Today we took a time to talk with Montenegrin representatives – boy band Highway who will sing an electric modern rock song at upcoming 61st edition of Eurovision Song Contest. Although, they are very busy in these days, they manage to do an interview with us. So, here it is now.
1. Hi Highway! Whay was your first reaction when RTCG invited you to represent Montenegro at Eurovision Song Contest this year in Stockholm?
We were delighted and at first we weren’t conscious of it’s importance. From a childhood days we’ve been watching the Eurovision Song Contest, and there was always some hope that we could appear on the Eurovision stage. This is like dream coming true for us. Representing your own country on Eurovision is a big obligation and honor, but we are ready to represent Montenegro in the best possible way!
2. Last year was a very successful for you! A lot of amazing moments including fourth place at XFactor, making it to a first place at MTV list and second place at Montenegrin festival called Sunčane Skale – that has a same platform as a Eurovision, but you did it all as a three-member group. So, why have you decided to bring Bojan to your team?
After X Factor we decided to extened our band with Bojan. He is such a great keyboardist and a singer – exactly what we needed. We asked him to join us and he enthusiastically accepted.
3. Do you think that ‘The Real Thing’ is really the real thing?
When we heard the guitar riff for the first time, we knew it is the song we want to sing for Eurovision audience. Also, we know that hard rock songs are not frequent on this competition, but our goal was not to make a compromise but to come up with the song that reflects us and our style and we think we have succeeded. Of course, tastes are different, but we think that competitions like Eurovision need to maintain the diversity of musical styles and directions. With the song ‘The Real Thing’ we think we are going to have a very good stage performance in Stockholm, which will, hopefully, the audience recognize and reward.
4. How much do you follow the reactions to your entry, and how do you feel about them?
From the launch of the song we follow the reactions on it. We have provoked a lot of criticis because of Montenegro, it is not expected to perform with this genre. Comments go from one extreme to another, but we are happy because we did not leave anyone indifferent – what was our firstable goal.
5. What message do you try to deliver with your song?
The song ‘The Real Thing’ is about strong emotions between two people, their connection and willingness of one to do everything for another.
6. In last year you had a hundred and hundred gigs through all the Balkans. What do you expect from a big arena and 200 million people watching?
Although we’re young, for our ages we have an experience with live performances. We performed on Robbie Williams’s concert in Belgrade with audience of 35 000 people and we had a big concerts in Podgorica (Montenegro), Sarajevo (Bosnia and Herzegovina), Skopje (F.Y.R Macedonia) and Zagreb (Croatia). We are not afraid of performing in big arenas, but with a great pleasure we expect to perform in Stockholm. We do music with a great sense of love, so we are even more fulfilling when we have a large audience in front of us – the feeling is amazing.
7. In last two years Montenegro quealified for a Grand Final. Does it make any extra pressure on you?
Our goal is to reach the Grand Final and we consider that with a good live performance there’s nothing to worry about acheiving that goal. We’d love to continue this successful series that Montenegro had the previous two years.
8. How much have you listened to this year’s contestansts from Europe and Australia? Do you have any favourites in them? Who is you favourite act in whole Eurovision history?
We have listened to some songs that will be presented in Stockholm, but the real court we will able to give only after a live performances in Stockholm, because the studio versions are not always the same as a live version. Perhaps, some of the countries will perform a song a way better live and gain even greater support from the audience and the jury. Our favourites song from all Eurovision history are ‘Molitva’ by Marija Šerifović, ‘Lejla’ by Hari Mata Hari and ‘Heroes’ by Måns Zelmerlöw.
9. Dear Highway, thank you for your time! Do you have any message for ESCUnited readers?
A huge greetings to all readers of a ESCUnited from a Highway. Listen to good music, enjoy the life and always be on a right Highway.
We wish you all the best in achieving your goals! See you in Stockholm!
