Renaida: "My manager asked me if I wanted to participate in Melodifestivalen and I said fricking YES!"

Photo: Teodor Axlund

It's Mello week and it's time to post our interview with one of the participants from this saturdays semifinal. Here are Renaida's answers:
Name: Renaida Braun
Birthday: 1997-08-14
Height: 172cm
Favorite color: yellow
Favorite food: sushi
Where are you right now? In my apartment
What’s your strangest talent?: I can make my tongue look like a flower
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A collection of old receipts
What are you really good at? I am good at making people laugh
What are you really bad at? Spelling
Childhood idol: Beyonce and Rihanna ofc
Childhood memory: One time I had a party on an island in Tanzania, but suddenly we had to rush to our boats because there were hippos swimming toward us aggressively :’)
Celebrity crush: Shawn Mendes
Tell me something no one knows about you: I have super short hair
What would you do if you were invisible? Sneak into exclusive parties!!
Favorite movie: Avatar
Favorite TV series: Modern family
What is your guilty pleasure? Love McDonnalds…
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? I would flirt with myself
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Gonna make you sweat

Photo: Teodor Axlund

Hello Renaida! Welcome to Melodifestivalen, how are you?
I’m superfine

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Cool, modern and energetic

You are one of the participants of Melodifestivalen 2018. How did it all begin?
I was in the tv-show called Idol. And after that I got signed and my manager asked me if I wanted to participate in Melodifestivalen and I said fricking YES! And here I am!

“All The Feels” is the title of your song, and it’s written by Laurell Barker, Jon Hällgren, Peter Barringer and Lukas Hällgren. How was it to work with them?
It was fun and I learned a lot. They listened to me even though I have less experience and of course, I listened to them as well.

Describe the song with 4 words:
Energetic, power, dance and cool

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
An epic show!!!

Do you already know what you're going to wear for the semifinal? Any hint?
YES, orange

What do you like about Eurovision?
That it is so BIG, and everybody come together.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
It ends so quickly :/

Photo: Teodor Axlund

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Nature: trees
Shadows: a picture I took of my shadow
Melodi nummer 3: OMG it’s my turn to sing, where is the stage????
Idol: it was such a fun time and I learned a lot
Freedom: when I do nothing
Stage: I wanna spend a lot of time on different stages all over the world
Dreams: Beyonce ;)

What are your plans for 2018?
I’m gonna rock the world! This is my year (hopefully). I wanna go on my first summer tour and release my songs!!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
If you like my song and the performance, please vote fore me!!!

Photo: Teodor Axlund

Thanks to Renaida for the interview! All the best in the semifinal!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Renaidabraun/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/renaida/

Spain 2018: Amaia & Alfred

16 years ago Operacion Triunfo made Eurovision popular again in Spain and last night we got our 4th Eurovision entry from OT, here is the spanish entry for ESC 18: "Tu Canción"

I've been hooked to OT 2017 since it started so I'll start by saying that Im really proud of all the contestants and I think they all did a great job with their ESC songs. Amaia and Alfred are such great artists, everything stops when they are on stage and you can see how much they love music when they sing, no matter what happens in May I think Spain will be very proud of them! (I hope they work a lot on their staging cause the one the had here was lame! They dont need much, they have each other and that is enough) Go Spain! TODOS CON ALMAIA!

Shout out to my other favs:

Alfred's solo entry

Aitana War

Ana's solo entry

Aitana's solo entry

Amaia's solo entry

Czech Republic 2018: Mikolas Josef

Photo: Hanka Holubová

This is "Lie to me", the song that is going to represent Czech Republic in Lisbon:

The 1st time I heard this song I wasnt crazy about it but it grew on me after listening to it a couple of times. I think the song is pretty catchy and with the right performance it could give Czech Republic their best result ever. Good luck Mikolas!

France 2018: Madame Monsieur

France made a National selection this year with 18 pretty interesting acts and Madame Monsieur were the winners, here is the winning song: Mercy

Before the release of their ESC entry I heard their album "Tandem" and became a fan of their music right away. There was some hype around Mercy from the people who were at the taping of their semifinal so I had big expectations and I gotta say that even if I liked it when I heard it for the first time, it didnt gave me the winner alert vibes I was waiting for, but then I read the lyrics and I got it. I dont know about their chances in May but Im glad the french audience voted for such a beautiful song.

