Iceland may be the most remote and northerly participating country in the Eurovision Song Contest but it doesn’t mean that they don’t take it seriously. We caught up with Stefania Svavrsdottir to talk about her participation in this years Icelandic selection process.
May I start by congratulating you on making it to the semi finals of the Icelandic selection, how do you feel?
Thank you. I’m very excited, to say the least.
This will be the second time that you have taken to the stage at the Icelandic selection, do you think you have learn’t from your experience in 2013 and are more ready and prepared than ever?
Yes definitely. Last time was a massive experience. It was my first big TV performance and I learned very much during the process. Now I’m much more confident in the preparation for this year’s performance and I’m much more excited rather than stressed. I have a great team around me that consists of super talented people that I’m so pumped up to be working with.
Iceland is a nation that truly gets behind Eurovision every year, what is it that made you decide to try and represent your country at Eurovision?
Well, then that makes me a true Icelander because I love the competition and watch it every year. It unites us and some have said that it should be a national holiday and I totally agree. The whole population watches and everyone has their own opinions on different songs and singers and debate with each other about who’s gonna win and so on. Some hate it, others love it but we all watch it. Growing up with this tradition, I would dream about being part of it one day. I really like the song I’m singing and I think it has great potential, so that’s the reason I decided to try.
This time you are back as a solo performer with the song “Augnablik”, what was it that made you pick this song?
He sent me a recording of a small melody in the song, very shortly after the competition in 2013. I immediately loved it and couldn’t get it out of my head so it wasn’t hard decision whether to sing it or not.
The song is composed by Sveinn Rúnar Sigurðsson, who is probably my favourite Icelandic composer, having written a number of amazing songs including your 2013 entry, what is it like to work with him?
It’s been really nice to work with him. We’re very alike in some aspects. We both have a very high standard for music quality and we agree on most things musically. He’s very open to suggestions and ideas, which I think is a very nice trait in a songwriter. He takes criticism very well and his main focus is making the song the best it can be. There were a few things about the song I wanted to change and refine and we would both come up with ideas and try to see if it worked and fit the song or not. In the end we were both 100% happy with our work, which I think is very important when you’re collaborating with someone.
What does it mean for you to be able to perform on a national stage not only in front of the Icelandic public but also international viewers across the world?
It’s just awesome. First of all, I’m doing what I love and second of all, in front of so many people who will either love it or (hopefully not) hate it. Either way it’s a great experience and an awesome opportunity to show what I’ve got and introduce myself to a broader audience.
We have to ask this, the Icelandic selection has a rule stating you must perform in Icelandic at the process, but if you win would you sing in English or Icelandic?
We have the english lyrics ready, but nothing has been decided yet. The lyric is very beautiful in Icelandic.
For you what is your favourite Icelandic Eurovision entry and why?
“All out of luck” by Selma (she was the coolest person I had ever seen when I was 7) and “Tell me!” by Einar Ágúst and Thelma in 2000. It’s maybe not the best song Iceland has sent but I have the best Eurovision memories from that year. I was 8 and I was SO excited about the competition and seeing them on stage. It was probably the first year I paid real attention to ESC and got hooked, I’ve watched it every year since. My niece recorded the show on VHS and I watched it over and over again and I know most of the songs by heart that competed that year.
Finally, do you have anything you’d like to say to the readers of Eurovoix.com?
Happy Eurovision season and may the best song win!
We wish Stefania the best of luck in Songvakeppnin, you can listen to her song below:
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