To perform at the Eurovision Song Contest is an opportunity for her to be heard by other European listeners and those who follow the contest. She also hopes for new collaborations and opportunities for performances and promotion abroad. Her expectations are high, because she sees the Eurovision Song Contest as a good occasion to develop her career. So, be sure to vote for Spet/Round and Round.
The interview was made before Tinkara Kovač travelled to Copenhagen.
You first performed at EMA (Slovenian national contest) in 1997; then three times as a solo singer and once as a backing vocalist. You won at the fourth attempt. What made you decide to perform at EMA again?
I look at performances as presentations of my new singles in certain periods. In the meantime, I was more focused on other things. Last year, I was invited by Slavko Ivančić to perform at the Melodije morja in sonca festival (Melodies of the Sea and the Sun Festival) , and this year at EMA at the invitation of RTV Slovenia. I think that the situation at Slovenian festivals is improving; a growing number of good performers are participating again. When the single Spet/Round and Round was almost finished, I told myself that it was good to perform at EMA, because more people would hear the song, and if I won, that would be an additional bonus. I can add that I had the inspiration for the song while walking the Rilke Path (it is a tourist trail, providing a scenic view of a gulf of Trieste, Italy). At the time, I never imagined that so many people would hear it. I cannot wait to present the song to the European audience at the Eurovision Song Contest.
Are you thinking about an international career?
I have not only been thinking about a career abroad, but working on it for a few years now. I have had many music collaborations in Italy. An album will soon be released in Italy, which was recorded in Italian for the Italian market. In 2004, I released an album in the Friuli-Venezia Giulia Region for which I received the album of the year award. The album, called O-range, was distributed throughout Italy. We also distributed in Croatia and other countries of the former Yugoslavia. Each new market is a success, but it does not happen over night; it takes a lot of work. When entering a new market, you always start anew. I have been working in Slovenia for 17 years, which means that I have been actively involved in the music scene, giving interviews, hosting radio shows, having concerts. It is nice, but less exciting than it seems. It is good to have concerts also elsewhere and not only in Slovenia.
You will be representing Slovenia in Copenhagen with the song Spet/Round and Round. What is the song’s message?
The song is about the rotation of the world, about people. It is about the same old patterns, some bad and some good. It seems that there are more bad ones than the good ones. In the chorus, I suggest we should change, but for the better, to apply values that already exist. And if it is about love or hate, it is better to choose love, because only then can we be satisfied, complete, successful and connected.
The song was partly in Slovenian and partly in English. Only the Slovenian version is played by radio stations. In which language will you be performing in Denmark?
The song will be performed in Slovenian and English, as it was at EMA. The performance at EMA had to be the same as if the song was being performed at the Eurovision Song Contest. I decided for both languages. I sing in English to be understood by the wider public and in Slovenian because it is part of my identity, my soul. Slovenia is my soul, and the language in which I feel and think, and considering the fact that there are so few of us, it is my responsibility to present the song in Slovenian.
How are the preparations going for the Eurovision Song Contest, which is on 8 May?
I have voice practice, many interviews and guest appearances on different shows. Basically, I just have to be myself. It will not be any different from any other concert. I am working on preserving my own identity. My biggest endeavour in recent weeks has been to get some rest. A lot of time is being taken up by the preparations for the Slovenian evening, which will be a very positive promotional event, where several successful Slovenian companies will also be presented.
Will the choreography be the same?
I will present the song from the heart and soul to the best of my ability. I will be singing and playing the flute; there will also be my backing vocalists, who will be concentrating on the singing. We would like to give a good musical performance. We will be singing live, but to pre-recorded music, so we decided that the band would not be on stage. I think that was a good musical decision.
What about the costumes? Maja Keuc and Eva Boto wore designs by David Matej Goljat and Hannah Mancini chose a dress by Jelena Prokovič. Who will be designing your outfit?
This will stay secret. If you reveal everything, then you take away the magic and the experience of the public. I will only say that Svetlana Visintin is doing the costume design for the stage.
The expectations of the Slovenian public are high. How does that affect you and what is your personal goal?
If the expectations of the public are high, then I am happy, because that means that they respect me. I will give a good performance. Everything else is in the hands of the voters. If the song suits a Pan-European taste, that will be great. The organisation of the Eurovision Song Contest seems a nice way to promote the host country. I would be happy if such a grand show happened in Slovenia next year. I am not nervous before performing at the Eurovision Song Contest, since I enjoy what I do. I guarantee I will do my best. The rest is up to the context, as there is a lot of lobbying by different countries. The win of a certain country is not self-evident. They find out beforehand if the country which won can host the Contest. A few years ago, this was not possible in Slovenia, but now that we have Stožice Arena, it is. We will see. Let the universe decide.
Anja Polajnar, SINFO
