ESC+Plus has talked to Milda Martinkénaité, candidate of this year’s Lithuanian national selection for Eurovision. Milda will perform “If Tomorrow Never Comes” in the fifth Eurovizijos heat to be aired tomorrow.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Lithuanian national selection for Eurovision 2016!
E+: Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
Since primary school I was singing in various school choirs. I started taking professional vocal lessons at the age of 13 and at first it was jazz I was interested in. It did not take long for me to find out that I feel really great singing blues! Aaaaand I have a tiny rocker inside me, too 🙂 Throughout the years I’ve been participating in various singing contests. I got better and better every year – most recent winning was the Grand Prix in a competition in St. Petersburg in 2015. Now, I have a Janis Joplin project and it really helped me grow vocally and emotionally too. Sometimes, I appear on stage with “the Bluesmakers” a well-known blues band. I believe that my greatest achievement is the possibility to have concerts regularly, to perform with great musicians and to receive the sweetest feedback after every show.
E+: What impelled you to take part in “Eurovizijos 2016”?
It took me a few years to finally dare to participate in this competition for ESC. I got a call from a friend of mine who was always following my career. He actually reminded me about the ESC and encouraged to fill in the questionnaire and take a shot. So here I am, participating in Eurovizija 2016 🙂
E+: How did you feel during your first performance at “Eurovizijos 2016”? Did you expect to get the ticket for the next phase?
I am always very nervous in every performance. This time, I was even more nervous, because there was a jury and cameras everywhere and it definitely is not my everyday experience 🙂 I did my best on stage and I felt the vibe from the audience – they really enjoyed the song. I did expect to get the ticket to the next phase because the song is very catchy 🙂
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Lithuania?
Well, I have participated in many and many contests and ESC in Sweden would be the ultimate competition. It just feels too surreal to participate in the Eurovision 🙂 It would definitely mean a lot. It would be a great responsibility not only to make a show, but to represent the whole country in such an important event.
E+: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?
“If Tomorrow Never Comes” is a wonderful song written by Hakan Glante and Joacim Dubbelman. The music is very cheerful, energetic and the melody is so catchy! This song can be interpreted differently. In my opinion, the song says that we don’t know what will happen tomorrow, and we don’t know how life would be if things were different, but we can enjoy the only thing we have – the moment, the present. Leave your worries, let’s celebrate!
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, there are a lot of wonderful songs this year in the Lithuanian competition for ESC, therefore I cannot say that my song HAS to be selected, but it definitely COULD be selected for Stockholm because it is very fashionable and lively. The melody is easy to memorize and the lyrics are beautiful. Also there is a stereotype, that Lithuanians are like that grumpy cat but with this song I could prove that were not that grumpy at all! My greatest weapons – my voice and my lovely smile 🙂
E+: Will you change your stage performance for the next stage of “Eurovizijos 2016”?
Yes, I will.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?
Aminata (Latvia) – Love Injected, ESC 2015 and Mor Ve Otesi (Turkey) – Deli, ESC 2008. Oh, and of course – Euphoria! 🙂
E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
It would be Lithuanian representatives – group “Skamp” from Eurovision 2001 🙂
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
I would like to release several recordings and to have a bunch of wonderful concerts! 🙂
E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
After my debut on Eurovision stage here in Lithuania I was asked to wish the audience something. I said “būkit laimingi!” (eng. “be happy!”). I’d like to say the same for the readers and Eurovision fans – be happy, be good, take care!
E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!
Well ok BUT the lithuanian jury ranked her song almost last giving her just only 2 points.So its not really sure if she will qualify to the next phase.
Her song is fine.I haven’t listyened to all the songs of her heat so to have my full rank about which songs have to pass & which not.