| Here's
the first interview with Olivia Lewis 3 days after she won
the 2007 Malta Song for Europe!!!!!! |
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Olivia
Lewis has competed for 11 consecutive times in the the Malta
Song for Europe festival, which selects the country's entry
for the Eurovision Song. At her 11th attempt she finally
won the 2007 festival, held in Ta' Qali on February 3, 2007,
with the song "Vertigo" and will represent Malta
at the semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest to be held
at the Hartwall Arena in Helsinki, Finland, on May 10, 2007 |
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| Ramona:- |
What
are you expecting from the Eurovision Song Contest 2007?
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| Olivia:- |
My
first priority will obviously be qualification. As soon
as that hurdle is surpassed I will do my utmost do get a
good result. |
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| Ramona:- |
Tell
me something about your bizarre fashion sense… |
| Olivia:- |
Well,
I rarely choose what to wear as then the so called fashion
sense would have been even more bizarre! 
To be honest I think that after the `Dejavu` fiasco, the
Maltese actually liked the Vertigo dress very much. |
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| Ramona:- |
Describe
your feelings/emotions, as soon the presenter announced
you`re this year`s MaltaSong winner… |
| Olivia:- |
As
soon as Stephanie announced that Trilogy`s `Starlight` had
placed second, I knew that I would probably be the winner.
However I was never expecting such a huge gap! As soon as
I heard that the song got 31,000 votes I was incredulous.
I was filled with a huge sense of gratification towards
all the thousands of Maltese and Gozitans who had decided
that I would be the next Maltese representative in the ESC.
I have been suffering from mild vertigo symptoms since last
Saturday |
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| Ramona:- |
After
several attempts and near misses in winning the MaltaSong
festival here you are this year, 2007, the official winner.
Tell me about your thoughts, work and expectations for
the coming months…
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| Olivia:- |
I
will be dedicating myself fully to the huge task ahead.
I have a strong team backing me up and we will not be concentrating
just on the performance itself but also on its promotion
mainly via the internet. Our site www.olivialewis.net
is getting almost 100,000 hits a day which is not bad. We
intend to concentrate on getting as much coverage as possible
with the least cost and I think the internet is extremely
effective in that sense. |
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| Ramona:- |
What
really encouraged you to try harder and work your way to
success this year? |
| Olivia:- |
I
really loved the song…and that in itself made the whole
team increase its input in all areas, be it presentation,
singing and promotion. |
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| Ramona:- |
In
about 3 sentences, describe yourself and tell me your profile
(age, occupation, status, hobbies etc etc) |
| Olivia:- |
I
am a reserved and shy, 28 year old Maltese girl who works
as a singer but is graduated in Psychology. I love listening
to music and eating good food!
My relationship with my boyfriend has been going steadily
on for almost 8 years now. However no marriage plans
as yet! |
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……… Paul Giordimainia |
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Paul
Giordimaina is one of Malta`s leading pianists, singers
and composers. He has written and composed various popular
and successful songs which has placed him in the top list
of the most professional, talented and respected artists
both locally and abroad. |
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| Ramona:- |
What
did you and your team expect from the Song for Europe 2007? |
| Paul:- |
What
we expected happened, as we wanted to have a song that will
connect with the people, and a style that really suites
Pam`s style of singing PLUS this year`s entry was concentrated
on having fun and grooving on stage. |
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| Ramona:- |
This
year Pamela qualified in the second phase to be with the
final 16, and then she qualified to be with the final 6
as well. This was Pam`s third time in a row for to sing
in the finals with your songs. How does this make you feel? |
| Paul:- |
No
doubt - satisfaction, as Pamela is contracted with us for
the time being so we feel responsible for her entries in
such festivals here in Malta and abroad. I would like to
point out that since Pam has been in contract with Fleur's
company (B Right new media) she has participated in Romania
at the prestigious GOLDEN STAG festival, in SHANGHAI China
song festival and in ASTANA SONG CONTEST in Kazachistan
where she won the overall prize of the mayor`s award. Of
course this was done through our own contacts and more opportunities
are in the pipeline. |
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| Ramona:- |
Is
there something you want to criticize which happened during
Song for Europe 2007 festival? |
| Paul:- |
It
is a known fact now that our Saturday performance lacked
the punch we showed in the semi finals due to a mishap on
stage, when for an unknown reason till now, the monitors
died on us during the first minute of our three minute song!
I prefer at this stage not to comment any further!!! |
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| Ramona:- |
Being
a top singer yourself what was the idea behind only supporting
as a backing vocalist along with the other three singers?
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| Paul:- |
Well
we work as a very solid team and we trashed out all the
ideas on how to present our song on stage. Pam came out
with the idea of doing a LIVE backing vocals, in which of
course there was an amount of risk. But i love challenges
and after we approached various singers whom we can bank
on; Fiona, Nadine and Andrew were confirmed to be in our
team. The result was 4 great voices that complimented Pamela`s
style and boosted the song to our expectations. Those who
heard our Thursday performance know what I`m on about. Pity
about the final night!! |
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| and
……… how could we not interview Joe Tanti the Eurovision lover! |
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| Ramona:- |
In
about 3 sentences, describe yourself |
| Joe:- |
Hi
my name is Joe Tanti ... I`m 47 years young. I`m a Dad,
Radio presenter/TV host, club Dj, University student, studyholic.,
newly proclaimed dyslexic nerd. |
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| Ramona:- |
Tell
us your views of this year`s Song for Europe festival |
| Joe:- |
Not
too far up with the thumbs. Loved the presenters. Too much
talk on the last night. With six finalists and a whole night
on stage , one can't really blame the organizers. Didn't
miss the usual stale jokes at all. Great relief...who did
we fire? Mind you the dancing presenters made up for it.
What would the festival be without Yada? Have we ever had
one without Yada? very pro. Very tight. They all smile.
What was the Minister on about? Why was in on stage anyway?
Was he expected to not help? Are we grateful? Does the minister
of finance turn up every time I get a pay check? no. Does
the Minister of agriculture come over when I cook minestra?
not yet.... |
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| Ramona:- |
Are
you satisfied with Olivia`s song Vertigo as this year`s
winner? |
| Joe:- |
31,000
votes and you're asking ME if I'm satisfied? |
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| Ramona:- |
What
are your expectations of the Eurovision Song Contest 2007?
And is there something you would have changed in this year’s
Song for Europe Festival? |
| Joe:- |
What
I always expect. Beer, fun, beer, patience, beer, excitement,
beer, TV remote control. What I don't expect is all this
talk of ambassadors, and lately, it seems Tourism (since
everything thing else failed) depends on Eurovision too
. Its a Saturday, sorry!! hopefully, Saturday night of entertainment
and Adios ! |
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