Sanja Vučić: "The performance will follow the emotion of the song"

Photo: Andreja Damnjanović

Dobro jutro! The sun is up and Im here to post a new Eurovision interview! This time we are going to get to know more about the artist who is going to represent Serbia this year. Here are the answers of SANJA VUČIĆ:
Name: Sanja Vučić 
Birthday: 08.08.1993
Height: 170cm
Favorite color: Green
Favorite food: French fries
Where are you right now? In my apartment 
3 things that make you happy: music, dancing and food
What’s your strangest talent? I can twist my tongue to look like a flower
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? My dreadlocks that I cut off
What are you really good at? I guess, singing? :D
What are you really bad at? Math
Childhood idol: Michael Jackson
Childhood memory: careless fun, playing all day, unconditional love
Celebrity crush: Oh my God, James Franco.
Tell me something no one knows about you: No such thing, my roommate knows everything about me. :D
What would you do if you were invisible? Go see what my current crush is doing. Don’t you judge me, everybody would stalk, I guarantee it. :D
Favorite movie: Lord of the rings. ALL OF THEM.
Favorite TV series: How I met your mother
What is your guilty pleasure? Singing Justin Bieber‘s songs while I’m in the shower. xD
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? I would go around town and make all the women I encounter feel special and beautiful.
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Bob Marley - Iron Lion Zion
When did you start singing? I have been singing for as long as I can remember, I was probably 3 or 4.
Can you teach me some interesting words in Serbian? BRE- Which means something like “bro” or “damn”, it has no meaning, really. SVEGA MI- It’s like “I swear” I love this phrase.

Photo: Andreja Damnjanović

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Free, open, unstoppable, always ready to test the boundaries of my vocal abilities, to try every genre I have interest in.

You were selected by RTS to represent Serbia in Eurovision 2016. How did it all begin?
It all began when my band had an appearance in the music show called “Tri boje zvuka” (Three colors of the sound). I guess someone liked what I was doing and how I was doing it. And that’s where it all began.

Photo: Andreja Damnjanović

“Goodbye” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
The song carries with itself a strong emotion, and even stronger message. All through history women have been dealing with abuse, and it has been addressed from all sides, this is one tribute to it in our own making, and where to address it better, and for a greater mass to see it than on Eurovision, we hope the message and the idea will get through and that we’ll never stop fighting.

Describe the song with 4 words:
Majestic, powerful, emotional and empowering.

Photo: Andreja Damnjanović

What can we expect to see on stage for the Eurovision performance?
The performance will follow the emotion of the song, a wonderful team of people are working on the idea, and I assure you it will meet your, I presume, high expectations.

What do you like about Eurovision?
The diversity, the fact that every year this contest brings a great deal of artists, songs, musicians and performers. It is a magnificent spectacle.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Nightmare: Darkness
Soul music: Orient
Hair: Messy
Stage: Energy
Freedom: Nature
Clones: copy/paste
Dreams: Clouds

What are your plans for 2016?
To represent my country on the ESC in the best way possible, to make my family and friends proud. To make music, live, laugh and love as much as I can. 

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Never give up on your dreams, I nurtured mine, and look at me, I’M SINGING ON THE EUROVISION, PEOPLE! :D

Photo: Andreja Damnjanović

Thanks to Sanja for the interview! Wish her all the best in Eurovision! Go Serbia!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zaafbpage / https://www.facebook.com/Eurovision-Song-Serbia-585341364943603/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sanjalilwolf/

IVAN: We are preparing an incredible performance!

Photo: LLC "National music corporation"

Do you hear the howling? Its coming from Belarus and so is this interview, its time to know the man who wants to perform naked on the Eurovision stage. Here are the answers of IVAN:
Name: Aleksander Ivanov
Birthday: 29.10.1994
Height: 194cm
Favorite color: green and blue
Favorite food: my mom's cooking
Shoe size: 43
Where are you right now? Fishing 
3 things that make you happy: Love, peace, pineapple.
What’s your strangest talent? I can stop the hiccups
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A lot of cans with honey
What are you really good at? Sleeping! )
What are you really bad at? Making salto
Childhood idol: Spiderman
Childhood memory: Pokémon, Dendy game box and my first guitar!
Tell me something no one knows about you: I want to write music for cartoons
What would you do if you were invisible? I would go to a safari without a car 
Craziest thing you've ever done: Salto)
Favorite movie: A BEAUTIFUL MIND
Favorite TV series: Supernatural and Game of Thrones
Tell me a super power you wish you had: I wish I could fly
What is your guilty pleasure?  Sausage with ice-cream 
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? I would rather not say :)
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Twist and Shout - Beatles
Can you teach me some interesting words in Belarusian? Abcuhi – this means pliers. Dziakuy – this means thanks ). 

