INTERVIEW: Who Is Astrid S? | Everything You Need To Know

Astrid S (full name Astrid Smeplass) may only be 19, but over the last three years since competing and finishing fifth on the Norwegian version of "Pop Idol," the talented blonde beauty has been busy writing and releasing hit international songs that have shown up on charts in Norway, New Zealand, Sweden, and the UK. Now, Astrid's record label Universaul Music Group is ready to bring her music over to the US. If you're not familiar with Astrid's music yet, expect to hear a smooth blend of pop and EDM, complimented by the singer/songwriter's ethereal vocals, as can be heard on her new and most successful single to date, "Hurts So Good."

We recently caught up with Astrid and got to know all about her when she stopped by iHeartRadio HQ for an exclusive interview. She opened up about her beginnings in music, being on Norway's "Pop Idol," her upcoming music, touring with Troye Sivan and more.

[Buy "Hurts So Good" on iTunes]

On her background in music & growing up in Norway

Astrid grew up in the small town of Berkåk, Norway with less than 1,000 people living there. But she loves her country and enjoyed growing up there. She says "I come from a very, very small place. It's about 1,000 people living there. Everyone knew everybody. It was very safe. Norway is a great country. We have free school and we have insurance. It's the best country."

Even though she comes from such a small town, Astrid has always been involved in music. She explains that her parents don't sing or play instruments, but would constantly be playing music everywhere they would go. "They would put it on in the car, or in the living room, or if we were out, they would bring a little speaker and we would listen to music all the time. I feel like that's probably why I'm so interested in music. I've just been singing all my life. They've always been pushing me in a good way to start taking piano lessons and singing lessons."

Piano and singing lessons aside, Astrid also knows how to play the guitar, the flute, and even a little saxophone. She explains to us that she was in the marching band in Norway, but was a big thing growing up. "The marching band is something we do outside of school in Norway, but it was a huge thing when I grew up. It was really popular to be in the marching band, which was really fun."

At just 16 years old, Astrid took her music to the next level and competed on the Norwegian version of "Pop Idol." As she tells us, being on the show is when she really got into songwriting, and began to write songs of her own. In fact, Astrid wrote her first song while on the show, inspired by boys and relationships, as she says those subjects are what she usually writes about.

On her experience being on Norwegian "Pop Idol"

"I was 16 then. It was a great experience. I think what I remember the best is that's the place where I started writing songs and got into songwriting. That's where I wrote my first song while I was on 'Idol.' It was a good experience. think you learn how to handle pressure, and I think that made me more outgoing, because you meet a lot of people, and you have to be out there to be seen. I think that's what I learned the most, to handle stress, and it made me more outgoing."

On John Mayer being a big music and songwriting influence

While Astrid may have got her start in songwriting being on "Idol," she explains inspiration to write songs and play the guitar also came from John Mayer. She explains that she's a huge fan of him and his songwriting. "He inspired me a lot when I started writing songs. In the beginning it was very singer/songwriter song-ish, a little bit country, almost, country pop. Then he moved towards the electronic vibes that I go with now."

Over the last three years, Astrid has released two EPs and six singles. And most of the songs were written by Astrid herself. The one song she didn't write is her current single "Hurts So Good."

On the meaning behind her song "Hurts So Good"

"That's actually the only song I haven't [written]. It's a song about a relationship between a girl and a boy, or anyone. You really want to be with the person, but it's hurtful in some ways, or maybe it doesn't work out, or there are reasons that you can't be together, but you really want to. It's just this torn feeling of not being with the person you want to be with, but you really want to. I really relate to 'Hurt So Good.' I love this song so much."

On touring with Troye Sivan

This past year, Astrid supported Troye Sivan while on his "Blue Neighborhood" European tour. Although she didn't get spend a ton of time with him, she did get to meet Troye -- and admits she's actually a huge fan.

"It was great. We went to all of Europe. I got to meet him, which was really cool, because I'm a huge fan. I got to play my songs live a ton. I hadn't played a lot before that. It was great to get some experience on playing live." She adds, "I got to meet him and say hi, and tell him that I'm a huge fan. I think he said he's a huge fan of me too. That made me shaky, but yeah he's great. He's amazing."

If you're a Shawn Mendes fan, then you may already be a little familiar with Astrid. She was featured on his 2015 debut album Handwritten on a song called "Air."

On what it was like collaborating with Shawn Mendes

"That's still something I'm like, 'Whoa,' that I was able to do that. I'm a huge fan of him too. To be a part of the album, I think it's a great album. I still listen to it. I only can thank him for having me on the song. We have the same label. I think he heard of me, and he asked me if I wanted to do the song with him. I was like, 'Yes, I really want to.'"

Photos: Rachel Kaplan for iHeartRadio