RTSH, the national broadcaster of Albania, will organise the 55th edition of Festivali i Këngës. The winner of this competition is expected to win the ticket to represent Albania in the next Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv. Today, Agnesa and Fabiola have found time to have a chat with us!
First of all How are you? Can you introduce yourself? What can you tell us about your selves?
Agnesa(First Picture):- I am fine, thank you! I’m Albanian, living in the Republic of Macedonia, I love music…so this is what brought me here!
Fabiola(Second Picture):- My name is Fabiola Agalliu. I am 23 years old. I’ve studied Finance-Accounting and work also in that profile, but music has been my passion for as long as I remember. What got me into music was my participation in the Voice of Albania(season 1). The Voice was a beautiful experience that reconnected me again with music, since I was very into my studies.
This is your first time at the Festivali i Kenges. How do you feel participating in such a big contest which is massive in Albania?
Agnesa:- Yes, it’s my first time at this Festival. I have never generally participated in big festivals such as this one. It’s really amazing, every experience counts!
Fabiola:-Being at the stage of Palace of Congresses is a huge responsibility and a wonderful feeling. I touched the stage nearly 4 years ago not as a contestant but for a greeting performance with many other young artists at the time and it was beautiful. This year as a participant, I believe the feelings will be more intense, with the live singing and performance. However having a duet totally helps in being more comfortable and relaxed.
What can you tell us about your entry “Shkon e vjen”? Do you plan to release the English version of this entry?
Agnesa:- It’s a really energetic, pumping song, the music is produced by Sokol Marsi and the lyrics by Fabiola herself.
Fabiola:-It is a fun song and I believe me and Agnesa are going to enjoy it a lot on the stage. Usually Festivali I Kenges had had many ballads through years, so our song will be something interesting and for sure fun. As for an English version, that I don’t know.
How did you decided to perform as a duet in this contest?
Agnesa:- I got a call from the producer Sokol Marsi, I was invited to sing a duet with Fabiola. I arrived in Tirana, heard the song, started singing and we really matched, giving this song a nice and edgy balance with two different characters. So fun, you will hear it soon!
Fabiola:-It was our composer’s idea. Since we are both young artists and The Voice girls and like mainly the same genres, this how the idea popped.
What is your impression of the Eurovision Song Contest in general? Do you watch it every year? What is your favourite entry?
Fabiola:-I’ve been watching Eurovision since I was a kid. To be sincere, I’ve skipped some years, however I do watch the performances on youtube. I cannot pick a favourite one.
Apart from the Eurovision Song Contest, where would you dream to do a performance?
Fabiola:-Hmm, never thought of it. I believe wherever people would support my music, support young artists. However Eurovison stage would be a great thing.
Whom are your personal favourite musical stars that you follow a lot and why?
Fabiola:-I like all kind of music. I usually like artists that have unique voices. I like Ella Fitzgerald, Amy Winehouse, Paolo Nutini, Joss Stone, Norah Jones, Etta James, John Mayer(that’s a lot of artists), lately I am into unknown young artists with very particular voices.
The semi-final of Festivali i Këngës is scheduled for the 21st & 22nd December while the final night is scheduled for 23rd December. Who will win this festival?