Big shout out to my other favs from Destination Eurovision:

Malo'

I also heard his album and I loved it! 

Emmy Liyana

Igit

Lisandro Cuxi

Max Cinnamon

Louka

Noée

June The Girl

Sweem

Mimi Werner: "Songburning" gives me so much power and love, and that’s exactly what I wanna give to my audience

Photo: Jan Danielsson

January is coming to an end and that means Mello season is getting closer, so let's post a new interview. Mimi was one of the acts I liked the most in 2016 so Im glad she is back this year, here are her answers:
Name: Mimi Werner
Birthday: December 17th
Height: 165 cm
Favorite color: Red 
Favorite food: Pasta Carbonara with ketchup ;) 
Where are you right now? In my bed, with my parrot "Marylin" on my shoulder and my guitar in my lap. 
3 things that make you happy: My music, my family and my boyfriend.
What’s your strangest talent? I know how to throw a pancake in three circles from the frying pan, and that’s a tricky thing to do! 
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A parrot! 
What are you really good at? Taking care of others 
What are you really bad at? Going to bed at night..
Childhood idol: Dolly Parton 
Childhood memory: Listening to the sound of my dad recording vocals in the studio next to my bedroom before I went to sleep 
Celebrity crush: That’s a secret… ;) 
Tell me something no one knows about you: There’s a reason that no one knows that thing about me ;) so I can’t tell you that! Sorry Os! ;) 
What would you do if you were invisible? Sit on stage when Dolly performed every night….
Favorite movie: Moulin Rouge 
Favorite TV series: Nashville 
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Go out and do boy-stuff! 
Can you teach me some interesting words in Swedish?  Tjöta - it's a word from Borås where I come from and means "talking to much” - Schiligt- It's also a word from Borås and means ”boring” 

Hello Mimi! Welcome back to Melodifestivalen, how are you doing?
Hi Os and Eurovision Addict! I'm great thank you! 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Reliable, true and honest. 

What did you learn from your Mello experience in 2016?
So much, this year I feel so much more ready for all the different trials that will come my way.

You are one of the participants of Melodifestivalen 2018. How did it all begin?
It was all thanks to the song! We have been working with Songburning for almost two years now, and when we finally finished it I decided to send it to the competition just because this song gives me so much power and love, and that’s exactly what I wanna give to my audience. And then I got in, and Im so grateful for that! 

“Songburning” is the title of your song, and it’s written by you, Göran Werner, Niki Niki, Carl Varga, Johan Åsgärde and Oliver Lundström. How was it to work with them?
Amazing, we’re such a good team and everyone has been very important in the making of the song. We did it together. 

What’s the story behind the song?
The song is about that fire that burns inside of you, that power that always lead you forward when life’s hard. That force that always helps you up after you’ve fallen to the ground. And that force is very important for me. 

Describe the song with 4 words:
Powerful, emotional, love and honest  

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
Much energy, warm colors, maybe dancers…. ;) 

Do you already know what you're going to wear for the semifinal? Any hint?
Yes I know, and you know Os that I really wanna tell you but you know I can’t ;)

What do you like about Eurovision?
I love that all the countries get together and share something so beautiful as music. Eurovision for me is all about love. 

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
I haven’t been to any yet! ;) 

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Nightmare: You always find something positive in a nightmare…
Brolle: I only see hearts! <3 
Melodi nummer 6: My heart and soul 
Watermelon: Summer in Greece with my family 
Stage: Songburning and fire 
Dreams: My reality 

What are your plans for 2018?
Release a new album and go out on tour and meet all my lovely fans!! Looking forward to it! 

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thank you so much Os, and I really hope that you’re going to watch the competition and love my song ”Songburning” !! Hope to hear from you again! Thank you and hugs from Mimi.

