ESC+Plus has talked to Gergö Oláh, one of the lucky chosen acts to compete at the Hungarian national selection for Eurovision 2015.
ESC+Plus: Hello! Firstly, we would like to know more about you. Can you tell us about you, professional career and important achievements?
Originally I wanted to be a dancer so I’m a trained choreographer, I taught kids to dance. I love music so I started to learn the piano, the drums and the guitar as well. My family loves music, my cousin Gigi won Hungary’s other big talent show Megastar in the same year when I become the winner of X Factor Hungary. A friend of mine signed me and happily I won the show. This helped me to start my music career: my first song – Break out the silence – since two years is still a hit. Since than I made three music videos, numerous songs an album and the second one will be released soon. I’m just made the first steps, the biggest part of the job is just beginning.
E+: Why did you decide entering “A Dal” 2015?
I admired the show since I was a kid. This is the first time I’m taking part in Dal. This is a high quality show and an amazing opportunity to show my music to the audience and to talk about my thoughts.
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Hungary in Vienna?
I’m in the top 30 now, I truly trust my song and I trust myself (partly my song is about it) but to think about it is scenery and wonderful at the same time. I came from a small village, my family is not wealthy at all. To be part of a show like this, sing for thousand or maybe millions in Vienna means, that I reached the top of the world, I touched the sky. I would be the happiest and the proudest people on the planet.
E+: Your cousin, Gigi Radics, has taken part at past editions of “A Dal”. Has she given you any advice?
We both work a lot, but yes, we have talked about it. She just said, relax, we both know what is it like to be in a competition, and now it is much better, because I sing my own song. It is funny that she is younger than me eight years and in this situation she is the experienced one.
E+: Your song is called “A tükör előtt”. How was the composition procedure? Can you tell us about the song and the story behind the lyrics?
The title means: In front of the mirror. This is my story. As I told you, I came from a small town, my way to fame was not easy at all. We were poor. Sometimes I thought I should give up, find a decent job to help my family and forget my passion about music and art. In this situations I had to think about myself, who am I, what am I capable of. I’m a gipsy boy, I got a lot affront. If you hear it often, that you are not good for anything, it’s easy to accept it. The message of the song is that nobody can tell you, how much you worth, what or who you can be. No matter what is your color, where did you come from. I’m still trying to believe it! That anything can happen… Not just with me, I’m happy because I do what I like. I hope it can happen with everyone, anyone who works hard.
E+: How are you preparing your “A Dal” performance? Can you reveal us anything about it?
I have five vocalists with me on the stage, we have to practise a lot, to sound as good as we want to. But the most time we spent to talk about the meaning of the song. I truly believe it is an important song and all of us have to understand what does it mean…
E+: What are your main strengths so as to get the support of juries and televote to win reach Eurovision?
I honestly think, it is an emotional and strong song, I trying to do my best as a performer. And I hope the juries and the viewers are going to see my honest thoughts how I want to tell my story.
E+: If you win “A Dal” 2015, would you sing in English or Hungarian at Eurovision? Would you make a new version?
Oh, this is so far: but I hope it will happen. The song originally is in Hungarian, but we are making an English version of course, so if these dreams may come true, my plan is to perform in English in Vienna.
E+: What can this competition contribute to your musical career?
Representing Hungary… Wow. I want my country, my people to be proud of me. This is more than a career step for me. Singing in Vienna for me is such a big thing… It is more than a performer could dream. It is too early to think about it, I have two little kids to rise; my family is the first ever. It would be more than enough if everyone in my country would think about me with pleasure and love.
E+: Do you have any favorite song among the other “A Dal” 2015 candidates?
Yes, my previous vocal teacher in x factor, Elias Jr is in the top 30, I love his voice and I like his song. My other favorite is a band named Passed.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? Do you have any favorite song in the contest?
The Celine Dion song from the eighties and Alexander Rybak’s song, the Fairytale 6 years ago.
E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?
My song is about the tolerance, to be opened for other people, to understand others. This message is more important now than ever!
You can follow Gergö Oláh on his Official Facebook Page.
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