Saturday, February 28, 2015

Laing: We love the stage to create our own shows

Time for an inteview with one of my favorites acts from the German final. Here are the answers of Nicola from LAING:
Name: Nicola Rost
Height: 1,80 m
Favorite color: i like them all
Favourite food: can't decide
What do you do in the group: write, compose, produce, sing & perform
Where are you right now? in my kitchen
3 things that makes you happy: my friends, my studio, coffee
What’s your strangest talent? making up songs
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? a huge pile of stage costumes
What are you really good at?  Feeling
What are you really bad at?  being on time
Childhood idol: Michael Jackson
Childhood memory: when i was young, i used to dance a lot. i did ballroom dancing and couldn't stop doing it at home. standing in front of the open fridge, i remember holding on to the door like it was a dancing partner and dancing with it while working out which yogurt to chose. 
Tell me something no one knows about you: i'm lazy
What would you do if you were invisible? walk around naked
Craziest thing you've ever done: the craziest things are the things you don't remember!
Favorite movie: don't have a favorite movie
Favorite TV series: Black Mirror
Tell me a super power you wish you had: flying
What is your guilty pleasure? cake
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: "Happy" by Pharell Williams does a good job
Can you teach me some interesting words in german?
Sehnsucht- means something like desire, longing, yearning. the beautiful thing about it is that it consists of "sehnen" ( =to long for) and "Sucht" (= addiction), which expresses perfectly what it means to long for somebody. It's an addiction: it's powerful and you want it but at the same time you can't stop, even if you want to. Its the same with the word " Eifersucht" ( = jealousy"), which also carries this notion of addiction.
Hello! Welcome to the Eurovision world! How are you?
Very good, thank you! 

How would you describe the group?
We are a Berlin- based group of 3 singers and one dancer, plus a live- drummer on stage who also triggers our minimalistic, electronic Beats. We've been performing together for a while now and we love the stage to create our own shows. Our music is best described as pop, mixing up different elements from disco, Jazz, R&B, HipHop or Electronic music with german lyrics. The lyrics play an important role for our songs, for everything, the music, the singing, the dancing follows the story they tell.  

How did you meet each other?
Marisa ( the dancer) and I know each other from school days; Johanna and Larissa were friends of friends and we met through music.  

Tell me about the name of the group:
The name doesn't have a meaning, it's just supposed to sound good!  

You are one of the participants of Unser Song für Österreich, how did it all begin?
We've been doing a similar contest in Germany in 2012, called "Bundesvision Song Contest". We've since then been asked if we'd consider trying the Eurovision Song Contest.. So we finally decided to try how far we could get and applied for "Unser Song for Österreich" because we liked the idea of showing our Songs and Performances to a broader public. We love big stages!
"Zeig deine Muskeln" & "Wechselt die Beleuchtung" are the titles of your songs. Whats the story behind those songs?
It's two of our favorite songs of our new album. The first, "Zeig deine Muskeln" ( which means "Show your muscles") is a song with a wink about gyms and why people go there. Everybody knows the game: people working out tend to check who's checking on them. Flirting is one of the main sports at the gym even though everybody tries to look busy with real sport. Our song takes the perspective of a girl watching a guy doing his gym- routine. She follows every single of his steps and imagines he's doing it all for her. So she sees him ride a bike for her, lift more weight for her, strike a pose for her, etc.. She demands him to try harder and harder. All the work he does shows in his muscles and she's crazy about them. "Carry me home with your Musculus Maximus" she begs..  

The second song, "Wechselt die Beleuchtung" is much darker and more serious. The songs name means "The light changes" and deals with the strange phenomenon that different lighting does change the way we see and feel things. The first lines are "You know, what's funny? I see you in a different light every day. You know what's funny? Sometimes i'm in love with you and sometimes… the light changes.." The whole song is about these sometimes sudden changes, that are warm and welcoming at one moment and cold and disconcerting at the next.

Describe the songs with 4 words:
Zeig deine Muskeln: gym, flirt, Falco, disco
Wechselt die Beleuchtung: light, darkness, bass, drama

You all are really good performers, what can we expect to see on stage for the final?
Well, we've been preparing and rehearsing our show for several weeks now and won't spoil the surprise by letting you know any detail!! But we're pretty sure it's going to be good.. 
What do you like about Eurovision?
I like the idea of all these countries showing each other, which music they like. It's such a rare occasion to learn about different styles in music, language, expression, fashion, and so on..  

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
I wish it wasn't a competition.. although it would lack excitement then, maybe? But it's just a shame that there's only one winner standing next to a bunch disappointed colleagues that try their best to smile..

Give me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Girl power: The Spice Girls
Nightmare: rare
Watermelon: Summer
Fangirling: funny
Stage: light
Darkness: stars
Germany: home
Dreams: come true
Photo: Felix Groteloh Photowork
What are your plans for 2015?
I'm fully absorbed by all the preparations for " Unser Song für Österreich". Haven't been making much plans for the time after the show, because we don't know if we maybe get to travel to Vienna? Besides that, we'll be playing more shows with our "Wechselt die Beleuchtung"- Album and be on stage on festivals in summer! 

