ESC+Plus has talked to Barrice, finalist of the Greek national selection for Eurovision 2015 “Eurosong”. Barrice will sing “Ela” in the final to take place today.
ESC+Plus: Hi Barrice! First of all congratulations on having been selected to compete at Eurosong 2015.
Thank you very much!
E+: What did you feel when you were announced as finalist?
I was ecstatic! I felt excited! I still am! It’s a great opportunity.
E+: Can you tell us about you, your musical evolution and important achievements?
It’s my mother’s fault. She had to sing every time for at least an hour to make me go to sleep. She is also a music theory teacher but we never developed a teacher and student relationship. It took me almost 20 years to reconnect with my musical nature but since then I’m getting better year by year. I started as a deejay in small venues and in 2 years I became one of the most known RnB and hip hop deejays in Greece. Then songwriting came into my life. I needed to pitch those demos and I couldn’t afford singer to do it so I’d sing myself. At first I hated my voice but in a while people would ask me to sing on their records so I started working hard. Since then it’s been a long journey with at least 4 bands (funk, rock, reggae,) an electro pop project and many collaborations in various fields. Eventually I decided to go solo and since then only good things happen. I have written and produced songs for well known Greek artists and in my own recording studio (some of them have millions views on YouTube). Now I might focused on my singing career and looking forward to the Greek Finals.
E+: Why did you decide to take part in the Greek selection 2015?
I always watched Eurovision, I am a fan. Last year, after being present at the Greek final Contest, I knew I wanted to take part in this Celebration of Music!
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Greece in Vienna?
A great honour! And of course great responsibility!
E+: Can you tell us about your song “Ela” and the story behind the lyrics? How was the composition procedure?
The song is an anthem of joy, an invitation to a celebration. The music and the production belongs to Niclas Olausson and The Beat Box from Sweden and the lyrics belong to Victoria Chalkitis. We didn’t have much time so everything happen very quickly but I am so blessed to have these people around me and the end result makes me feel more than happy.
E+: Have you started to prepare your stage performance? Can you reveal us anything about it?
Yes of course. The entire team is working hard to produce a performance that will be over in 3 minutes and that will hopefully last in your memories for a long time. I think that it would be unfair to reveal any details, we want to keep you in suspense!
E+: What are your main strengths so as to get support to reach Eurovision?
My song “Ela”, the team behind the scenes and my will to give my best self to represent with honour my country.
E+: What can this competition contribute to your musical career?
It’s a great opportunity for me to learn so many things in a such little time that will help me build my musical career. It’s a beginning for me and in Greece we say, “The beginning is the half of everything.”
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? Do you have any favourite song in the history of the contest?
From 2001 I am a fan of Eurovision. There are so many memorable Eurovision moments and songs. Two that stand out the most are firstly, in 2005 when Elena Paparizou’s won in Kievo with ‘My No. 1’, It was like watching the 2004 Euro finals when Greece won the trophy. The second, was Alexander Rybak’s amazing ‘Fairytale’ song and performance in 2009 in Moscow. He is a talented artist and his childlike enthusiasm whilst performing was unforgettable. He made me feel, what he felt!
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
As I said it’s the beginning for me so I’m looking forward to releasing my official record, to start my whole new live show performances and meet new people around the world.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=feLJSOJcBqc
E+: What is your favourite music style? Do you have any favourite singer?
I really love RnB and Soul music. I love voices and harmony. One of my favourite singers is Justin Timberlake. I also adore Greek and Arabic music and I was born in Russia. My goal is to make a mixture of all these and have strong cultural relevance but at the same time have a universal taste. It’s kind of complicated but challenging also.
E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?
I hope you enjoy my song, let your heart open for a while and accept my invitation to celebrate!! Music is a celebration … so ELA lets celebrate in Vienna, altogether!
You can follow Barrice on his Official Facebook Page.
Wilhelm VanDer Berggren Corrs liked this on Facebook.
Wilhelm VanDer Berggren Corrs liked this on Facebook.