Marius – one of the 12 acts competing in Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez 2022 – is a mysterious and melancholic young artist who makes his flaws a strength. Inspired by the great classics of the French chanson, he let us discover his universe a bit more during an interview with wiwibloggs.
Marius is a 19-year-old artist who, until a few months ago, lived in a small French village near the city of Lyon. After studying dance for about fifteen years and having been the soloist of his school’s choir, he realised that he wanted to make singing his career.
The young singer took singing lessons for a long time before joining a musical comedy school in Paris. He finally left this school to devote himself to his own composing, inspired by various horizons from French songs to English-language artists such as Beyoncé, Billie Eilish and James Blake.
Interview: Marius (Eurovision France 2022)
Despite his young age, Marius wanted to try to participate in the Eurovision France selection. After first noting the immensity of the task, he then decided to take up the challenge. Whatever happens, Marius hopes to contribute to the history of French chanson while bringing a touch of modernity to it:
“My first reaction when I was told about Eurovision was to say ‘no’. It was so huge for me, it was completely crazy. Then I said to myself ‘Well, Marius, you make a song and you will see!’ (…) I tell myself every time that we’ll see how the rest of it goes, but I think I don’t really realise the dimension of the contest. I would love to represent France to contribute to the influence of French song but with a modern touch.”
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Marius’s song “Les chansons d’Amour” (Love Songs) tells the story of how, following a breakup, the protagonist soothes his pain by listening to French variety songs, which he learns to appreciate. It’s a story lived by Marius and put into music by Jonathan Cagne and Igit. Igit is a name that will be widely known by the Eurovision fans. Indeed, after having participated himself in France’s selection Destination Eurovision 2018, he also co-wrote Barbara Pravi’s Eurovision song “Voilà”.
“It’s after three chance meetings between Igit and my entourage that we said to ourselves that there was something to do. We sat down in a café, I told him my story and he hooked on the fact that I didn’t listen to French variety before I had a heartache. He sent me a beginning of the text, then in studio we both worked with Jonathan Cagne to compose the song. We had very little time to do the song, and the funny thing is that I only did one take of voice for the song because we had to give it back one hour later!”
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Igit is of a great support for Marius. Beyond composing his song, he also gives him precious advice from his experience with Barbara Pravi.
“I was very lucky to be surrounded by Igit, he is of an incredible support. He was able to explain to me how things were going to take place, how things had happened for Barbara and he is someone who manages to explain the things simply and it is very pleasant. He was also able to convey to me Barbara’s feelings related to Eurovision, and everything she went through with this adventure.”
Beyond his singing talents, Marius has other strings to his bow. The young artist has also posed as a model for French luxury brands. Nevertheless, the young man is conflicted about his body acceptance. A subject he likes to talk about in the lyrics of his songs:
“I have lived moments of deep sadness, and it is in these moments that I drew the inspiration for my songs. The relationship with the body, boredom and loneliness are daily anxieties for many people, and I thought it was important to talk about it and try to free the word. But the thing I insist on with my songs is that even though they may seem sad or dark, they are above all a source of light. I think it’s wonderful to be able to take all the dark parts of our lives and put them into song. I’ve been sad, yes, but today I’m on stage singing these songs and there’s nothing more beautiful to me!”
Voir cette publication sur Instagram
Marius praises each of the other songs competing in Eurovision France 2022. For him, all the artists bring something special:
“The selection this year is very diverse, and I love that. We all stand out from each other in the end.”
The young singer’s goal for the Eurovision France final is first and foremost to create a stage set and a performance that he will be proud of. For the moment, he is concentrating on the essential and prefers not to think too quickly about the prospect of Eurovision.
“My main goal on March 5 is to touch people and create a performance I’m proud of. I am an artist, the most important thing for me is to bring my song to life on stage and to transmit emotions to the audience. So if I can go to Eurovision I would be happy. I don’t think I’ve thought too much about what’s next, I just take things as they come.”
To conclude, Marius wishes to send a message to all those who have fallen in love with his song:
“Thank you for taking the time to listen to ‘Les chansons d’amour’. This song is really the idea that from any hardship, disappointment, pain… you can create something more beautiful.”
Are you excited for Marius’s performance at Eurovision France, c’est vous qui décidez 2022? Can a song inspired by the French chanson tradition win Eurovision? Let us know your thoughts in the comment box below!
Like many other French/European users on this forum, I super like SOA, Pauline Chagne and many other singers engaged in the French national selection. However, Marius is my favourite by a mile. His song touches me so much… I could not explain why. Tears even rolled down my face the first time I listened to “les chansons d’amour”. But I already know the song is not very “eurovisiony”. At the same time, I didn’t find “voilà” very eurovisiony either so there’s perhaps room for a pleasant surprise in the end 😉
I find Marius very charismatic and I think he would represent France well. His song and performance have a tender retro vibe, but unlike other entires of this selection, it still looks authentic and not forced.
I like his song “ Les chansons d’amour” very much, one of my favorites for France this year.
He has a beautiful voice and the song is one of many great songs in the French national selection this year! He’s stories seem very touching and of great interest. It’s refreshing to get this when so many of the same stories are being told due to the current world events.
“The selection this year is very diverse”
um
Well when you have EDM like Elia, old jazz like Helene, classic chanson like Marius, power ballad like Elliott, radio pop like Soa, Electrofolk like Alvan, or 80s vintage synth like Pauline… yes I would say pretty diverse
tomahtos and tomaytos
When your San Remo will be as diverse as that you will come back to give your lessons italian troll.