Prince’s influence on Erik Hassel is obvious as we listen to the curly-haired singer in his new video for the single ‘Pathetic’ yet it doesn’t feel contrived. ‘Pathetic’ features on his EP Somebody’s Party, which was released in March, and last week a new remix by Chrome Sparks was also released.
There’s a lot more to the 25 years old singer/songwriter Erik Hassle than you might know.
Erik, who currently resides in L.A. has already had a debut album Hassle (Hassle to Pieces outside Europe) reach number two in the Swedish charts and is also one part of the brains behind Shakira’s collaboration with Rihanna, “Can’t Remember to Forget You.”
In 2009 he won Sweden’s P3 Guld Newcomer of the Year award. Three EP’s and an album (We Dance) later Erik’s new project is called Somebody’s Party and it’s a six-track EP that highlights a matured, soulful version of Erik Hassle.
In a recent interview with Vogue magazine Erik said:
I think now I see myself as a soul artist. I’m from a rural town outside of Stockholm, so in coming to L.A. I’ve been able to not think that much about my background. It’s much easier for me in this big town, this big bubble to isolate myself from that and be a little more self-confident. I’m here to do my take on soul.