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thanks for your attention! 

Thanks to Nicola for the interview! GO LAING!


Friday, February 27, 2015

Melodifestivalen 2015: Semifinal 4 - The rehearsals

Here are the pictures from the rehearsals:

1.Midnight Boy

2.Caroline Wennergren

3.JTR

4.Hasse Andersson

5.Dinah Nah

6.Annika Herlitz

7.Måns Zelmerlöw

Check out the melfest interview

This week I kinda like all the 30secs clips but all my support goes to CAROLINE WENNERGREN! (And Mans of course) So please give lots of votes to melodi nummer 2 #BlackSwan

P.S: I WANT MARIETTE TO WIN! (Its going to be hard to beat The lion king but...I wont stop believing!)

Monday, February 23, 2015

Jenny Langlo: "I am a sucker for dark lyrics"

Photo: Tonje Gulbæk Barstad
Are you ready for a new MGP interview? Here are the answers of JENNY LANGLO:
Name: Jenny Kristin Staurset Langlo
Birthday: 1st of June 1993
Height: About 171 cm I would guess.
Favorite color: Black
Favourite food: Everything with chocolate
Where are you right now? Right now I am actually at the train from Gøteborg to Oslo. I have been in the studio in Gøteborg today with the fabulous guys of Machopsycho who I also wrote ”Next to You” together with.
3 things that makes you happy: Love, understanding and passion.
What’s your strangest talent? I am very good at doing puzzles.
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? I dont have that much strange in my room since I have moved a lot the last couple of years and therefore only brought the most necessary. But I have a fake Oscar statuette that I won for my Avatar costume at a party, haha.
What are you really good at? I am really good at always coming at least 5 minutes late :)
What are you really bad at? Throwing stuff. I don’t know how to throw.
Childhood idol: When I was very young I obviously was a huge fan of the Spice Girls.
Childhood memory: Having a lot of dance shows in our livingroom with my familiy as the best audience ever.
What would you do if you were invisible? Sneak into every airplane and travel the world!
Favorite movie: I am a huge Harry Potter fan, so I will answer all of the HP movies.
Favorite TV series: I am actually not a big fan of series and almost never watch them. But if I do, The Big Bang Theory is one of my favourites.
Tell me a super power you wish you had: Ability to fly, definitely.
What is your guilty pleasure? I eat WAY to much chocolate.
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: If I really need energy and to cheer myself up, Bangarang by Skrillex never fails.
When did you start writing? I started writing some songs together with my best friend by the age of 7, but quit for some time and started again at about 11.
Can you teach me some interesting words in norwegian? Hmm, I can teach you the word ”sovepose” which means sleeping bag. And ”pute”, which means pillow. Now you know some words if you suddenly need to do a sleepover somewhere in Norway.
Hello Jenny, welcome to MGP! How are you?
Thank you so much. Right now I am really excited. 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I like to mix the dark and melodic with the more catchy and fun. I am a sucker for dark lyrics though. 

Tell me a bit about your career:
I startet writing songs first at age 7, and then again at age 12 when I started playing the guitar. I performed quite a lot in my teenage years, but didn’t consider doing music profesionally before I entered the Idol competition in 2011. I was really not prepared for winning, but so I did. After the competition I have released some singles, but mostly spent time studying music and finding my own way.
You are one of the participants of MGP 2015, how did it all begin?
I was contacted by the people working with MGP since Robin and Niklas in Machopsycho wanted me to do some vocals on a song written for MGP. Then in the studio with them we wrote a new song together. It turned out the jury of MGP 2015 liked the new song even better.
"Next to you" is the title of your song and its written by you, Robin Mortensen Lynch & Niklas Olovson. How was it working with them?
It was really great, they were kind of pushing me a bit as a songwriter, which is extremely fun. And they gave me the freedom to just explore and have fun in the studio. 

What's the story behind the song?
It is written about a certain feeling that I would describe as bittersweet. When you realise that you have lost control of your feelings when it comes to another person, but you know that the feelings are not mutual. And you do your best to pretend that you don’t care and everything is fine, but secretly you only want to be with a certain person. You put on your best clothes, go out and try to feel fabulous, but end up maybe drinking a bit too much, since the only thing you want to is to ”wake up next to you”, as the lyrics goes. 
Photo: Jakob Landvik
Describe the song with 4 words:
Frustrated, melancolic, bittersweet and a hint of sexy.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
I will bring some really great boys to the stage who will give you a cool show. It will be a lot of beat, lights and a really honest perfomance by me.
Do you already know what you are going to wear for the final? any hint?
I actually don’t know exactly how it will look, but it will be a mix of dark, sexy and edgy. I will have chunky platform shoes, that’s for sure! And trousers/tights, no dress for me please.

