He’s the kind of guy who likes to DJ in his ‘Superman’ speedos, make music in the nude and thinks New Zealand is a tropical paradise. Jonas Altberg, or Basshunter as he is more widely referred to, is an out there kind-of- guy (or a little eccentric) who likes to party. What he doesn’t like is pants; unless of course, there’s a party in those too.

That’s not to say he isn’t still pleasantly charming. Talking about his music with the enthusiasm of a hyperactive kid (even though it was 12pm Sweden time), previewing me a song from his up-and-coming album (that he had written just three days before) and making surprising confessions about those rudie-nudie photos of him that appeared on the net, Basshunter didn’t just dish the goss but also tried to get some on us NZ chickie babes (yes, he’s looking forward to meeting you).
 
A bit of a fan of us kiwis, he’s even made a special thank-you video for us and plans to make another little movie starring people on the streets of NZ, when he heads down to Godzone.

What are you looking forward to most about coming to New Zealand?
I want to see the country and enjoy the culture and food. You have good lamb right? Also, bungee jumping... I’ve been a couple of times. Not impressive heights though, I’m looking forward to some real stuff... I’m also very curious about the girls in NZ.

When you think of NZ, what three things come to mind?
I think of beaches, palm trees and awesome weather, bungee jumping and sheep.

You’re working on a new album at the moment, what can we expect from it?
I don’t want to stick to one sound. I make a lot of different songs on the album; you can still tell they’re Basshunter. I want to mix more rock music. I’m running late by two and a half weeks, the structure’s done, but I want to add more live things, with guitars and things like that... It’s simple, catchy, cool and different.

How have you found all the growing media attention, particularly when you’ve things like nude photos of you appearing on the net?
Well, first of all, those pictures are about six-years-old and the only thing that’s annoying is that I’m more fit now, so I wish I could take new ones and replace the old ones. I don’t have anything to be embarrassed about, or hide, I like the attention. Maybe parents and younger kids shouldn’t see it, it’s not appropriate... It was a party, we were drinking, I see it as a lesson.

What did your mother think?
My mother just shook her head and my dad... he doesn’t give a shit, he thinks it’s cool.

Tell us three random things about yourself?
1. When I produce music in the studio, I usually do it naked. It’s getting hot in there and I don’t really like clothes...
2. Many people think I’m a DJ, and I am, but I don’t DJ on tour. When I DJ I always DJ in my Superman speedos, the girls seem to like it...
3. I can’t sleep on my back, I have to sleep on my side or stomach.

What’s your guilty pleasure?
Almost everything involves being naked, or in bed. I’m starting to sound like a porn star! I have an example of a ritual, the first thing when I get home - I have 12 computers that all turn on with one switch and each one is programmed to Facebook and You Tube and other social networking sites. The first thing I do when I get home is sit in front of 12 different computers, checking different things on different computers... and I could do it all on one, but I don’t have to. That’s my boy’s dream.

Living the dream indeed, without his fans Basshunter professes he would be “a fart in the wind”. Keep an eye out for him filming when he hits NZ (for his epic mini-movie Sweden meets NZ) and take heed his final words of advice: “Don’t go home with strangers and always wear your scuba gear.”

Why, but of course.

Like the sound of this crazy Swede? Basshunter's album Now You're Gone is instores now - check out Liselle's review of it here...

Liselle