Tag Archives: 2019 Eurovision Song Contest

Interview: Eriona Rushiti, Uncategorized

Interview: Eriona Rushiti (composer of ‘Ktheju Tokës’ – 2019 Albania Eurovision song)

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Eriona Rushiti {copyright: facebook.com/eriona.rushiti}
Eriona Rushiti {copyright: facebook.com/eriona.rushiti}

Eriona Rushiti composed Ktheju Tokës, which is the song that Jonida Maliqi will sing for Albania at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Tel Aviv, Israel in May.

Eriona took time out to speak to ESC Covers –

 1. Congratulations on your composition, “Ktheju tokës”, being chosen to represent Albania at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest. How did you feel when Jonida won Festivali i Këngës #57?
Of course full of joy. Thank you Ian for the interview. But immediately I felt a great responsibility at that moment. It was not simply the victory of a prize, but it was the feeling that “Ktheju tokes” (Return to the land) was not just a song created by myself, but a song of all Albanians representing a small and dignified country in a grand contest.
2. Have you ever worked with Jonida Maliqi before, and how is she feeling that she will be on the Eurovision stage in Tel Aviv?
No, I’ve never collaborated with Jonida. For me it’s the first time I write a song for Jonida’s vocals. Despite having known her for years as a singer, Jonida was also my student at the time when I just started my first teaching at the University of Arts. This song sounded perfect for Jonida. So, as soon as she heard the song, she fell in love with it.  And so it continues today. Jonida tells me that in the Tel Aviv scene she  will sing with the same passion that she gave to the song from the first moment. When she sings the song she feels it, and feels it with every bit of her soul. She said it fills her full of emotions, something that she has not felt with songs before.
3. Can you tell us something about “Ktheju tokës” and what it is about?
“Ktheju tokes” -music and lyrics are written by me, arrangement and music production by Enis Mullaj. It is a song-message for anyone who has to return to their identity, to their originality, to their land, to search deep in their roots for the best and to return to the human feelings, where life gets a meaning. Many Albanians from more than 25 years left Albania massively for a better life. Despite this message being current to Albanians, the world has recognised it as a phenomenon since the history of humanity. “Ktheju tokes” is a genre of mixed styles: ethnic, folkloric, r’n’b, symphonic and details of trap music. The melodic line is a combination of eolian modes and minor harmonic modes. The rhythmic section is a combination of ethnic rhythms from the south and the north of Albania. From the dark atmosphere in the intro of the song later goes to be a big , glorious and a big sensation. All the song transmits emotionally the energy of the “land”.
4. Do you plan any changes to “Ktheju tokës” for Eurovision?
The song will not change. In addition to the duration of the song, from 3:13 sec will be in 3: 00min. In the revamp, more ethnic elements will be evaded and will be strengthened more in the refrain, through orchestration. Just a few days ago I got back from Sweden where the song was given a final mix at the prestigious Svenska Grammofonstudion. Jonida will sing in Albanian, will sing it in the language with which the song was created and believe that it is best to convey the message this way. Also, in my personal opinion, I would like each country to be represented with it’s language and culture in the Eurosong, because only in this way can it be created more cultural diversity, in a European competition.
5. Will Jonida record any other language versions of “Ktheju tokës”?
No, just in Albanian language.
6. What are you most looking forward to when you visit Israel?
I do not think I will have enough time to visit different places, as the working time in Tel Aviv will be compressed, but my desire is to see the Red Sea and to get time to know a little bit more about traditional Israeli music.
7. Please tell us about some of the songs you have composed for other artists and any festivals you have competed with your compositions.
Yes. I have some preferred songs of mine, as “Atje lart” -Festina Mejzini (Festivali i 55 i Kenges), “Vec lotet” – Semi Jaupaj ( Best Tendence Award in Kenga Magjike 2015”).
8. You had a beautiful song in the Albanian Junior Fest called “Prindër ju lutem” in 2018 for Ana Kodra. Could you tell us about this song, and what it was like to work with Ana?
Ah, I was so happy to work with Ana Kodra. She is such a talented little girl that sings with the power of a womans voice. This song has another message. It is a ballad about a families with divorce problems. It is a nowadays a message for everyone who thinks that family must be created to build on and on, day by day, and to not destroy it for some egoist feelings. Ana was the best choice for me, because she is the best choice for every composer who wants to fulfil the questions of music creativity.
9. Are you working on any other music projects at this time?
Yes, I do have some. But the recent one was a song “Vendi im” (music and lyrics by me,and Enis Mullaj- music production) that I wrote  for a big and well known  Festival “Vina del Mar” in Chile. This song will be performed by Mirud, a very good Albanian singer, full of ambitions for being a new name in the American playlists music of our days. It’s again an ethnic powerful song.
10.  Do you have a favourite Eurovision song from the past?
I have two songs that I still listen to them and get emotions. The are Jamala “1944”  and Salvador Sobral (“Amar Pelos”). As you see I am focused on the special songs, not the ordinary ones. Because I think that every song must leave a big impression and emotion.
11. What is your favourite Albanian Eurovision song since the first participation in 2004?
Rona Nishliu with “Suus “and Eugent Bushpepa with  “Mall”, last year. They are also the best vocals that represented Albania.
Thank you, Eriona. ESC Covers wishes you lots of good luck.
Thank you very much.
You can see Jonida Maliqi perform Ktheju Tokës below.
Source: ESC Covers

Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl

Slovenia: Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl release official music video for ‘Sebi’

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Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl from the music video of 'Sebi'
Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl from the music video of ‘Sebi’

Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl have released the official video clip for Sebi.

