ESC+Plus has talked to Alex Diehl, finalist of this year’s German national selection for Eurovision. Alex will perform “Nur ein Lied” (Just A Song) in the final of “Unser Lied für Stockholm” to take place on February 25.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=66G_1sW5lSU
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the German national selection for Eurovision 2016!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
I’m a musician since I was a little child. Playing instruments, writing songs was one my first passion. I found a couple of bands during my teenager years… writing Rock-Songs & performed them on stage in my hometown. My biggest dream, was: “ being a good musician, writing songs that could change the people and the world… the same dream, every kid born in the 80’s had 😉 I’ve worked about 10 years, to get my first Record-Deal with an Major Label to release my first album. Now with every step, my dream comes closer… Playing support shows with famous German artists, working on my second record & go on Tour with my band through Germany.
E+: What impelled you to take part in “Unser Lied für Stockholm 2016”?
Well, I wrote a song… dedicated to the horrors of the terror in Paris back in 2015. I was so sad and frustrated about what happened this night ( Friday 13.11.2015 ). So I did what I always do, when I’m sad about things… I wrote a song. I named it “JUST A SONG” because I wanted to tell my fans, how I felt in this Situation… I just wanted to say “ hey, out there… I don’t want us to make the same mistakes… 70 years ago, we had THE WORLD WAR… and if we don’t take care of each other… we will have “Terror” “War” & “Hate” again here in our streets. So please, get up & tell the world “We are a part of this world, and we don’t want to have hate & war here on our planet “
E+: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the final? Did you expect it?
No, I didn’t. I was very nervous… because the meaning of this song is no “ FUN “ or “ Happy go Lucky Pop Music “… but I think it’s important to get the message of peace out there in the people’s minds. So I said “ Yes”.
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Germany?
I rather wanted to represent Europe 😉
E+: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?
With this song… I just want to say “ Take care of each other… don’t let hate turn into war… listen to your heart and just be human.
E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
Well, I’m just singing my song, as good as I can, to get the message out. – Nothing more.
E+: If you win the contest, will you sing in German or in English at Eurovision?
That’s what’s actually on my mind, I’m not sure about the language I choose. Of course I want to reach as many people as I can… maybe a few words in English? We will see 😉
E+: Have you started to prepare your stage performance for “Unser Lied für Stockholm 2016”?
I just need a guitar & my voice… there isn’t much preparation to do 😉
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?
Yes… I was watching the competition the last couple of years regularly. One of my favourites was “ Loreen “ … and a few other acts who didn’t win the show.
E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
Celine Dion 😉 … because she has an incredible voice… but I think I would let her sing alone… and just enjoy her beautiful voice 😉
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
Releasing my second album, getting on Tour with my band, play as many concerts as I can.
E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
Hello out there “ Alex Diehl here “… I hope, that no matter who is performing in Sweden this year… is singing a song about Freedom… about being human… about “taking care of each other” & “live together in peace” – I hope everybody has a great time during the show in Stockholm. – Love & peace… Alex*
E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!