Anael, a 25-year-old singer who hails from the Canary Islands, is set to enter the Spanish preselection for Eurovision 2008 should TVE organise it. Anael already made her Eurovision adventure this year in Misión Eurovisión, the Spanish national selection for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, as a singer in the duo Ybraem and as a songwriter: Una lágrima became one of the finalist songs. Anael now faces a new musical stage as a solo singer. Amongst preparations for her new album, Anael gently accepted our request and gave an exclusive interview to esctoday.com.
When did you start in the world of music?
I started singing when I was only five years old. I loved singing my parents’ favourite songs. I guess that’s when I realised that music would be always a very important part of my life. Music is a passion that you’re born with, that ‘s the only way I can make sense of dedicating a whole life to it, bearing in mind how difficult the music industry can be. At the age of 16, I joined a band with whom I made versions of different pop songs and that’s when I started getting more and more involved in music. After that when I was at university I met Miguel Ángel and the duet Ybraem was born. We worked together for four years and the outcome was very positive. We recorded two albums and filmed four videoclips. But I then decided to “spread my wings and fly” hehe and start my career as a solo artist.
When did you get in touch with Eurovision Song Contest?
I have seen the Eurovision Song Contest every year and always in the company of my family. It’s tradition at home hehe. It is a a very prestigious song contest and it has always been very exciting to see who was representing Spain and all other countries. However, it was only this year, that I had the chance to experience the contest from the inside. One of my songs Una Lágrima became one of the five finalists of Misión Eurovisión. That was an undescribable experience that has led me to here. Wanting to represent Spain at the ESC. But this time, as a singer and not as a song-writer.
Are you influenced by any artist that you have as an archetype?
I like so many different kinds of music that it is very difficult to just mention one style or one artist. I think that a lot of artists have influenced me and my music during all these years. Probably the first singer that I was a fan of, was Alanis Morissette, I have all her albums. But as you grow as an artist, many other singers apart from her have touched my heart. Female singers such as Sade, Dido, Natalie Imbruglia, Anastacia… And on the male side, I could mention Marc Anthony, Freddy Mercury (Queen), Chris Martin (Coldplay), Tom Chaplin (Keane), Bono (U2)… I have a big, big list.
