Evridiki gave her first interview after the presentation of the Cypriot entry today to our partner radio station Love Radio (www.loveradio.gr) and talked to Tasos Trifonos and Eleni Manousaki about Eurovision and the preparations of the Cypriot team.
Comme Ci Comme Ca
"The song was written about one year ago and it was intended to be included in a repackage of my album that was then postponed. So ‘Comme ci comme ca’ left out".
Why French?
"First, there are also other countries that sing in Italian for example. I like French, but that was not the reason – I didn’t ask that. Posidonas Yiannopoulos, the lyricist, was born in Belgium and French, along with Greek, is his native language. When he got the music from Dimitris (Korgialas) he was inspired to write in French. It’s funny because there were too many coincidences. Dimitris had in his mind French lyrics, maybe because I talked his head off with Piaf, Brel etc. So he wrote a music which if you hear it on accordion only, it reminds you of old French songs. However with the orchestration that Dimitris made, it’s completely a new thing!".
Her… French connections
"Of course, since I was a child, it’s a family thing. My father was born in the French Congo, grew up there and went to a French school. He then came in Cyprus where he met and married my mother. He had been working in the French embassy until recently when he retired. Every Summer I was on summer schools in France and when I was 18 I begun my studies in Paris, before I move to Boston. I have many friends from France, while my mum’s two brothers are married to French women".
Comme ci comme ca is considered a favorite. Is she anxious?
"We have seen many times songs that were considered favorites and then nobody voted them or didn’t even proceed to the final. I just want to think positive. I like it that people like our song, but we have to work hard, give the best of ourselves. The countries are so many; I do believe that is also a matter of luck. There are 28 countries in the semifinal and only 10 will proceed to the Final. Everything can happen".
Has she ever experienced what the lyrics of the song talk about?
"Of course, but usually I never give up. I insist and fight until I see that it doesn’t take anymore. A break is a difficult solution for me. I feel the song when I perform it".
What does George Theofanous, composer of her two previous participations in Eurovision, believe for Comme Ci Comme Ca?
"He likes it very much; he believes it’s a strong song and told me that we have to work hard this year because we really can do very well".
Cyprus was voted to appear third in the Semifinals…
“Eurovision is not that simple. Either you are a professional musician or not, everything depends on the song. I decided to accept CyBC’s proposal, having in mind that everything is possible – both the first and last place. I’m ready for everything”.
“We were voted to appear third – many said that most people will forget our song as there are so many countries after it, but there are also some others that say “lucky number three”. There are many coincidences: we are appearing at number three; that year it’s the third time I am participating as a solo artist and there are also three other times I participated as a supporting artist (vocals), the first one being back in 1983! And the title of my new album is 13!".
The experience from her previous appearances in Eurovision and the decision to study music and be a singer
“It was a nice experience – being a child at your 14 – 15 you don’t really know what’s happening. You’re still thinking on your future, to make the correct choices – I always knew that I wanted to be a musician, a singer. My family always encouraged me to do what I wanted, but it’s not that easy to say that you want to work professionally as a musician. After my first time to Eurovision, having auditioned to be in the backing vocals, and my parents saw that something was going on with me and music, we all decided that I would be a singer!
My first time as a solo artist was back in 1992 with ‘Teriazoume’ – I had already my first album released in Greece in 1991. It was really a good song. The second time was in 1994 with ‘Ime Anthropos Ki Ego’, a song that’s one of people’s favorite in many Eurovision fan clubs. There are too many that remember me with that song and surely didn’t expect to see Evridiki back in the concert with a dance song. Now it’s my first time to the “new” Eurovision. Too many things have changed now; there was a live orchestra then, juries – now it’s completely different: too many countries, the semifinal, the televoting”.
Her feelings being on the stage of Eurovision
"I already know that feeling; I expect it: my heart is breaking, my legs are shaking, until I reach the center of the stage and start singing – everything until I say the first word!".
What did her son tell her?
"My son (now ten years old) didn’t even know I had already participated in the Contest. We were watching the show last year and asked me “wouldn’t be wonderful if you participated?”. I told him that I had already been to and showed him the old videos. This year, after CyBC’s proposal, I asked him what his thoughts were: “do you think I should go? Comme ci Comme Ca is really a nice song”. He agreed I should go and take him with me as long as Lordi will be there and take a picture with him! I promised him a picture with Lordi!”.
About the Greek entry
“It’s a nice song. It has such elements that can do well in the Contest. It all depends on what the presentation of the song on stage will be. Before the final I was misunderstood by saying that I couldn’t be objective because my friendship with Hristos Dantis – we know each other for so many years and I love him, that’s why I said so and that’s why I didn’t vote none of the songs. All three songs had elements that made them special. I liked Sarbel’s song and I also had a reason to like Tamta’s song after all as Posidonas Yiannopoulos, who wrote the lyrics of Comme Ci Comme Ca, had also written the lyrics of Tamta’s song. That’s why I couldn’t be pro or anti. All three songs were competent and could do well in Eurovision”.
So it’s not true that you said something bad for Sarbel…
“Of course not; I have never done that and I will never do it. I have never blamed anyone and there’s no reason to do it after all. Sarbel is adorable; I met him last year at the Cypriot Music Awards and really impressed me”.
Promo Tour
“We are starting from next Monday: Russia, Belarus then Cyprus for some TV shows where the previews will be shown, then London and Belgium; too many countries have invited us”.
How will her stage appearance be?
“We haven’t decided yet. My favorite color is black; we will make sure it’s something bright, something between black – gold or black – silver. We are also discussing for some fireworks”.
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