November 21 is a magical date for the acts competing at the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015. So naturally we had to catch up with Belarusian JESC star Ruslan Aslanov, who will sing “Volshebstvo” (“Magic”) in Sofia.
What story are you telling with “Magic”?
The music of the song is written by a famous Ukrainian composer named Ruslan Kvinta. Together with Vitaliy Kurovskiy, I wrote the lyrics. As you can understand from the title of the song — it is of course about magic! But it is the most simple and at the same time the most important magic — the magic of love. Sometimes we try to find something supernatural, but in my song the magic is all around us in very simple things…like in the sound of the walk of your beloved ones and in the warmth of their words. This magic of love is very close, so you have just to look around to see it. This is my message that I want to present in Sofia.
Why did you decide to revamp your song?
After the national selection, our big team started thinking about Sofia and about our preparations for the show: like the stage performance, outfit and of course the song. We didn’t change a lot. But we have made it brighter (at least, I hope so) and translated the last chorus from Russian into English, because we want everyone to understand the meaning of the song.
Your performance featured a lot of special effects. Will you bring the fire, lightning and rain to Sofia?
Yes, we will bring all those things to Sofia: the magic tree, the fire and the rain, also blue butterflies and some unexpected surprises. I hope you, the audience in the arena and television viewers all over Europe and Australia will see real magic! Of course I will do my best and all special effects help me to present my song better!
You’ve participated in many singing competitions. What did participating in them teach you?
It was really cool! I’ve got a lot of experience, and I’ve had the chance to work and sing with famous Russian and Ukrainian artists and composers. Also there were a lot of concerts in different cities. I discovered new countries and found good friends. Some of them will also come to Sofia!
I also took part in the Belarusian preselection in 2013. I think I was not ready then, because I was just a little boy and didn’t have experience. I needed these two years to get that experience. Now I am older and ready to represent Belarus in the best way I can.
When you were doing The Voice Kids in Ukraine, Tina Karol was your coach. Have you spoken to her since you won the Belarusian preselection and has she given you advice?
Oh… it was the greatest honor to work with Tina Karol! She is an amazing, kind, real, very professional singer and cool vocal coach. She taught me a lot about music and singing and she gave me great advice. I hope she will watch the final show and will like my performance.
Who are your biggest supporters?
My biggest supporters are my family: my mom Anna, my dad Tarel and my brother Timur. They will also come to Sofia with posters, flags and positive energy. Next to them: my Belarussian vocal producer Olga Drozdova. She is not only my vocal coach, but she’s also like my real “sensei”. We are a great team and have a lot of fun during our rehearsals. By the way, Olga has prepared me for all the competitions I’ve participated in.
Have you listened to the other songs of Junior Eurovision 2015? Which are your favourites?
Yes, I’ve listened to all the songs and I like them all. I think we all can win and deserve it, because it is already a big victory to take part in the most popular European music show!
What are your favourite Junior Eurovision songs from the past?
Well… I like the Ukrainian song from 2012 “Nebo” and the Maltese song from 2013 “The Start”. I am good friends with both Nastya Petrik and Gaia Cauchi!
Besides singing, what do you like to do in your free time?
I don’t have a lot of free time as I go to school and to the music school as well, but when I have free time I love to listen to music, especially funk and rock. My favorite subjects at school are the languages, chemistry and biology. Above that, I play football, make funny videos for my YouTube channel and play the saxophone.
What are your future plans?
Difficult to answer… I haven’t thought about it! But I know for sure: music is all my life! As for this week, on Friday I’ll release my video for my song! Please don’t forget to watch it and tell me what you think of it and if you like it! This is very important to me!
Do you want to represent Belarus at the adult contest in the future?
Yes! Of course! I watch the adult ESC every year and try to predict the winner. I am planning to take part in adult Eurovision in the future. I still have a lot of time to prepare: at least three years, as I am only 13 now.
Do you have a message for your fans and readers of wiwibloggs?
First of all: thank you very much for your questions, it was cool to answer them! In a couple of days the Belarusian delegation will go to Sofia! I can’t want to see the stage, but at the same time I am so excited! I need your votes and support! So, please don’t forget to watch the show on November 21 and I will sing for you!
Too much make up tho.
In the top/introductory photo ^ up there, will him smiling straight at the camera, he looks like Justin Bieber to me, which is odd, because he normally doesn’t look like him at all. He’s certainly a more powerful singer than Justin Bieber, despite being much younger.