He’s been attracting attention with plans to perform au naturel and accompanied by real-life wolves on the Eurovision stage.
And last Saturday, during a friendly chat with wiwiblogger Padraig, Belarus’ IVAN not only confirmed his plans but also shared the meaning behind the controversial choices.
Contrary to speculation, IVAN does not seem to be joking at all, answering the questions in a totally serious and professional manner.
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In fact, he fondly credits his producer Viktor Drobysh for the idea and explains: “We want to show how a wild animal that’s uncontrollable becomes kind and light and how humans communicate with nature”.
Confident that “Help You Fly” will be performed tastefully, he also clarifies his intentions to “elevate music, art and nature over vulgarity” and insists that “it will not be something sexualised or vulgar, we understand families and children watch Eurovision.”
INTERVIEW: IVAN AT THE EUROVISION PRE-PARTY RIGA 2016
IVAN, who won Belarus’ National Final by a huge margin, speaks calmly about the wolf named Shakira — the one from the online rehearsal footage that almost bit him!
But he’s less nervous about her nipping at his bits than he is about qualifying for the final, which is country failed to do last year.
He’s hoping his unique sound can pull him through.
“It will be more of a rock-y feeling” than the typical Eurovision song, he says. “Rock is what I’ve always done and always will do.”
Amongst his musical influences are Three Days Grace, Akt, Maroon 5, Imagine Dragons, John Mayer and Eric Clapton.
IVAN performed “Help You Fly”and another soft rock number of his called “Diamond” at the Eurovision Pre-Party Riga.
He remained fully clothed and the only animal on stage was the one he released from within.
Are you howling for IVAN? Will Belarus reach the finals this year? Let us know below!
Ivan! Forget animals and nudity! Let your beard grow and wear woman dresses. It has already worked on one occassion. These parameters can help you fly (like a phoenix).
bringing animals to a red carpet because you are desperate and you want to attract some attention is pathetic.
Very likable guy. And I if he used the right way for his vocal ability on this I think it could be much better.
Other boring post about wolves and nudity.
Read some comments… Hard rock?… I’m laughing. This song is nothing more than pop rock or soft rock. I would melt if there would be a cool hard rock song with amazing guitar riffs and natural growl (not the one like Lordi had, it was too unnatural, don’t like that kind). Can somebody do that in 2016?
@Melissa J: It’s a song contest … it involves music … not a comedy show or circus of embarrassing acts. If the song is worthless then everything this guys wants it equally a waste of everybody’s time.
Words cannot express how much I want this. I don’t particularly care for the song–I just want a naked stage show with wolves.
I am pretty sure the EBU will ban red pubes on the big stage.
But keep living your dream Ivan …. It will help you fly back to Belarus after the semi final.
Why does he not perform with a real rock band? This would be much more powerfull and authentic.Forget the whole idea of wolves and being naked. He could use some of the wild life elements in his show but I don’t think it is a good idea to perform a hard rock song without a rock band.
That’s not a bad idea, maybe a bit weird, but not bad at all… I just wonder how will he be able to do that… there are rules
Can anyone tell this young fellow that not only a new hairdo would do him right but also understanding to a deeper level what being a real and authentic singer and performer actually means? Trying to act out a fool is not included in such concept .. that is all I can say about this all nonsense.
It´s illegal to perform wild animals in Sweden. So even if EBU dispensats from the eurovision rules. You can´t put reel live wolfs on stage in Stockholm.
So much hating against Ivan! The song isn’t astonishing, but the lyrics are good and the song itself is enjoyable, I loved it since the live audition in Belarus and it’s currently my 6th/43. Ivan has a voice that you rather love it or hate it, I like it and I understand you don’t, but you can’t say he isn’t good live. Both performances in Riga and the one in Moscow were very good. I see potential in the song and in the artist, I got goosebumps while listening to his song “Diamond” which delivers with emotion and a very… Read more »
yeh yeh Ivan anything you say love – now you’re late for your next interview with the BBC explaining stuff about how they can promote Joe and Jake
@jr esc nl & Ben: it’s on their twitter! it’s so stupid, why do they keep doing this? it’s so unnecessary, it’s not like prolonging the announcement of an artist, this is just the running order announce it already! -_-
anyways, I’m usually not the commenter that likes to comment non-related things on articles. Back to the topic Ivan has no real chance of making it anyway. He might even throw a fit when he realizes the rules don’t allow live animals! Would love to see that
Nonsense!
@Adam
8th of April?!!?! Ffs, I’ve been waiting for ages. Why should we have to wait so long?
@adam
O my freaking god -_-
F*** svt, they probably thought they were being funny with an april fools joke.
Hopefully Ivan will not be naked on stage and he will have a bigger opportunity to qualify to the final.
The puns are real! Shakira as a wolf name? I guess it must be a she wolf…… Hahahaha
I’ve never hated a man like this !
I don’t like the song ! OK , Normally I won’t say anything about song which i dislike.
But Ivan’s vulgar propaganda let me feel disgusting.
I’m too impatient for wiwibloggs to make an article so i’ll say it here: the EBU pushed the date for the semi-final running order until 8 April, wtf!!!! why are they so annoying this year honestly what eurovision doesn’t have their running order set until barely a month before the live shows?? I’m so skeptical of SVT and the EBU at this point
I have never noticed but Padraig is quite hot!
I hate his song and his ideas with live animals but at least we agree on one thing: nudity needs to be normalized! Take the sexual connotations out of it already, we’ve advanced as a society to realize that everyone is naked all the time pretty much, no need to be ashamed of stuff we all have!
Still my #43 and hope he doesn’t qualify.
I hope that mediocrity will not win. He’s just ridiculous and he ruins the credibility of the contest.