With the Moldovan selection process next week, we caught up with Stela Botan. Stela is attempting to represent Moldova, after two previous attempts. Here is what she had to say:
Firstly thank you very much for talking to us, how are you feeling in the running up to O Melodie Pentru Europa?
I feel a bit exhausted, but positively! There is a lot of work to be done before the show. We filmed the video and now we are promoting it, too. Overall, I am very excited!
Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself and what first made you start singing?
I was born in a small town called Orhei. No relatives that I know are singers, but my sister was the one who started and drag me into this. I started singing at 6 years old, the time when I knew I wanted to become a professional singer. Later at 14 I began working towards achieving my goal. I’m still working 🙂
Now this isn’t the first time you have tried to represent Moldova at Eurovision, you took part in the selection in 2013, what was that experience like for you?
My first experience at Eurovision Moldova was actually in 2010 together with the band TODO. Then, in 2013 I was happy to participate and did my best! As you know, I was not selected to the final. This year, I am more than ready to win this competition!
Last year you also made it onto X-Factor Romania, what was it that made you decide to take part in the show?
I am a finalist of the first reality show in Moldova “Fabrica de Staruri” and I am used to singing/participating in such TV shows. I always wanted to participate in a greater country, and I found Romania fit for that. It was a great experience! Great jury with very objective opinions!
Your song is called “Save Me”, can you tell us more about it?
The song is a collaboration with the Moldovan band “The Cadence of Heart”. “Save me” refers to the simple people of Moldova. We have political leaders who are not capable of following the will of civil society. We want the European Community to hear the voice of the people through our song “Save me”! Moldova needs the support of Europe to continue the integration process it has commenced.
What would it mean to you to be able to perform at the Eurovision Song Contest?
If we win, I will be overwhelmed by positive emotions and at the same time concentrated to keep up the good work our team has in mind. It will mean a lot of promotion and a chance to meet great people from the music industry.
Moldova have been in Eurovision now for just over 10 years, which of the songs that Moldova has sent to the contest is your favourite and why?
I like most of our songs that were in the contest, but most of all I like Natalia Barbu’s “Fight”. Her spirit, her incredible voice make me like her outside of Eurovision, also.
Finally do you have anything you’d like to say to the readers of Eurovoix.com?
Dear all, I would like you to listen to our song “Save me” and feel the music, feel the lyrics and feel the pain that we sometimes encounter. I encourage you to support us in this competition and personally, I wish you the best!
We wish Stela the best of luck in O Melodie Pentru Europa 2015 and for the future, you can watch the music video for her entry below:
