Special - Part 2 - Lady sings the blues: Talking with Magdi Rúzsa | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Hungarian singer Magdi Rúzsa's first two albums were the biggest selling Hungarian releases in 2006 after she won the Megasztars talent competition. Magdi received the 2007 Fonogram award for best new Hungarian talent which means she's also earned the right to represent Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Magdi took time out of her schedule to talk to esctoday.com late last week.  The charming and determined young woman smiled and laughed easily as she spoke to me about her  career and her determination to sing, sing, sing.

In the first part of our interview Magdi talked about making videos, her attraction to folkloric music and her desire to learn to bethe best she can be - every time she's on stage.   She also talked about growing up in Serbia and the reaction in some quarters to her selection to sing for Hungary.

Click here to go back and read "Part 1 - Lady sings the blues: Talking with Magdi Rúzsa".

Magdi talked to me about her song Unsubstantial blues in the second half of our interview.  Here is what we talked about. 

Your new album (your second actually) is a mix of musical styles from blues, to pop, to rock.   You seemed most drawn to the rock genre during your pop idol competition.  Is that true?   Are you a rocker? 

Well I love rock music the best, it is true.

On my album, I tried to give everyone something they would like. Megasztar was a program for 9-99 years old people, so it was a hard task to satisfy every member of the audience…but my next album will be much more in one style. More to follow. (she smiles cryptically again)

I'm looking forward to finding out what that is. 

[the interview with Magdi Rúzsa continues below]

 

How did you choose the song "Unsubstantial blues"?    Do you think it's a bit unconventional to sing blues for the Eurovision Song Contest?

Well, we had really little time to choose our song (10 days), the final decision was based on what I like the most. This is my first ever song, which I like very much.

I know it is unconventional -- but how about Lordi then? (she laughs her easy laugh again)

I think this year's Eurovision Song Contest is full of unconventional songs, but I think this will help the Contest to attract much more viewers as well, as a wider target group can enjoy the shows…we’ll see!

You wrote the song "Unsubstantial blues" yourself.  Like a good blues song, the lyrics are both angry and sad (the video too). Where does that come from? Tell me about the song.

It is about a girl who was cheated on by her boyfriend.  It comes from personal experience, but now I am fine - don’t worry.  (smiles)

Anyway the emotion in this song helps me to put/sing out my heart on stage. That's why we also chose this song.  It's that one where I can express my real self the most.

 
What happened to that "casual man" you sing about in the song?  It sounds like he hurt you badly at the time.

We are friends nowadays.  (Smiles)  Blues are healing, you cry out your sad and angry feelings … then it gives kind of a relief.

 
You wrote the song in Hungarian, but it was translated into English by Imre Mózsik who was born in America.  Do you think he captured the same feelings in English as your original in Hungarian?

Definitely, yes!

 
Many Song Contest fans want to hear singers perform in their own language, maybe because the singers often connect better to the song emotionally in their own language.   Why did you choose to sing in English?

Well, as the English lyrics fits the Hungarian very much, it was not a problem for me. This way people understand more the lyrics, that is why I chose English language.

I know our readers want me to ask you about your stage show.  I heard something about a bus stop.  Sounds great, but I'm trying to imagine it.  How is that going to work?

The same as every one. (laughs) I will stand in a bus stop!

Hopefully I can be barefoot…it's my superstition. And I will have my band with me too.

 
Is there anything else you'd like to say to our readers?

If you like my song, please vote for me.  (she smiles again) Thank you for your interest in me; it is a real honour for me!

 

 

  

Magdi, I like your music, and I've enjoyed getting to know you.  I'm looking forward to seeing you in Helsinki and hearing you perform.  Best of luck in the Contest!

Thanks for the really detailed interview, see you in Helsinki!