Misha Smirnov: “When I was three, I suddenly began to stutter and my parents sent me to singing lessons as a therapy” (Interview – Russia at JESC 2015)

ESC+Plus is coming today with another Junior Eurovision interview! It is time for the Russian entrant Misha Smirnov!

Hello Misha! First of all, congratulations on having been selected to represent Russia at Junior Eurovision 2015!

E+: How did you feel when you were named the winner of the Russian national selection? Did you expect such an awesome ending?

M: Honestly, I could not even imagine that! Before the announcement of the results I had been sitting and discussing with my dad what soccer matches we would attend the next month. And then suddenly … I heard that the jury gave me 12 points! And I became a winner! It was very unexpected!

E+: Tell us what your song is about. What is the thing you like the most of “Mechta” (Dream)?

M: This is a song about a romantic person, who is always fighting for something sublime and beautiful. There are words about a connection of the man and his dream that inspires and makes him happy. Although I think that everyone can find its own meaning in the lyrics according to their respective life.

E+: Will you revamp the song for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest or you will keep the original version?

M: I don’t know yet. Maybe you advise me – whether should I do the last chorus in English?

E+: You shot an official clip to premiere your song for the national selection. How was the shooting of the video? Any funny anecdote?

M: We made this video together with my older sister Natasha. It was very cool – we were shooting in the meadow, there was a single detached huge oak, the wind was blowing and I was playing the cello. Romance! There was a very funny situation with a kite. We wanted to shoot a flying kite, but it stubbornly refused to take off. I fought for almost an hour and finally did the trick. And what do you think? It flashes in just 1 second in the clip!

E+: It is too soon maybe, but have you already decided about how your stage performance will look like?

M: No ideas yet. I hope that my team from Igor Krutoy Academy will help me with that.

E+: What do you expect from the upcoming experience at Junior Eurovision? What do you think it will mean for your musical career?

M: I expect a great stage, perfect sound and cool audience! I hope that political situation in the world will not affect the objectivity of voting. BTW, my song was written by a Russian composer and an Ukrainian poet.
Regarding my career after Junior Eurovision… Do you know that Polina Gagarina – the participant of the senior Eurovision 2015 from Russia – has now become a judge and coach in “The Voice of Russia”? So maybe I can too, but in “The Voice Kids” (laughing).

E+: Do you usually watch the senior Eurovision? Would you like to take part in the future?

M: Yeeeees! I like senior Eurovision very much! I still hum the song of Loic Nottet “Rhythm Inside”: we gonna rapapa rapapa we gonna rapapa tonight! I voted for Belgium! I believe it’s quite soon to think about senior Eurovision.

E+: If you had to choose a Russian act to compete at the senior Eurovision, what would be your choice?

M: Guess I will be biased, but I would send my coach from “Voice Kids” the singer Pelageya.

E+: This year, you took part at “The Voice of Russia”, how did you experience it? Has your coach congratulated you after the victory at national final?

M: Yes, Pelageya was very happy for me! The participation in “The Voice Kids Russia” was a very important and notable stage in my life: a very respectable jury, live broadcast and accompaniment. Absolutely fantastic and unforgettable feelings! I managed to reach the final, that was a great success! BTW, there were 3 participants of “Voice Kids Russia” in the Russian national final for JESC-2015, including Maria Mirova who took the 2nd place.

E+: Tell us more about yourself, your favourite music style, favourite school subject, hobbies, musical career….

M: I sing for a long time, since three years, when I suddenly began to stutter and the doctor advised my parents to send me to singing lessons. Stuttering passed quickly, but I have been singing until now (laughing). I will tell you a secret, to be honest I used to dream of becoming a footballer and I even played a few years in a professional football club, but of course the singing is the main thing in my life. The last year, when I was rooting for Alisa Kozhikina at Junior Eurovision, my mom, dad and me dreamed of going there. Sure, we could not imagine that our dream would come true so soon.

I like different music! My favorite rock-groups are One Republic, Nirvana, Сoldplay, Duran Duran, Oasis, Nickelback. I also like pop-singers such as Sam Smith, Pharrell Williams, Chris Isaak and many Russian singers, but I’m afraid that their names are unknown for you.

E+: What do you feel while singing on stage? Do you have any lucky charm you carry during your performances?

M: I feel happiness and pleasure while singing. Yes, I have a lucky charm. I always take with me some trinket or a little elastic band for hair of my younger sister Maria.

E+: If you had the chance, which singer would you choose to sing in a duet with?

M: I would be happy to sing together with the group “One Republic”, their song “Counting Stars” which I love so much!

E+: If you could be invisible for a day what would you do?

M: Wow! I would fly to Germany to watch a football match of “Borussia Dortmund”. I’m a fan of this team!…

E+: Can you send a message for our readers and Junior Eurovision fans?

M: Keep calm and only listen to good music! I wish happiness, success and all the best for all your readers and Junior Eurovision fans!

Thank you very much for your time and see you in Sofia!

Misha also has a video message for all the ESC+Plus readers:

12-year-old Misha Smirnov will represent Russia at Junior Eurovision 2015 with the song “Mechta” (Dream).