Denis Lis: “We want to fully reflect the intimacy and atmosphere of the song” (Belarusian finalist – Interview)

ESC+Plus has talked with Denis Lis, one of the fifteen participants at Belarus national final for Eurovision 2015. The singer will perform “Angel” the 26th of December.

ESC+Plus: Hi Denis! Firstly, congratulations on having qualified for the Belarusian final. How did you feel when you were told you were one of the fifteen finalists?

My feelings are very hard to describe them. I wanted to jump and cry at the same time. Immediately ideas about the song presentation began to spin in my head. I wish that everyone could experience such emotions about the things they do in their lives.

E+: Why did you decide taking part at this year’s Belarusian selection?

I have participated in the national final for three years. I was a backing singer for Dima Koldun, Gunesh and TEO. Last year I was in TEO’s team in Copenhagen. It  happened so that I wasn’t shown on TV, and at that very moment I decided that it is time to get to the middle of the stage.

E+: Imagine you won the contest, what would it mean for you representing your country?

Oh, that would mean a lot to me. New horizons and a chance to reach out for many hearts. I think I write about things and emotions which should be close to, and understood by many people. That would also mean getting into a wonderful atmosphere of Eurovision and making new connections with interesting and talented people.

E+: Can you tell us about your song “Angel”?

The song is about complexity of fate, about patience and pain that love can bring sometimes.

E+: How was the composition procedure with Dmitry Minin?

I wrote music myself and then one really good person I know – Jevgēnijs Obručevskis has introduced me to Dmitriy Minin to help me with lyrics. Afterwards the song was  produced by Andrey Kharchenko (the man behind Serebro’s “Song #1″ and Julia Savicheva’s “Believe me”) and Dima Koldun.

E+: Will you bring a different stage performance at final? Or will be the same than in the semi-final audition?

Of course it will be different. Preparation takes a lot of time, we are working with the backing vocalists and a pair of dancers. We’re not going to make any grandiose special effects, we want to fully reflect the intimacy and atmosphere of the song.

E+: You were one of TEO’s backing vocalists at last year’s Eurovision. How was your experience in Copenhagen?

I know TEO for a long time. We studied together at the University of Culture, performed with the orchestra of Mikhail Finberg. I am very grateful that he asked me to help him. Through this competition, I met a lot of very interesting people who have helped me in my work with the song «Angel»

E+: Besides your experience at Eurovision 2014, you were also backing singer of Dima Koldun and Gunesh at previous national selections. Dmitry Koldun represented Belarus at Eurovision in 2007, has he given you an advice?

Dima and I have long-lasting friendly relations. We met 11 years ago at the project STV “Star diligence”. When he heared the song “Angel”, he said that he want to help me with it, so the song was afterwards produced by Andrey Kharchenko (the man behind Serebro’s “Song # 1” and Julia Savicheva’s “Believe me”) and Dima Koldun. He suports me and I’m very thankul for that.

E+: What are your main strengths so as to get the support of juries and televote?

Work, work and work. A good result requires very scrupulous work.

E+: Are you a Eurovision follower? Do you have any favourite song in the history of the competition?.

My biggest Eurovision favourite is Loreen’s “Euphoria”.

I am interested in this contest for a long time already. I am a musician, artist, and of course I’m interested in various competitions. This is an international contest , so you can find something there: national character, show and talents, in a word it has something to see and learn.

E+: Do you have any favourite song among the other finalists to represent Belarus in Vienna?

I’ve checked out the other finalists, and I think this is a really strong line-up. The fight for a ticket to Vienna will be tough!

E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?

Never give up guys, even when you think you’ve lost the goal. We’re losing so much during our lives but gaining a lot as well. The main thing is not to give up.

 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5XB_buP7Hg4