ESC+Plus has talked to Axel, finalist of this year’s German national selection for Eurovision. Axel will perform in the final of Unser Song 2017 set to take place on February 9th.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the German national selection for Eurovision 2017!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
Axel: I started playing the piano when I was 6 years old. I was kind of a lazy student and I was always more interested in writing my own songs than playing music by someone else.
When I entered High School, I first came in touch with classical music. I learned to play the bassoon and became a member of the orchestra. It was at this time that I made my first experiences in singing and acting in front of big audiences. This was when I was 11 years old.
Music has always been a big part of my life. When I was 15 years old I started playing on the bass guitar and founded a progressive rock band. We soon released our first album and started playing numerous gigs of over 3 hours length. Some years later I started playing in another band. This one was mostly focused on alternative and blues rock. We recorded our first EP and became a regional success.
At this time I was playing in several cover-bands as well. I made my first experiences, working as a professional musician with other artists, too. From time to time I also worked as a street musician and I accompanied a few weddings. I never stopped singing, composing and presenting my own songs.
In the beginning of 2015 I founded my new band «Absolem Max». I also began singing in my funk band «Diazpora» and we just recorded our new album «Islands», which will be released in February.
I´m very grateful for the many different collaborations I was able to do over the years and I´m glad to have met so many new musicians already, because of the ESC.
ESC+Plus: What impelled you to take part in “Unser Song 2017”?
Axel: A friend of mine sent me an invitation to the casting for fun. I had a good feeling about it, so I decided to just go for it.
ESC+Plus: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the final? Did you expect it?
Axel: It felt absolutely fantastic. I didn´t expect anything going in, but I was hoping for the best. I met many talented singers at the convention in Cologne, so I had no idea what my odds would be.
ESC+Plus: What would it mean to you to represent Germany?
Axel: Since I am son of Polish migrants I would be really honored to represent Germany at the ESC, as it´s the home of my family now.
ESC+Plus: What type of song would you like to sing at Eurovision?
Axel: I would like for my song to have a positive message and an emotional impact. It certainly wouldn´t hurt, if it was catchy as well.
ESC+Plus: Can you tell us about your favorite music style?
Axel: My favorite musical style to sing is blues and soul music, because it allows me to express my emotions the best.
ESC+Plus: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What is your favorite song in the history of the competition?
Axel: I´ve watched it a few times and hope to contribute something new to the competition. Growing up I thought «Wadde Hadde Dudde Da» from Stefan Raab was really fun^^.
ESC+Plus: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
Axel: If I could choose anyone, I would choose the polish participant «Edyta» from the 1994 ESC for example.
ESC+Plus: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
Axel: Dear ESC-Fans, I´m looking forward to win the competition in Germany and hope I will be seeing you in Kiev. I would be honored to share the stage with some of these great singers from all over Europe.