Photo: LLC "National music corporation"

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I`m very tall... I`m a kind and happy guy and I want to share these feelings with the audience. Making music makes me happy! It`s such an amazing feeling when you create some vibes and sounds that could become a song that someone will listen to and maybe even like!. I like the sound of rock music and Im trying to recreate it.

You were the winner of the Belarusian National final and you are going to represent Belarus in Eurovision 2016. How did it all begin?
One day my producer thought about entering the Eurovision but this remained just as an idea for a long time. When we gave this idea a more serious thought, we only had two weeks before the qualifying rounds began. We didn`t have a song at that moment, and everything happened so fast. Finally we found a track and sent it to the Belorussian judges and they accepted it and then the work began.

Photo: LLC "National music corporation"

“Help you fly” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
My song is about freedom and hope. In this song I aim to inspire and help people who feel despair and who have lost their true selves. Overall my song has a positive message for people. 

Describe the song with 4 words:
Liberating, Inspiring, Hope, Happiness

This week we learned about your plans for the Eurovision performance. Who came up with the idea of performing naked with wolves and why would you like to do that?
The idea came from my producer Victor Drobysh. I trust him and he trusts me. With the wolves, we want to show how something wild and uncontrollable can become kind and friendly. We thought about the outfit for a long time. If I was to wear a material such as leather I would look like a hunter and this kills the feeling of nature we want to show.

If the EBU doesn’t accept the idea, can you tell me what the plan B is?
We are not thinking about a plan B. It would be a shame if they reject the idea because we are preparing an incredible performance!

Will we ever see the "naked with wolves" performance outside of Eurovision?
Who knows))

Photo: LLC "National music corporation"

What do you like about Eurovision?
Everything! The atmosphere, the big audience around the world who follows the contest and the friendships I will make. Also the great musical experience it will give me.

Photo: LLC "National music corporation"

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Nightmare: Before Christmas
Hair: Long
Pizza: Ninja turtles 
Scandal: Magazine
Woods: Pine trees
Stage: Rock of ages
Freedom: Landscape
Dreams: Purple Haze

Photo: LLC "National music corporation"

What are your plans for 2016?
To make my first album and to play at a lot of concerts. It’s all about the music.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Yeah! I want to thank everyone who has managed to keep reading until the end of this interview!))

Photo: LLC "National music corporation"

Thanks to Ivan for the interview, cant wait to see what he is going to do on stage. Good luck Belarus!

Official web: http://www.ivanmusic.ru/

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/alexanderivanovofficial

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/ivan_eurovision/

Twitter: https://twitter.com/ivan_eurovision

Zoë: "I'm very passionate about what I do"

Photo: ORF / Milenko Badzic

Today the blog turns into a fantasy land where we will get to know more about the Austrian entry for Eurovision 2016. Here are the answers of ZOË:
Name: Zoë Lauren Straub
Birthday: 01.12.1996
Height: 170cm
Favorite color: green
Favorite food: burgers
Where are you right now? On a balcony
3 things that make you happy: reading, meeting friends, sleeping
What’s your strangest talent? Remembering every dream
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A princess crown
What are you really good at? Eating
What are you really bad at? Cooking and sports
Childhood idol: Romy Schneider
Childhood memory: Disneyland
Celebrity crush: Aaron Taylor-Johnson
Tell me something no one knows about you: A secret is meant to be a secret ;)
What would you do if you were invisible? Sneak into the movies
Favorite movie: Gladiator
Favorite TV series: Game of thrones
Tell me a super power you wish you had: Teleporting
What is your guilty pleasure? Gummy frogs
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? I'd rather not say ;)
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Somewhere over the rainbow
When did you start singing? I honestly don't remember
Can you teach me some interesting words in German? Schweinsbraten (That’s what you should order when you come to Austria, it's a delicious unhealthy meal). Interessante wörter = interesting words. Right now I really can't think of anything I'm sorry. Oh no there is something I forgot Ich liebe dich ;)

Photo: ORF / Milenko Badzic

Hello Zoë! How are you?
I'm feeling very good. This is such an exciting time for me.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I'm very passionate about what I do, and I try to keep my authenticity. I love what I do and I try to spread the positive feelings I have when I sing to the audience. I'm also fighting for what I love and what I want to reach one day, I follow my dreams and I never let go of them no matter what happens.

