День второй. Day two.

Tatu (Russia) press-conference

©Eurovision.tv

The duet T.A.T.U. will perform at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “ Ne ver, ne boisja, ne prosi” in Russian language. The choice of the language is explained by Ivan Shapovalov: “ The song is in Russian, because we are the Russians.”
The singers explained the reason why they had decided to participate at the Euruvision Song Contest: “ If our country asked us and promoted us, why not to take part?” says Julia Volkova.
“T.A.T.U. was promoted because it is now the most popular group in America and in Europe. It would be weird if Russia wasn’t represented by the very best and popular what they have”, continues Igor Bourenkov
The sound and lightening have left bad impression on the girls, they called it awful. It made quite a big disapproval in the conference hall behalf of the journalists. But nevertheless, the singers still hope that in the next rehersal something will change.
Responding to the journalists questions, the singers admitted that there is not going to be expected anything out of the ordinary during their performance. “ Judging from the amount of the journalists who have gathered here, you already feel shocked,” resumed the producer of the group.
There is still no answer to the question about the possible appearance of the third participant on the Eurovision stage.
After the press conference the performers and all the delegation vanished very quickly out of the journalists sight.

Первая репетиция Тату (First Tatu rehearsal)

Urban Trad (Belgium) press-conference

The head of delegation Pierre Meyer informed that they did not have national final this year in Belgium. Instead, the Belgian French Television chose from several new talented performers, some of them not having released their own albums yet and not having contracts with recording companies. As a result, Urban Trad was chosen to represent the country at the ESC.
Yves Barbieux, the composer and lyricist of the song, told that the words of the song are imaginary, just like Peter Pen lived in his own imaginary world. Imaginary language is understood by everyone and this way the human voice can be used as an instrument. “I am inspired by the Celtic music”, Yves Barbieux says.

Urban Trad (Belgium) chat

Ruffus (Estonia) chat

©Eurovision.tv

Ruffus (Estonia) press-conference

Vaiko loves Riga and he has had a great time here. He is especially fond of the fact that he can smoke in almost every restaurant in Riga. This morning he had a small car accident because of Press Conference of Estonian band Ruffus heavy traffic jams.
The band Ruffus used to be called Claire’s Birthday and they have been popular with that name in Estonia for five years. They changed the name because there are some changes about to take place in the staff. They believe that keeping the name wouldn’t be honest towards Claire’s Birthday’s fans. Still, they have come to Eurovision with the old line-up and it is like a farewell to those members that are going to leave. The former members of the group are forming a new band called Firm and are still looking for new participants.
The name Ruffus Vaiko Eplik found at some housewife’s website whose favourite cat is called Ruffus. The cat has even got his own room. Vaiko thought it was a very suitable name for the band.
When asked why there were no girls in the band, Vaiko replied that in the very beginning they used to have a bassist, but she left the band. Vaiko reassures that they are not a boys band but a real rock ’n’ roll  band.
As Vaiko has grown up in the USSR, he hasn’t watched Eurovision as a child. Since Estonia started to take part in it seven years ago, he is always following Estonia’s achievements. Vaiko admits he is not a Eurovision fan, but this year his favourites are Norwegian and Austrian entries. Russian group’s t.A.T.u. song he considers the most contemporary in the whole contest.
Ruffus is going to perform a song “Eighties Coming Back”. The eighties for Vaiko associate with his childhood and brings back nostalgic memories. When asked if he likes the music of the eighties, he responded that he finds music of the 70-ties and 90-ties more special. Yet, he believes, the 80-ties are coming back in music little by little. To Vaiko, the best rock band in the world is “Queen of the Stone Age”.
As last three years Estonia has been one of the first five at the Eurovision, Vaiko hopes this year they could manage to be among the first ten.

Nicola (Romania) chat

Nicola (Romania) press-conference

Nicola was the winner this year, she had been already participating 6 times previously. She comments on her victory like this: “ I won this time because I was so eager to participate at the Eurovision Song Contest this year. I am so glad that I made it.”
Nicola will be very glad if she wins on May 24: “ Firstly I will thank the God, then all people who voted for me. And of course, my friends, too.”

Fame (Sweden) chat

Fame (Sweden) press-conference

Fame consists of Jessica Andersson, 29, and Magnus Backlund 36. The idea about performing together came after they met each other at the TV contest “Fame Factory” in autumn 2002. Magnus engaged into the “Fame Factory” to develop himself as an artist. Jessica, in her turn, came to the contest just to enjoy herself. She never believed that, being pregnant, she would be able to get that far. She admits it was a great experience. Magnus Backlund won the contest, but Jessica Andersson dropped out to give birth to her son Liam.
After meeting each other at the “Fame Factory” both of them were surprised about how well they fit together as performers. Then the idea came about engaging in a joint project, initiated by Magnus’ producer.
To Magnus, the most colourful impression of the Eurovision was ABBA’s victory in 1974 with their song “Waterlo”. “ABBA was a revolution in pop-music,” – said Artist coordinator. Magnus and Jessica were flattered to have their music style compared to ABBA’s, yet, they believe that Fame has obtained its own distinct style. 
Representatives of the delegation admitted that national finals become more and more popular in Sweden and the ESC has a high rating on the Swedish TV. The head of Swedish delegation commented on the phenomenon of the popularity of Eurovision in Sweden: “ At the moment, we have five semi-finals and one national Eurovision final. We have always enjoyed competing.”
“To obtain such an interest from people, it is necessary to combine several components, such as serious TV campaign, interest from the media, support by recording companies. We can judge the commercial success of the Eurovision project by its high ratings over the country. If 4 out of 18, 5 million are watching, it can already be considered a commercial success”, - says Christer Bjorkman.
When asked to comment on the chances for the Swedish group at this year’s ESC, Christer Bjorkman, who himself has taken part in the ESC, replied: “The chances are very good. I have observed that energetic and rhythmical songs usually get the highest votes”. “Give me your love” by Fame is this kind of song.

Karmen Stavic (Slovenia) press-conference

Slovenia is represented this year by the singer Karmen with a song     “Nanana”. The singer got the last presentation entry. “ It’s hard to be the last on the stage, I don’t like to be kept waiting, I will be nervous, I would rather perform in the beginning, I was told that it is quite good to appear on the stage as the last performer,” admits the singer.
“ I do like this stage,” points out the Slovenian singer.” It’s a blend of fairy tale and the scientific fiction, and it is very suitable for our Saturday performance on the stage.”
I am a devoted fan of the Eurovision Contests. It’s a combination of joy and patriotism for me. I love my country. But the road to the victory was very long for Slovenia,” admits Karmen.