BLOGILKAR EXCLUSIVE INTERVIEW: ELINA ORKONEVA

After Iina, Krista and Diandra also Elina takes time out of her busy schedule ahead of the live gigs in Circus to have answer some questions by yours truly. She's also the very first one of the UMK artists to have published an official music video for her entry He's not my man, here. And don't forget to vote for her in mu poll here ->

You have studied music a lot, even in Denmark. Can yoou tell us a bit more about it?
Yes, I studied in Århus as an exchange student! That was one the best years I ever had.

What kind of musical productions and collaborations have you done already?
I’ve done some very interesting productions, The Orkestra for example! I have one girl-band called the3ees, and we’ve been doing gigs together for more than six years now. I also sing backing vocals for some singers, for example to singer-songwriter called Linda. As you can see; I love to do many styles of music! (:

How did you start writing songs and do you remember your first song you wrote?
It took me some time before I started performing my own songs. I quess I wrote my first song when I was around 6 years old – it told about little animals that were living under our home! I still remember how it goes, though I don’t think I will ever perform it…

If you were offered a recording deal and rush to make an album, would you have enough material?
I have many songs, and we’ve been working with my band for nearly two years now. I’m writing songs all the time, so I think all my songs wouldn’t fit to the record! But then I’d get to choose the best ones!

If you could work with any musician (living or not), who would it be?
Right now I would love to do music with Bo Kaspers Orkestra. I just LOVE them.

Ideal duet partner?
Paloma Faith would be super! (: I love her song New York.
Who are your idols, musical influences?
Sinne Eeg, Bo Kaspers Orkestra, Emma Salokoski, Rigmor Gustafsson, Duffy, The Beatles, The Supremes, Ray Charles, and many others. (:

Did you watch UMK last year and if so, what did you think?
Yes I did, actually three of my friends were in top12! I think there were many good ones, but this year we have even better thing going on! (:

I think the quality of songs is much better this year, do you agree?
I have to say yes! (: We all have our own style and place. And we enjoy each others company too.

Are you happy how everything is progressing in UMK this year?
Yes, everything has been clearer this year I think! YLE and UMK have been improving things a lot.

I have to agree on this! Are you an Eurovision fan and have you followed it?
I’ve watched it many times, so I think I’m a fan! (:

Any Eurovision favourites?
Many! (: Lordi, ofcourse! Haha. And ABBA! And Loreen, she was great.

Any Eurovision song that you would have wanted to perform in the past?
Waterloo! That’s a great song!

We just saw this Thursday your first performance to the judges? How did you feel it went? Were you nervous?
I think there was a lot to improve, but we’ve been working hard and I believe that will take us to the finals! (: Of course I was nervous. I get energy from the audience, and since there were only jugdes it didn’t feel like really performing. Circus and the people will make me shine! (; I’m so much looking forward to be there!

What do you think about their advice and opinions?Are you going to act on them? What can we except in the live gig at Circus? Are you doing the Diana Ross thing and step one step further and leave the Supremes in the background?
They had great advice and we’ve been improving the song after their opinions a lot. Before that performing I didn’t have any help from producers, dance-teachers or so on… Now since we also got some help from them, we will have a whole different show in Circus! (: I am the lead singer of the band and we are performing under my name, so I think it’s only natural that I’m standing in the front. (: Plus the song is also mine and tells my story.

Where were you when Lordi won Eurovision? Did you think one day you would be very close to that stage as well (well, not Athens but Malmö...)
I was with my friend. We couldn’t believe it, that Lordi really won! I never thought I would be there, until I wrote this song and figured that it might fit to the Eurovision Song Contest as well.

How will you get your fans to vote for you in UMK? Are you busy in social medias and what plans do you have on that? 

I’ve been busy in social media and I hope my fans will vote for me. Most of all I’ve been keeping my thoughts on Circus – only a good song and a good performance will make people to vote for me! (:

Thanks for the interview, Elina. Would you like to say hi to the readers of Blogilkar?
Have a great Eurovision Year 2013, hopefully we’ll meet in Malmö! (: Love and peace. (:

Originally published January 15, 2013