Czech Republic: Marta Jandová – Interview

Ahead of this years Eurovision Song Contest we caught up with one half of the duo representing the Czech Republic this year Marta Jandová. We started off by asking her how she is feeling ahead of the contest.

Firstly thank you very much for talking to us, how does it feel to be representing the Czech Republic at Eurovision 2015?

Well, I am really getting nervous about it. We are rehearsing a lot, doing interviews… getting ready. The time flies and soon we will be performing. It is going to be a blast, I can’t wait to be there, knowing, that my knees are going to be shaking, once we are standing on stage 🙂

For those people who don’t know much about your background, can you tell us more about yourself?

Prague born, I moved to Germany at the age of 19, started to sing in my first and only rock band ‚die happy‘. We’ve been together since over 20 years now, released 8 studio LPs, some live and acoustic LPs as well… I hosted a TV music show on ZDF Neo in Germany, called neoMusic, played in some musicals as Les Miserables, Hamlet etc., and even „judged“ in some talent shows as the Idol and the Voice. With my husband Miroslav we have an almost 2 years old daughter Marie 🙂

You will be singing alongside Vaclav Noid Barta, how did the duet between the two of you come about?

The special Czech jury picked us somehow. We were not forced to do it 🙂 But we both thought it was a good idea.

The song is called „Hope Never Dies”, can you tell us a bit more about it?

It is a powerful rock ballad, full of sadness, but with a lot of hope. I liked it since I heard it for the first time. Vaclav wrote it! Proud of him.

The Czech Republic are back in Eurovision for the first time since 2009, what will it be like to be reintroducing the contest to a Czech audience?

A difficult question. The Czech Republic always stayed in the back, without votes… I think that is why they are not very optimistic about it anymore. We would like to change that. It would be great to be at the finals at all. But as HOPE NEVER DIES we really are hoping.

What hopes do you have going into Eurovision?

We are of course fans of the song and get some great feedback from all around Europe.. So yes, are hopes for the finals are great.

Now we asked for some questions from our readers, Dennesh from Germany asks due to your huge connection to Germany will you be doing any promotion in Germany before the contest?

Hi Dennesh, we won’t. Actually I didn’t really know that people are doing that. The most important is the show and that is what we are focusing the most.

Scott from the United Kingdom wants to know, what was it that made you interested in representing the Czech Republic this year?

Hi Scott, well – the coop with Vaclav sounded really good to me and as I lived 16 years in Germany, I know the ESC good, watching it every year. It is a challenge – would like to see our country int he final. Hope it works 🙂

Kieran from the United Kingdom asks, what was your initial reaction when you found out you were going to Eurovision?

Hello Kieran – I got the call that I was picked by a special Jury… They asked me first, if I would be interested at all. My first reaction – I had to laugh. I couldn’t believe it 🙂

Finally Emily from the United Kingdom wants to know do you feel prepared for May and what do you think of your chances of qualifying for the final?

Hi Emily, I think you never feel prepared. We are rehearsing, but what finally happens on stage – nobody knows. I mean, we know what we are doing there, but maybe I slip and break my leg 😀 You never know. 🙂

Thank you very much for taking the time to talk to us, is there anything you’d like to say to the readers of Eurovoix.com?

Be good to us 🙂 Have a great time and never give up.

Thank you to Marta for taking the time out to speak to us. If you have any questions for Marta or Vaclav at this weekends London Eurovision Party tweet them to us using the hashtag #AskCZLDN. You can watch the official music video for “Hope Never Dies” below: