Exclusive interview with Evgeny Fridlyand,  producer of Prime-Minister band.

How you've got an idea to take part in Eurovision Song Contest?

Å.F..-I consider ESC to be the only method to attract everybody's attention. If we are lucky and sign a deal even with not so big company then I think we'll present competitive material. And project in Europe is far more interesting than what we are doing here, in Russia. Even though it is still dream we of course understand that successful performance will strengthen our position in Russia and recognition at home is always pleasant. We've got an idea a year ago when question who will go to Copenghagen was discussed. But it was too difficult to contend with Mumiy Troll, cause everyone had an illusion that they will be attract big attention there. I think that now in Russia only Prime Minister band in quality of product,  vocal of musicians and in professionalism can be international.

-Have you followed contest previously? What do you think on previous contestants?

-Yes, I did. But only Alsou stuck in my mind. Even not she, but what was done by her team, not Russian but english-american. Other singers failed to choose right song and turned to be very funny, even Mumiy Troll.

-How process of making the song was going? Why did you decide to perform song in English?

-Music was written by my friend and partner Kim Breitburg. Idea of the song, content of first verse and title were invented by me, my friend Karen Kavaleryan wrote whole lyrics and then Irina Antonian corrected the style. Last grammatical agreement and correction of some words we did with help of my friend from New-York Mikhail Plotkin and his american friends. English language was chosen to be 100% understanded in Europe.

-Was it difficult to learn lyrics? I suppose you didn't sing much English songs previously?

-Absolutely no problems, cause guys used to sing in restaurants and mainly in English.

-Do you like russian version more or less? If there was a choice what language version you'll prefer?

-I myself like English variant. May be because I took part in writing it. But also I made choice between 4 russian variant of the lyrics and of course I selected the one I found to be the best.

-What new or old songs of your band are worth  to be sang at ESC?

-Of course "Grief is not a trouble" ("Gorye ne byeda").

-National selection. Was it difficult? Where there another strong competitors?

-I think that it is easier to win ESC than to qualify there. There were very poverful and influential rivals. Orbakayte, Vitas, Baskov, Plazma (producer Dima Malikov).

-Have you heard songs of another contestants? Do you like any? If you were part of jury how you will vote?

-I like Sweden, Malta, Denmark, Croatia, France, FYROM, UK. I've not yet decided in what order.

-How did you get an idea of promo-tour? How did you choose what countries to visit?

-Tour covered  only that countries that were within my means.

-Was it a success? Have you added more points to your total?

-Tour was exellent. I think we are ready to the battle. I suppose Baltic countries to vote for us.

-Do you like being in Tallinn? Is it possible to  smell air of great holiday there?

-Yet it is not possible to tell by city's look that such great event will happen there soon. But people told that  they are waiting.

-You aim is only first prize, but it is so heard to guess at ESC. What result you'll consider to be OK?

-I'm sure that we'll perform at a winning level, but only God knows what will happen. A place lower than 3rd I will count as a huge failure.

-Tell us about after-contest party.

-Party will be very serious, I mean in number of people, and we don't know who of contestants will join us, but we invite everyone. The main thing is that we do it and we will perform regardless of final score, cause we think that taking part in such an event already is big holiday, and it is easier for us to organize such a party. So we do it with the best motives and for all partipants. WELCOME!

-Not an Eurovision question. Do you like being in Almaty, Kazakhstan? Do you enjoy to perform there?

-I like Almaty very much. And we visit it very often. It's a pity that last concert was without musicians, so it wasn't of full value.

-And the last question? Have you visited our site? Do you like it? Few words for our visitors.

-Your site is my main source of informaton, but I'd like to see more news happening with other contestants. Great thanks for cooperation!

-Good luck at the contest. Hope to meet you at ESC 2003 in Moscow!