My flying reporter Robert met Rambo Amadeus in his hotel this morning and what an interesting and entertaining meet it was! Unfortunately the time wasn't enough as this man has lots to tell about many topics. However, here are the main things!
Thank you Rambo for this interview and first of all, how an earth Montenegro wanted you to represent them in Eurovision?
I don't know! I really don't know. I didn't want to ask any questions why they wanted me.
So they came to you, you didn't go to them?
Of course. Everybody comes to me.....
And everybody knows you and that you are bit, maybe a lot, Eurovision skeptic. Why did they come to you then?
Well, I think they want the audience to pay attention to them? I think the new, young and ambitious director of RTCG decided to do some kind of shock therapy. He probably thinks there's nothing to lose. I asked him "Are you sure? Do you know my work?" and he said yes. I think they are learning how to get attention. It's a miracle for me!
And why did you say yes? You are known to have been very negative about Eurovision just a couple of years ago. What made you change your mind?
I'm not negative about Eurovision. I said in the past Eurovision is some kind of kitsch. Kitsch is not negative, kitsch is only something stupid. We have a saying in my country "if peasant is more stupid, potato is bigger". In my opinion this kind of kitschy festival is not dangerous for the society. From the aspect of the artist, it is dangerous because you cannot show any kind of artistry in this kind of a festival. But for democracy in countries like Ukraine, Serbia and now Azerbaijan Eurovision is a some kind of prep school.
So you think Eurovision is more than a music festival?
It's not a music festival at all, it's some kind of diplomacy course, preparing for public opinion and discussing the European culture. What if Eurovision's task is to improve the country's conditions? Maybe my task is to improve the condition of Eurovision? To push some ideas, promote live music. I was told some 100 million will watch Eurovision and in Belgrade I can sell maybe 10.000 tickets to my concert. I have only to gain here. If Vatican can change their mind about the earth being round instead of flat, Rambo Amadeus can change his mind about Eurovision!
Was Euro Neuro written for Eurovision?
No, even before I was asked I had this euro neuro slogan in my head. When I was asked I thought I want to have something to tell and with euro neuro I did. So yes, Euro Neuro is specially written for Eurovision. I had some other songs laying on the desk, some kitschy disco songs suitable for Eurovision but I said to myself that's too easy. Don't act on Eurovision criteria. It took two months writing this song as I kept changing the lyrics, then the melody, then the lyrics again. After a month it was a song that only myself could follow, a kind of sado-maso song and maybe I'm a sadist but in the end it didn't move me musically. So, when I had the lyrics rewritten I also did the arrangement again adding some instruments and musicians, like an unknown Romani player that usually plays in a restaurant at night. There's a bit of Romani music, India, eastern influence, turbo folk, banghra... I noticed all the countries from the east in Eurovision avoid any hint of the east in their songs. I don't know why?
Except maybe Turkey?
Yes, as we say in Balcan you want to be bigger catholic than Pope. Meaning we are going to Eurovision but we can't smell local. Somehow I wanted to show something local.
Let's talk about the donkey!
The donkey is Angie, she's a female. She's from Bar and her owner is an olive farmer. A donkey is a symbol of sustained development. Since I read George Orwell's Animal farm I started paying attention to donkeys. They are really clever animals and Angie proved that while shooting the video clip. The owner gave me a stick wit instructions how to use it to make her collaborate. After half an hour I didn't need it anymore, after three hours of shooting I needed nothing. When she heard the director shout Action! she moved!
Who are your own musical heroes?
Igor Stravinski most of all.
Looks like our time's up! Thank you Rambo for your interview and good luck next Tuesday!
This man has so much to tell and this is very much shortened, edited version of the interview. Maybe after Eurovision I will publish it in full (with a little help from Robert) where Rambo talks about politics, church, previews with a Dutch "treat" and who would he like to see representing Montenegro in Eurovision in the future and more about his influences.
He will open the first semifinal on Tuesday May 2012 with the classic line "Euro skeptic, analphabetic". Unfortunately Angie is not allowed on stage but he has three breakdancers and a wooden donkey.
Comments