We will “Never Forget” her Eurovision 2012 performance in Baku. And Iceland’s Greta Salóme is making sure that her 2016 entry “Hear Them Calling” will live long in our memories also. The Eurovision returnee was in Amsterdam last weekend to sing at Eurovision in Concert, where she proved that she doesn’t need her elaborate and shadowy stage show to slay the pack. Earlier in the day, the Icelandic diva had a chat with our William. Here’s what she had to say.
Greta Salóme at Eurovision in Concert — Interview
In your song “Hear Them Calling”, you talk a lot about voices. Are these voices meant to be friends or foes?
It depends on which voices you listen to. It’s really about negative and positive voices in today’s society. So, if you decide to listen to the positive ones, then they’re the ones that will lead you home.
In your own life, do you have good and bad voices?
I think if you ask any performer, they will say yes. It’s a part of being a performer or an artist – there will always be positive and negative feedback and the important thing is to really feed off of the positive ones and to go with your gut.
Your fans have been waiting for you to come back to Eurovision for so many years. Why 2016?
I never said that I was never going to do it again, but I said I would probably not do it again. When I wrote “Hear Them Calling” I felt like it was the right time for me. I’ve been performing for Disney for a year and a half now and performing non-stop and I felt like I was ready to do it again.
How was working on the Disney cruise?
The Disney experience was amazing! They are the biggest entertainment company in the world. They do things the right way, and I’ve learned a lot.
Did you have to play a character?
No, I did my own shows. I got to play my own character.
Your staging in Iceland was so magical. Is it going to be easy to translate that to the stage in Stockholm?
Yeah, we’ve done a lot of preparation and a lot of work beforehand so taking it to the big stage is a challenge, but it’s a fun challenge. We’re going to see some unexpected changes. We’ll see what happens.
Greta Salóme “Hear Them Calling” at Eurovision in Concert
Is there symbolism in the shadows for your performance? For example, when the smoke blows out of you?
Yes, there is. For example, when the hands are pushing – they are the negative voices that are pushing you around. But when the girl comes running through you, that means you know about the negative influences but you have to accept it and let it out.
There is one negative influence that we need to address right now. People talk about “copying Måns Zelmerlöw” which we find so tired. What’s your reaction?
Of course people will say that – it’s Eurovision. But there’s nothing new under the sun at Eurovision. We’ve seen singers with dancing backing vocalists for what… 20 to 30 years? We’ve seen people by themselves on stage doing a ballad. We’ve seen it all. Of course they did a new approach last year which was amazing. We’re doing something completely different. We’re going to take it even further on the big stage. I just say stay tuned.
We’ve been having visions about you about you doing really well and winning. Do you have these visions? Do you see victory in the future?
I see a victory but on a different level. A victory for me is not necessarily winning Eurovision, but walking away from every single project or every single gig, be it Eurovision or a small concert or a big concert or a Disney show feeling like I accomplished something. For me this opportunity is for me to get my message out there and if I know that I’ve touched one person with my music, then I’ve won something.
The result in Iceland was very close. Were you surprised at the result?
I was, but in a good way. What I liked about the competition was that there was a lot of diversity so you couldn’t really guess beforehand how it would turn out. I really love the song that came in second by Alda. It was fun to see!
@ESCaddict
well Iceland could qualify to the final, she’s singing better live than Samra or Zoe, and this song is surely better than San Marino, Moldova, Finland and Montenegro, Greece i think as well, although the greeks have got a more fun song 🙂
I hope Greta does well in Stockholm. She is so talented.
@Borneoly
yeah i agree
@NN
well it’s a more tough semi final this time, then she was in with Jonsi
so i don’t know about that, maybe they’ll qualify, or maybe just missing out on 11th place
@Andrey
hahahaha, we don’t know the staging of all countries, right so we’ll have to wait and see, but Greta’s song sounds like Heroes and Euphoria mixed together
This song is so boring without animation. Will people at Eurovision vote just for that animation? Children love animation, but will they watch ESC? And will they vote for this entry or they will choose Sweden’s Frans?
Boring song.Copy of Euphoria and Heroes ( animations). Generic song with the same lyrics all over the song. This is piece of nothing!
The song is very unique and should remind the public of Of Monsters and Men. If they come to Stockholm with a big and memorable stage show then, among a load of similar pop songs, it will really stand out and be in with a chance at the top spot! And I really hope they bring something epic to Stockholm! Reykjavik 2017 would be amazing!
Reykjavik 2017!!!!!!!!
I love Greta, and the song is my favourite so I really hope it doesn’t crash. It’ll be in the final for sure and really deserves to win.
Reykjavik 2017!!!
My prediction for Iceland. Iceland will go to final, in final similar result as 2012 when Greta sing with Jonsi for Iceland.