Zala and Gašper will represent Slovenia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest after winning the EMA national final on Saturday 16 February 2019.

You can see the video for Sebi below.

Source: ES Covers; zalagasper/VEVO

Ester Peony/On A Sunday

Ester Peony wins the Selecţia Naţională ‘On A Sunday’ and will represent Romania at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest

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Ester Peony {copyright: TVR}
Ester Peony {copyright: TVR}

Ester Peony has won the Selecţia Naţională selection and will represent Romania at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with her song On A Sunday.

12 finalists took to the stage –

  • Linda Teodosiu – Renegades
  • Olivier Kaye – Right Now
  • Laura Bretan – Dear Father 
  • Teodora Dinu – Skyscraper
  • Claudiu Mirea – We Are The Ones
  • Aldo Blaga – Your Journey
  • Ester Peony – On A Sunday
  • Letiția Moisescu and Sensibil Balkan – Daina 
  • Bella Santiago – Army Of love
  • Trooper – Destin
  • Dya and Lucian Colareza – Without You (Sin ti)
  • Vaida – Underground

The big favourite was Laura Bretan and also Bella Santiago was highly rated. Laura won the televote but the “expert jury” outweighed the public and Ester has won the ticket to Tel Aviv.

The special guests included Netta (2018 ESC Israel – winner); Emmelie de Forest (2013 ESC Denmark – winner) and Inis Neziri (Cerbul de Aur – Golden Stage festival – winner and Festivali i Këngës #56 second runner up Albania).

You can see Ester perform her winning song below.

Source: ESC Covers; TVR

Roko Blažević/The Dream

Roko wins the Dora festival and will represent Croatia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with ‘The Dream’

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Roko {copyright: HRT}
Roko {copyright: HRT}

Roko Blažević has won the revived Dora competition and will represent Croatia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with his song The Dream.

The Dream is composed by Jacques Houdek (2017 ESC Croatia), Andrea Čubrić (formerly a vocalist with E.T.) and Charlie Mason.

You can see Roko perform his winning song below.

Source: ESC Covers; Eurovision.tv

 

Carousel/That Night

Carousel to perform ‘That Night’ for Latvia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest

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Carousel {copyright: LTV}
Carousel {copyright: LTV}

Carousel have won the Supernova national final with That Night and will represent Latvia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

Eight acts were in the final –

  1. Markus Riva – You Make Me So Crazy
  2. Edgars Kreilis – Cherry Absinthe
  3. Aivo Oskis – Somebody’s Got My Lover
  4. Double Faced Eels – Fire
  5. Dziļi Violets feat. Kozmens – Tautasdziesma (“Folk song”)
  6. Laime Pilnīga – Awe
  7. Samanta Tīna – Cutting The Wire
  8. Carousel – That Night

Carousel emerged the eventual winners and fly the Latvian flag in Israel in May.

You can see Carousel perform That Night below.

Source: ESC Covers; Eurovision.tv

Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl/Sebi

Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl to sing ‘Sebi’ for Slovenia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest

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Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl {copyright: RTVSLO}

Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl {copyright: RTVSLO}

Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl have won the EMA national selection with Sebi (Oneself) and will represent Slovenia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest.

10 acts were in the final –

  1. Kim – Rhythm Back To You
  2. Renata Mohorič – Three Bridges
  3. René – Ne poveš
  4. Fed Horses – Ti ne poznaš konzev
  5. Ula Ložar – Fridays
  6. Lumberjack – Lepote DNA
  7. Okusticni – Metulji plešejo
  8. INMATE – Atma
  9. Zara Kralj & Gašper Šantl – Oprosti
  10. Raiven – Kaos

The two acts in the super final were Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl and Raiven.

It was decided that Zala Kralj & Gašper Šantl were the winners and will go to Israel.

You can see the winning song below.

Source: RTVSLO; ESC Covers

Victor Crone/Storm

Victor Crone wins with ‘Storm’ and will represent Estonia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest

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VictorCrone {copyright: ERR}
Victor Crone {copyright: ERR}

Victor Crone was victorious at the Eesti Laul with his song Storm and therefore will represent Estonia at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest in Israel in May.

Victor is actually from Sweden and Storm is composed by Victor with Stig Rästa, Vallo Kikas and Fred Krieger.

The finalists were –

  1. Sissi – Strong
  2. Lumevärv ft. Inga – Milline päev
  3. Victor Crone – Storm
  4. Kerli Kivilaan – Cold Love
  5. xtra basic & Emily J – Hold Me Close
  6. Kadiah – Believe
  7. Synne Valtri – I’ll Do It My Way 
  8. Stefan – Without You
  9. The Swingers, Tanja & Birgit – High Heels In The Neighbourhood
  10. Uku Suviste – Pretty Little Liar
  11. Inger – Coming Home 
  12. Sandra Nurmsalu – Soovide puu

From the above three acts qualified for a super final – Uku Suviste, Stefan and Victor Crone.

It was Victor who took the crown and will fly the Estonian flag in Tel Aviv.

You can see Victor perform Storm below.

Source: ESC Covers; ERR

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AHGmxKxHpO4

Bilal Hassani

Bilal Hassani releases the official music video for ‘Roi’

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Bilal Hassani from the music video of 'Roi'
Bilal Hassani from the music video of ‘Roi’

Bilal Hassani was recently selected to represent France at the 2019 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Roi (King). Bilal won the Destination Eurovision national selection largely due to the massive public vote.

Now the official video clip has been released for Roi.

You can see the music video for Roi below.

Source: ESC Covers; YouTube/Bilal Hassani