This year the orchestra is back in MGP, how do you feel about it?
I think it is amazing. I love orchestral music, and it really adds a touch of luxury to the performance.
Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition? any favorite?
Yes I have. I think there are a lot of great songs in the competition, so it is hard to choose a favourite. But I think ”Human Beings” and ”A Monster Like Me” are great songs. 

What do you like about Eurovision?
It is a huge stage for songwriters to show their music to the world, in contrary to competitions like Idol or The Voice where it is all about performing well known songs.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
Some times I think there are great songs and artists that do not get as much attention as deserved.
Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Wind: Always way too cold.
Darkness: I love darkness in art and music. To me it is a way of dealing with emotions.
Flowers: I don’t care
Stage: SuperKICK!!!
Monkey: I am scared of monkeys :)
Watermelon: Sunbathing in the summer on a superhot beach
Fangirling: My own obsession with David Beckham in 2004
Dreams: Winning MGP 2015 and participating in Eurovision in Vienna.
What are your plans for 2015?
I am going to write a lot of music and just enjoy the year.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Hope to see you all in Vienna!
Photo: NRK
Thanks to Jenny for the interview! Wish her all the best in MGP!


Melodifestivalen 2015 - Deltävling 3: Your song sounds familiar!

Shake it off, dont stop!
This week on Mello we had Taylor Swift, The lion king, Adele and Robbie Williams.

NU KÖR VI!

1.Insomnia - Ellen Benediktson
Last year Ellen was one of my biggest favorites and this year I was expecting something better for her. I liked the performance but there was something missing in the song and I totally get her result.

2.För din skull - Kalle Johansson
Kalle is so cute! He did his best and Im glad he didnt finish last cause I liked his song!

3.Bring Out the Fire - Andreas Weise
There were a lot press people that didnt like him/his entry and I dont know why cause he was my favorite act in this semifinal. I really like the song, his stage presence was HOT and he did a very good performance! Good job Andreas! Good luck in AC!

4.Living to Die - Andreas Johnson
Very nice song but I think his biggest problem was his hair!

5.Don't Stop - Isa
I think we found the 1st contender...for a comeback next year! She is a fantastic performer and I knew she was going to get in the final (Mostly because I saw the heart beating a lot) but I cant support this song! I mean, c'mon you can sing "Shake it off" over the track with no problems! Get her a good song and she will be one of the big stars of MF 2016!

6.I See You - Kristin Amparo
I like Kristin a lot but I knew her press hype was more because of her vocal performance than for her song and that doesnt mean I dislike the song cause I dont but its not the best song ever (Like they all said). She sounded a bit nervous in the 1st part of the song but then she was great! Im sure she is going to get in the final and she will get a good result! Good luck girl!

7.Jag är fri (Manne Leam Frijje) - Jon Henrik Fjällgren
Ladies and Gentleman the winner of Melodifestivalen 2015. I cant believe this is going to win but what can I do? The only thing I like about this act is Jon. The lion king song and the over the top performance are not for me and I wouldnt like to see something like this in Eurovision. 

THE RESULTS
7.Andreas Johnson
6.Kalle Johansson
5.Ellen Benediktson

ANDRA CHANSEN
Andreas Weise
Kristin Amparo

FINAL
Jon Henrik Fjällgren
Isa
Photos: Peter Wixtröm/Aftonbladet
Magnus Sandberg/Aftonbladet

Latvia 2015: Aminata!

Here is the song that is going to represent Latvia in Vienna: Love injected

Well done Latvia! I really like the whole act, I hope they work on the backing singers vocals and in a good stage act cause I can see this doing very well in may. Good luck Aminata!
Photo: LTV

Sunday, February 22, 2015

Estonia 2015: ELINA BORN & STIG RÄSTA!

YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! YES! THANK YOU ESTONIA! Now I can finally say that I have a big favorite for Eurovision 2015! Here is "Goodbye to yesterday":

WOOOOHOOOO! I fell in love with this song the first time I heard it and its great to know that I wasnt the only one cause they won with the 79% of the votes! Congratulations to Stig and Elina! You guys are going to do an incredible job in Eurovision. GO ESTONIA!

Lithuania 2015: Vaidas & Monika

I had no interest for the lithuanian selection cause lets be honest it was an awful mess but here are the winners:

Not bad! They work really well together and the song sounds ok! Good luck Lithuania!

Friday, February 20, 2015

Melodifestivalen 2015: Semifinal 3 - The rehearsals

Here are the pictures from the rehearsals:

1.Ellen Benediktson

2.Kalle Johansson

3.Andreas Weise

4.Andreas Johnson

5.Isa

6.Kristin Amparo

7.Jon Henrik Fjällgren

Photos: Jonas Ekströmer/TT
Check out the melfest interview

Right now Im not interested in any of the entries but I will probably like some of them when the 2:30min versions come out on saturday. I hope there is no MF winner in this semi! I guess I have a Mariette-fever but I didnt like any of the rehearsals clips from this week and if JHF is really a contender to win MF with The lion king song and that messy/over the top performance...I dont even know what to say (Btw I like him but those 30secs were not good)! Vote for good songs not for sob stories! Good luck to everyone!