Ula Ložar: “I will be alone on stage to bet everything on pure music and voice” (Exclusive Interview)

Our next Junior Eurovision interview is with the first Slovenian hope Ula Ložar!

Hello Ula! First of all, congratulations on having been selected to represent Slovenia at Junior Eurovision 2014!

E+: We have watched a video of the moment you are told you were going to represent Slovenia at Junior Eurovision but what did was the first idea which came to you mind at that moment?

It was quite strange. When Raay started to talk with this strange tone, I thought that he was just going in the direction that I was not selected but that we could use my song in one of upcoming festivals that I was attending to go. Of course when I realized and after the big shock was over, I was also a little bit scared because I have never been on any flight since I was 5 years old.

E+: What does being the first Slovenian representative at Junior Eurovision mean for you?

I am honoured and happy on one side and on the other I know it’s a great responsibility to show Slovenia in the best light. There are a lot of great young singers in Slovenia and I think that if we continue with being part of JESC it is a great opportunity for all of them.

E+: Did you ever expect being part of such an important song contest?

No, I didn’t but I have had this wish for being part of this kind of festivals since always.

E+: What’s your song about? What do you want people feel while listening to your song?

Empathy, friendship, counting on each other, supporting each other and knowing how we are never really alone. How the word is not always enough and that actions count. I just want them to be overwhelmed with my emotions when I sing to them.

E+: How was the composition procedure? How have you spent the last weeks since this JESC adventure started? Are you having any special preparations?

We were composing the song on the track and music that Raay and Marjetka have prepared and we needed to find the melody. It was my first time being a co-writer and I didn’t even know I had this in me. I am really confident in my song cause I was able to change the melody and to suggest some parts of mine so it really fits on my voice. My week has been hard working from the day I was chosen. Vocal lessons every day and tight schedule with performing on events to practice my song as best as can. I wanna be prepared 200%.

E+: How do you feel reading all the positive feedbacks you can find around your song?

I am really happy that so many people is having positive feedbacks and including Slovenia on the top of their “My Top” videos. Of course it would be so great if at the end their words came true and Slovenia would be in top 5 or even top 3 but that would all be just a bonus. I am already happy that the song we did is actually in the style of the singers I listen and I have my song on my phone =). I was afraid I would get a “childish” song. Because the children my age don’t listen to “childish” songs.

E+: You have shot an official clip so as to premiere your song, how was the shooting of the videoclip? Was there any funny anecdote you can tell us?

It was not exhausting at all. First part was in studio and I simply sang the song for 4-5 times. Second part was on RTV Slovenia in a corridor =). We put more than 500 drawings there – like “drawings cage”– they were drawn from pupils of 2 primary schools just for me to wish me best of luck. I was really touched when I saw those paintings for the first time with all the best wishes.

E+: What do you do just before going on stage? Do you carry any lucky charm during your performances?

Nothing special. Usually I pray one day before my performance and hoping to have best performance.

E+: Is your song to be revamped for Junior Eurovision or you will keep it as the original one?

It’s the original one. Maybe in the part when it’s last chorus I will do some cool ad-libs in the low part.

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

We are still deciding. Shortly – no beautiful princess or Barbie image and no dancers, etc on the stage as they would turn the attention from music and voice to the circus around me… I will be alone and we bet everything on pure music and voice. The stylist – fashion designer is preparing 3 options in which I will sing to the team internally and we will choose whats best for me!

E+: The stage design has been presented, what do you think about it? About the motto #together?

The stage is greeeeeaaaat! And it’s unique, I was really impressed! Can’t wait to sing on it. I LOVE the motto as also #together could be the motto of a song Nisi sam (means You are not alone) … In the 2nd verse the words are – “just know that I am here for you – cause it’s easy together!”

E+: Tinkara (Eurovision 2014) was supporting you during your song’s presentation and you even performed a duet together, has she given you any advice?

We didn’t speak about my performance on JESC, she just said I sing great and I was really honoured to hear that from her. She is fantastic artist with the biggest hit of Slovenia’s ESC since I was born!

E+: Raay is a well-known Slovenian composer, he has composed songs for a lot of Slovenian artists, which are your favourite ones?

Nika Zorjan, Tinkara Kovač and especially Raay and Marjetka’s new project Maraaya. When their song Lovin’ me came out earlier this year, I was constantly repeating it on Youtube.

E+: Tell us more about yourself, your favourite music style…

Modern ballads (like mine), modern pop style, something that gets to me – again it depends on how I feel
Favourite school subjects: music, sport, arts.
Hobbies: singing, crocheting, cooking, painting.
Musical career: I just work on my voice and want to get more and more ideas and improve my knowledge on higher and higher level.

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

Hey everybody, I am Ula Ložar from Slovenia, enjoy Junior Eurovision and support Slovenia! See you! Bye! =)

Watch the special video message from Ula Ložar to all the ESC+Plus.com readers below:

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

Ula Ložar will represent Slovenia in its debut with the song “Nisi Sam” written by Ula herself, Raay, who was also in charge of the Slovenian entry at Eurovision 2014, and Marjetka Vovk, while the lyrics were written by Erika Mager, Lucienne Lonchina and Raay.