Michael Teschl

Michael Teschl (born June 30, 1971) is a Danish singer, songwriter and composer who later became an author and investigative journalist. He grew up in the town of Nykøbing Mors in northern Denmark. His career spans music, literature, and journalism, making him a multifaceted public figure.

Early Life and Musical Beginnings

Michael Teschl started his music career in the early 1990s. In 1991, he moved to Copenhagen to perform as a vocalist in various bands. He first gained national attention at age 22 when he won the Scandinavian TV talent show “Man-O-Man” in 1993. This victory helped kickstart his career. By September 1995, Teschl released his debut solo album, This Is How You Fall in Love, working with well-known producers Mads Michelsen, Per Chr. Frost, and Michael Bruun. He continued to develop his music, and in 1996 he traveled to London to work on a second album with producer Gary Langan (of Art of Noise) and pianist Jon Carin. However, that project faced challenges. The collaboration with his record label BMG did not go as planned, and after releasing a remix album titled Moving On in 1998, Teschl parted ways with BMG.

Eurovision Song Contest and Music Highlights

Michael Teschl’s biggest musical highlight came in 1999. Together with singer Trine Jepsen, he entered Denmark’s national song competition, Dansk Melodi Grand Prix. They won the contest with the song “Denne Gang,” earning the honor of representing Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. The team performed the song in English under the title “This Time I Mean It” at the Eurovision final in Jerusalem. They achieved an impressive eighth-place finish in the contest. This performance gave Michael Teschl international exposure and remains a defining moment in his music career.

In 1999, following his Eurovision success, Teschl signed a record deal with EMI’s CMC label and also secured a publishing contract with EMI Music Publishing. He continued his recording career and in May 2000 he released his third solo album, Happy Depression, working with producer Per Chr. Frost. This album marked the culmination of his initial music career, as Teschl began to explore new professional paths in the years that followed.

Transition to Writing and Business Endeavors

After his music career, Michael Teschl transitioned into writing and other ventures. He published his first novel, Sunde tanker fra en syg sjæl (which translates to “Healthy Thoughts from a Sick Soul”), in 2003. This debut was partially autobiographical. Two years later, in 2005, he released a sequel titled Stik farmor en plade. These works established Teschl as a novelist.

Subsequently, he directed his focus toward the business world and non-fiction writing. In 2008, Teschl authored a dramatic documentary-style book about the scandal-ridden Danish tobacco family Færch. He continued to write about prominent business figures. In 2014, he published a portrait of former Codan insurance CEO Peter Zobel. He developed this project in collaboration with Zobel. In February 2016, Teschl co-wrote Jan Bonde Nielsen – Afsløret, a book investigating the controversial Danish businessman Jan Bonde Nielsen, together with journalist Birgitte Dyrekilde. This investigative book earned the co-authors a nomination for the 2016 Danish Business Journalism Prize. Through these writings, Teschl demonstrated a strong engagement with business and finance issues, expanding his professional repertoire beyond music.

Investigative Journalism and Recent Work

Over the past decade, Michael Teschl has also made a name for himself as an investigative journalist and documentary creator. Since 2014, he has worked as an investigative journalist and television producer at a media company called Dokumentarium. In this role, he has helped produce and host several documentary films and series for Danish television. For example, he contributed to a 2017 documentary on political finances that aired on DR2. In 2019, Teschl published the book Den dag Brita forsvandt (“The Day Brita Disappeared”), which delved into the notorious “Pedal Ove” case. This project also led to a TV 2 documentary series called Mysteriet om Pedal Ove. Teschl’s work on these earned him a nomination for the prestigious Cavling Prize in journalism.

Furthermore, he has continued to explore corporate and financial subjects through media. In 2023, Teschl spearheaded a documentary series titled Saxo Bank bag facaden (“Saxo Bank Behind the Facade”), which uncovered hidden aspects of the Danish investment bank Saxo Bank’s operations. He has also been involved in true-crime and investigative podcasts, extending his storytelling to new platforms.