Moldova: Zdob si Zdub lead singer Roman Iagupov talks Eurovision 2022 and ageism in music in radio interview

After the audition phase, Moldova’s public broadcaster chose legendary local group Zdob și Zdub and folk musicians Frații Advahov to represent the country at Eurovision 2022. It’s the third time the band will represent Moldova at the contest. Lead singer Roman Iagupov recently discussed the group’s decision to team up with the folk musicians and to return to Eurovision with Russian radio station Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda.

With their song “Trenulețul”, Zdob și Zdub and Fratii Advahov have scored a big local hit already. With over two million views on YouTube, the song was a clear winner during the audition phase where it was chosen by five-piece jury, including Eurovision alum Aliona Moon. 

Talking about their Eurovision journey so far, Zdob și Zdub lead singer Roman Iagupov told Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda: 

“But this time, we can say that we are not going alone. We are going to Eurovision with a project. It’s a project, Zdob si Zdub and the Advahov brothers. The Advahov brothers are two educated virtuoso musicians, who know classical music, traditions, and traditional Moldovan and Balkan music.”

“We decided with them, before Eurovision, to do a musical project. We are going to call it like that: ‘Folklore and rock’n’roll’, we started the work on an album, we recorded a single. The song is called ‘Train’. It’s the wild train on which musicians travel their whole lives with their songs. We rather decided to spontaniously participate in Eurovision, therefore saying that Zdob si Zdub is going for a third time to Eurovision is not exactly right. It’s Zdob si Zdub and the Advahov brothers. It’s a project.”

Roman Iagupov discusses ageism in music

The group’s main goal is not to win Eurovision. Lead singer Roman Iagupov told Radio Komsomolskaya Pravda that they are seeing it differently. He said: 

“We only want to give people happiness with our song. And spreading happy music on the whole planet.”

For a small while, Roman discussed ageism in music. Being a 48-year-old himself, he does not feel that his age and the age difference between him and other contestants will hinder him. When asked about their average age and whether they wouldn’t come across as “granddads teaching the youngsters music”, Roman said: 

“We are not the first that have submitted an entry for the third time. There were Irish people who won Eurovision in the 1990s three times. Three years in a row, and a year after that, they won a fourth time. In principle, we are not depending on some kind of age, because we have an artistic nature and are musicians, therefore we are easily past forty [years old]. There were probably contestants that were more mature.”

“Who knows? When we are going to be like Buranovskiye Babushki, only it would be granddads, we will definitely win the Eurovision Song Contest! [laughs].”

Do you like Moldova’s entry for Eurovision 2022? Will you support Zdob și Zdub and Frații Advahov in Turin? Let us know in the comments down below!