Thanks to Mimi for this lovely interview! Cannot wait to listen to "Songburning"!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/mimiwerner/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/mimiwerner/

Olivia: "I really want to inspire other people with my music"

Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström

Time for our first Mello interview! She is one of the participants from the 4th semifinal and she is preparing an amazing performance for us. Here are Olivia's answers:
Name: Olivia
Birthday: 7th of june 1996
Height: 159 cm
Favorite color: Black
Favorite food: Vegetarian pizza
Where are you right now? In my bed
3 things that make you happy: My family and friends, food and music
What’s your strangest talent? I can perform the whole song "mister cool" by Snook. I'm not a good rapper, but I know every word in that song. 
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? Tough question, haha. I don't think I have anything "strange" in my room. 
What are you really good at? Socializing with other people.
What are you really bad at? Answering phone calls...
Childhood idol: I remember that Pippi Långstrump was my very first idol as a child. 
Celebrity crush: Dua Lipa, she's amazing! 
Tell me something no one knows about you: I hate speaking on the phone, it's one of my biggest fears...I always tend to avoid phone calls, haha..
What would you do if you were invisible? Probably just be around people and hear what everyone says when you're not around. 
Favorite movie: The hunger games
Favorite TV series: How I met your mother, Stranger things, Gossip girl. 
What is your guilty pleasure? Eating really messy food with my hands. Love it.
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Probably everything I can't do as a woman. 
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Single ladies - Beyoncé

Hello Olivia! Welcome to Melodifestivalen! How are you?
I'm fine thank you! 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I would say that I am a strong, young woman and I do exactly what I want to do and what I believe in. I perform songs that I do love and songs that I think have an important message. I would definitely see myself as a good role model for younger girls, I really want to inspire other people with my music and as an artist. 

You are one of the participants of Melodifestivalen 2018. How did it all begin?
It all began a few years ago when I made a cover of Anton Ewald's song "Begging". When I uploaded it on youtube it got thousands of views really fast and Anton himself saw it. He and his management really liked it and they wanted to cooperate with me. So Anton and I made a cover together, and after that I got a record deal. After that we worked really hard to find music that really suited me and represented me as an artist. 2017 we decided to apply for Melodifestivalen and we got in!!

“Never Learn” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
It's written by Anton Ewald, Astrid S and Jonas Wallin. The song is about a destructive relationship that you can't get out of. You are aware of the fact that the person is not good for you, but your love and your feelings for this person makes you stay in the relationship. 

Describe the song with 4 words:
Touching, inspiring, beautiful and AMAZING.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
A lot. It's gonna be an amazing show, I promise. You definitely don't want to miss this performance. 

Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström

Do you already know what you're going to wear for the semifinal? Any hint?
Yes I do. Pants. Definitely NOT a dress, haha. 

What do you like about Eurovision?
I like the fellowship that occurs in connection with Eurovision. 

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
That only one can win, haha. 

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Northern lights: I would love to see it myself one day. 
Melodi nummer 5: The performance I'm most excited for, of course.. ;)
Fear: Feeling like a failure
Pizza: Love. 
Dreams: Standing on the stage in Friends arena. 

What are your plans for 2018?
Do my very best in the competition and continue with my singing and performing as much as I can. I will also get my university degree in physiotherapy this year, finally, haha!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
I really hope you will like my song and my performance, and I'm really thankful for everything that is happening in my life right now. Thank you all for your support! Se you all in Örnsköldsvik!

Photo: Anna-Lena Ahlström

Thanks to Olivia for the interview! All the best in Mello!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/oliviamusicofficial
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/oliviamusicofficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/oliviaeliasson

Alejandro Reyes: "Im authentic, simple and ambitious"

Photo: Darrin Vanselow

Chile is in the house! A couple of days ago we had an interview with Alejandro Fuentes from MGP 18 and now it's time to get to know more about another finalist from the Swiss NF,  his name is Alejandro Reyes and here are his answers:
Name: Alejandro Reyes
Birthday: 27.02.1992
Height: 1'67
Favorite color: Black/red wine
Favorite food: Sushi
Where are you right now? Home
3 things that make you happy: Puppies, music, girls
What’s your strangest talent? I can play harmonica with my nose (hahah) 
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A stage
What are you really good at? Love ahah.. music, skateboarding.. I don't really know 😊
What are you really bad at? History, maths.
Childhood idol: Spider-man
Childhood memory: 2 years living in Quebec, Canada
Celebrity crush: Madison Beer.
Tell me something no one knows about you : I'd like to move to Germany :)
What would you do if you were invisible? Make jokes.. probably also have good food. Surprise people 
Favorite movie: Walk the line, La la land, Spiderman
Favorite TV series: ...I don't watch tv at all
What is your guilty pleasure? Food. I can't stop eating.
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Take some notes about my behavior so the following day I would understand why girls are so weird sometimes haha.. 
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Maluma - Corazon. 
Can you teach me some interesting words in spanish? hem...Aji, Almohada, Palta, Cochayuyo, Wea, Chambeco, ahahah doesn't even sound Spanish and, thats actually only comprehensible in Chile I guess ..

