My flying reporter Robert got to interview his fellow Dutch namely Joan Franka. This turned out to be the funniest interview yet with a lot of laughter and I hope I have managed to edit at least a little bit of it in here. Joan talks about her musical background and idols, hippies, freedom, the 1960's and what she gets up with her crew... or then maybe not! Find it all out here:
Joan, thank you or this interview. You
have a little bit hippy identity. Where is this coming from?
I really love the 60's, I'm not sure if
I have a hippy identity. I love the music and the freedom, how people
fought for their freedom in their own way. And yeah, they also had a
lot of fun with other things, he he, but I love the way they felt
free!
But who introduced you to this music?
I don't really know but it's my theory that I heard John
Lennon at Christmas time, War is over you know, I was very little
but I could understand every word he sung in a very strange way and
it totally inspired me and that's how I fell in love with John Lennon
and then I just fell in love with other people, too.... Later when I
was older I did some research about these things but that was the
first time that started my inspirational road.
You have to stand out among the other
strong competitors in this contest. Is this why you decided to wear
the Indian head piece again?
No. I really love feathers! I wear
feathers all the time (You should meet Lauri from The Rasmus then.
Ed.note) since three years or so. The feathers symbolize me freedom,
the freedom to be what you want to be. I'd like to inspire people to
be themselves. And the Indian headpiece is part of my story so why
would I take it away?
It also draws a lot of attention to
you, that people will recognize and remember you?
Yes of course, but I also hope people
will like my song and that they can relate to that because it's about
my first love and it's very clearly about children. Everybody has
experienced the first love when you are little and everything's so
pure and the message of the song is to be always pure and be yourself
in everything you do. Don't let life get you, so to speak.
And what are your plans after
Eurovision?
I'm working on my album and I hope to
release it right after Eurovision but as I write my own songs and I'm
a bit critical myself so I have to see if it will be ready for
release and hopefully not only in the Dutch market. My dream is
travel around the world and sing. If they want me I'll come, ha ha!
Who are your idols?
Neil Diamand, John Lennon, Melanie
Safka, Eva Cassidy. She's not from the 60's but she really sings with
her soul and I love it.
And what do you think about the artists
here? Do they have soul?
I have listened all the songs but I
haven't really have had to meet them yet but I do want to. We are all
so busy here that it's just like ”Hi!” in the hallways and then we
have to run …
Is there a song that you could adapt to
your repertoire among the other 41 songs here?
No, not really because they all belong
to these artists, but I do love Sweden. It's really cool and up to
date without being corny or annoying. I understand why it's number
one in polls. It's just really awesome and good. I love Serbia also,
it's a beautiful song and I have no idea what he's singing about but
I can feel it. I buy it. Big time!
Who's your biggest supporters?
My mother and my sister. They are
amazing. They are not here yet but they will come. I'm really excited to
have them here and share all this with them! And my friends of course
and now with our crew we are supporting each other. We're very happy
together. Ha ha ha. Very 1960's! Ha ha ha!
Oh in that way? Ha ha ha (Lots of
laughter from the crew in the backgroud, Ed. note)
Last question: Why should people vote
for you?
I hope they vote for me if they like me
and get me.That they don't think I'm just a feather head and see there's more to
it. Try to understand me.
Thank you Joan and best of luck next
Thursday and... see you in the final!
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