Takasa is a unique band, made up of six individuals who share their passion for music. Their ages range from 21-year-old Sarah Breiter to 95-year-old Emil Ramsauer, who will set a new record for being the oldest ever musician to perform on the Eurovision Song Contest stage.
The Swiss public chose the rock ballad You And Me as Switzerland’s entry for the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in December 2012. They will take part in the 2nd semi-final, on 16 May.

* What is the story behind your ESC song?
The song was born out of an idea that the Salvation Army could participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Salvation Army did a musical project with the assistance of HitMill several years ago. The link therefore was done back at that time. HitMill has the qualification to do amazing songs. Inspirational discussions with the songwriter, Georg Schlunegger, and us created a common idea of what the song actually should transmit and then HitMill created this catchy song. The song intends to spread positive emotions and feelings and therefore fits very well into the Eurovision Song Contest context. The contest intends to connect cultures and people by music and that's what we do and believe as well. We believe that only supportive relationships can last in the long run and finally create a healthy community. It's about respect, trust and love.

* Do you think the change of the group's name can affect you negatively?
Takasa means “to make pure” in Swahili, and epitomises the pure joie de vivre and love of music that the band embodies. It also represents their spirituality. The name is thought in the way of “Hakuna matata” from The Lion King. It shall spread positive feelings.

* Have you listened to all of this year’s songs?
Yes, we have. We think that there are a lot of good songs. But the song itself is not the entire ESC experience. We would love therefore to visit some rehearsals in Malmö to listen to the songs as a group and enjoy them.
* Which ones are your favourites?
We first make our minds up for our semi-final. As soon as we (hopefully) will make it to the final we will think about the other candidates. Ask us again in Malmö!

* Any especially difficult rivals? Why do you think so?
We think that Gianluca from Malta has a song and performance that meets the taste of a similar audience like ours. And there are other good songs. We think that Krista Siegfrids’s performance is definitely not a direct competitor – but her group’s choreography is amazing!

* For you, what's the meaning of representing your country through music?
We feel honoured. We think that the group represents Switzerland well but also meets the sympathy of other nations and cultures.

* How do you feel when you realise that you are going to have fans in countries you would have never imagined and that thanks to you probably many people will meet and become friends?
It is great and impressive to see how many fans the ESC has. People from all over the world support it and it’s amazing to see how the ESC brings people together. We feel honoured to be part of this unique event.

* What can you tell us about the staging for your performance?
Modest, authentic with a great song. The focus will rather be on the band and the song than on wild choreography.

* Any messages for our readers in Portugal and abroad?
A better world begins with every individual person and the will to build long-lasting relationships. That’s the message of our song and we hope it will pass across Europe. Please help us to do so.

Interview elaborated by: 

- Max Rod (Portugal no ESC represetantive in Malmo)

Entrevistas Entrevistas 2013 ESC 2013 Suiça

Eyþór Ingi Gunnlaugsson was born on 29 May 1989 in Dalvík, a small fishing town of approximately 1,400 inhabitants in northern Iceland.
Eyþór founded the progressive rock group Eldberg and in 2010 joined the renowned Icelandic band Todmobile, contributing to their seventh album, which was also entitled ‘7’. In 2011 Eyþór Ingi was nominated as best singer in the Gríman Theatrical Awards for his role as Riff Raff in The Rocky Horror Picture Show. The following year he played hippie leader Berger in the musical Hair, He also featured in the cast of Les Misérables as law student Marius Pontmercy, when the musical was staged in Þjóðleikhúsið, the National Theatre of Iceland, in 2011-2012.

Who are your biggest musical influences?
I get my inspiration from my favourite singers David Bowie, Robert Plant, Ian Gillan, Freddie Mercury, Beatles, Rolling Stones, Doors, Led Zeppelin and others. Two persons changed my life and how I think about music, one is Thom Yorke of Radiohead, whose attitude to music I admire and the other Jeff Buckley who made me start thinking about how I could express myself vocally and what the singing voice was all about.

What is the story behind your ESC song?
The name of the song has double meaning: I have a life and I am alive. People can relate to the lyrics in their own way. Some people think of their kids, some people think of their spouse, some of people that influenced them and some of their parents. The line says “Ég á líf, vegna þín” I have a live/I am alive because of you.
The writers wrote it together while traveling in Ireland. The lyrics are personal and about the life of the writer.

