Exclusive: Crazy Frog Interview

Written by Chica Loca & Waning Gibbous

Saturday, 11 March 2006

From his humble beginnings as a tadpole in a tranquil pond in Sweden, Crazy Frog has become a world-wide phenomenon. We spoke to Crazy Frog about his rapid rise to stardom and his plans for the future.

After creating a short music clip in 2001 that was widely distributed over the Internet, Crazy Frog took the unusual step of first publicly releasing his music in 2004 as a ringtone for mobile phones. It went on to become the most successful ringtone of all time and launched his music career. His first chart-topping single, Axel F was released in 2005 and was followed by Popcorn and Jingle Bells. Little is known about the frog underneath the motorcycle helmet so Crazy Frog agreed to an exclusive interview with cool.com.au to reveal the inner frog.

Crazy Frog's new album: deeper, more introspective and layered sounds.

Cool: Crazy Frog, you've been a bit quiet over the past few months, what have you been up to?
Crazy Frog: I’ve been working on my new album and chillin' out back at the pond.

Cool: What can we expect from the new album?
Crazy Frog: This time I’m going for a more complex, introspective, sound. I want to show the world my inner self by creating more layered sounds.

Cool: Like many others who have initial success with upbeat sounds will you include some nice ballads this time around?
Crazy Frog: Ballads yes, they are timeless. I want to slow things down a little, strip down the beats, get back to my musical roots.
Cool: The inner tadpole?
Crazy Frog: That was when life seemed a lot simpler, yes. The pond is a lot smaller than the world you know. There is less to worry about, apart from maybe being eaten. But our pond was very secluded, a nice safe area, a good place to grow up and get into music.

Cool: How did you get the name 'crazy'? Was it really because of a psychiatric diagnosis during your teenage years?
Crazy Frog: That’s just the media man, the PR people. They wanted something whacky, something out there. I am I really crazy? No. Well, maybe a bit, but isn't everyone crazy to some extent in our hectic information-overload world? I'd like to think that my moniker is more a reference to the times we live in rather than a literal reflection on my mind.

Cool: The nudity in your ringtone advertisements and music video were controversial, especially in the UK. How does this affect your status as a serious musician?
Crazy Frog: I have no problem with it. I don't see the reason for all the fuss. I am just showing who I am. Where I grew up, in the pond, we were all very open-minded and tolerant. No not tolerant, we were all the same I guess. It didn't matter back then, everyone was just a tad. I don't think I've changed my attitude now that I'm a frog. I'm still me.

Cool: If we believe the reports in the tabloid media, Schnappi Crocodile was so impressed by your 'frog-hood' in the music video that she became somewhat obsessed by you and made advances that you rejected. There were even reports that she has one of your songs as a ring-tone on her mobile phone. Why didn't you get together with her?
Crazy Frog: That's all lies man, lies and fabrications. We're just good friends. Schnappi is a cool chick. There was never going to be anything more than, uh, a (pauses) friendship. You know, I have total respect for her as an artist. She's really pushing her thing, her sound, it's unique. There was always going to be differences between us. Also, you know she has, um (ponders), issues. Well, not issues, but habits. Habits that aren't good for my way of life, like the biting and all.
Cool: So the rumours that it was because you are gay aren't true?
Crazy Frog: That's such a typical tabloid question man. If you're in anyway different, if you're somehow a little bit left of the norm, the media calls you gay. I'm not gay. That's just not my thing.

Cool: On another topic, there's been quite a bit of talk that you used to spend a lot of time with Kate Moss and Pete Doherty but you have always categorically denied using drugs.
Crazy Frog: They are good friends, yes. But I've never got into the drugs scene. I have a low tolerance for, uh, chemicals, they're just not good for my amphibian metabolism. Sure, when I was a tad, I ate my fair share of green algae, just like everyone did. But I never touched drugs, music is my high. Performing and recording are what drives me.

Cool: Which brings us to your upcoming world tour, what can fans expect from your live show?
Crazy Frog: A different approach. I just don't want to cover the hits, I want to push my new material, show the fans my range. They can expect a diverse show but still with the great energy, the craziness that they know and love. There'll also be quite a few surprises. A lot has gone into the production, a lot. There are some great ideas and we've got a real theme going. I'm very positive about it all.
Cool: Will you be featuring songs from your new album? When will it be released?
Crazy Frog: Of course there will be tracks from the new album. It will really open a lot of eyes and ears. It's coming out soon and it will change perceptions that's for sure. I want to move beyond the whole crazy thing and go deeper. I’m going back to my roots but putting a fresh spin on things. I've also collaborated with a few people. They are names you wouldn't expect but I can't say anymore, not just yet.

Cool: Thank-you Crazy Frog. You have many fans here at cool and we are all looking forward to seeing you perform live.
Crazy Frog: My pleasure. The show will be rockin'. I really want do drop it, bust stuff up and get the crowd going. The world needs more man-frog love. I'm feeling very positive about the tour.

Comments (1)

crazy112
written by bn on November 21, 2006

I think it is sooo kool my brother listens to it all the time lol,
we have to get the CD that he is so attracted to it omg i have to tell u this he even sings along with it! images/shocked.gif