You are going to represent Austria in Eurovision this year. How did it all begin?
My love for music has been there forever. I've watched the Eurovision since I was very little and I never would have thought that one day I'd have the chance to represent my country in this amazing contest. Last year I took part in the national preselection for Austria, it was just a try and I sent my file there. I never would have thought to come that far, so I wasn’t sad when I ended up being third. But at that moment I knew that I wanted to be on this amazing stage, and so I came back this year after releasing an album and having a song played in the Austrian charts. And I won :)

Photo: ORF / Milenko Badzic

“Loin d’ici” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
Loin d’ici is a song about a journey to an imaginary paradise – a place where everyone is happy singing and dancing. It’s not a physical place, more a state of mind.

Describe the song with 4 words:
Positive vibes, love, happiness, peace.

What can we expect to see on stage for the Eurovision performance?
We're currently still working on the performance, the dress and so on, and I don’t want to say too much because changes are being made every day, so hopefully I'll surprise you (in a good way) ;)

Photo: ORF / Milenko Badzic

What do you like about Eurovision?
Well it is the largest entertainment show worldwide and people even in South America watch it, so I love the fact that it builds bridges and it is a platform to know other countries music styles.

Photo: ORF / Milenko Badzic

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Nightmare: plane crash
Beach: Thailand
French language: moules frites
Cat: pippsi (my cat)
Stage: love
Clones: what? Star wars
Dreams: passion

What are your plans for 2016?
Right now we're totally focused on the esc2016, but I would love to release a second album and also focus more on my acting career.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
I want to thank all the people who are listening to my music and supporting me for the Eurovision! For every thumb up and every comment I'm so grateful, I never would have thought that someday people from other countries would listen to my music and support me in such a great contest. This is an honor for me and thank you with all of my heart.

Thanks to Zoë for the interview! All the best in Eurovision!

Official web: http://zoemusic.at/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/zoemusicofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/zoestraub/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/zoe__music

Italy 2016: Francesca Michielin

Photo: Stylaz

Here is the Italian entry for Eurovision 2016: No degree of separation

I was waiting for the Eurovision version of the song to post about it and Im glad I did cause back then after Sanremo I wasnt very impressed with the song but now I find it kind of adorable. Go Italy!

Freddie: "I'm in love with music and I feel endless joy when getting on stage"

Photo: Máté Gregus

Lets start the day with a new interview, this time is from the artist who is going to represent Hungary this year. Here are the answers of FREDDIE:
Name: Fehérvári Gábor Alfréd - Freddie
Birthday: 08.04.1990
Height: 6'4 - 194 cm
Favorite color: Grey, Black, Blue
Favorite food: Steak
Shoe size: 11,5
Where are you right now? Home
3 things that make you happy: Sunlight, Music, health
What’s your strangest talent? Don't know of any strange one
What are you really bad at? Waiting, telling lies
Childhood idol: Grandfather
Childhood memory: Family holidays
Celebrity crush: Shannyn Sossamon
Tell me something no one knows about you: :)
What would you do if you were invisible? Visit every forbidden place
Favorite movie: The Green Mile
Favorite TV series: Game of Thrones
Tell me a super power you wish you had: Teleportation
What's your favorite part of your body? Shoulder
What is your guilty pleasure? Pizza
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Don't want to be a girl... It is so much easier to be a man... :)
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: New Radicals - You Get what You Give
When did you start singing? 6 years ago
Can you teach me some interesting words in Hungarian? Breathe - lélegzet / Smile - Mosoly / Hug - Ölelés

Photo: Máté Gregus

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I'm in love with Music, and I feel endless joy when getting on stage. Music is all about the soul for me. As an artist I would like to help and cure people with music.

You were the winner of A dal 2016 and you are going to represent Hungary in Eurovision. How did it all begin?
We made a song that we figured could be good enough to show it to the jury. We did, and it seemed like they were impressed. Fortunately, the audience found it catchy and meaningful as well. I am the happiest man alive to be part of this team, and to represent our Home.

“Pioneer” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
It is about being original, strong, and mature enough to take responsibility for our decisions and its consequences. Every answer lies within ourselves.

