Slovenia: Maraaya – We are passionate about music, singing, writing, about everything we do

Fotó: Tibor Golob

Author: Sándor Mádi

Slovenia is an active member of the Eurovision Song Contest since 1993, their 21st participation will be this year. In the last 7 years they only managed to reach the final 2 occasions (2011 and 2014). They send Maraaya duo to Vienna this time, their song is Here for you. I asked them about their career, aims and, of course, about Eurovision.

What was your first step in your music career?

We are in music business for a quite long time, we had different groups. Raay is composing music since high school, we both studied classical music.

This year you were selected to represent Slovenia at Eurovision Song Contest 2015 in Vienna. What does it mean for you?

Well of course we are happy and honoured to represent Slovenia on ESC. Raay has been fan of ESC since he was a child so he had a wish to perform there one day.

Marjetka: For me is a real step as growing up as a musician, I am looking forward performing on a big stage.

„The Slovenian girl with the headphone” – Marjetka, I can say you are known under this title among Eurovision-fans. Do you think a nice and extravagant outlook on stage is neccesary nowadays at Eurovision?

Oh really;) I didn’t know that I have nickname;) well actually headphones weren’t planned to be ‘stage-image’ factor, I wear them because I want to feel as comfortable as in studio while recording. Headphones bring my inner world to the stage that’s the whole point. After EMA they became a big hit I think;)))

If you could pick up only one word which word describes your whole life and why?

Passion. We are passionate about music, singing, writing, about everything we do. We want the whole of our life to be filled with positive energy and the main rule is that we always do what we like, we don t want to force ourselves in something that we are not.

Who are your favourite singers?

Marjetka: Now I am totally into Audra Mae, Paloma Faith, but I also love Elvis Presley, Frank Sinatra, Michael Buble

This year there will be 39 more contestants in the contest. Do you have your favourites?

Yeah, we like some songs, Italy, Russia, Belgium, Sweden, … There are even more than these 4;))

What would you like to achieve in the contest?

Well, the first ‘rule’ we have is we are going to Vienna to give something, not to take something, we really want our listeners to feel us, to be with us for 3 minutes ,that’s all. And that’s a lot! 😉 If we manage to achieve that, we are going to reach our goal.

What inspires you?

Nowadays the nature inspires us. We decided, we need some time for ourselves and we go separately on walks, just to have this ‘me” time, without pressure. To relax and get rid of all thoughts.

Would you like to leave a message for the readers of this interview at ESCHungary?

Yeah of course;) Enjoy listening to the music! And we love you all;))

Thanks to duo Maraaya for taking your time and special thanks to Maša Kljun.

The whole team of ESCHungary wish all the best in Vienna!