Have you listened to all of this year’s songs?
No, I can’t say I have listened to them yet.

For you, what's the meaning of representing your country through music?
I feel honoured for the nation selecting me for that project and for the songwriters for trusting me for their creation. I know the song means a lot to the songwriters and I will do my best to deliver the story of the song.


Going back in time, which one of your country's songs is your favourite in ESC history and why?
Usually, my favourite song doesn't go through the Icelandic competition. My favourite entry is Minn hinsti dans by Paul Oscar.

What would you like to get out of this experience in May?
I love big stages and productions so I look forward to performing. Also meeting people from all of Europe and working with friends of mine.

What can you tell us about the staging for your performance?
The stage presentation is done in the moment with some ideas before going on stage. But with me on stage will be four backing vocalists, Einar, Hannes, Beggi and Kristjan Gisla. Only Kristjan has sung in the competition before.

Any messages for our readers in Portugal and abroad?
Stay true to yourself.

Interview elaborated by: 

- Max Rod (Portugal no ESC represetantive in Malmo)

Entrevistas Entrevistas 2013 ESC 2013 Islândia

“Dorians” consists of five musicians: Gor Sujyan (lead vocal), Gagik Khodavirdi (lead guitar), Edgar Sahakyan (bass guitar), Arman Pahlevanyan (keyboards) and Arman Jalalyan (drums).
Gor Sujyan, the front man of the rock band, took the decision to become a musician when he first listened to the song Stairway To Heaven by Led Zeppelin, which has been symbolic and, perhaps, fatal. In a very short period of time the young man who never ever took music education has recorded outstanding achievements in the music industry together with his friends.

* Who are your biggest musical influences?
Led Zeppelin; as it had its own influence on the formation of our band; in 2008 when our band was just formed, it was a cover band and was named “Gor and friends”. Back then we used to play mostly the songs by Led Zeppelin. But in less than a year we went through some major rearrangements: “Gor and Friends” was renamed to “Dorians” and in the line with covers we began producing our own songs.

* What is the story behind your ESC song?
As you might already know the music of our song was written by Toni Iommi, who is best known as a founder member of the pioneering heavy metal band Black Sabbath. Our manager asked him to write a song for our entry and he kindly accepted the request. When we received the music from Tony Iommi, we passed it to Vardan Zadoyan who wrote the lyrics of “Lonely Planet”. Vardan Zadoyan is the creative producer of the band and writes our lyrics.

* What do you think about this year's theme art (the multi-coloured butterfly) and the "we are one" slogan?
As the butterfly and as well as the slogan are pretty nice. The most important thing about them is they have a deep message.

* Have you listened to all of this year’s songs?
Yes!

* Which ones are your favourites?
We really like Malta’s entry and Italy’s entry.

* Any especially difficult rivals? Why do you think so?
We don’t find anyone as an opponent for us. All of the representatives from different countries are our colleagues. We respect them all and wish them good luck in Malmo.

* For you, what's the meaning of representing your country through music?
It is really important for us. That is why our purpose is neither to win nor to lose. We are just going to do our best as artists and we are going to try not to disappoint people who love and support us.

* How do you feel about the pressure behind participating in the ESC?
We don’t feel any pressure. We are pretty relaxed :)

* How do you feel when you realise that you are going to have fans in countries you would have never imagined and that thanks to you probably many people will meet and become friends?
This is probably the most exciting thing about Eurovision.


* What is the question you would never answer and why?
Never thought of that, but we don’t like talking about our personal lives. We want the audience to like us as artists and be the fan of our music, not ourselves.

* Going back in time, which one of your country's songs is your favourite in ESC history and why?
There were so many good ones. But let’s point out Armenia’s “Qele-Qele”, which was presented in 2008 by Sirusho. People still love and listen to that song.

* Any favourite ESC winners (from any country)?
From the recent ones let’s point out Serbian singer Marija Serifovic. “Molitva” was an amazing song.

* What can you tell us about the staging for your performance?
Let’s keep it a secret, so it’ll be a surprise for the audience.

* Any messages for our readers in Portugal and abroad?
We want to thank them for all the love and support they show! We really appreciate it.

