John Karayiannis: “It’s about regret, but with a twist.” [Interview]

Cyprus is choosing its entry for the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest on Sunday. escXtra.com decided it was time to speak to John Karayiannis. He will try to win the Cypriot ticket to Vienna with his song One Thing I Should Have Done. Read what he had to say below!
escXtra.com: Hey John! First of all, thanks for taking the time for the interview. How are you preparing for the final?
John Karayiannis: Hey, my schedule regarding the final is crazy! I have never been so alert in my entire life, but I have to say that I love all the hard work that my crew and I have been doing so far!
X: Could you introduce yourself to our readers?
J: My name is John Karayiannis, I am 20 years old and I was born and raised in Limassol, Cyprus. I am a singer/songwriter and I have been singing and playing music since the age of 6. I had my first vocal lesson at the age of 8. I participated and won first prize at a number of local talent shows all over Cyprus and I have passed the Grade 8 Vocal exams with distinction. I am currently doing my best to win & represent Cyprus at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest with a great song from composer Mike Connaris who handpicked me for the task.

X: Do you have any musical idols?
J: Yes, of course! My favourite artists are Ed Sheeran and John Mayer although I tend to listen to anything in the music industry that sounds good to my ears.
X: Could you tell us more about your song?
J: My song is called “One Thing I should have done” and it’s about regret, but with a twist because it’s not until the end of the song that the real truth comes out. It makes you realise that in a relationship you should look back with no regrets and always be honest.
X: Why did you decide to join the selection?
J: I decided to join the selection for Cyprus’s Eurovision Song Project because I really admire Mike Connaris and you can imagine my excitement when a composer like him wanted to write a song for me. Also, I believe that my song “One Thing I should have done” could really touch the hearts of people listening to it because of its simplicity and also because it’s so truthful.
X: How did you and the composer, Mike Connaris, start working together?
J: Me and Mike Connaris started working together when my vocal teacher, Christos Kyriakides introduced me to him. I went to London to meet Mike 6 months ago and we make a really great team.

X: What would winning the selection mean for you?
J: Winning the selection and representing my country, Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest would mean the world to me. If I go on and win the national final I would feel justified for all the hard work everyone has been doing for the past months.
X: What’s your favourite place in Cyprus?
J: My favourite place in Cyprus is the beach of Limassol. It has always been there for me when I needed a place to think.
X: Are you a fan of Eurovision? Do you have an all-time favourite song from the contest?
J: Yes, I am a huge fan of Eurovision and I know this may seem convenient but my all-time favourite song from the contest is “Stronger Every Minute”, a song by Mike Connaris on 2004 and it equals Cyprus’s best ever, Top 5^th result.
X: Finally, do you have a message for the readers of escXtra.com?
J: My message to the readers of escXtra.com would be to keep on reading this amazing page and stay updated for Sunday’s final! Wish me luck!
escXtra.com would like to thank John Karayiannis for his time to answer our questions and we’d like to wish him and his song One Thing I Should Have Done the best of luck in Sunday’s Cypriot national final! Watch his song below!