In the build-up to the first national final of the season, Skopje Fest, escXtra.com spoke to one of the contestants: Miyatta! Miyatta will participate with her song Zaljuben. Read what she had to say below!
escXtra.com: Hey Miyatta! First of all, thank you for taking the time to speak to us! How are you, such a short time before Skopje Fest?
Miyatta: It’s pretty exciting for me and busy, but in a very positive way of busy. I really like this process of preparations and rehearsals and with the daily schedules with hundred things to do. Very special time of the year 🙂
X: Could you tell us something about yourself?
M: I am a singer and a songwriter from Macedonia. My music is mostly pop and rock genre. I started my career in 2004 by entering the Idol show. But the interesting thing about me is that I am a full time Air Traffic Controller. I am working at Skopje International Airport Alexander the Great for 13 years now. So my destiny is the microphone both in studio and at work.
X: Where did the stage name Miyatta come from?
M: My maiden name was Natasha Mijatovic. And also my late father’s name was Mijat. So MIYATTA is the daughter of Mijat. Very personal – just like my music.
X: Who are your musical idols?
M: I am a vocalist, so my idols are Aretha Franklin, Maja Odzaklievska, Alessandro Safina, Patsy Cline and many others but of course Frank Sinatra as well.
X: The random song choice from YouTube: What can you tell us about the song KoDecaMali?
M: The title translation is “Like Little Kids” and it is a song that reminds us not to hold grudges against each other. I collaborated with Tanja Ribarska and Trajko Simonovski around the music and I wrote the lyrics. The making of the video for the song is an unforgettable experience. There were more than thirty children with their parents on set, plus animals and technical staff. We had to arrange the whole thing for the kids to be more of a “fun day in the park” experience and that is why the video is sooo colourful and playful.
X: Why do you want to go to Eurovision?
M: From what I hear from my colleagues that have already been part of this event, Eurovision was a life-changing week in their lives. The professionalism and the fun supposedly are fabulous. As a little child, for me Eurovision was a happening that I was waiting to come on TV for weeks, and later, I was talking about it for weeks. It did influence my development as a musician. And now, years later, I would like to share the artist I have become and also to broaden my experience towards the European musical frontier.
X: What can we expect from your song Zaljuben?
M: Very strong female energy on stage and a song that will take you places… I am not telling you anything else 🙂
X: Your song was composed by Tanja Carovska, who is also competing in Skopje Fest. How does it feel to be competing against your composer as well?
M: I thought it would be awkward but it isn’t. Tanja is a professional songwriter and also a great singer. We worked together around the interpretation in order to make it more sensual and true to her original idea. And then… she let me have my space to give my imprint to the song, which was great. Now we meet at the orchestra rehearsals – each of us getting ready for stage.
X: Is Eurovision an annual event to watch for you? Are you a Eurovision fan?
M: YES!!!!! Definitely so. It is a special event and I make sure I watch it closely. It inspires me in many ways.
X: Do you have an all time favourite Eurovision song?
M: That would be “KAN” from 1991, Israel’s duet Moshe and Orna Datz.
X: Finally, do you have a message for the readers of escXtra.com?
M: Enjoy the 12th of November Skopje Fest. We will be first to select a Eurovision representative. I believe that there is a beautiful musical year ahead and a stunning Vienna’s happening for all of us EUROVISION FANS.
We’d like to thank Miyatta for her time and we’d like to wish her the best of luck in tonight’s Skopje Fest!
