Jana Sustersic: “With the win at Slovenia’s got Talent, I managed to pay for my studies, finally help my family and open the doors” (Slovenian finalist – Interview)

ESC+Plus has talked to Jana Sustersic, finalist of the Slovenian selection for Eurovision 2015 “EMA”. Jana will compete in the final set on February 28.

ESC+Plus: Hello Jana! Can you tell us about you, your musical evolution and important achievements?

My music and I have had an aniversery last year! We are now legal. We are 21 years old =)

I started of as a classical pianist since the age of 7, and in following 10 years I performed as a soloist, with orchestras, in chamber music ensembles, received international awards (1^st one in Paris, 2^nd in Italy…).

With teengerhood, parallelly with my love towards classical music I discovered R’nR! I begun looking for more freedom in music, and the rawness of R’n’R became my favorite new playground. At the age of 17, within just 2 months I got accepted as a pianist to Music Academy in Belgrade, Serbia and I got invited by the most popular pop-rock band in Serbia to become their lead vocalist.

Even though I have never been vocally trained before and sadly for my piano at the time, I said yes to “Neverne Bebe” and continued rocking and rolling for 8 years! With this band I performed around 700 times, recorded 2 albums, opened up shows for Lenny Kravitz and TOTO, we even had their drummer Simon Phillips record 2 songs on our album. In those 8 years I learned so much about life on the road, relationships within the band, learned what being professional means and in general got to view music from such a different angle. I was hooked for life.

Towards the end of my stay in band however, it began clear that it was time for the next step, I started feeling a bit creatively locked in, I felt there are many more things that I should learn and experience, and simply – find my own voice.

For this reason I applied for Berklee College of Music in Boston as a vocalist and got accepted on a high scholarship which led to me leaving the band, the career and my home county.

At Berklee I found everything I ever wanted – inspiration, a push, diversity, acceptance, hard work.. I studied both in Boston and Valencia, Spain where the college also has it’s campus. During my stay at Berklee I managed to reach the Presidential Scholarship, performances with some of the biggest cats in the music industry (Patrice Rusheen, Placido Domingo, Victor Wooten, Valerie Simpson…) At my undergraduate graduation I even had the honor of performing a Led Zeppelin tune in front of non other but their founder, Mr. Jimmy Page and Bobby McFerrin in the 2^nd row.

I am now in my final moths of my Master studies at Berklee College of music in Valencia, and I couldn’t be prouder to be part of this crazy, inspiring, loving family! I have never felt this supported! Once a Berklee, always a Berklee!

 

E+: Why did you decide to take part in EMA 2015?

This past year has been of the most upside-down years of my life. From “there’s no lower than this” situations where I caught myself almost giving up, to it’s glorious ending. From fighting to find the funds for studies , going to work on foot for over an hour just to get paid enough to eat, I am so proud that I made a decision to take the wheel in my hands and change my life around once again. With the win at Slovenia’ got Talent, I managed to pay for my studies, finally help my family and open the doors back to what I always lived for – stage.

In this moment, applying for EMA and bringing my promise ,that there is much more to come to – to life, seemed like the most logical and beautiful next step. I truly hope that Slovenian public will stand by my side once again and see how ready and willing I am to represent us this year and all the years to come!

E+: What it would mean for you to represent Slovenia in Eurovision?

Just being on that stage would be a reward enough for me, and knowing that I’m up there representing my country!? As nervous as I would be, I would be the happiest little European alive!!!

E+: Can you tell us about your song and the story behind the lyrics? How was the composition procedure?

As agreed with the authors, we prefer not talking about who’s, what, how’s yet…We prefer the song to speak for itself once presented. What I can say though is that it’s been quite a while since I last felt so supported, relaxed and inspired in the process of recording. The song fully captures my energy and voice, the lyrics speak to me deeply and all this highly reflects in my performance.  It’s a story many will be able to connect to, and a story I’ll do my best to tell!

E+: How are you preparing your stage performance? Can you reveal us anything about it?

It has been extremely difficult balancing all the obligations and trying to shine on all fields. As a good student, I am now under even greater pressure to be even better, justify my frequent absence, school’s support and expectations. On the other side, real life and career expectations keep increasing too and now – only 2 months after wining the Slovenia’s got Talent – an even bigger challenge is in front of me and again, so are the expectations (from the audience and myself!)

I am used to working very hard, and the absence of free time does not throw me off the path. I wanted to “play”, so it’s time to get my game on =) I am traveling back and forth almost every second week, and I use every second of that time to rehearse, shoot, practice, have constructive meetings… I have always worked best under pressure, and the performance you will see is going to be as powerful and passionate as expected, only even better! 😉 And, of course, I have a little surprise in stall. 😉

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

I believe the time is right. I have just won the Slovenia’s got Talent with the most votes of the Slovenian public, and I crave to justify their support and loyalty. I also believe that the jury and audience will see that with my professional and personal background, I am more than ready to be the voice of Slovenia. I live, eat, breathe music, stage is my home, my knowledge is extensive and…There is a saying that I as a performer live by : you can fool everyone but the audience. Let my honesty, hard work and passion towards what I do, do the rest! 😉

 

E+: If you win the Slovenian competition, would you sing in Slovenian or in English at Eurovision? Would you make a new version?

The English version is already recorded and should we win the EMA, I would sing in English in Vienna. We are very happy with how the song sounds already, but minor arrangement changes might be done – since both, me and my team, want the song to shine in it’s full capacity and have many, many good ideas! I am not one of the performers who expects everything to be done by others, so that I just show up and sing. The more you love what you do, the more you want to learn about it – and the more you learn about it the better, more rounded and independent of a musician you become. I learned about songwriting, lyric writing, production, arranging, harmony…and I always have a thing to add or suggest! (I am still trying to figure out whether my team loves or hates this ahaha)

I can already see myself on that stage, and I keep daydreaming about how it should look and sound! And trust me – you’d like what I “see” 😉

E+: Do you have any favourite artist among the other EMA finalists?

I am beyond honored to be one of the contestants chosen to perform at the EMA, and I have deep respect for everyone who follows and works hard on their dreams! I know that all of us will give our absolute best to get the chance to represent our country!!

E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? Do you have any favorite song in the contest?

I grew up watching Eurovision. It used to be our little ritual each year. It will be a great honor to perform on that stage should the life decide to bring this my way! There are many songs that stayed in my memory, let’s single out Waterloo from the old ones and Euphoria from the new! What a song!

E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?

I plan and hope this year to be the year I have always waited for (well, definitely not just waited, worked very hard to get to =). Years of performing and studying are behind me, and I truly feel that I am ready for the next chapter – which is finishing my Master’s degree this July and going back to stages, hopefully worldwide. I plan on moving back to Slovenia upon graduation and working on my career in Europe, compose, perform and I hope this year will bring recognition, growth and keep bringing many more interesting opportunities to do what I love above all…!!

 

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

Uuuh. I feel like a president in a campaign now haha.

I will just saw what I would say to everyone I love – whatever you do, find something that makes you smile about it. Be humble, but confident. Make compromises, but never give up your core. Be well raised, but bold. Opened, but cautious. Always trust your guts, but listen well. And never, ever settle for anything less but what your dreams are made of. And know that it’s actually much easier and real than it seems, if you just keep believing and working hard for it.

And keep an eye on me, because, if we come to Vienna, you will see Slovenia like you’ve never seen it before 😉

You can follow Jana Sustersic on her Official Facebook Page and Official Twitter.