Describe the song with 4 words:
It opens the heart

Photo: Máté Gregus

What can we expect to see on stage for the Eurovision performance?
I would like to keep that as a secret :)

What do you like about Eurovision?
Professionalism

Photo: Máté Gregus

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Nightmare: Falling
Cake: Cheesecake
Scandal: Lies
Nature: Woods
Uncensored: Rarity
Rising star: First step
Freedom: George Michael :)
Dreams: Being on stage, spreading music and by that love

What are your plans for 2016?
I always focus on the next step; I just wanna play music and sing, no expectations just giving the deepest of myself.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thank You very much for thinking of us, hope to see You in Stockholm :)

Photo: Máté Gregus

Thanks to Freddie for the interview! GO HUNGARY!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Freddie-Fehérvári-Gábor-Alfréd-1643010589259522/
Instagram: http://instagram.com/freddiemusicofficial
Official website: http://www.fehervarigaboralfred.hu/

Bulgaria 2016: Poli Genova

Photo: Kostadin Krustev

Here is the song that is going to represent Bulgaria this year: If love was a crime

I wasnt expecting something like this one from Poli but Im glad she is back with a pretty good song. I guess we could say that this is a sure finalist from the 2nd semifinal but is this entry a contender?. I think the song is competitive but it needs a very powerful performance so If they want a really good result in the final, they better work their asses off to create something great for the show in may. Good luck Bulgaria!

Malta 2016: Walk on water

Photo: Kris Micallef

Goodbye "Chameleon"! Hello "Walk on water"! Here is the official video of the Maltese 2016 entry:

This is so much better than Chameleon! I think that song was too "Eurovision diva-ish" for 2016,  Im glad they got rid of it. Walk on water sounds like a "modern, radio hit" song, Im not sure if it suits Ira's style but I hope she performs it well. (I also hope one day we get to hear Molly Pettersson Hammar's version of it) Good luck Malta.

Amir: An artist trying to bring happiness through music

Photo: Renaud Corlouër

Bonjour everyone! National final season is over and now its time to get to know better the artist who is going to represent France this year in Eurovision. Here are the answers of AMIR:
Name: Amir
Birthday: June 20, 1984
Height: 1m80
Favorite color: Green, blue and gray
Favorite food: Chicken schnitzel
Where are you right now? On a plane back to Paris
3 things that make you happy: Intelligence, kindness and talent
What’s your strangest talent? I can speak backwards
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A 2015 calendar in which I am Mr. February :)
What are you really good at? I’d say computers and ski
What are you really bad at? I am extremely clumsy
Childhood idol: Michael Jackson
Childhood memory: Falling in love with a girl named Lucia in a summer camp in France when I was 14 - and weeping all the way home in the bus in the end of the summer, knowing I won’t see her again.
Celebrity crush: Diane Kruger
Tell me something no one knows about you: Only if you go first! :)
What would you do if you were invisible? I’d try to be a modern Robin Hood. Or make lots of pranks to people...
Favorite movie: The Wicker Park
Favorite TV series: Entourage/House Of Cards (but it’s a tough choice for me since I watch lots of series).
What's your favorite part of your body? My arms.
What is your guilty pleasure? Gummy candies
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Make love to men and get to know how it feels.
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Master Blaster (Stevie Wonder)
When did you start singing? At the age of 3 according to my parents. But I only remember starting at 10...
Can you teach me some interesting words in French? Anticonstitutionnellement - the longest word in French that means «  in a manner that is against the constitution ». I love being an outlaw :)

Photo: Renaud Corlouër

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I think that what describes me best is I’m constantly looking after fun and joy. Smiling most of the time and seeing how it affects other people. Trying to bring happiness through music...

You were selected by the French TV broadcaster to represent France this year in Stockholm. How did it all begin?
Nazim, a friend of mine and the author with who I wrote most of my album, introduced me to his friend Edoardo Grassi (French HOD) in a completely friendly situation. Edoardo and me had a good vibe between us and when he told me he was taking care of the ESC this year, I was fascinated as I’ve always been a fan of the show. He then began showing interest in my musical project and I asked for his opinion about my first planned single « J’ai cherché ». He actually loved it and asked me if I could be interested in taking the song to the ESC for France. At first I was highly surprised and unprepared but I then thought about it and consulted my team which were all favorable to the idea at one small condition - I’d release the song as planned, in January, and only 2 months later will the announcement be made. The song was actually a real beginning success in the French radios before the announcement and it only became bigger afterwards :)

Photo: Renaud Corlouër

“J'ai cherché” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
The idea was to write a song about the great positive change that can come into your life after you find the element that brings you self-fulfillment and hope. This can be sports (as shown in the clip), new studies, a hobby, love or as it was in my case - music. I think that everyone should keep seeking for this ideal in his own life, in order to feel better with himself.

