Esctoday.com had the opportunity to speak to Hera Björk after having become the Icelandic representative at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. You can read the interview below. Hera will be performing her song Je ne sais quoi in the second half of the first semi final, to be held on May 25th.
Congratulations on winning the national final, thus having the honour of representing Iceland at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Oslo. How are you feeling right now, after having achieved this big goal of yours?
I am feeling great, thank you π This was a dream coming true and I am really looking forward to Oslo!
How and with whom did you celebrate your victory?
With my family and friends. We had a get together at my parents' house Sunday and my mother baked her world-famous fierce waffles π
You and Jógvan Hansen were announced as the two acts having received the most televotes. When you and Jógvan were standing on stage, both of you hoping to hear their own name, what was going through your mind?
We are good friends, so we were actually talking about why we couldn’t just go together π Of course I was thinking about the results from the Danish final last year, but I had a strong feeling about it and it turned out in my favor this time π
You revealed to us that you are planning on releasing other versions of Je ne sais quoi in case you should win the national final. Now that you have won, can you already tell us more about that? Will there be versions in other languages or remixes? Is the current version of your song already the final version, the one you will sing in Oslo?
We’re pretty satisfied with how the version is right now, but of course there is room for small changes, if we feel like it. Nothing major though. There is already one remix and perhaps there will be more, because Euroclub needs a great dance version π Regarding other language versions – well, that would be a fun challenge, indeed!
Have you already decided upon your team for Eurovision? Will you have other famous Icelandic singers accompanying you on stage? Perhaps your backing vocals from Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins, Heiða Ólafs (2009 Icelandic pre-selection with Dagur nýr and 2006 with 100% hamingja) and Erna Hrönn (2009 Icelandic pre-selection with Glópagull and 2007 with Örlagadís)?
The group you saw with me on stage in Iceland is the final group…plus one extra good friend of mine, who is also a singer and vocal coach! Those singers are all well known in Iceland and fantastic soloists and on top of that they are among the most fun and lovely people I know π So I would say I got a great team!
In which ways will you be promoting your entry Je ne sais quoi? Will there be a promo tour?
Well, we have a tight budget so there won’t be any HUGE promo tour! But there will most likely be time for smaller gigs here and there. That’s perfectly fine with me, since I also have many preparations to take care of. So yeah, unfortunately no 30-days journeys to Jerusalem and back, haha π
Do you already have a concrete vision in mind on how you want your performance to look at the big Eurovision stage, or is it still too early to think about that?
Well, actually yes, I have a very clear picture in my mind! I had “a vision” about this some years ago π I was driving in my car from a gig in the west of Iceland, had the music very loud and was singing my ass off along with it! Suddenly I had this urge to stop and so I did. As I was sitting there listening and watching the waves brake on the shore, this very clear “vision” came to my mind! I was standing on a big stage in a fabulous dress singing and there were flags all around me! This was a very strong image and I recognized it again when I stood on stage in Belgrade with Euroband! So there you have it π
Taking into account the fact the Euro-pop has not been doing too well at Eurovision in recent years, how far do you think you can go with your song? What will we be your main priority, as far as the result is concerned? Getting Iceland into the final, or aiming for a result similar to Yohanna’s second place last year?
I am going all the way with this song, baby! The sole purpose of this song is to entertain and give joy to people! I believe that honesty, hard work and joyfulness are good keywords. Where it will take me is yet to be unveiled, but hopefully all the way π
Do you plan on releasing a new album this year? If so, what will it be like?
Yes, I am planning on releasing an album. I have been working on it for the past months and of course it is gonna be great π
Finally, do you have a message for those people who have been supporting you and your song and are looking forward to seeing you in Oslo? And also, what would you like to say to your critics?
First of all, a big thank you for all your support and kind words through the past two years! It warms my heart and I’m so grateful to finally be standing on the ESC stage as the performer. I promise you I’ll sing my ass off! And hopefully I’ll see many of you in Oslo! Let’s celebrate Eurovision with style π
Esctoday.com would like to thank Hera Björk for taking the time to do this interview and wish her the best of luck on her way to Oslo.
Click here to read to read the interview with Hera Björk prior to the Icelandic national final.
Hera's bid for Eurovision, Je ne sais quoi:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nh-J9B28m5E
Live performance of Je ne sais quoi at Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0hyJm4iyuPM
Hera performing Someday in the 2009 Danish national final, finishing second:
Hera performing Mig Dreymdi in the 2007 Icelandic semi finals: