My flying reporter Robert interviewed Donatas aka Donny Montell yesterday. What is his musical background, what does he think about the music scene in Lithuania, who are his biggest fans and what does music mean to him? Read it all here:
Welcome Donny for this interview. Could
you tell us a little bit of yourself, when did you start as a singer
in Lithuania?
I started when I was six years old in
the national opera and ballet school, I got a teacher adn we did two
tours and there for the first time I felt something about music. It
was the irst time I was on stage and singing to an audience. Another
input was given by my father, he's musician, a drummer in a hardrock
band. He introduced me music from Deep Purple, Def Leppard,
Whitesnake, Queen, Michael Jackson... All this together had
influenced me.
But this is not the style of music you
are making?
No, I'm more of a popstar, in a good
way. When I listened those songs it's not the style of music I hear
but the emotion they transmit. What they want to tell, not the style
of music. Hard rock, pop, hip hop it doesn't matter. If it touches
me... I think that's the main goal of music!
When did you get famous in Lithuania?
How long have you been on the scene now?
My started at six, then I went to music
academy for eight years, learning piano and so on. When I was 18 I
started learning solo vocals. My teacher had a lot of contacts in
Lithuania and she decided to take me a TV-show and it all started
there and I got my first hit, a top-10 song of the year in Lithuania.
That was six years ago.
You have tried to get to Eurovision
already a couple of times before. Why Eurovision?
First of all, my aim is to become a
worldwide artist. That's my dream. In Lithuania the national
selection is the only platform for young artists to show themselves,
sing their own songs. After winning you can go to the international
contest, it's the only opportunity we have there. Lithuania is small,
we don't have resources. You have to go abroad.
With what result will you be happy
here?
I'm trying not to think about the
positions but in an interview in Lithuania I said I'm going to win.
But people take it very seriously. I take it seriously, too, but it's
more like a metaphora. I want to be the best, do my best. I want to
do the best I can and show what I can do. And enjoy it!
What are you plans after Eurovision?
I'm going to release the next single
after Love is blind, it's ready already, a dance track and we will
make a videoclip for it. I won the Lithuanian Dancing with the stars
and I might be dancing a little in it...
What are your hobbies?
A lot of sports. My father used to
bring me to marathons to bring some character but I think now sports
and music go side by side, like two sides. You have to balance them.
You have to look after your body, not for beauty but for your health,
what you eat and so on. You have to feel comfortable in your body. I
played 12 years basketball at school but now I'm more into martial
arts, meditation, breath control...
Are you a fulltime singer do you have
another profession?
Since I was 18 I decided to concentrate
on one thing. I was studying environmental engineering in the
university but I'm kind of guy who wants to focus on one thing and
that's music. I'm recording, performing – this is my life.
Who is your biggest fan?
My family no doubt. They support me and
stick to my side. When you are famous people talk badly about you in
a small country like Lithuania, but my family is always there for me.
They won't be here with me because it is too expensive for us. They
are home supporting me. That's how it is.
Which song out if these 41 others could
take into your repertoire?
I have to say I haven't listened so
well the others. I have been to many big festivals, like New Wave and
Slaviski Bazar. I'm not thinking about the other artists and their
songs. I'm a competitive person but I'm not analyzing what they are
doing. I try to focus on myself only.
Who would you like to see on Eurovision
stage from Lithuania in the future?
Err... ok... I don't know.... I think
the person did it already, Sasha Song. You know we artists know each
other in Lithuania and some of them are not for Eurovision but one
that I could say... Jazzu.
Last question: Why should people vote
for you?
I don't know. They should nothing!
If they like my song, me, the way I sing it. I say one thing: I don't
need the first place at all. It's more of a spiritual thing. If my
music touches you... If not, you shouldn't vote for pity or
something. And I mean it.
Thank you Donny, and good luck next Thursday. See you in final!
Comments