Hello Alejandro! Welcome to the Eurovision universe! How are you?
Hey, thank u! Im really good! 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Im authentic, simple and ambitious. 

You are one of the participants of the Swiss National Selection for ESC 2018. How did it all begin?
I was invited to a song writing camp organized by SUISA with Pele Loriano as director. We wrote songs for the Eurovision, not for any artist actually, just to summit the songs and then see who could be the one to sing them. I actually wrote 3 songs for that event. out of 700 songs 6 were chosen, and out of those 6, 2 were mine. I wrote ''Compass'' and ''Kiss Me''. then they asked me if I wanted to perform one of my songs and, well I just said yes. Quite simple! 

“Compass” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
We all have a compass or a direction to something that help us or makes us happy, can be a friend, a girl, a sport, hobby, or anything. Thats the main point I guess.. find your thing and follow your heart, your compass. 

Describe the song with 4 words:
Deep, message, real, modern.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
Me and my guitar. simple performance but straight to the heart! 

What do you like about Eurovision?
It's big and a lot of people show interest. 

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
Sounds kind of a bit political in the end. 

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Chile: family
Guitar: hand
Nightmare: water
Fangirling: blonde
Clowns: scary
Stage: stadium

What are your plans for 2018?
I'm preparing an EP, and promo for a possible tour! 

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
It was a pleasure for me to answer to these questions and hope you understand my bad humor ;)

Thanks to Alejandro for the interview! All the best in the National Final!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlejandroReyesOfficial/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/AlejReyes92
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alejreyes/

NICOLINE: “Light me up” is about not wanting the party to end

Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad/NRK

TGIF! Are you all up for a new MGP interview? Let's not waste any time! Here are Nicoline's answers:

Name: NICOLINE
Birthday: 9th of April
Height: 175 cm
Favorite color: Sky blue
Favorite food: Spicy Asian food
Where are you right now? Backstage at a singing job.
3 things that make you happy: Smiling people, Baby Animals, Games
What’s your strangest talent? I can clap my hands really loud.. And I can make my nostril really big..
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A Globus… Not really that strange is it?
What are you really good at? Perform on stage.
What are you really bad at? Cooking food..
Childhood idol: Britney Spears
Childhood memory: When I managed to persuade mum to let me get a rabbit.
Celebrity crush: Aaron Carter
Tell me something no one knows about you: IF there is something no one knows about me, I will definitely not tell the internet ;)
What would you do if you were invisible? What would I NOT do..
Favorite movie: Oh, that’s hard! “The Intern” always makes me happy!
Favorite TV series: Game of Thrones
What is your guilty pleasure? Paradise Hotel. I’m embarrassed to say it out loud.
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Have sex with a girl…
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: On my Way – Phil Collins
Can you teach me some interesting words in Norwegian? “Luremus” = Someone (mainly girls) who attracts, flirts or seduces someone, but when the other person tries to make a move, they reject the person.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland (Logo: Flammier.com)

Hello Nicoline! How are you doing?
I’m doing really good, thank you ;)

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m an energetic live artist with my own charisma on stage.

Photo: Cato Ingebrigtsen

You were part of the Norwegian backing singers for Eurovision in 2013 and 2016, how was that experience and what do you remember the most from them?
That was a lot of fun and I remember all the amazing people I got to know. It is two weeks of FUN!

You are one of the participants of MGP 2018. How did it all begin?
I met my producer (Johan Larson) in his studio to make some new songs, and he played me some old song sketches. One of these sketches became “light me up”.

“Light me up” is the title of your song, and it’s written by you, Johan Larsson and
Emilie Adams. How was it to work with them?
I loved working with them and me and Johan already have several songs ready for release.

What’s the story behind the song?
It’s about not wanting the party to end.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Describe the song with 4 words:
As Johan says: Party, Party Party, (Party) or as I say: Happy, Danseable, Positive, Urban pop

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
That’s a secret :)

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition (MGP 18)? Any favorite?
I’ve heard them all. SO many good songs, but I have to say Aleksander Wallman and Charla K.

