What happens when you mix a really gay rock star’s musical anthems and love of unitards with a traditional Swedish pastime? The Freddie Mercury Choir! But this isn't nutless little angels doing high-range octave renditions of fruity songs about riding bicycles, this is somewhat tone-deaf adults warbling in front of an Army museum for fans who're old enough to have heard these tunes live the first time around. We caught up with Linnea Hansander, one of the ensemble’s masterminds, after the choir’s coming-out performance.
Vice: There are a lot of good dead singers in the world—a certain child-loving pop star comes to mind—so why did you choose to cover a guy whose real name was actually Farrokh?
Linnea Hansander: Freddie is such an icon and a symbol of something that we need in the world. He had a great rock star presence in the world and at the same time, sensitivity. Everything clashed. We just like him and he’s our role model.
What’s with the costumes?
The idea was for everyone to be his or her own section of Freddie, the embodiment of what each sees in him. Some people were part of his entourage and some tried to actually be him.
There were several Freddies performing at once.
Yeah, another part of why we made his music into a choir is because he’s so solo. We think it’s a great idea to turn a solo artist into a choir. We wanted everyone to have his or her own show going on.
Does the choir practice in a church?
We practice twice a week. Our public performance was actually the first time everyone was able to sing together, though, since everyone has jobs and stuff. We practice in parks and cellars.
In high and low places, just as Freddie would've liked it. He's great.
He was so good at singing—his vocal range was four octaves and he had no formal voice training. He was a gifted genius like Mozart. Plus his singing matched his presence and style so well.
He very well may have been the sexiest man in the world. Would you agree?
Definitely. He’s the one because he’s where everything meets. Where super gay meets super sensitive meets super rock star. He’s the center of everything a person could be.
DAVID MCCLYMONDS
may freddie's mustache live on for eternity in the memories of queens and queen fans. it wasn't fat bottomed girls that made the rockin' world go round. it was mr. mercury.
Posted by: rip fm | 07/08/2009 at 16:58
Dynamite with the lazer beams
Guaranteed to blow your mind!
Posted by: Trudy | 07/08/2009 at 17:02
amaaaaaazing. i love queen. a night at the opera is still one of my favs.
Posted by: booker t washington | 07/08/2009 at 17:42
It's hard to believe that "We Will Rock You" was originally a b-side.
Posted by: NachoCheesier | 07/08/2009 at 17:55
the really tall dude in the tennis shorts is awesome. i like their enthusiasm but no one can cover freddie mercury with any hope of reaching his vocals.
Posted by: speedy | 07/08/2009 at 17:56
I do definatly want to book them for my next party the one with the ketchup pizzas and tamponghosts...
Posted by: freddy | 07/08/2009 at 19:47
I'm such an unbelievable pussy when it comes to Freddie Mercury. This made me cry real tears.
Posted by: Emily | 07/08/2009 at 23:05
"we will rock you" sucked because the voices of the two people singing had terrible voices. the dude couldn't even keep up with the rhythm while doing his part. everything else was decent though; looks like a case of the founders' egos getting in the way of actually having a great performance.
Posted by: bloodyknows | 08/08/2009 at 01:42
wow that's.. a lot. but the girl in the picture with the megaphone isnt the girl doing "we will rock you" with the megaphone? whut? they're all hot though.
Posted by: swedes wtf | 08/08/2009 at 23:09
this is probably the uncoolest cool thing i've ever seen
Posted by: big child | 10/08/2009 at 04:26
pretty boring stuff.
Posted by: i get it | 10/08/2009 at 17:12
Great stuff!!!
Posted by: Monky | 16/08/2009 at 12:12
Pretentious.
Posted by: Kunta K | 18/08/2009 at 12:09
If this lot are being serious I love them for this! Beautiful, I'm completely inspired.
(My neighbours may end up hating my showers starting right about NOW. No mercy.)
Posted by: Phil B Freddie | 20/08/2009 at 22:34
This reminds me of Fat boy slims musicvideo "Praise you" with the awesome danscegroup. I LOVE THIS SHIT!
Posted by: urr | 23/01/2010 at 17:05
Dude how cool is this. Im a huge Queen fan and I don't even feel offended. thx for that weird swedes.
Posted by: lerooy mccain | 19/04/2010 at 02:18