Interview - Jan Van Cappel (Belgium)

Now we're in Belgium to interview Jan, our history manager. Jan is one of the lucky guys that can represent its own country, and his best score was a second place achieved on the last edition.






About EM:
1. How did you joined EM? How did you find out about EM?
I remember seeing an ad for EM on Facebook. I was curious about it and joined almost immediately for EM 22. After some time, I was designated "History manager" and I also joined the Fairness Committee.

2. Did you discover new music at EM? Name some of your favourite songs. 
Yes, I've discoverd new music, even from my own country Belgium. I'm very fond of the two songs by Heathers (EM 22+30), Mandy Capristo (EM 33), Alida (EM 30) and Euternity (EM 32).

3. What do you like most about EM?
It unites people from all over Europe, even from all over the world (hi, Tata!).

4. Are you happy with the results and voting system in general?
The best song doesn't always win, but it's the same case at ESC too. We all have our personal taste, and it doens't always match with mine. But overall, I'm satisfied with the Belgian results. I think we should maintain the voting system, but abandon the SC. It doesn't really is an added value, and I can't remember having ever voted for it.

5. Do you think that this contest can be improved? How?
It's sad that some players choose the easy option and send singers who already represented their country at ESC, or songs from the national finals. There are also some singers that have been sent in way too much! Search, my dear friends, and you will find! Some of the players that joined more recently are changing countries too often in my opinion. Keeping a chosen country for at least five editions would be a good solution for this.

6. What do you think about the EM Organizers and the other groups of EM (Family, Journalists, Fairness Commitee)?
They are all doing an excellent job.

7. Did EM influenced your life in some particular way?
Not really.

About ESC:
8: Since when do you follow the show? Which are you first memories of it?
The first show I watched was ESC 1989 in Lausanne. My mother promised me I got to watch the show until the Belgian entry was performed. Ingeborg performed "Door de wind" sixth on the night. Off to bed for little Jan. I watched the entire show live from 1990 until today.

9. Did you liked this year's winner? Did you had any other favourites?
I never thought Denmark was going to win this year. I don't dislike the song, but I don't see what makes it so special. My favorite songs this year came from Montenegro, Albania, Bulgaria, Norway, Hungary and Ukraine.

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?
I'm still waiting for Poland to return, but it doesn't look good for the moment. I'm indifferent to the Bosnian and Portugese return, and I'm a supporter of the Turkish 'no' to ESC. Copenhagen is a beautiful city (https://www.facebook.com/home.php#!/jan.vancappel/media_set?set=a.10201382941749788.1073741833.1061485618&), so maybe I'll watch the contest live over there.

11. If you had to select, which would be your "All-Time" song from ESC?
Terrible decision, but I'll choose "Primadonna" by Alla Pugacheva (Russia, ESC 1997).

12. Any last words to end the interview?
I wish everybody lots of fun and inspiration for the upcoming fourth season!

Good luck, Jan, for the next season!

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