What do you like about Eurovision?
The fact that it’s just a big celebration of music.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
The reputation Eurovision have in the music industry. At least in Norway.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Sleepwalking: Sheeps
Dancing: Disco
Technology: Ipod
Nature: Trees
Stage: Me :)
Dreams: To make a living of my own music.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

What are your plans for 2018?
Release lots of music.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
I hope I see you in Lisboa ;)

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Thanks to Nicoline for the interview! All the best in MGP!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamnicoline/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iam_nicoline
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_nicoline/

ZiBBZ: "Living for music - with no plan B"

Photo: Kaelan Barowsky

New day, new interview! This time we are going to get to know more about one of the acts from the Swiss national selection. Here are ZiBBZ's answers :
Name: Coco & Stee Gfeller
Birthday: Coco -  6.6.1985 / Stee - 3.11.1987
Height:  Coco - 1,60m / Stee - 1,74m
Favorite color: Coco - Turquoise / Stee - Red
Favorite food: Coco - Ice cream / Stee - Swiss Food (Chäshörndli und G’Hackets)
What do you do in the band? Coco - Lead singer / Stee - Drummer/Producer
Where are you right now? Los Angeles
3 things that make you happy:  Music, Ice cream, penguins
What’s your strangest talent? Coco - The "laugh-whistle" / Stee - Double jointed
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? Coco - My husband / Stee - Leggins
What are you really good at? Coco - Dreaming / Stee - Not listening
What are you really bad at? Coco - Patience / Stee - What?
Childhood idol: Coco - Tina Turner / Stee - Michael Angelo (hero turtles)
Childhood memory: Coco - Stee saying “Coco peed in my bed”, when it was clearly him! / Stee - First time on a Snowboard
Celebrity crush: Coco - Beyoncé / Stee - The little mermaid
Tell me something no one knows about you: We both had really bad eye sight! - like blind as a bat :)
What would you do if you were invisible? Coco - Go visit all countries in the world / Stee - Go to McDonalds and order all meals, watch the people stare at the magic trick!
Favorite movie: Coco - Avatar /Stee - Jungle book
Favorite TV series: Coco - Friends / Stee - LOST
If you were a girl/boy for a day, what would you do? Coco - Wish I was a girl / Stee - Hmm…gotta bunch of crazy ideas...
What is your guilty pleasure? Coco - Ice cream / Stee - Staying up working/creating
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Coco - Man in the mirror / Stee - Honky tonk woman
Can you teach me some interesting words in Swiss-German? Hoi du vertääseretä Sau-aff ! :)

Photo: Monica Guitti

Hello guys! Welcome to the Eurovision universe! How are you?
HEY! We are great! thank you!

How would you describe ZiBBZ?
We're a Swiss sibling duo - home in Los Angeles & Zurich. Living for music - with no plan B.

You are one of the participants of the Swiss National selection for ESC 2018. How did it all begin?
We used to watch ESC with our family when we were kids. We always had in mind to perform on ESC one day but never felt our kind of music/performance really had a chance until the more recent years where there are more diverse acts and songs accepted. Common Linnets were our favorite so far! 

“Stones” is the title of your song, and it’s written by you two and Laurell Barker. How was it to work with her?
Yes! She is an amazing, kind, fast thinking force of nature and we were so honored to write together!

Photo: AMANDA NIKOLIC

What’s the story behind the song?
The message is something which moves us all deeply and is sadly still a problem in today’s world. It’s about inclusion, equality, diversity and tolerance. It’s a call to stand up against bullying and hate. 

Photo: ALEX GOMEZ

Describe the song with 4 words:
Inviting, groovy, powerful, honest

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
We have designed an amazing little set up for the Swiss final show and we know we’re going to give 120% and enjoy every minute. that’s all we can do. The rest is up to the audience!

What do you like about Eurovision?
That it brings people of all races together.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
We used to feel like “organic” / indie artists didn't have a chance… but that has changed!

Photo: Monica Guitti

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Sleepwalking: Candle
Live music: Rock n Roll
Squirrels: Cute
Technology: iPhone
Nature: Mesmerizing
Dreams: LIFE

What are your plans for 2018?
To enjoy every minute of the ESC ride! And play as many shows as possible! Release new music videos, and keep creating!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
THANK YOU!

Thanks to Coco and Stee for the interview! Very excited to see their performance in the NF!

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

Twitter: https://twitter.com/zibbz_official

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