We caught up with this year’s French artist Amir and asked him a few questions. He will represent France at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest with the song “J’ai Cherché” (“I Searched”). He will perform in semi-final 1 on Tuesday 10th May and the Grand Final on Saturday 14th May. Here’s what he had to say!
Firstly, could you tell our readers a bit more about yourself? Where did you grow up and how did you develop a passion for music?
Hello Eurovoix ! I grew up between Paris and Tel-Aviv, loved music since I was born but seriously taking it as a profession only at the age of 28… after receiving my dental surgeon degree and deciding to take a new direction in life.
Who influences you in your song writing and music?
My personal experiences, especially in the past few years and the radical changes music brought to my life; my family, my love stories and my imagination 🙂
You participated in two singing contests: firstly, in the Israeli competition Kokhav Nolad in 2006 and secondly in “The Voice: La plus belle voix” in 2014. Could you tell us a bit more about those experiences?
Sure, I was 22 and had a few months free before beginning my university studies, so I decided to try my luck and sign-up for this TV show in Israel. I was very unexperienced so my expectations were low (it was mostly an amusement for me) but, to my surprise, I managed to get to the Live TV shows out of thousands of contestants. This made me believe in my singing abilities a bit more and left me with a real musical dream… I then started my studies, as planned, but kept thinking about getting back to music someday. I even took singing lessons, wrote songs and made a few scenic appearances while being a dentistry student. After 6 years, when my studies were over, I took a year off in order to enjoy my musician’s life without rushing to open a clinic. This is the exact time when “The Voice” in France asked me to audition for the show… I came (once again) just for the fun, but my motivation to win and the public’s support grew bigger every week and I managed to make it to the finals. This is when I took one of the biggest decisions in my life and decided to start a singing career in France, no matter what. And that’s what brought me to have an upcoming debut album (April 29) and the great pride of representing my country in the ESC this year.
You also graduated from the Hebrew University of Jerusalem in 2012 with a degree in dentistry. Will you be the contest’s resident dentist if anyone is having any teeth trouble?!
Hahaha I’m not sure people would be willing to offer their mouth to a dentist that hasn’t worked for the last 4 years… But I can sing them a song with my guitar if it makes them feel better!
You are one of only four other French artists (Natasha St-Pier in 2001, Les Fatals Picards in 2007, Sebastian Tellier in 2008 and Anggun in 2012) to sing in both French and English at Eurovision. What made you decided to sing your song “J’ai cherché” in both these languages?
Well, that’s how the song was written 18 months ago for my album. I have a few English and French/English songs in this album, I love writing this way, English is a very natural language for me. I was happy to discover it also fits the ESC contest, and I’m sure it will bring us luck, since more people from around the world, will be able to understand and connect to the song.
Can you tell us more of what your Eurovision song is about?
Nazim, Johann and me wanted to write a song about the big positive change that can come into one’s life after he finds the element that brings him happiness and hope and makes his fears disappear. This element could be sports (as shown in the video clip), studies, a hobby, love or as it was in my case – music. I think that people should seek for this ideal in their own life, in order to feel better with themselves.
Do you have any favourite artists and songs in the Eurovision Song Contest’s history?
Sertab Erener – Everyway That I can, Loreen – Euphoria, Kaveret – Natati La Hayay
Finally, how would it feel to lift the Eurovision trophy for France if you were to win the contest?
I certainly don’t have a clue how it will feel, but I’d be extremely happy to know!
Thank you so much Amir for answering our questions, we really appreciate it. We wish you all the best of luck for the Eurovision Song Contest and see you in Stockholm!
Merci!!!
You can follow Amir, @Amir_Off on Twitter and you can visit his website.
