Ahead of the second heat of A Dal this Saturday we caught up with the past winner of the X-Factor Hungary Gergő Oláh. Gergő Oláh is back again this year in A Dal hoping to represent Hungary in Stockholm, we talk about his career, the X Factor and find out why he was invited to a prison, take a read:
Firstly, can you tell us a bit about yourself and how you got into music?
I was born in a tiny little village, I wanted to be a dancer and a choreographer. My family supported me to be a performer, my father is a good singer but had no chance to do it professionally. It was no question that my parents would help me to do what I want. I learnt to sing, to play the piano, the guitar and drums as a teenager. It was hard to get a job and it was not easy to find my way as a singer. The truth is, that I was too shy to make the first step as an artist, so finally a friend of mine applied me for X-factor Hungary in 2012 and I ended up as the winner of the season. My first song became a number one hit and all these things were helping me to start my musical career. Now I have a band called Roma Soul, I just finished my new solo album, I act a leading role in the first Gipsy Musical called Somnakaj. The end of May I will perform in the Shrek Musical as well. I got an award for my charity work, what I’m very proud of. I had the chance to perform with an American Gospel Choir three times in December and they invited me to the USA. So, I’m not use to complain and I couldn’t, everything goes very well. And I still did not mention the Eurovision Song contest… it made me very happy!
Who influences you in your music?
James Brown Steve Wonder and Justin Timberlake. And I have to mention a Hungarian singer Caramel as well. I admire all of them, they are dedicated, talented, wonderful performers and song writers.
Also, congratulations for winning the third series of Hungary’s “X-Faktor” in 2012! How did it feel to win and how was the experience?
Thank you! It was one of the biggest adventures of my life. The other was the born of my children. A beautiful but very tough experience. Most people think that it is a piece of cake to perform one or two songs per week in a television show, but I can tell you, it is very hard work. I spent all my time in the studio, practising, learning the choreography and shootings and my family was far from me. I missed my wife and my kids very much. There was a day, when I thought I couldn’t make it, because my wife had to do everything alone untill I was fighting for my dreams. I was in remorse, but my mentor supported me a lot and helped me to understand that I’m not selfish, everything I do, I do it for my loved ones as well. This idea gave me strength. I’m greatful for the audience, I got so much love, and so many votes. I was so happy when the host named me as the winner, I was jumping first like a ball and a second later I was crying like a little kid. I knew that I got the chance to change my future and the future of my family. I know that winning a talent show is not the end of the road. It’s a wonderful possibility and a lot of work as well. And I’m not afraid of hard work.
You performed at A Dal 2015 with the song “A tükör előtt” (“In front of the mirror”) where you reached the semi-finals. How was that experience for you?
My crew was very disappointed when it was over, but I was absolutely sure, that I will do it next year again. I don’t let myself to be depressed. It was a hard decision to try myself again in a competition after an X factor winning, but my experiences helped me not to be stressed and concentrate for the essence. So I enjoyed it, people send me very nice messages, when the competition was over for me. There were surprising calls: I got an invitation into a jail to perform my Eurovision song. The manager of the institution told me, that prisoners asked it, because it gave them strength to start over after they fell. I hope it helped some of them. I went to schools and summer camps to meet children and encourage them to fight their dreams. So I’m very grateful for everything what this competition gave me.
Your song in A Dal 2016 is called “Győz a jó”. Can you tell us what the song is all about?
The title of the song means: the good always wins. The whole idea came to my mind, when I was watching fairy tales with my son. In tales evil is loosing and the good one is the winner. All the time! When I was a kid, my parents were poor and they were working very hard for us. No matter how hard the life was, we always believed that we had to stay on the right path and finally good things will come. I trusted myself and not just my luck, I did everything I could to turn my life better. I believe that everyone else can do this. You have to believe and you have to act. And you must remember where did you come from, not to forget your roots. This is the song about.
6. You and Gigi Radics are cousins! Would you ever consider collaborating together and make a record?
You know so many things about me! I’m impressed, thank you! Yes it is true, my cousin Gigi is a singer as well. She became the winner of Megastar (another music talent show in Hungary) at May 2012, the same year when at December I won X factor Hungary. We plan to sing together since we were kids and one day we will. So we have plans together. I hope it will come true soon.
Do you have any favourite songs or artists from the history of the Eurovision Song Contest?
I watch it every time. I really liked Måns Zelmerlöw and his winning song, I think he deserved it. Guy Sebastian and his music style is very close to me. If I have to say someone from the previous years, I would say Alexander Rybak, his song was very positive, he is very likeable a real natural, and singing and playing an instrument at the same time, it is not easy at all.
What would it mean for you to represent Hungary at the Eurovision Song Contest?
It would mean the world to me. I’m sure it is a wonderful experience to perform for all Europe and represent my country. It would make me very-very proud. In 2011 Kati Wolf was singing her wonderful song “What about my dreams”. Everyone was watching the show. The whole country was … as one man…, It would be so amazing to feel it.
Thank you Gergő for taking your precious time to answer these questions for Eurovoix and we wish you all the best of luck for A Dal 2016! Take a listen to his song below:
