With the Cypriot national final taking place soon, it’s time for one last interview: We spoke to Minus One! Read what they had to say below!
escXtra.com: Hey guys! First of all, thanks for taking the time to talk to us. How do you feel that you are in the final of the Eurovision Song Project?
Minus One: Hey! Thanks for asking. We are excited but our feet are firmly on the ground. We know we are among six good songs and we are expecting the results of the public vote to know if people came our way and loved our song as much as it seems.
X: Could you introduce yourselves to our readers?
MO: We are Minus One. Francois Micheletto is our vocalist, George Solonos and Constantinos Americanos our guitarists and back vocalists, Chris J’ is our drummer and Antonis Loizides our bassist. We are also known as Marianne’s Wish, outside Cyprus, since we have two albums out and played in the U.S, in many important places as the famous SXSW festival in Austin TX, the legendary Whisky a GoGo in L.A. and London among others.
As Marianne’s Wish we also participated in Hard rock café’s worldwide Hard rock rising competition after winning the local battle, represented Cyprus and placed 8th among 12,000 artists.
X: What are your musical influences?
MO: Our background is mostly Rock but we all have influences of all kinds of music growing up, from Rock and even Metal, Greek, Jazz and Blues. We try not to stick to genres but tend to see every piece of music as good or bad according to our taste.
X: Where does the name Minus One come from?
MO: Hehehe, it came up as there’s always someone of us who is not …there. Not always the same person and not always as in ..present.
X: Your song is written and composed by members of the band. What is the song about and what inspired you to write it?
MO: The song although simple in lyrics and straight forward can be interpreted as the listener decides. It could be referring to the love that is fading on earth through the wars, hatred, and greed. Or It can be just a straight up love song. We like letting the listener decide according to his mood or state of mind.
X: What made you apply for the selection?
MO: We have a tendency of doing things different as persons and as a band too. We like to try new things and risk. This is one of those things. As musicians you can say it was in our bucket list too. It is after all the biggest music tv competition of the world. Even if you don’t win, the publicity that opens doors to musicians is huge.
X: In case you win, what are your plans for Eurovision?
MO: Well as it seems the winner has to go around Europe and promote their song. That is something we are good at. We are experienced in touring. Playing live is what we do, so as a band, unlike the rest of the participants who are mostly solo artists with a playback, we can set up whole live shows around our song.
I guess we will be ourselves and do the best we can as we always do.
X: Apart from music, do you have any other interests?
MO: We do spend a lot of time with the band and around it, preparing, rehearsing, writing, but besides that in our free time, we do lots. Photography, cooking, DIY stuff, reading, even gardening. And don’t forget, we live in Cyprus so, a lot of outdoor activities since we have great weather and beaches here.
X: Do you have any favorite place in Cyprus?
MO: The whole of Cyprus is a favourite place, each area has its beauties and uniqueness. Like we said the weather is almost perfect. And each town has at least one great venue with a great crowd to perform at which makes us so happy since we live off music!
X: Are you fans of Eurovision? If yes, since when?
MO: We all were at points in our lives, speaking for myself at least, I remember being a fan since I was around 11. It is a special music competition, In Cyprus it is a very popular event, and great tunes and artists started from it.
X: Do you have an all-time favorite song from the contest?
MO: I think I’m speaking for the whole band when I say Wig Wam’s In my Dreams in 2005.
X: Finally, do you have a message for the readers of escXtra.com?
MO: Thank you all for “listening”. We hope we make it in Cyprus so you can all see and meet us in Vienna. Go check out Marianne’s Wish and Minus One’s videos on YouTube and see what we are all about. Hope to see you soon!
escXtra.com would like to thank Minus One for their time and we’d like to wish them the best of luck in tonight’s Cypriot national final! Watch their song Shine below!
