ESC+Plus has talked to Valdas Lacko, participant of the Lithuanian national selection for Eurovision 2016, “Eurovizijos”. The singer will perform the song “Stay Tonight” at today’s show.
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?
I am a person who looks to his future optimistically. I always put all my effort to reach my goals. My career as a musician started with a country group where I sang. During this time I opened my own records studio, I started to create and record music. A bit later, I became part of a group where I played and we recorded two albums. My active music career as member of this country group continued more than 10 years. When I left the group, I started to sing with my wife, who is a singer too, we became the first duet in the music show “The Voice of Lithuania”. In this project we sang together as a duet. We were the first duet in a history of “The voice of Lithuania”. After this project, me and my wife recorded our first album called “A New beginning”. The Lithuanian version of my song “Stay tonight” took one of the highest place in Lithuanian radio station. Music is my life. I actively continue my music career as I organize a lot of concerts (my own and for other artists), record new songs, and participate in a various competitions and music TV shows.
E+: What impelled you to take part in “Eurovizijos 2016”?
Taking part at Eurovision implies time, talent, music abilities, and experience. The time brought me a lot of talented people: compositors, poets.., who I trust a lot. With their help I created a perfect song for Eurovision. Having enough experience in music and television and a strong group of compositors and poets impelled me to challenge myself at Eurovision.
E+: How did you feel during your first performance on stage? Did you expect to get the ticket to the next phase?
During the first performance, I felt special, it brought me some new feelings, emotions and experience. New feelings and emotions on stage during rehearsals, new experiences by giving interviews to journalists and standing in front of all people facing the opinion of audience and commission. I am optimist, deep in my heart I hoped that I will get to the next stage. Here I am.
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Lithuania?
To represent my country Lithuania it would be a huge responsibility and honor. How all Europe sees and accepts your country only depends on you. I think that it is something very important for any performer who represents his/her country. It is really important how the song sounds and that depends only on the artist who represents each country.
E+: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?
My song “Stay Tonight” is about two people being together, about their feelings for each other, and how important is being together. The story behind the lyrics – there is nothing more important than having a person behind you, someone who you can trust, be proud of and love. The secret of the song is that we are not able to be alone. We need a soul mate in order to be strong.
E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
In my opinion, my song is worth to be selected because it is filled with sincerity. We only need simply sincerity. My song is very melodic, I think that Europe would like it. My general strength and engine is my honesty.
E+: Will you change any thing from your stage performance for the next round of “Eurovizijos 2016”?
No. For the next stage I think I will not change anything. If I get the chance to get into the third stage, I think I will surprise you and change my performance.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favourite songs in the history of the competition?
I do not skip any Eurovision edition. I am a fan of Eurovision. I like a lot of performances that were shown in the previous competitions. But I think the brightest impression on me was left by Loreen.
E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
If I could have the outstanding opportunity to choose a Eurovision participant to sing with, I would definitely choose Marija Šerifovič.
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
I have already started music works in my record studio this year. My personal target for this year is to record a new album with new songs. I hope I manage to do this year.
E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
I wish all fans and audience their favourite performer and song win.
E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!