldwide. Perez seems to know a lot about Swedish music. He writes a lot about Robyn, which is great.

X: Your début album was recorded mainly from your home and in Stockholm, what was that whole experience like?

UM: That was a lot of fun. Sitting in my room in Göteborg, writing the songs, going on the train to Stockholm later to record them. Very busy since I was still in school.

X: I've read that your Melodifestivalen song "Soldiers" is to be in a similar vein to "The Box" from your début album, can you describe to us what "Soldiers" will sound like when we hear it in February?

UM: It will sound something like The River meets Apologize (Bruce Springsteen, One Republic)

X: You will be the opening act for Semifinal 2, does that make you more nervous or more excited?

UM: Both! I’m pretty good at controlling my nerves and usually feel calm when I go on stage. So people never think I’m nervous even though I sometimes feel like I’m going to pee my pants, haha!

X: What would it mean to you to win the ticket to represent Sweden at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku?

UM: Of course I´d like to win.

X: Do you prefer to write and perform songs in Swedish or English?

UM: As for now, English.

X: Who are your favourite artists? Who influences your music?

UM: Oasis, Gavin Degraw, Band of Horses..oh there´s so much great music out there.

X: What does the future hold for Ulrik? :D Are you planning on releasing music elsewhere (like the UK or the US)?

UM: Well the single "Kill for Lies" is realeased in France (Je t'ai menti, duet with Caroline Costa) and starting to do well so everything is starting to move internationally. I´m so thrilled.

X: Finally, do you have a message for the readers of escXtra.com?

UM: Thanks for your support! I really hope you like the song, please visit: www.facebook.com/ulrikmunther for more info.

escXtra would like to thank Anders Johansson for his assistance.

• By Nathan Waddell on Feb 9, 2012Source: escXtra.com, escXtra, SVT, © Carl-Johan Söder