In the past year, many people have been charmed by the Bergen artist Michelle Ullestad (27). In September, she also won “untouched of the year”. An award ceremony for the very freshest artists in the country. And the prize? An even bigger audience. – I can forget the lyrics, stumble or sing badly. On Saturday, she will play live for the entire population of Norway during the award ceremony P3 Gold. She dreads that. – Maybe I’m getting it too far in my head. But the risk is greater than playing a regular concert. If you make a mistake, it will be on TV forever, she says. When she was admitted to a district psychiatric center with postpartum depression, she started writing lyrics. Photo: Therese / Pisani She can write lyrics drunk at nachspiel or on the edge of the bed. Later, she puts it together into songs. Often in the studio at Laksevåg in Bergen. The artist has previously won the Eggstock Festival and Untouched. Now she will play live under P3 Gull. The one who gets paid last Just a year ago, she was unknown to many. Then she told news that she started her music career in a psychiatric hospital. When she was admitted there with severe postpartum depression, she started writing lyrics. – Being able to put feelings into words and sort through the chaos in my head, that helped. I had to write to survive, she said. Since then, her career has taken off. Reviewers have raved about her concerts. Bodies have stood close together. So close that people have been turned away in line hoping to hear her play. “The words are spat out as only singers with something real in their hearts can,” wrote BT’s music reviewer after she played at Vill Vill Vest. – A lot has happened for you in just one year. Has anything surprised you on your journey? – I am most surprised by the financial aspect. That it takes a lot before you start making money. That’s very strange. I am the one who gets paid last, she says. Michelle Ullestad (27) started her music career in a psychiatric hospital. Open about depression and abuse A few weeks ago, she was a guest at Lindmo’s. There she told that she was abused when she was a child. A secret she carried alone for many years. She openly said that she grew up in a child welfare institution. – Mum has raised me to be without filter and facade. Even if it’s not that important to her to share everything, it might be important to someone else. – I would have liked to have known a little earlier how common it is to get postpartum depression. Then maybe I wouldn’t have been so ashamed when I got it. Old treasures in the closet have become her stage outfit. It consists, among other things, of a camelback. Photo: Maud Lervik / news Goes with camelback on stage Her lyrics are self-experienced. She writes unfiltered about her own vulnerability. About ADHD, arguments and perfect people on the internet. Perhaps the worst part is that the artists she looks up to now will see her perform them. – It will be very nerve-wracking. But I will do my best to make it go well. Previous winners “Unspoiled of the Year” 2022: Michelle Ullestad 2021: Rambow 2020: Henrik Felipe 2019: Iris 2018: Girl In Red 2017: Dårlig Vane 2016: Cezinando 2015: Kristian Kristensen 2014: Sigurd Julius 2013: Phil T. Rich (Arif) 2012 : Mikhael Paskalev 2011: Honningbarna 2010: The Pink Robots 2009: Pony the Pirate 2008: Matias Tellez The stage outfit is already ready: It will be pink sweatpants, cap, white sports bra, camelback and sandals. Everything is vintage. – I am very concerned with sustainability. That look suits me very well. When the confetti has settled after the show, the dream is to produce an album. – It will be a good piece of work. There will not be so much mental health topics. Now I will write about love, only. I hope people like it, she says. Michelle Ullestad (26) started writing songs when she was admitted to a psychiatric hospital with postpartum depression. Now she is making her debut at the Vill Vill Vest festival. Watch P3 Gull on news Saturday at 10pm: Norway’s rawest music award gives you a magnificent celebration of the best music from 2022. Artists such as Emilie Nicolas, brenn., Ramón and Ballinciaga play the year’s biggest hits live. The show is led by Annika Momrak and Lars Berrum.
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