Romania‘s power duo Ilinca feat. Alex Florea were in the British capital over the weekend for the London Eurovision Party. They brought the house down with their performance of “Yodel It!” But before that, we got to talk to them about how they met, about their talent show history and their unique yodel-pop-rock-rap song.
Contrary to popular belief, despite the fact that 18-year old Ilinca is the younger one, she acts as the “big sister” to scatterbrained Alex, who is 25.
The pair only met for the first time in January. Not only did they have to quickly memorise the unique song “Yodel It!” ahead of Selectia Nationala‘s live audition, but also to gel on stage. Even they were surprised to learn that they had such chemistry onstage. Everything went smoothly from the first live audition and they’ve been very good friends since then.
Ilinca told us about how she learnt to yodel, when even her own parents doubted her singing abilities. Alex also had to learn how rap when he is a rocker at heart. The duo also share how they both entered Romania’s X Factor and The Voice, but never got around to watching one another!
Ilinca and Alex were surprised when they won Romania’s Selectia Nationala 2017. As Ilinca puts it, “When you come to Eurovision with a yodeling/pop/rock/rap song, you don’t know what to expect.” Alex adds, “It’s a first for everyone, so you don’t know how people would react.” But the feedback has been encouraging, and they hope so see that in Kyiv as well.
We might not be in Kyiv yet, but the song was certainly well received in London. The Café de Paris came alive with the sound of yodeling!
Next up, we will be seeing Ilinca and Alex in Madrid, Amsterdam and Tel Aviv. What would you like to ask the Romanian fresh-faced duo? And what do you think about Ilinca feat. Alex Florea’s performance at the London Eurovision Party? Shout out (or yodel!) on the wiwibloggs app, or let us know in the comments!
@Pink Pussycat
if it’s annoying you, then at least it’s interesting and not boring đ
Definitely the most annoying song this year
@ Vova
What’s wrong with you? I think my comment on the song was reasonable and balanced, I even wrote that I may enjoy the live performance.
Who are you to judge my taste? Who said that I want a female soloist to win?
@bero
definitely i agree with you, and clearly some people can’t like a fun song, you shouldn’t think too serious about yodel it, but just smile and be positive đ
Hello Oxana,
Last year I was reading this blog and when Ovidiu Anton was disqualified, if I remember well, you defended Romania ( I really don’t know if I remember well).
Well if this is the case, thank you, or anyway thank you for your opinion.
a migraine song. Romania just invented new weapon đ
@ WTF : ”We should stop yodeling around and actually think about how this contest needs to be approached from now on”
The approach is already great.
@ L’oiseau : ”What an horrible, horrible song! Not only the worst of this year, but a good candidate for the most horrible song ever in the ESCâs history!”
You really like to exaggerate. A little bird like you must try harder if wants to provoke and start a mess under this article.
I’m not really a fan of the song!
But I enjoyed the interview! And Illinca seems so sweet!
@Bogdan Honciuc:
We should stop yodeling around and actually think about how this contest needs to be approached from now on before even daring to fantasize about hosting it. Look at how countries like Estonia, Latvia, Hungary, even Bulgaria have changed their approach and what they have sent over the past few years and then look at what we have sent…
Delightful, captivating song. Not everything needs to be serious song about love or redemption. Lyrics are a bit inane but who really cares. I listened to it over and over again. Introduced it to family and friends where it was immediately their top of the year. Won over 2x televote from 2nd place is Romania NF. It will do VERY well in Kiev. Could be a surprise winner.
@colosve Romania wants to host.
What an horrible, horrible song! Not only the worst of this year, but a good candidate for the most horrible song ever in the ESC’s history!
@colosve
okay that’s your opinion đ
@ M_K
I know what you want.
You want a female with a song about nothing.
Just a stupid song. This is your taste, right??
They make a nice twosome and I think it’s obvious that there is chemistry between them.
I’m still not the biggest fan of the song. I have a feeling that it’s mainly about the idea (combining yodel, rap etc.), but if you strip it down to the actual song (melody, arrangement, production), it’s rather uninspired. It’s gimmicky at first listen, but I don’t really want to listen to it again. Nevertheless, I see a chance that I will be entertained by them when they perform live on the big stage in Kyiv. đ
I can’t believe how extremely sexy Alex Florea is!
@ anonymous91
If yodel will win, it means that Romania will host.
1.) I don’t think Romania wants to host
2.) As tourists is good really. : decent country, NATO / EU member, human rights, low costs, very small prices, the capital city has the biggest arena in Europe (National Arena).
3.) But I still think that Romania doesn’t want to host.
So maybe Romania will be no.2 after Bulgaria/or Hungary.
they are so sweet, and Ilinca seems really down to earth đ
but i loved the crowd waving along to Yodel It, i find this performance of them here in London, their best performance so far, and Ilinca’s outfit way better than the awful green dress at the NF
@karim
i agree with you, i also wouldn’t mind if this song would win eurovision, so yeah good luck to TeamYodel-It đ
@ mad-professor
What songs do you like?
awful song
OMG. when he sing its ok. But when she startet to sing and yoddle, its the worst i ever herd. Its a awful song.
Such a sweethearts <3 Must admit at first I didn't like the song at all, but now I'm tottally addicted, haha đ All the best <3
They are nice, good luck to them!
I wouldn’t mind if they win the whole thing.