Rykka: “My song is about standing up for love and what you believe in” (Swiss candidate – Interview)

ESC+Plus has talked to Rykka, SRF candidate of the Swiss national selection for 2016. After being selected as one of the ten hopes of the German broadcaster, the singer will perform the song “The Last Of Our Kind” in the “Expert Check”, on December 6th.

E+: Hello Rykka! First of all, thank you so much for your time. Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?

R: I was born and raised in Vancouver, Canada. My grandfather is Swiss and my family is really involved in the Swiss Society of Vancouver. I learned to sing from my mother, and sung in a little family choir with my brother and sister.

My sister was only 6 when we had our first little performance 🙂 I started writing my own songs at 16, went on jazz school and have been releasing records and performing ever since.

E+: What impelled you to take part in the Swiss national selection for Eurovision 2016?

R: It’s perfect timing for me right now because I have a whole new record waiting to be released. I think it would be a great adventure.

E+: How did you feel you knew you had qualified for the next phase of the competition?

R: I was just waking up in the morning when I found out! The happy dance followed.

E+: How are you preparing your performance at the “Expert Check” round?

R: I’m on tour in Germany for the next week, so my voice is naturally getting stronger just from singing so much. I’m really focusing on resting though so I don’t get sick.

E+:  What it would mean for you to represent Switzerland at Eurovision?

R: It would be such as adventure. On this tour we¡re on now people are already coming to shows and I’m not even in the top 6. Aside from everything else, I could imagine that the clubs would be very exciting, it would really be so much fun.

E+: Can you tell us about your song “The Last Of Our Kind”? What is the story behind the lyrics?

R: I wrote “The Last Of Our Kind” with friends in Canada. It’s a continuation from my latest single, “Movies” that it’s about two people who create a new world inside themselves together as a form of escape from real life. “The Last Of Our Kind” is about when that world falls apart. The song is also about standing up for love and what you believe in, even if you’re the only one.

E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm?

R: I believe in the message of my song and stand behind it.

E+: Have you thought about your stage performance for the “Expert Check” and  a possible national final?

R: Yes I’ve been training already actually. The Expert Check will be quite simple, if we make it to the Swiss Final I’ll put all my training into use.

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

R: I have a whole album to release in 2016. I’ll also be touring a lot.

E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?

R: Thank you so much for all your support! It’s so amazing to see so many people sending good vibes at such an early point of the contest. Lots and lots of love.

Rykka is taking part in the Swiss national selection for Eurovision 2016. You can listen to her song below:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BIlEcu140Ew

Follow Rykka on her Official Website and Official Page on Facebook.