Blogilkar's Flying reporter Robert who has turned into Bicycling reporter for the Malmö 2013 experience has sat with Eyþór Ingi representing Iceland this morning. His song has proved to be a real evergreen that is sung in weddings and funerals alike, by kids and elderly, even choirs. Who is this guy from fishing village getting married this summer? And who would he want for his country for Eurovision 2014? Find it out here:
Thank you Eyþór Ingi for this interview. Could you tell us a little bit about yourself?
I come from Dalvik, a little fishing village in north of Iceland. I used to work with my dad in a little fishing boat when I was younger.
His intention was maybe that you'd become a fisherman yourself?
No, not at all. I have had only one wish since I was like 6 years or so, to be a singer or an actor.
Where did this come from?
I don't really know! But in my family we have always been singing, my grandfather is a great tenor and he also loved to act in amateur theater...
Is it usual that a family is so musical in Iceland?
Yeah, maybe in the north! Yeah, I think so. Also my grandmother introduced me Elvis Presley with cds and movies. He did both, he sung and acted in movies.
So he was an example for you?
Yes, he was. Already in kindergarten in my first performances I was doing Elvis Presley songs. My mom was a big fan, too.
When did you start in music business for real?
When I was at high school. In Iceland there's a big competition and every high school sends its representative and I was for my high school and I won. As the prize I got a microphone and some studio time, I think. That was in 2007. The year after I took part in a bigger competition that was also on TV, a bit like Rockstar or Idols, looking for a new rockstar in Iceland and I won that, too. And from there the things started rolling....
Have you released a CD already?
No, as a solo artist no, but I have released a CD with an old rockgroup in Iceland, one of the biggest as they wanted me to be their new singer after the old one left. It's funny because his name is also Eyþór! And we released one album.
So you are Eyþór the second?
Yeah, the younger one!
Are you planning to release a solo CD sometime soon?
Yeah, I'm planning to. Hopefully this year. Or after Christmas, we will see. After this experience I also got to play some theater and musicals like Rocky Horrow Show. Hair and most recently Les Miserables in the national theater.
So your song Ég á lif. How that song came to you?
My friends Örlygur Smári and Pétur Örn Gudmundsson wrote the song already back in 2010 and it was not written for Eurovision. I sung on the demo and it was sitting there on the shelf when they decided to send it to the national selection.
How did you react when you heard the demo was accepted, were you willing to sing it immediately also in Söngvakeppni?
I thought it was a great meldoy, a beautiful song with real lyrics. Beautiful lyrics with beautiful meaning. It feels good to sing it.
How long it took you to decide to do it?
I don't know.... two days? We re-recorded it in the studio and when I went home I listened to it and thought ok, let's do it! I felt like I needed to do this.
Did you feel like it's a winning song?
I didn't really think about the competition. I just thought I want to sing this song. I want to do it from the bottom of my heart. Because the lyrics are of my life.
Is this also why you decided to sing it in Icelandic? That translating it into English the meaning for you would disappear or something?
Yes, because in every country if you want to tell about your true feelings, like telling your wife that you love her, you do it in your own langauge because you mean it. That's the reason we decided to keep it in Icelandic.
When you will be singing in Malmö Arena's stage, will you be singing mainly for the Icelandic public or the international public? Do you want to impress Iceland first?
To everybody who likes the song, it's an international song although it's not sung in an international language. Ég á lif is a kind of international sounding song, lif, life, liv... you can understand it in many languages. And the Icelandic can decide themselves, the lyrics have a multiple meaning. Even if you don't understand the lyrics you can make a meaning yourself. The title Ég à lif, I have a life continues with "because of you". You can decide if it's because of your child, your mother... for something that has made a big change in your life or just being a human, alive.
Are you planning to release an English version later?
No, I don't think so. Maybe. I don't know. We have to see how things go....
How do you see your chances in Eurovision? Have you heard any of your competitors?
I'm feeling like when I was doing it in Iceland. I don't feel like I'm in a competition. I'm meeting a lot of people, listening to lot of music.... I just want to deliver the message and see how far it goes!
Was this your first attempt in Eurovision? Did you try before?
No, this is the first. I never thought of it before!
How was the song received in Iceland?
With a lot of support. I love it when I perform it live the kids are singing along (sounds very much like Zlata, ed.note) and there are so many choirs doing it on Youtube in churches, in retirement homes and it was even in the TV-news.
So the song appeals to young and old?
Yeah! And what I appreciate a lot is that I have been asked to sing this song in weddings and it's a huge compliment. But - I have sung this song also in funerals! It moves people. Brings emotions. And the song gets so many meanings.
What is the best day of your life so far?
When my daughter was born in 2011. We are not married yet but we will marry in July (sorry, Krista! Ed.note)
In July? Congratulations!
Thank you.
But you are still very young! You decided to start a family at very young age....
Yes. I just.... well... found the right person.
Who is the person that influenced you the most so far?
It's a tricky question! For the whole life it's... I think my parents. And my grandparents. I have a very good realtionship with my family. They all will be here with me. Musically Elvis Presley as kid but when I heard Jeff Buckley it changed my life. He's a phenomenal singer-songwriter. But also the Beatles, Deep Purple, Led Zeppelin... the big 1970's rock groups.
Those are not typical Eurovision groups...
No, they're not! Ha ha! Maybe that's the point. Maybe I'm not the typical Eurovision artist?
But did you follow Eurovision in the past?
In Iceland Eurovision is a big thing! Everybody watch it, it doesn't matter if you like it or not, you watch it! It's a family thing!
Are there any songs that you liked?
I can name two songs that maybe describe my character or something: In my dreams by Wigwam from Norway and My star by Brainstorm from Latvia. And of the Icelandic ones Paul Oskar with Min hinnsti dans. He's the king of pop in Iceland, a big star.
Last question: Who would you like to see on stage for Iceland in Eurovision 2014?
Wow, tricky question! Errr.... I don't know! Err... maybe Ásgeir Trausti! He's a new artist in Iceland, I really like him. It's a kind of alternative folk music. He's got a beautiful voice. I think it would be interesting!
Thank you for the interview and good luck in the semifinal next Thursday, see you in final!
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