My flying reporter Robert had a little chat with the Icelandic Eurovision veteran Jónsi. it nearly turned the other way round Jónsi interviewing Robert but in the end he talks about his song, 2004 experience, Zeljko Joksimovic and how difficult it is to get it all together on a stage like Eurovision. Here goes:
When you heard the song written by Greta for the first time did you like it instantly?
Yeap! I had the absolute emotion of saying Yes! In other words I loved the song at once. I wanted to do it and I asked my wife as we do things together and she liked it, too so.... this was more than a year ago.
And then it was too late for last year's Eurovision then?
I don't know if Greta was planning this song for Eurovision. She only asked me to sing a duet with her on her solo album. She's the new pretty young Icelandic artist and I'm the more established so I said yes.
And how come it then ended as a preselection song?
When it was finished she asked me if she could submit it and I was fine with it. It's a beautiful song, it represents so many things in the Icelandic music, the singing style, the violin, the dramatic background. It's so Icelandic!
Yes and it's also very well received in the polls...
It is? I haven't really looked at the polls and such. I've done this before so I know better. My focus is to sing this song, bring it to the audience. it's such an honor to be here, I'm privileged to do that. I really want to do a good job. It would be wonderful to qualify from the semifinal and compete in the final. It would be a compliment for me and the Icelandic people. Also because we have a long tradition of having Eurovision parties on Saturday.
And Tuesdays...?
Saturdays are so much more fun, for obvious reasons! Ha ha! Icelandic want to drink and have a good time! That's not so easy if you have to work the next day, ha ha!
The funny coincidence is that Zeljko Joksimovic is here as well, you were both in 2004 Eurovision.
Oh that was a beautiful song! Lane moje is my favorite Eurovison song of all time!
And how do you like his song this year?
I haven't heard it! I have been just studying psychology, I finished my studies like six days ago and I haven't had time for nothing but studying and rehearsing the song. So I have skipped things like googling the other songs. Also, it's quite stressful to read comments and such. I feel like I'm more focused when I don't know the opinions of other songs. But now that I'm here I think I will hear it soon enough. Maybe tonight.
Did you meet Zeljko last time?
No! But I was behind him in the queue at the airport! That's the only time I saw him.
I have a feeling the artists mingle a lot more these days...
They do! But the artists don't have so much time to do that, go to parties and so on. But the delegations do! It would be rude to the nation you are representing, rude to the contest and the fans not to be in top form because you partied too much. You have to take care of your voice and all that.
How did Eurovision 2004 effect your career. You were only 19th.
The 19th place wasn't exactly what I was aiming for and of course I would have wanted a better placement. I also learned then I'm a perfectionist. It took some time to make peace with myself again. I went on with music, started acting, did musicals, TV-shows and sit-coms but in the back of my mind the Eurovision was always there. Eurovision is so much followed in Iceland I couldn't get rid of it. So, now I want to do a really good job for my nation.
But it didn't harm your career?
No, it did not! It was more of a personal struggle. I'm here again mostly to battle against myself. I know now what things to focus on. being on that stage is a tough job. Once you are there you see nothing else. Just the white marks where to stand. You are a bit aware where the cameras are. You just try to sing well, remember the choreography as even if it looks like we are just walking a bit around the stage, it's all planned and rehearsed down to the hand movements. Yesterday we rehearsed after 25 hours flights, via Frankfurt and Istanbul, and hardly any sleep. So the first rehearsal wasn't perfect, far from it. We were so tired. We do have help from a choreographer and so on but the camera crew was there like "look this way and look that way" and I could hardly see those cameramen. It's not so simple being on that stage as it may appear! So many things to do and remember to do at the exact right time. And sing well on top of that!
And what is your favorite Icelandic entry ever?
Without a shadow of doubt Nina from 1991. By Stefán & Eyfi. This is the biggest Icelandic Eurovision hit. If I'm doing a solo concert with my guitar, it's always the last song! People just go crazy and love it. You will hear it in our press conference next Thursday!
What is your favorite holiday destination?
I haven't traveled a lot as I have been busy touring Iceland. I play somewhere almost every weekend since 1999. So it's hard to get some time off.
Not even when the children have holidays?
No. I guess I'm not the best of fathers in that. But one of the best holidays we ever had was when we all went to Florida and its amusement parks, kids loved it. I don't think my kids would like it here in Baku as there isn't so much to do for them. So they are not joining me here later either. Besides with this hotel costs as much as if we all four went to Spain!
Thank you for the interview and good luck next Tuesday and see you in final!
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