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An Anti-crisis Girl talks about her Hell Machine

06 April 2009 at 02:38 CEST

Eurovision.tv: Svetlana, what does the Eurovision Song Contest mean for you personally? How do you imagine you life afterwards?

Svetlana Loboda: "The Eurovision Song Contest is, first of all, a big step forward in an artist's life, a change to a higher level. I am sure that our preparation for the contest is going to be pretty hard: we have a lot of ideas about the act and we are planning very difficult gimmicks on stage. But I am also sure that my entry will bring me vast, invaluable experiences. It is very important to believe in yourself if you want to achieve victory."

Eurovision.tv: There is only a month left till the rehearsals for the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest start. What are you up to? Are you going on tour through Europe?

Svetlana Loboda: "During the first days after my victory in the Ukrainian national final, without doubts, I had a big tour through Europe in my mind. But having considered all pros and cons I  understood that I need a lot of time to prepare what is most important to me: my song. For this reason I'm going to visit only a few countries. Among them are The United Kingdom, The Netherlands, Serbia, France and Greece."

Eurovision.tv: How is your life going to change if you manage to get a good place in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow? And if not?

Svetlana Loboda: "At this very moment, the question I'm thinking about and working on is how to make my entry truly breathtaking and one of the best in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest. I want the viewers to be surprised and shocked by my performance. My daily vocal classes, the acrobatic training, learning different gimmicks and playing the drum kit take much time. There is simply no time left to think about how my life is going to be afterwards."   

Eurovision.tv: You are planning a big show with circus elements in your entry and you are going to enter the stage from the ceiling. Tell us about the final version of your stage act! Are you not afraid? How safe is the equipment you are going to use in your show?

Svetlana Loboda: "The complicated construction is being made in Ukraine, Russia and Hong Kong. This mechanism has already been called a "Hell Machine" because of its hellish look with lots of lasers, pyrotechnics and light effects on it. I am sure of the safety of the construction, because it is made by professionals. But nevertheless I am still afraid because many movements will take place in the air, way over the stage."

Eurovision.tv: Some Ukrainian representatives in previous Eurovision Song Contests used Ukrainian elements in their entries like, for example, national costumes, folk dances or Ukrainian words. Does your entry in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest contain something Ukrainian, too?

Svetlana Loboda: "The most important thing for me is the Ukrainian spirit of victory and the support of the Ukrainians not only from our country but also in the diaspora all over Europe."

Eurovision.tv: Svetlana, you changed the lyrics of the your song's last chorus, turning into an Anti-crisis Girl. Could you tell us about your new image? Who was the initiator that idea?

Svetlana Loboda: "After the Ukrainian national final I realised that I needed some changes in my entry, thus we started working on the song. In the night before submitting my entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in Russia, we changed the words in the last chorus of Be My Valentine, which was allowed until March 16th according to the rules. And now instead of the initial version "Baby, you're so fine, Be my Valentine" I will sing "Baby, I can save your world! I'm your anti-crisis girl!" Thus for the very first time in Eurovision Song Contest history, an entry will have two titles Be My Valentine - Anti-Crisis Girl. We are working on the performance of the song and trying to find costumes in fantasy style."

Eurovision.tv: So, what is more important for you: to surprise with your vocal abilities or to deliver a spectacular show?

Svetlana Loboda: "It's important to combine both and to present a beautiful mix of both a show and a song."

Eurovision.tv: Who of the previous Ukrainian contestants support you? Who inspires you?

Svetlana Loboda: "Verka Serduchka is a good old friend of mine. She helps me and supports me much. I like personalities like her. She is an idol, there is nothing fake in her, she is real."

Eurovision.tv: Will your joint concert with Verka Serduchka, about which the national press has written already, take place in Moscow?

Svetlana Loboda: "Yes, it will take place on May 13th. Everybody is invited to see me and Verka on stage in Moscow."

Eurovision.tv: One of your video clips is called "sexual blockbuster". Why does sexuality and erotics play such an important role for you on stage?

Svetlana Loboda: "My creative work is a projection of my personality on stage. Everything I do is linked to my soul. The main thing is to know the limits, and I have no problems with that."

Eurovision.tv: Svetlana, you were a part of the band "Cappuccino" and "ViaGra" as well, but your time in the bands was pretty short. What led you to the decision of leaving the bands?

Svetlana Loboda: "There are no such persons for whom I could work at all, and that's for different reasons. The main reason is that I need to participate in everything. It's a character feature I already had as a child. I always wanted to lead a parade and I knew I would go in the right direction. I like that way of life. I can't perform at concerts while somebody else earns the money that I deserve. To be in the bands was boring and there was no perspective for me! I want to realise myself in writing songs, creating new images, assembling video clips, doing creative things."

Eurovision.tv: If you get stranded on a desert island, which two things will you take with you?

Svetlana Loboda: "It depends how long I will stay there. If not too long then I'll take the latest issue of National Geographic and an iPod."

Eurovision.tv wishes you good luck in the 2009 Eurovision Song Contest!

Svetlana Loboda: "Thank you! I wish all contestants and viewers a beautiful show!"

A photo gallery of Svetlana Loboda and her Hell Machine can be seen here:

 

Watch the official video clip of Be My Valentine (Anti-crisis Girl) here: