Special - The Nikolas Metaxas interview | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Nikolas Metaxas is just 19 years old and he is lucky enough to see not one but two of his own compositions qualifying to the 2008 Cypriot final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Nikolas speaks to esctoday.com about his songs and his music and tells us the story behind I can't be and Butterfy which we will hear on 12 January.

Two of your songs have made it to the Cypriot National Final this year. Can you tell us a little bit more about Butterfly and I can't be? Also there have been rumours that you will perform a third song, could you confirm that?

It's funny because both these songs are of great emotional importance to me. They were written by myself in two different and contrasting stages of my life. I can't be came to me while I was in Greece on an army training. During the limited free time that we had there, I always processed music in my head as this has always been my escape route. The downfall was that my best friend was not there with me; my guitar was left in Cyprus as we were not allowed to take instruments. So, when the inspiration finally came, and the idea behind I can't be was dancing in my head, I made a bold move. I asked my senior officer to give me a few hours leave of absence to go in the city. He agreed, and in no time, I rushed to the first music store that I came across and ended up with a cheap but sweet sounding guitar in my hands.

 During the next few days, I would always release my stress and tension, by working nights on the song, when everyone was sleeping. When the song was complete, I had another problem. How would I record the song? It was impossible in the army, and I feared I would forget the tune by the time I was back in Cyprus. So, I got a friends mobile phone, and recorded it on there. This was a year ago. I can't be talks about a broken relationship, and states that one cannot change who he/she is for the other person. It is a powerful ballad with an interesting climax.

Now, Butterfly came to me a couple of months ago. It was conceived during a very happy period in my life, probably the happiest of all. Love.. I was hit by love, and I couldn't function properly. I had overloads of feelings and I needed to get them on paper. But when I started writing, I realised that it wouldn't be a typical love song. There was a tragic element in the lyrics, almost macabre. The sense that I had so much love to give combined with insecurities about how much love I would receive in return, made me unfold my darkest thoughts into a song. Melody-wise, the song travels the listener to a very sad place, but at the end, liberates him in a loud cry of pain, passion and love. The song is slow moving, with a powerful climax and a moving performance. The music makes you wonder if the song was taken right out of a West-End show.

The third song that you talk about is Rescue me. I was the performer on the track that CYBC auditioned but the composers have decided to give the song to someone else since two of my own had already made it to the final ten.

 

 

 

Will you be performing the songs yourself or will someone else perform?

Unfortunately, that is an answer I cannot give you..Yet (lol)

You are a very young artist in your early twenties, how do you think a participation in the Eurovision Song Contest will help your career?

Specifically, I'm still 19. Well, a participation in a contest of this calibre is fascinating because of the great number of spectators all around the world, but my aim as an artist is to reach out to and touch people with my music, as music has touched me. To share my feelings through my music, and transfer them further on, is enough for my inner satisfaction.

My goal is not to become famous right now. My studies are my first goal in life. But true, such a contest can boost the start of a young man's career and help him, but can also destroy him. You have to be extra careful, especially when starting in this business.

Could you please tell us a bit more about your work so far? Do you have a favourite music genre, something that's closer to your heart than other ones?

My ideas and inspirations originate from all kinds of music. From my dad's 80's country vinyls, to 2007 disco and electronic music; from Mozart to Craig Armstrong to Manos Hatzidakis. But, I can genuinely say that I enjoy alternative rock music very much. Bands like Coldplay and Muse are only a few of many that when I listen to, bring me close to tears.

 

 

Are you a fan of the contest? Have you been following it through the years? Do you think the new format (with everyone but the Big 4 and the winner competing in a semi final) will give countries such as Cyprus a better chance?

Ever since I was a kid, Eurovision was one of the few main family events of the year!! Lights off, everything silent but the television. All eyes on the screen. Admiration is the one feeling that describes my state of mind when I used to watch the contestants perform.

I can honestly say that it was always a dream of mine to represent my country in such a contest. The honor would be immense and I would give my all to help Cyprus win a respectable position in a contest such as the Eurovision Song Contest. As for the format, I don't think I can choose a side on the matter. I stick to "good song, good chances".

Would you say there is a "recipe" for winning Eurovision? When you were creating the songs what did you have in mind? To make a good song or to make a song that can win?

I don't know whether there is a recipe for winning Eurovision. It all comes down to the perfect package. If you have it, you are the lucky winner. As for my songs, I can truly say that I never write songs having in mind factors other than the way I feel. Songs are not meant to be molded to fit to a purpose. Songs are meant to be spontaneous and truthful.

Now, I believe that as far as the production is concerned, yes, it can be made to be friendlier and more popular to the common ear. But no production can substitute genuine and passionate feeling.

Do you have a message for the readers of esctoday.com?

Follow your feelings and your ears, but choose with your heart......