Geta Burlacu, the Moldovan representative in the Eurovision Song Contest 2008 has spoken to esctoday.com about her past, her song and about her future.
First of all tell us something about your life and your music career.
I graduated from the music school, violin specialization, then from the music college, violin as well. The violin was only my guide to the world of the music. It was supposed to take me here, the place where I really belong. I also had to study in the Conservatory, the Jazz vocal and Estrada faculty. Now I can tackle with a multitude of music styles, starting with jazz to ethnic music and I feel I am a blessed artist because when I sing I can close my eyes and feel the heart beat of the Universe.
You won the Moldovan national final. Did you expect to win and what wasthe first thing you did after the results?
I was not thinking about victory at all, as I don't believe that such a contestwinning may be the objective. It was very important for me to differentiate from others at the selection, to show artistic personality. Even more important was to bring to the viewers emotions and the message of my song. So, it was an unexpected victory. Still, it made me very happy as every winner would have been.
How did the idea to participate to the Eurovision Song contest come and how much do you think Eurovision will contribute to yourcareer?
It was a simple decision. A new song was born; it was about my personal feelings; and I decided to show it to the public. That is why I went to the Eurovision Song Contest. Well, I also had this adrenaline desire that made me take part in the contest. These events make you work better, make you mobilise yourself and make your feelings sharper. Eurovision is a runway for an artist who is not very famous in Europe yet. Sometimes it doesn't help at all. It is up to the artist's ambitions as well as the team's ambitions; it depends on how well they are able to benefit from this promotion opportunity.
How do you feel representing your countryin the biggest music contestin Europe?
I am very proud to represent my little country because I love it so much and people that I know trust me a lot. I will sing on behalf of the citizens of my country that live here despite all the troubles and know how to love this life and how to appreciate its values.
Tell us some things about your song,A century of love
This song is about my story, but at the same time about every person that wants to love and be loved. When I sing it, my thoughts go back to my first love, to my parents, to my little children and to the person I am in love with. This is a song about simple and precious things. Such a song can not be done specially for the contest, they are coming naturally from the heart…
Have you thought of the presentation of the song? Have you thought of some kind of stage performance? Any gimmicks or tricks on stage?
It won't be a "grotesque circus" or a show with great financial investments. It will be something natural and personal. It will be simple and true,just like life is.
What are your plans for 2008 besides the Eurovision Song Contest? Newsongs, an album maybe?
Even before our national final I'd started working with two new projects. One of them is a folk one. Folklore is the music that I feel 100%. Another is an album with modern music – mix of different styles, including electronic music as well. I like experimentation, so that I can develop myself as an artist and move forward.
Are you influenced by any artist that you admire?
I'm influenced by those artists who I accept as true, who are sincere, wise, with deep soul and eyes. This is Ella Fitzgerald, Ofra Haza, Diana Reeves, Bobby McFerrin, Macy Grey as well as the folklore music singer Maria Tanase and Maria Lataretsu.
Who is your favourite Eurovision artist ever? and which other songs you like from this year's Eurovision?
Two years ago I listened to the Latvian band Cosmos performing on the ESC stage. As a professional musician I appreciated a lot the song and the singing manner. Two years later I had the chance to listen to that band during a festival. They were fantastic and highlighted real musical values. Unfortunately not all the ESC site viewers appreciate such musical values. The "One day" songs become more and more popular…
Do you have a message for the readers of esctoday.com?
There is something important in this life: to make the right choice. It is very complicated to be done. But as difficult or easy the things seem to be there is always intuition and heart to be listened to. It isn't about Eurovision songs. This is something I always thought about. I learned to listen to my inside Universe and be happy. This is what I wish you as well.
So, in just three minutes you can understand all I told you previously, without too many additional words…
Thank you very much and see you in Belgrade!
Geta Burlacu is a Woman-Who-Sings. She is an artist that absorbs a multitude of styles and stage images. She brings together the pathos of a Balkan mourner, the Latino music sensuality, the liberty of the jazz, the lyricism of a French song and the passion of the gipsy rhythms. Her penetrating and intimate voice of a velvet character has been refined by multiple singing techniques studied at the jazz and variety department of the Chisinau Academy of Music.
Being a teacher of canto she also plays piano and violin. She is the laureate of numerous international contests in France, Germany, Spain, Denmark, Romania, Ukraine, and Belorussia.Due to the fact that she knows how to captivate the public's attention she is presenting a music show on one of the Moldovan television posts.
In 2005 she launches her ethno-soft -jazz music album" What wouldn't I give?" together with an Art cinema style video clip. The album is very eclectic as musical styles; it is a blend of Moldovan folklore and romances with elements of Jazz and Latino.
Geta has participated in a tourney with the famous Cuban project "Buena Vista Social Club" performing on the biggest stages of Romania in 2007. Geta is 33 years old and she is mother of 2 kids.
