In the build-up to the first national final of the season, Skopje Fest, escXtra.com spoke to one of the contestants: Joce Panov! Joce will participate with his song Ni Lj Od Ljubavta. Read what he had to say below!
escXtra.com: Hey Joce! First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak to us! How are you, such a short time before Skopje Fest?
Joce Panov: First of all I would like to thank you for this invitation. I`m very happy that I have this opportunity to promote my song on this festival, so these days I’m very excited and I’m looking forward to sing in front of Macedonian audience.
X: Could you tell us something about yourself?
J: I started my career ten years ago. I have won many awards at many international festivals i.e. “Suncane Skale”, “ Pjesma Mediterana-Budva ” “Slavic Bazar-Vitebsk”, Golden voice-Moldova etc. , but this will be my first ever participation in “Skopje Fest” and I will present the song “Ni Lj od Ljubovta” with lyrics written by Vlado Janevski and composed by Sasa Dragic. I would be honored, if the Macedonian audience decides, that I should represent Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest.
X: Who are your musical idols?
J: My musical idols are Elvis Presley, Pavarotti and Marc Anthony. They are extraordinary singers, and I enjoy every time when I hear their music.
X: The random song choice from YouTube: What can you tell us about the song Moja Najdobra?
J: The Song “Moja Najdobra” is written by Vlado Janevski and composed by Bane Opacic. I recorded a video for this song with Dejan Milicevic in Belgrade. There are two versions of the song ( Macedonian and Serbian ).
X: Why do you want to go to Eurovision?
J: I think this is a very good way to promote myself as a singer, to promote my country and my song.
X: Your song will be Ni Lj Od Ljubavta. Your song was composed by Saša Dragić and Vlado Janevski. Vlado Janevski went to Eurovision before. Do you think his experience will help you?
J: Vlado Janevski is a great singer and a great songwriter. It is a great honour for me that I have the opportunity to collaborate with him. He shared his Eurovision experience with me and it is very useful for me and for my career in future.
X: Is Eurovision an annual event to watch for you? Are you a Eurovision fan?
J: Yes, I’m a big fan of Eurovision. I think this is one of the biggest musical events in all Europa. The representatives from different countries, with different culture and different music make this musical event so special.
X: Do you have an all time favourite Eurovision song?
J: As I said before, I’m big fan of Eurovision ever since I was a child and I have some songs that have left a mark on me – Toto Cutugno – Insieme, Sertab Erener – Every Way That I Can, ABBA – Waterloo, Johnny Logan with both What’s Another Year and Hold Me Now, Paul Harrington & Charlie McGettigan – Rock’ N Roll Kids, Loreen Euphoria, Zeljko Joksimovic – Lane Moje, Marija Serifovic – Molitva.
X: Finally, do you have a message for the readers of escXtra.com?
J: My message for the readers of escXtra. com is to stay positive with good mood and to listen good music.
We’d like to thank Joce Panov for his time and we’d like to wish him the best of luck in this year’s Skopje Fest!
