Special - Exclusive: Anael speaks to esctoday.com | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Anael, a 25-year-old singer who hails from the Canary Islands, is set to enter the Spanish preselection for Eurovision 2008 should TVE organise it. Anael already made her Eurovision adventure this year in Misión Eurovisión, the Spanish national selection for the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest, as a singer in the duo Ybraem and as a songwriter: Una lágrima became one of the finalist songs. Anael now faces a new musical stage as a solo singer. Amongst preparations for her new album, Anael gently accepted our request and gave an exclusive interview to esctoday.com.

When did you start in the world of music?

I started singing when I was only five years old. I loved singing my parents’ favourite songs. I guess that’s when I realised that music would be always a very important part of my life. Music is a passion that you’re born with, that ‘s the only way I can make sense of dedicating a whole life to it, bearing in mind how difficult the music industry can be. At the age of 16, I joined a band with whom  I made versions of different pop songs and that’s when I started getting more and more involved in music. After that when I was at university I met Miguel Ángel and the duet Ybraem was born. We worked together for four years and the outcome was very positive. We recorded two albums and filmed four videoclips.  But I then decided to “spread my wings and fly” hehe and start my career as a solo artist.

 

When did you get in touch with Eurovision Song Contest?

I have seen the Eurovision Song Contest every year and always in the company of my family. It’s tradition at home hehe. It is a a very prestigious song contest and it has always been very exciting to see who was representing Spain and all other countries. However, it was only this year, that I had the chance to experience the contest from the inside. One of my songs Una Lágrima became one of the five finalists of Misión Eurovisión. That was an undescribable experience that has led me to here. Wanting to represent Spain at the ESC. But this time, as a singer and not as a song-writer.  

 

Are you influenced by any artist that you have as an archetype?

I like so many different kinds of music that it is very difficult to just mention one style or one artist. I think that a lot of artists have influenced me and my music during all these years. Probably the first singer that I was a fan of, was Alanis Morissette, I have all her albums. But as you grow as an artist, many other singers apart from her have touched  my heart. Female singers such as Sade, Dido, Natalie Imbruglia, Anastacia… And on the male side, I could mention Marc Anthony,  Freddy Mercury (Queen), Chris Martin (Coldplay), Tom Chaplin (Keane), Bono (U2)… I have a big, big list. 

 

Are you in touch with any former contestant of Misión Eurovisión? 

The truth it is that I’m only in touch with Tony Sanchez Ohlsson because he’s my producer now. Knowing him at Misión Eurovisión is the most beautiful present that the program gave to me, apart from being finalist of course. He works very hard and we are very good friends, so the combination is just perfect.

 

How would you describe your participation in Misión Eurovisión?

I was so happy to have the opportunity to participate at Misión Eurovisión. I got to be one of the finalists with Una Lagrima thanks to the audience, so the program was a very good experience for me. I would have loved to sing my song of course, but I think the artists did a very good job with it, especially D’Nash whose stage performance was really moving.

 

Recently, Ybraem came to an end. How do you face this new stage as a solo singer in your professional career?

I’m really excited about my new project. Although I was comfortable with Ybraem I thought it was the right time to embark on a new journey, singing different kinds of music and showing the real me on stage.

 

Which proposal are you willing to participate this time with?

I  have been working for months now with my production team looking for a sound that I feel 100% confortable with. We got to the conclusion that a powerful ballad like Kelly Clarkson's or Faith Hill would be a very good proposal for the spanish preselection this year. Tony Sánchez Ohlsson and the rest of the team have made an incredible song full of strength and emotion. I am completely happy with the result.

Why should the combination Anael + your song deserve to represent Spain in Eurovision? 

I think that’s something to be answered by the audience and TVE of course, but I feel Yo creo en mí (I believe in me) is going to surprise the Spanish audience. It’s a beautiful song that touches your heart from the very beginning. It’s powerful, full of emotion and tender at the same time. The lyrics of the song speaks about the music contests, like the Eurovision Song Contest, and how important it is to believe in yourself to see your dreams come true.

  

How would Eurovision contribute to your career?

I think it is a fantastic way of promotion. Nowadays in Spain there aren’t many ways to get that kind of promotion, and participating at the ESC is an incredible way of sharing your music with the rest of the world. I would love to live the experience of singing to millions of viewers and attenders at the contest.

 

Why would you say Spain hasn't been able to reach a place in the top 10 since 2005?

I think that the voting system has not favoured Spain in Eurovision lately. But we have to work hard  to achieve our goals this year. I think we’ll make it in Belgrade because there are many composers and singers working on it.

 

Who is your favourite Eurovision artist?

I think that it is difficult to choose one out of all the great artist that have participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. I actually think that every country has sent an artist that I really like and that I look up to. But if I was to choose one out of them, I'd say VANILLA NINJA were superb!

 

What are your most immediate projects, apart from applying for the possible Spanish preselection?

My immediate project right now is running off to the cinema and meet my friends there hehe. Just joking, I’m preparing my new album as a solo artist.

How would you evaluate the support that the Contest has in Spain?

I’d say that the Eurovision Song Contest is more important than what people may think in Spain. It gets media attention even though sometimes the comments are not all positive, but I think that important people and important events are always loved and hated. It’s funny when people say that they didn’t watch the contest but know exactly how funny Verka was for example.

 

Do you think that Spain should definitely implement the national final system to choose the country’s representative in Eurovision?

Absolutely. I think that’s one of the most important things to be done in Spain. Having to wait every year until TVE says how the song will be selected leaves out a lot of artists and songwriters that with time would be pleased to sing or write for the Contest. A preselection programme is also very important because as I said before, we don’t have too many musical programmes in Spain to promote new and consolidated artists.

 

Would you choose any existing example of selection method?

Melodifestivalen would be a dream, but being a bit more realistic, it would be just fine having a semifinal and a final.

 

Finally, do you have a message for our readers?

Hello to all esctoday.com readers! I’m ever so grateful to all of you, for your attention and for your support towards all the artists like myself who are trying to make it to the Eurovison Song Contest. A lot of Kisses, Anael.

esctoday.com gladly thanks Anael for answering all our questions.

Special thanks to Enrike Linder for Anael's logo.