Interview elaborated by: 

- Max Rod (Portugal no ESC represetantive in Malmo)

Arménia Entrevistas Entrevistas 2013 ESC 2013

 First winner of the Belgian edition of "The Voice", the widely popular international TV singing contest, Roberto benefited from a large exposure in the media. He then pursued his musical adventure and artistic career by touring with the "Tour des Restos du Coeur Belge" (including Patrick Fiori, Amel Bent, etc.) and by participating to The Voice tour. This was followed by the release of his first single "Je Crois" and his first album in September 2012 "Ma Voie" written by Quentin Mosimann, international artist and his former coach in The Voice.
Roberto will be representing Belgium at the ESC 2013 with the song ‘Love Kills’ in the first semi-final, on 14 May.

What do you feel now, becoming a Eurovision contestant?
I feel good, positive and I am looking forward to being in Malmö in May.

Are you a big fan of Eurovision?
Yes, when I was younger I watched the Song Contest almost every year! I always thought it was amazing. Whenever I saw it on TV, I only wanted to do one thing: be on that stage. So it's kind of a dream come true that I get to perform at Eurovision this year.

How do you go from winning The Voice to representing Belgium at Eurovision? How did you get the message that you had been chosen for the Contest and what was your first reaction to it?
First of all, I participated in a TV show called ‘The Voice’ which was aired on the RTBF, a national TV broadcast. After I won The Voice, the director of the RTBF asked me if I wanted to represent my country at the Eurovision Song Contest. My first reaction was that I was a little bit afraid, but after thinking about it, I became excited about the idea of participating in the Contest. 

Can you describe your entry “Love Kills”?
I will describe “Love Kills” in a few words: mysterious, emotional and powerful. I really believe that this entry has a lot of potential.

“Love Kills” won the national selection last December. It has gone through a major revamp since then. Having worked in Finland, can you tell us more about how this part of the process went?
At first, the original song was 4 minutes long. It was too long for the ESC and we had to cut it to 3 minutes. Also, we had a version which was too pop-rock for the national selection and difficult for a singer. In fact, I prefer a more emotional song. Therefore, I went to Helsinki to work with the composer of “Love Kills” in order to have a song which suited me more. He worked on the musical arrangements and I worked on the vocals with him for 2 days. I love the outcome.

Not only the song, but also your image has gone through changes, you appear as a totally different person on the official photo shoot. How do you feel about it? 
I feel comfortable with my new image. I like the serious person that I am becoming. Plus, I am getting older and more mature which must show on the pictures.

What type of performance are you going to give at Eurovision? Are you going to use new technologies or keep it simple?
I think we will keep it simple, with emotion, a beautiful show, dancers, backing vocals but no technology. 

Can you introduce the people who will be backing you on stage in your Eurovision performance?
I can tell you what I will have on stage: beautiful lights, dancers Cassandra & Manelle and backing vocals Yvan, Magalie & Virginie. I do not know them personally, yet. It’s a new team which was formed around that new song. I am looking forward to sharing this amazing adventure with them and getting to know them better after spending two weeks together in Malmö.

You are only 18 and have just started your career, how does it feel to have the opportunity to sing in front of millions of people? Do you feel the pressure already?
I do not feel the pressure yet because I already had a TV experience with “The Voice Belgique”. I definitely think it helped me a lot, even if the scale is not comparable. I am very thankful to already
have an experience in that field, spending four intense months with a lot of cameras around me, performing in front of a large audience. Furthermore, I love challenges. 

And what is the most difficult for you in Eurovision preparation, or what do you feel you need to practice more? 
The most difficult for me is to sing in English, so I practice the song continuously. Plus, I take English conversation classes. 

Why singing in a foreign language then and not in your mother language?
I think that for Eurovision, it is better to sing in English because it is a universal language and many people understand it.

Have you listened to the other contestants? Any favourites so far? 
No, I do not listen to other contestants, thus I do not have a favourite song so far (besides mine J). In fact, I do not want to be influenced before my performance. But I will listen, with pleasure, to all the songs during and after the contest.

And if you could sing any songs at the contest, which one would it be and why?
It would be “Fairytale” from Alexander Rybak and mine of course!

Do you have a message you would like to address to your fans?
Thank you for your interest and your support.

Interview elaborated by: 

- Max Rod (Portugal no ESC represetantive in Malmo)

Bélgica Entrevistas Entrevistas 2013 ESC 2013