Sebalter
"To be on the Eurovision Song Contest Stage is a dream come true", that's what Sebalter stated after his victory in the Swiss national selection. The trademark of the charismatic singer is his fiddle, which has accompanied him throughout his musical career since the tender age of six. His Eurovision song Hunter Of Stars is also the lead single off his forthcoming debut album.Switzerland will be represented at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest by the folk rock singer-songwriter Sebalter. His song «Hunter of Stars» won the national selection in February this year. The 28-year-old, whose real name is Sebastiano Paù-Lessi, lives in the Italian-speaking canton of Ticino.
On stage at the Swiss event, Sebalter thanked the audience by raising his fiddle to the sky. This was no coincidence, as the instrument has accompanied him throughout his musical career since its start at the tender age of six. Learning to play the fiddle throughout his boyhood years had opened Sebalter’s eyes to the infinite possibilities that music offers. During his teens, Sebalter felt the need to expand his horizons: he picked up a guitar and tried his hand at writing songs.
However, when the then 18-year-old Sebalter had his first career break, it was again thanks to his faithful fiddle. Sebalter's versatile and energetic playing propelled him on a 10-year musical ride as co-frontman of a well-known country-folk band based in Switzerland.
In 2012 - after four albums, more than three hundred live performances, and playing in front of crowds of more than 10,000 people - Sebalter felt his teenage songwriting itch coming back with a vengeance. He decided to close one wonderful career chapter and open a new one as a solo artist. He immediately started writing and recording songs, searching for the perfect sound that would provide a balance between his folk roots, his poetic sensibilities and his live-on-stage energy. After a year of intense work, he knew he had found it - and he decided to put it to the test by entering the Eurovision Song Contest.
It was a gamble, but it has paid off. His song Hunter Of Stars, which is also the lead single off his forthcoming debut album, was selected as the winner and thus Switzerland’s official entry for the Eurovision Song Contest. This achievement could not have come at a better time for Sebalter, who is putting the finishing touches to his new album, and is getting ready for an official tour this summer.
