It’s the new year which means that the national final season is now in full swing. Tonight sees Belgium kick off their selection process for Stockholm, while in 3 weeks time we will know who is representing Malta this May. As part of a series of interviews with the MESC participants we caught up with 19 year old Stefan Galea.
It’s a pleasure to be able to talk to you, it’s now 2016 and we’re a couple of weeks away from the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, you must be very excited to get on the stage and perform?
I must say that being part of all this is very surreal, Eurovision is huge here in Malta which is why I am even more excited to be up on that stage.
This year is the first time that you have made it through to the live televised selection of MESC after two previous attempts how does it feel to have the opportunity to perform on the MESC stage?
I must say that I was finally third time lucky, I was so nervous because this was something that I have always wanted to do, and to finally get what I’ve worked for so much was the cherry on top of the cake. Eurovision is so popular here that its really going to help me open up so many new doors in music.
2015 saw you audition for the X-Factor Italy and participate in the Malta Summer Hit Contest and score a number 1 with the song “Escape”, what has the past year been like for you?
This past year has been an amazing one from the start, I am pleased to have had success with my single ‘Escape’ having co worked with Carlo Gerada & Muxu, because it gave me a great boost in the local music scene, Auditioning of the Italian X Factor was a challenge because I did it for the experience really, it was super fun to be able to meet so many talented artists in Bologna, and the Malta Hi Contest meant a return to the festival scene, this year has been incredible I had so many gigs and new opportunities that it made me feel more fulfilled.
Your song for MESC is called “Light Up My Life”, can you tell us more about it?
Light Up My Life is a happy pop tune, I believe it puts forward a catchy element which is very easy on the ear, it’s about a teenage story of someone who dreams to be with his crush, in a way that he is explaining his feelings towards the person throughout the whole song, but in reality one can still interpret the message according to his own views and perspectives.
The song is written by Ylva and Linda Persson who have submitted a large number of songs into Eurovision selections, what was it like to work with them on the song?
It has been an absolute pleasure working with them, I instantly knew that Light Up My Life was the track for me when I first heard it, because it represented my style of music, I decided to give the track my own touch vocally.
Back in 2009 you tried to represent Malta at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, since then Malta has gone on to win the contest twice, what is it in Malta that encourages talent like yourself, Gaia and Destiny to perform and become singers?
The Malta Junior Eurovision has changed quite a lot since the time I was a finalist back in 2009, and the level has definitely risen higher, and talents like Gaia, Federica and Destiny were definitely a major asset to this. To be honest I don’t believe that one just becomes a singer, It’s something that I believe you are born with, but I believe Malta has so much love for music which instigates the amazing urge and feeling to take a musical direction.
How would it feel for you to represent Malta at the 61st Eurovision Song Contest?
You have no idea how much it would mean to me! it would surely mean a lot because in reality it will open up so many more doors and contacts within the music industry. It would surely change my life, I’d definitely be more busy because I would have to juggle my university studies in between, but just performing on that amazing stage to millions of people all around Europe would be every artists goal, because the dream is to perform for thousands in concerts let alone millions watching on Telly.
Finally do you have a message for the readers of Eurovoix.com?
Thank you for all the fantastic support! You’ve been amazing so far and I do hope that you enjoy Light Up My Life as much as I enjoy performing it 🙂
We wish Stefan the best of luck in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2016, take a listen to his song below:
