In the second of our interviews leading up to Festival da Canção 2014, we spoke to the man who rose to fame in the United Kingdom after participating in The Voice UK. Now, it’s time for him to return to his home country and try to represent Portugal in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 with his song Emoção: Ricardo Afonso! Read what he had to say below!
escXtra.com: Hey Ricardo! First of all, thank you for time! How do you feel, so shortly before FdC 2014?
Ricardo: Well… Bring on the semi-final on the 8th!! That’s how I feel, let’s get going… Team “Emoção” is ready.
X: Could you tell us something about you and your music?
R: I’m a father of two beautiful boys…
I’m married to the most beautiful girl in the world…
I love food, music, motorbikes and my family…
Stevie Wonder rules.
Ella Fitzgerald rules.
Valentino Rossi is the greatest of all time.
X: Why did you decide to apply for FdC?
R: This year 10 invitations went out to composers… I received an official invitation through email… And wasted no time contacting my mates in crime/music Luís Fernando and Rui Fingers to tell them the good news.
X: You’re normally based in the UK and that’s also where you rose to fame last year by participating on The Voice UK. Why did you decide to go back to Portugal in an attempt to represent your home country in Eurovision?
R: It’s such an honour to have the opportunity of maybe representing your country with a song… Now if this song has your own lyrics and music, well… It’s fantastic and a once in a lifetime experience. I’m going to treasure every moment. And hope that Portugal pics our song.
X: Your song will be called Emoção. Can we expect rock from that song?
R: We’ve decide to bring something different to the Festival in Portugal… So we opted for a style of music that the three of us have in common and love… Myself, Luís and Rui have decided to bring Rock.
X: Seeing as you live in the UK, one could assume you normally sing in English. If you win FdC, would you consider adding English to the song?
R: That’s a big “if”… I can tell you this: “if” we win in Portugal I would be so happy I would consider adding Mandarin… And that is saying something… Because I don’t speak Mandarin…
X: You, Rui Fingers and Luís Fernando were invited as a composing trio by RTP. Was it always obvious that you would sing thesong yourself?
R: Yes.
X: Are you a Eurovision fan?
R: These past years, and because of work I rarely have the time to follow anything live… But I always catch up. The Eurovision is a party so very different then anything else. It’s a unique night in the music world…
X: Do you have a favourite all time Eurovision song?
R: Yes. Well… I have a few, the winner of 2012, Loreen with “Euphoria” has to be right up there, it may be the greatest… Johnny Logan’s “Hold Me Now”… “Lusitana Paixão” sung by Dulce Pontes, and of course 1996 Portuguese and best qualifying to the date, Lucia’s “O Meu Coração Não Tem Côr”… I could go on…
X: Finally, do you have a message for the readers of escXtra.com?
R: Yes! If it’s not too much to ask, could you all please move to Portugal and vote song number 5 “Emoção”… Thanks! I appreciate that… 😉 hehehe
Hopefully we’ll see you all in Denmark!
escXtra.com would like to thank Ricardo Afonso for his time. We would also like to wish the best of luck in Saturday’s semifinal.
