Earlier today Hungary’s MTV released the songs that will compete at A Dal 2014, the Hungarian national selection for Eurovision. ByeAlex, last year’s winner, helped choose those songs as a member of the pre-show jury, and has been sharing his thoughts about them online. Amid all his responsibilities he took the time to speak with Judit Sebok, our Hungarian correspondent, about his new album, life after the Eurovision Song Contest, and, of course, A Dal 2014.
Kedvesem took 10th place at Eurovision. That is Hungary’s best placing since 2007. After Malmö did anything feel different in Hungary? Did haters stop hating?
I don’t think so. I’m just not that interesting to them anymore.
Everybody knows that you didn’t really want this opportunity. What do you think now? What has Eurovision given to you?
I can answer you later. I need a few more years to realize what Eurovision gave me, but right now I have more fans, that’s true.
After the show you gave a lot of concerts, made a lot of good songs, and released your first album Szörpoholista. Are you satisfied?
No way. I mean ByeAlex can never become satisfied because the person behind this nickname [Alex Márta] is always thinking differently than what you would expect from ByeAlex …I’m always try to give my best. But I’m content with this album.
In this series of A Dal, you were a member of the jury who selected the 30 best songs for the live shows. What was most important to you when evaluating the singers?
I had a lot of criterion. I wanted a wide variety of genres, but I didn’t want any rude or offensive music or lyrics. Acts have to be television-friendly. That sort of thing.
I have to talk about the show in the show, and everywhere. I’ll make comments about the songs, talk with the singers and…we’ll see.
You know the songs. How can someone win? Who will be able to get to Copenhagen?
I do not know who has the winning hand. Last year I managed to win. Maybe an unknown artist will win again. Or a popular act can win. However, in the show’s history that has not yet occurred.
Might you have some good advice for the competitors?
Don’t read comments!
Did you like ByeAlex in 2013? Did you like Kedvesem? Are you interested in the Hungarian finalists? Who would be a good choice for Hungary? Let us know in the comments section below!
Judit Sebok contributed this report from Hungary. Follow her on Twitter at @sjudy03 You can also keep up-to-date with the latest Eurovision news and gossip by following the team on Twitter @wiwibloggs and by liking our Facebook page.
No, he won’t. He is a so called “digital commentator”. He speaks to the canditates, expresses his opinion about the songs and the artists. He conducts interviews with them and earlier he helped the jury choose the 30 best productions to compete in the show, ‘A Dal’.
Alex was definitely underrated by the bookies and critics. The song itself was definitely worth its 10th-place finish (I actually thought, before the contest, that it would finish a little higher), but I always thought the video sold the song.
If Linda Király enters this year and makes it to Eurovision, I would not bet against her finishing just as high or even higher.
I like the way he thinks. He hasn’t changed much post-Eurovision (I read/watched some of his interviews from before “Kedvesem”). He has always been an original thinker and artist, not influenced by trends, fame or fans, which I admire greatly.
I think that ByeAlex produces good lounge music. It’s nice. And I really liked his guitar player in Malmo 🙂 🙂
commenters are mean on every site. i think the commenters here are relatively nice!
“Don’t read comments!” – haha, especially not on this site!
will he also be on the jury for the a dal show?