Tiraspol 26 April /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. Our fellow countrymen will take part in Eurovision Song Contest 2017. It is not the first time that SunStroke Project is going to participate in this event. Back in 2010, they together with the Moldovan singer Olga Tira represented Moldova at the Eurovision contest with the song Run Away.
To reach the final, it should be noted, the band will have to compete in a semi-final on 9 May against singers from Australia, Cyprus, Finland, Montenegro, Georgia, Portugal, Sweden, Belgium, Azerbaijan, Albania and other countries. If SunStroke Project is in the top 10, they will be able to claim the 1st place and the right for their country to host the next Eurovision contest.
This year the group will perform the song Hey Mamma.
Saxophonist Sergey Stepanov and violinist Anton Rogoza spoke about the lives of SunStroke Project members before and after the contest.
«How did your lives change after Eurovision 2010?»
Sergey Stepanov: «Saying that the Eurovision contest has changed my life means to say nothing at all. My musical outlook and views on show business have changed by 180 degrees. Caught in the maelstrom of events, we managed to get into the desired stream and became established as both independent performers with a certain musical concept and creative message.
I've said many times in interviews it is very difficult to compose a good piece of music. But it is even more difficult to bring it to a listener. This is why the Eurovision contest had become a unique opportunity for us to bring our works to listeners not only in Moldova but also abroad. It is the year 2010 that the entire SunStroke Project group consider the start of their common career. Thanks to the Eurovision contest, we have been able to tour all over the world and do things we like.»
«Will you tell us about the song Hey Mamma?»
Anton Rogoza: «Its main feature is that its arrangement is currently a trend. We are sure as soon as you listen to it even once, its musical energy will set you on fire. It is a great honour for us to have the opportunity to take part in the Eurovision contest. As Moldova has failed to reach the final for three years running, we have decided to change the situation. We hope to succeed.»
«How was the Hey Mamma dance born?»
Sergey Stepanov: «The main movement of the dance — the leg swinging to the right — belongs to our choreographer, a dancer who has become famous in the Dances show on [Russia's] TNT channel, Yury Rybak. He proposed to use this step to make our dance more flashmob-like and memorable. We tested it on our families and friends. And seeing them smiling, we understood it would become the leitmotif of the whole choreography of our show. We hope not only Eurovision fans but also our own fans will like this movement.»
«You have recently returned from a big European tour. Will you tell us about it?»
Anton Rogoza: «We returned from Europe just a week ago. Our concerts were held in all the cities that have hosted Eurovision contests. Our group, along with other contenders, performed at parties called Pre-Party Eurovision 2017. Such mini Eurovision events are held across Europe each year. They are organised to familiarise the audience with the participants of the main song show and give them the best possible encouragement.»
«What are your expectations from this year's Eurovision?»
Sergey Stepanov: «It is a great honour for us to have the opportunity to take part in the Eurovision contest. As Moldova has failed to reach the final for three years running, we have decided to change the situation. We hope to succeed.»
The SunStroke Project is a symbiosis of the violin, sax, live vocals and trendy house style. The guys are already well-known over Europe with several official remakes of international hits and their own singles on the top of European charts.
Indeed, Pridnestrovie is rich in talents. And on the day of a first semi-final the entire country will be watching and listening to a rousing song of the trio of young musicians, two of whom are our compatriots, who through enormous efforts have managed to succeed on the international stage.
Interviewed by Svetlana Gulinskaya
