Festival da Canção will find its five finalists tonight. Half of the ten acts will make it through to next week’s final. We spoke to the act who was selected by Jan van Dijck, composer of the 1990 entry for Portugal Há Sempre Alguem, to sing his song: Zana! Read what she had to say below!
escXtra.com: Hey Zana! First of all, thank you for time! How do you feel, being selected for Festival da Canção?
Zana: Thank you escXtra.com for getting in touch with me. Really appreciated! Of course I feel very excited and will do my very best in achieving what I’m looking for!
X: Could you tell us something about yourself?
Z: Well, from a very early age I started singing. Participated in the Portuguese version of the reality show “The Soundmix Show” as well as in a yearly event that is held here in Portugal called “Grande Noite do Fado” where I achieved the first place. Further on I participated in many TV Shows.Recorded various CD’s in the style of World Music.
X: You’re working with Jan van Dijck for the competition. How did he find you?
Z: By the end of 2012, Jan invited me to be part of the cast of a musical entitled “50 YEARS – 50 SONGS”, together with 3 other singers which ran during various months in Lisbon. My husband was the musical director of the show and at the same time we started working on the recording of my new CD in collaboration with Jan.
X: Jan of course already has quite some Festival da Canção and Eurovision experience. How was it to work with him?
Z: Jan is a very good friend to my husband who is Marco Quelhas. Marco was co-composer of the 1993 Portuguese ESC entry “A Cidade Até Ser Dia” performed by Anabela as well as the composer of the 2001 Portuguese ESC entry “Só Sei Ser Feliz Assim” which he performed as member of the duo MTM. When Jan showed me the song, which initial was part of the project for the new CD, Marco started working on the production and arrangement for the song. The song fits me like a clove! Both Jan and Marco did a great job on the title! Jan is very easing going and knows all the little details and tricks necessary in getting a good production.
X: Your song will be called Nas Asas Da Sorte. What is the song about?
Z: Nas Asas Da Sorte means “The Wings of Fortune”. It is a very uplifting song, it is about enjoying life, take everyday as a gift and fly on the wings of fortune. It has a very catchy melody which you will not forget easily. It has that READY, STEADY, GO! Effect!
X: Portugal isn’t one of the most successful Eurovision country. 50 years after debuting, their 6th place in 1996 is still the best result ever for them. What’s your secret to finally get Portugal in that top 5?
Z: Well, I will give all I can to get Portugal in the top 5 of the ESC! I hope to achieve this with my song!
It won’t be a secret! I will give it all and share it with everyone!
X: What would your first reaction be if you would win Festival da Canção?
Z: I will be high on the air! And will embrace the victory with both hands ! It is such a challenge!
X: Are you a Eurovision fan?
Z: Yes, when I have the opportunity I watch the ESC every year and have my opinion on each of the participating entries.
X: Do you have an all time favourite Eurovision song?
Z: My all time favourite winning Eurovision song, is Johnny Logan’s second Eurovision winning entry “Hold Me Now”!
X: Finally, do you have a message for the readers of escXtra.com?
Z: My message is: Come and fly with me on the wings of fortune, high into the sky!
escXtra.com would like to thank Zana for her answers and we’d like to wish her the best of luck in tonight’s semifinal!
