The president of OGAE Spain Jose Juan Santana Rodriguez gave an exclusive interview to esctoday.com telling us about his song “Reina de la Noche” which has been selected by TVE among the 15 finalist entries to compete for Mision Eurovision. Jose who hails from Las Palmas de Gran Canaria ( Canary Islands) is a multi faceted person. He works on the Punto Radio Show in Las Palmas combining his time with his other jobs and his passion for music. Jose is also an interpreter and a translator. He is a well known figure among Spanish Eurovision fans as he runs OGAE Spain. He has worked in the German music industry some years back. He collaborated in the making of the the Spanish entries that competed in the Mediterranean Song Contest in 2003 and 2004. Jose has been invited to be on the jury panel for the 2007 Mediterrean Song Contest to be held in Turkey.
Jose is it the first time you have submitted a song to TVE in order to represent Spain in the Eurovision Song Contest?
“Well its the 2nd time, I submitted an entry last year but didnt have any luck! Las Ketchup were chosen to represent Spain with Bloody Mary“/
How many songs have you written before?
“I guess around seven or eight songs. I have collaborated in many projects before and i have worked in the German music industry”.
We would like to know about your song? How is it? What is it about?
“Its a strong dance song which in my opinion needs to be perfomed by an artist with a powerful voice and strong vocals. The song is called “Reina de la Noche” (Queen of the Night). Its about a drag queen who wants to conquer everyone and become the queen of the night. Its a story about the dream of a drag queen and how she wants to be crowned as the Queen of the Night“.
Is the song entirely in Spanish?
“The song is mostly in Spanish and has some lyrics in English too like “I am the queen of the night, the queen of the hearts” which are part of the chorus”.
How were you inspired to write about this story?
“As you all know the Carnivals in the Canary Islands are very popular and famous worldwide, the themes, the costumes, the parades and the shows. The Gala de las Drag Queens which is held in the Carnival de Las Palmas has played a major role in the story of my song and has inspired me greatly. My song is about the aspirations of a drag queen during the Canarian Carnivals, her dreams and goals to succeed culminating in the grand finale, being crowned as the queen”.
How do you feel being among the 15 finalist songs in Mision Eurovision?
“I am very proud to be among the 15 finalists. Its no easy task as there were 1001 songs competing and I am very happy that my song is among the 15 finalists, taking into account there was tough competition from so many other songs.Its great! I am very excited about the whole project”.
Do you think Reina De La Noche has the right ingredients for the Eurovision formula? Is it a song that would go down well with the Eurovision Song Contest audience?
“Well the song has been specially prepared for the Eurovision Song Contest, taking into account every single detail. It is has been tailor made for the Eurovision Song Contest. I think it has all the ingredients and the right formula to compete in the Eurovision. Well its been shortlisted from 1001 entries so I guess it has something as they have selected the best songs”.
With the latest trends in the Eurovision Song Contest what do you think is necessary to win the competition? Any formula in particular?
“I feel a good song performed by a good singer who can carry the song and a good stage performance. In recent years the stage performances have played an impacting role in the viewers choice!”
Would you like to add anything else about your entry?
“Yes I would like to express my gratitude and would like to thank all the members of OGAE Spain for their great effort and support to make this dream come true. They have all been a great help!”
To conclude what would you like to tell our readers?
“I invite everyone to listen to ” Reina De La Noche” and to feel the song , feel the rythm and feel the music!”
esctoday.com would like to thank Jose Juan Santana Rodriguez and OGAE Spain for the interview and wish them the best of luck in Mision Eurovision.
