Swedish electronic duo Rebecca & Fiona have long been icons in the dance music scene, known for their unapologetically unique style and infectious energy. Their latest album, MEGA DANCE, marks a return to their roots while embracing the evolution of their sound over the years. With its nostalgic nods to ’90s and early 2000s dance anthems, infused with a fresh, modern twist, MEGA DANCE showcases the duo’s growth and adaptability in an ever-changing industry. In this candid interview, Rebecca & Fiona open up about the creative process, the impact of live performances, and what it means to them to celebrate their new album with fans on the dancefloor.
Firstly, congratulations on the release of your new album! MEGA DANCE marks a return to your roots in the dance music scene. How does this album showcase your artistic evolution and growth since the beginning of your career?
Thank you very much! We’re very excited and proud. 🙂 I think MEGA DANCE is Rebecca & Fiona simplified and amplified. We wanted to evolve our sound so it didn’t (unlike our earlier albums) need a club remix to be included in our live DJ sets. At least, that was our plan and we almost achieved it!
The album blends ’90s and early 2000s dance influences with a modern twist. What specific artists or tracks inspired you most while crafting MEGA DANCE?
Oh my God, so many! But ALWAYS Blümchen’s enormous hit library, ATB’s “Till I Come,” Ace of Base’s “All That She Wants,” and of course, Rozalla’s “Everybody’s Free!”
You mentioned that finalizing the album took a bit longer, especially after Fiona had her baby. How did motherhood influence the creative process or the way you approached this project?
Well, being pregnant made Fiona VERY, VERY tired, so pushing herself to the studio in dark Sweden from October to March was a bit challenging. We practically don’t see sunlight for that whole time of the year! It’s pretty depressing. Adding pregnancy to that wasn’t the most inspiring environment. But we stayed focused, and Rebecca pushed the process forward a lot with her never-ending energy and passion. Throughout it all, we knew we wanted this to be our hardest-hitting album to date.
The description of your sound on this album is a mix of “flirty, girly, sexy, and cool vocals.” How do you balance playfulness and depth in your lyrics and melodies?
It comes naturally, being Swedish, I think. It’s in our blood pretentiousness, darkness, and the “sexy baby voice,” haha. We try not to overthink it. Mostly, we start with “This is what we want to tell the listeners this is the energy we want to give.”
You mentioned a “nostalgic feeling” in the album, reminiscent of CD compilations from your childhood. What emotions or memories do you hope to evoke in your listeners when they experience MEGA DANCE?
We want everyone to feel free, energized, and ready to get out there and dance.
You’ve performed at major festivals like Tomorrowland and Electric Daisy Carnival. Do live dancefloor experiences influence the way you produce music in the studio?
Absolutely! We try to simulate the rush of being on stage and scrambling to find the next track that will make the crowd go even crazier. Sometimes the studio doesn’t capture that energy, so we take demos on stage and try them out. Sometimes it works immediately—the naivety of a demo can be key—but other times we revisit the production. For MEGA DANCE, removing vocals has often been a recurring theme in the process.
You’re hosting a “MEGA DANCE” festival to celebrate the album’s release. How important is it for you to create a live space where people can fully experience the energy of your new music?
Creating a live space for people to experience MEGA DANCE is crucial. Music, especially dance music, is meant to be shared and experienced collectively. We want to create spaces where the energy of the crowd and the music become one so we can blast the bass as hard as possible!
With MEGA DANCE, you aim to recreate the euphoric feeling of the Ibizan club scene. Why was it important for you to bring that specific vibe to this album, and how does it connect to your broader musical vision?
I think this is something Rebecca mentioned in an interview, and it kind of took off because people (or people using AI for interview questions) kept repeating it. I’m not really sure what she meant, but I appreciate how it stuck with us—it makes us sound a lot older than we are by implying we were hanging out in Ibiza in the ’90s! Haha.
You’ve taken some time away from releasing music. What have you both been up to during that period and how did those experiences influence the creative direction of MEGA DANCE?
This is actually a misunderstanding; we’ve been releasing music (and touring) constantly since we started! In recent years, we’ve been doing it independently, which may make it seem like there was a pause, haha. We just want to keep going and are ready to work harder than ever.
You’ve worked with Apollo and Lauer on the album, bringing diverse sounds into your mix. How do collaborations shape your sound, and what do you look for when choosing artists to work with?
It’s such an honour to work with both of these LEGENDS! Both are wonderful people. Apollo has been with us, MC-ing at our live shows off and on since we started, but Lauer is a new friend whom we really hope to work with again we ADORE him.
Since your debut in 2007, how have you managed to navigate the evolving dance and electronic music scenes while staying true to your artistic identity?
Just being ourselves! We’re still in the same studio as back then, with the same people; we have the same friends and are still close with our families! Not with the same boyfriends anymore, though—that’s pretty normal.
Since you first broke into the music scene, the industry has changed dramatically. How do you feel these shifts—whether streaming, social media, or evolving sounds in dance music have impacted your career and creative process?
We were right in the middle of the dance music scene when it blew up and went commercial like crazy! We’re extremely thankful for all those expensive tequila shots and sushi we were invited to enjoy, but we would’ve much preferred for the scene to stay the way it was before the EDM bubble burst. 🙂
Looking back at your career—from your TV series to collaborations with Avicii and Robyn what’s been the most defining moment for you? How does MEGA DANCE fit into that journey?
We don’t know that yet! But we’re thankful for every moment and feel strongly that MEGA DANCE truly represents the Rebecca & Fiona universe in 2024.
In an ever-changing industry, a strong support system is essential. Who are the key people in your inner circle who have helped you stay grounded and inspired throughout your career?
Our families! Our creative genius Tommie X and our tour manager Jakob.
Looking back at your journey so far, what advice would you give your younger selves just starting out in the music industry?
There are no shortcuts to achieving that perfect sound but enjoy the ride!
