MAY 11 PRESS CONFERENCE: GREECE, ISRAEL, ARMENIA, HUNGARY

Today we have the second semifinal participants giving their first press conference after their second rehearsal for the Eurovision Song Contest 2013. We will not stream them live as the network here is too slow but we aim to bring you faster than yesterday reports and videos of the press conferences.

GREEK PRESS CONFERENCE
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO HERE
Kosa Mostra Feat. Agathon Iakovidis represent Greece with the song “Alcohol is free”. Ilias Kozas is the lead singer of the group Koza Mostra, with the band members Christos Kalaitzopoulos, Vassilis Nalbantis, Alex Archontis and Stelios Siomos. Ilias has found a more personal way of expressing himself, he realized his goal and forming “Koza Mostra” has proven to be one of the most famous Balkan ska bands in Greece.

Following on from their second press conference Koza Mostra Feat. Agathon Iakovidis were immediately captured by the Swedish host as she is Greek and were asked what the meaning of the song “Alcohol is Free” is all about because people were genuinely thinking that alcohol is free in Greece .. But no it means, when our soul is free and our way of thinking is free we gain strength and overcome any difficulties in life. The Swedish host asked what made Kosa Mostra take part in the Greek National Final after the rumours that Greece may not have taken part this year, but Head of Delegation replied that thankfully due to sponsorship and the feelings of the Greek people they came to Malmo and it feels very good to be here.

The favourite song from Ilias from the 2013 Eurovision is “Birds” from The Netherlands. Internationally the song, “For Real” from Turkey got 3 likes from the group. As ska fans were in the conference, one of the journalists asked if Kosa Mostra could sing “For Real” the Turkish Eurovision entrant of 2004 … Turkey made the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 in some form at least. The “Kilt” is very cool was the comment that came back after being asked about how they make them feel when they wear them. Ilias spoke of their time with Krista from Finland in both Amsterdam and London and thinks that she is probably the happiest contestant this year. Good luck to Greece in the semi final on Thursday.

ISRAELI PRESS CONFERENCE
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO HERE
Moran Mazor represents Israel with the song “Rak Bishvilo” (Only for him). Moran is only 21 years of age and her origin is from Georgia. She loves the Georgian culture and language and at just 4 years of age she was accepted to a school for the performing arts where the director discovered her incredible singing talent. Following on from their second dress rehearsal here Malmo, Moran tells us that she is happy with her performance and is looking forward to seeing her parents on Monday to feel even more comfortable on stage. The video for the song was recorded in the south of Israel and Head of Delegation recommended everyone comes to visit Israel as there are many good looking men in Israel.

Moran was asked about the band that she was previously in and she told us how two of her best friends from the band are here in Malmo with her as backing vocalists and this makes her feel very happy because she wakes up every morning with a smile on her face because she is with the people that she loves. The song is about how everyone has a broken heart at some time in their life, Moran has also had a broken heart at one time but hopes that one day she will find a new man to share her life. “We are one” – Moran believes we should be one, music should be the only thing that brings us together, not the dress, not the politics, just the music and live through music. One of the journalists commented on the bomb scare today that was at the hotel in which Moran is staying. The Head of Delegation commented that they feel very secure here in Sweden and the Israeli delegation have no reason to be afraid for their security. Moran offered to sing a few songs “They send me” during her press conference as it means something very special to her, it reminded me of an walk through India. Then Moran sang a slow, piano version of “Euphoria” as a special gift to the people of Sweden and her experience here in Malmo. Good luck to Israel in the semi final on Thursday. Watch the performance of Euphoria here.

ARMENIAN PRESS CONFERENCE
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO HERE
Dorians represent Armenia with the song “Lonely Planet”. Dorians are the most popular Armenian rock band and consist of 5 male vocalists (Gor Sujyan, Gagik Khodavirdi, Edgar Sahakyan, Arman Pahlevanyan & Arman
Jalalyan. Following on from their second dress rehearsal, Dorians are 99% happy with their performance. The remaining 1% will come from the whole emotion that they will interpret next Thursday in the semi final. How was the band name chosen? The name Dorians comes from the dorian scale in music tone. Gor told us that Dorians chose to sing in English because English language is better for rock music, Armenian language fits into the song also, but when people think of rock music they think of English. Dorians have received a lot of help with their song through Rock Aid and the founder also is the composer of “Lonely Planet”. There was a rumour that the Armenian delegation were going to hand out phone cards so that people can vote over and over for their song. The answer came back that was not true and that they only expect to get votes from people who genuinely like the song and not for any other reason. Originally it was just Gor Sujyan was selected only to represent Armenia in the Eurovision Song Contest, but because he is not a soloist, the entire group Dorian were selected to sing. Good luck to Armenia in the semi final on Thursday.

HUNGARIAN PRESS CONFERENCE
WATCH THE PRESS CONFERENCE VIDEO HERE
ByeAlex represents Hungary with the song “Kedvesem” (The one for me). Alex Marta alias ByeAlex is 29 years old and works as a journalist. He is editor of Tattoo Magazine and holds a Masters Degree in philosophy. Following on from the second dress rehearsal of Hungary, ByeAlex comments he is happy to be here in Malmo. ByeAlex told us that music is a huge passion of his and that he started writing music, with DJ programmes and editors 16 years ago. He also expresses himself through his tattoos and then showed us his favourite tattoos on his arm. Before his semi final performance ByeAlex will make a new tattoo here in Malmo and will use the theme of his favourite building in Hungary. ByeAlex told us that without music, life would be a mistake. A question was asked if the rumour about singing the song half in Hungarian and half in Swedish was true .. Bye Alex said “Yes” and then went on to sing the Swedish version …. The press centre liked it a lot and he got a great applause. The song was created by firstly writing the lyrics about a lover and it was more poetic to leave in Hungarian .. Then the music was formed to match the words. The Swedish host asked ByeAlex what his interpretation of “We Are One” is? The answer was – we are one with same ideas, people don’t communicate enough and don’t talk enough in the world. Good luck to Hungary in the semi final on Thursday.