In anticipation of the final of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2010, Iceland's pre-selection to determine the country's representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, esctoday.com will be providing you with interviews of all six participants competing for the honour of representing Iceland in Oslo. The national final will be held this Saturday, February 6th and our series of interviews continues with Matti Matt (MatthÃ�Âas MatthÃ�Âasson). Find out what he had to say below.
Congratulations on qualifying to the final of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2010. Did you expect to go through or did it come as a surprise to you?
Thank you. You could say that my song is not the typical Eurovision song, but I belive in it, and there was no doubt in my mind that it would go through. So not really a surprise.
Your song definitely stood out from the rest in your semi final, as the majority of songs were slow, mellow ballads. Do you think that this circumstance has been of some help?
Not really. This song was simply stronger then the others in this heat.
Please tell us a little bit more about your musical career. Is country- influenced music like Out Of Sight representative for the rest of your music?
I´m a singer who can sing lots of styles, I´m in a folk music band, I´m in a rock´n roll band and I sing in musicals. But mainly I am known for folk music in Iceland
What message does your song convey?
Admiration for the other sex. Being almost star struck by someone´s beauty. And it´s rock so I can say baby and yeah which is kind of cool.
How will you prepare yourself for the national final on Saturday? Will there be any changes in your performance compared to the semi final?
No big changes, but we are going to do it 10 times better than in the semi final.
What are your personal expectations for the outcome of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins 2010?
I never go into a contest for anything else but trying to win, so I will do my best and see where it leads us.
Out of all the participants of this year’s Icelandic pre- selection, besides your own entry, what is your favourite song and why?
Sjonni Brink (waterslide) It’s a feel good kind of song. Little bit of Cliff Richards feel to it.
Are you a follower of the Eurovision Song Contest?
Since Iceland sent Geðibankinn in 1986 I have watched the show and It has changed a lot but I think we are getting the old feeling back in Eurovision getting rid of the Euro pop which is not my favorite music.
What will you be doing after the national final? Any new projects?
I´m singing, dancing and acting in a huge Rocky Horror Show production wich premiers 19. March so that is what I´m working on now.
Is there any message would you like to give to the readers of esctoday.com?
Don’t be too narrow minded when listening to qualifying songs, embrace new things and don´t stereotype the songs to much. Listen before passing judgement.
Esctoday.com would like to thankMatti Mattfor taking the time to dothis interview and wish him the best of luck for the Icelandic national final on Saturday.
Interview with Icelandic broadcaster RUV:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CEBtnI58wMM
Matti's bid for Eurovision, Out Of Sight:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GtilUEn6T_Y
Live performance of Out Of Sightat thefirst semi final of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7YCzVrfkf2s