Interview - Flávio Ferreira (Iceland)

Today, we're going South to do our next interview. Flávio Ferreira, from Portugal, is the Icelandic HoD and our 4th interviewed person.








About EM:
1. How did you joined EM? How did you find out about EM?
I joined EM due to two main things: First of all, Márcio has shown it to me. As I had a previous large experience with online contests, I decided to give it a try, as it looked cool.

2. Did you discover new music at EM? Name some of your favourite songs.
If we consider an edition to be a year, I am in EM for a decade, so, I can proudly say that I discovered a lot of good and new songs at EM. Some of them made it into my playlists, like "Run Run Run" (by Celeste), "Thank you very much" (by Margaret), "Up in the sky" (by Bombay Street) and many others.

3. What do you like most about EM?
EM has attracted me by its website design: every edition and every country has a special page, making things easier. But what I really like the most is what makes EM special: we're like a family, we have a team, and everyone can share what they feel about it. It's not just a simple contest.

4. Are you happy with the results and voting system in general?
Well, that's a complex question, as it really depends in the general taste of the participants. Generally talking, the results have shown the mainstream about the music styles, but sometimes some songs surprise us. About the voting system... I think there is one change that can be done: the SC round, I find it somehow needless.

5. Do you think that this contest can be improved? How?
I've just mentioned the SC round, which is something I would like to see changed. Herewith, I don't think this contest needs a structural change. Nevetheless, I would love to see each participant giving its votes in a 50/50 way (jury/public), each way focusing in perceived quality and personal taste, respectively. In the end, we could see the differences.

6. What do you think about the EM Organizers and the other groups of EM (Family, Journalists, Fairness Commitee)?
When I entered EM, I saw the Fairness Commitee as something not so fair. With time, in spite of the tensions between some players, I began to see that the FC was actually something trustable, as well as the other groups. It's one of the things which makes EM different, more sophisticated.
About the other groups: they really help EM to stand up, not just the contest itself, but the players as well. Every group, specially the family and the journalists, make things more realistic, and not just about winning or losing the editions. It unites the players for sure.

7. Did EM influenced your life in some particular way?
I don't think it has influenced my life in the long run, but surely it has in the short run. I've dedicated some hours to the contest, trying to find good songs to send, trying to vote, etc. I could have used those hours for something else, but if I used them for EM, it may mean that the contest has some influence in my life.


About ESC:
8: Since when do you follow the show? Which are you first memories of it?
I follow ESC since 2004, but just as an addicted fan since 2008. I remember every single time I watched it, which is something meaningful to me. But still, I remember watching the voting of the 2001 contest, as well as some songs of the 2003 contest, the latter being my favorite edition of all time (I like every song of that year).

9. Did you liked this year's winner? Did you had any other favourites?
Of course I did, Emmelie was my favorite since she won DMGP. The song is powerful, catchy, so it deserved. I also love the song from Sweden, Ukraine, and many others. A powerful year, I should say.

10. What about ESC2014? What are you expecting with all the recent news, from already selected singers to details about the venue and the show?
Just the fact that Denmark is going to host it makes me excited. The idea of the stage being in the middle, the arena being in an Eurovision-themed island, and so on, may add value to the contest. About the singers: I don't know the Macedonian one, I won't comment about the Austrian, and I just hope for something good from Valentina, the diva from San Marino, ahah. And hurray for Portugal, my country, which is back!

11. If you had to select, which would be your "All-Time" song from ESC?
"Hold On Be Strong", by Maria Haukaas Storeng (Norway 2008). It wasn't my favorite back then, but with time, I learned to love this tune. The lyrics make it even more special to me.

12. Any last words to end the interview?
Hum, when is this interview going to be shown?... Ahah, just kidding. Well, I wish good luck to everyone, not only in EM, but in their lives as well. I just wish EM to be as great as it has been until now.

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