Describe the song with 4 words:
Hope, courage, passion, fulfillment

What can we expect to see on stage for the Eurovision performance?
A modern and highly visual presentation, yet very elegant.

Photo: Renaud Corlouër

Tell me about the official video of “J’ai cherché”:
The clip narrates the story behind the song. A boy finds his true life path in dancing and a girl finds it in Tae Kwon Do. Both get to feel much better with themselves and live their personal victories.

What do you like about Eurovision?
The amazing show, the loving atmosphere, the originality and cultural richness of the contestants and the idea of breaking barriers.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Fans: I love mine
Nightmare: Drowning
The voice: My first step into music was through this show / Frank Sinatra
Nature: Virgin beaches
Pizza: With tomato sauce, Mozzarella and tuna
Sloth (Animal): My opposite!
Freedom: I feel it on stage
Dreams: Making a long musical career.

Photo: Renaud Corlouër

What are your plans for 2016?
My first album, ESC and a European tour!!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thank you very much for reading my interview and for the continuous support... Hope to see you guys in Stockholm!

Photo: Renaud Corlouër

Thanks to Amir for the interview! I love his song and I really hope for a great performance in may! Wish him all the best in Eurovision! GO FRANCE!

Official website: http://www.amirofficiel.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AmirPageOfficielle
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/amir_officiel_/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/Amir_Off

Sweden 2016: Frans!

Photo: Lindwall Sven/Expressen

The winner of Melodifestivalen 2016 is...FRANS!

Im really glad Frans won because this is not the typical, bombastic Eurovision/Melodifestivalen song and thats what I like the most about this entry. He didnt need anything big around him to get people's attention, he just sang his song on stage and people loved it. I really hope this works in May. Is it a ESC Winner? I have no idea but I think he will do well. Good luck Frans! Go Sweden!

Serbia 2016: ZAA Sanja Vučić

Photo: Andreja Damnjanović

Here is the Serbian entry for ESC 2016: Goodbye

The first time I heard the song I felt very indifferent about it but now Im starting to dig it a bit more. I really like her because she has a powerful voice and a really crazy energy but I think she needs to control it a bit cause there are parts were the performance looks too over the top. Im sure she will bring her A game to the eurovision performance so I hope everything goes well for Serbia this year. Good luck Sanja.

Lithuania 2016: Donny Montell

Photo: Gediminas Žilinskas

Here is the song that won the endless Lithuanian national final: I've been waiting for this night

This is what I would call a "David Lindgren" song but what can I say? Donny is a really charismatic performer and he sells the song very well on stage.

Azerbaijan 2016: Samra

Photo: Kate Kondratieva

Here is the song that is going to represent Azerbaijan in may: Miracle

Pretty cool song, maybe a bit generic but I like it. I have watched some videos of her singing live and I wonder "Will it take a miracle for her to perform it well in a live performance?" I guess we will find out in May.

Czech Republic 2016: Gabriela Gunčíková

Photo: Yan Renelt

Here is the song that is going to represent the Czech Republic this year: I stand

Nice song, I like it way more than their entry from last year. I think everything will depend on how good and interesting her performance will be in may. Good luck Gabriela!

Melodifestivalen 2016 - Final: The rehearsals

Here are some pictures/videos from rehearsals:

1.Panetoz

2.Lisa Ajax

3.David Lindgren

4.SaRaha

5.Oscar Zia

6.Ace Wilder

7.Robin Bengtsson

8.Molly Sandén

9.Boris René

10.Frans

11.Wiktoria

12.Samir & Viktor

Check out my interview with Wiktoria: There will be some changes in the performance and I hope people will love it

I dont have a big favorite this year and I have no idea who is the best choice for Eurovision so Im just going say the ones I like the most: Frans, Wiktoria, Robin Bengtsson, Boris René, Ace Wilder and Oscar Zia. (Shout out to my guilty pleasure acts: SaRaha (Yes! I finally got the Kizunguzungu fever!), Samir & Viktor and Panetoz) Good luck to everyone and dont forget to vote for your favorite on saturday! Happy Mello!

Photos: Aftonbladet