Sebastian

Armed with a gutsy alt-rock sound informed by the brassy, radio-friendly delivery of acts like Train and Bon Jovi, Sebastian Karlsson was poised to win the 2005 edition of Sweden's Idol. He ultimately came in second to Agnes Carlsson, but (as was the case with practically every other runner-up in Idol history) this did absolutely nothing to keep Sebastian off the Swedish pop charts over the course of the following year. His debut single, a soulful, Train-influenced ballad called "Do What You're Told," hit stores in February 2006 and went on to spend four weeks at the number one spot on the Swedish pop charts. Sebastian's self-titled debut hit stores a month later; it performed admirably on the charts, spending two weeks at the number one spot, and went on to be certified gold in Sweden. "Words and Violence," the lead single from his second album, dropped before the year was out; it sailed to number three on the charts, effectively cinching Sebastian's place as one of that year's rising pop stars. The following year started off with a bang when Sebastian snagged a Rockbjorn award for best newcomer. He then went on to compete in the Melodifestivalen competition with the song "When Night Comes Falling," eventually coming in at eighth place. Sebastian's sophomore album, The Vintage Virgin, hit stores days after the Melodifestivalen finale; both the album and Sebastian's Melodifestivalen single peaked at number two on the Swedish charts. ~ TiVo Staff