ESC+Plus has talked to Sergey Stepanov (Epic Sax Guy), Anton Ragoza (violinist) and Sergey Yalovytsky (vocalist), members of Sunstroke Project and semifinalists of this year’s Moldovan national selection for Eurovision. The band will try to represent their country for second time with «Hey Mamma», competing in the semi-final of O Melodie Pentru Europa set to take place on February 25th.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Moldovan national selection for Eurovision 2017!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
Sergey Stepanov: Sunstroke Project is a unique musical project from Moldova know for its unusual mix of lyric violin, jazz saxophone and magic vocals. In 2010 SSP represented Moldova at ESC in Norway, Oslo. In 2011 in LA on the WCOPA, where we won 13 gold medals and became the best instrumental-vocal project of the world. These days we are finishing our second album and preparing to represent Moldova at ESC 2017.
ESC+Plus: What impelled you to take part in the Moldovan selection for Eurovision 2017?
Anton Ragoza: Moldova haven’t reached the Eurovision Grand Final for three years in a row. As experienced participants, this year we hope to represent Moldova to return our country to its former glory.
ESC+Plus: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the semi-final? Did you expect it?
Sergey Yalovytsky: I think we expected to get to semifinal, because we are experienced participants and in our opinion our track «Hey Mamma» is one of the best from selection.
ESC+Plus: What would it mean to you to represent Moldova for the second time?
Anton Ragoza: Big responsibility and first of all big pride.
ESC+Plus: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Kiev? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
Sergey Stepanov: We were working on a track from our second album and understood that it sounded absolutely in modern musical trends, which you remember from the first listen. That’s why we think that our track «Hey Mamma» is the best choice to represent Moldova at ESC 2017.
ESC+Plus: Have you thought about your stage performance?
Sergey Yalovytsky: We are working on our stage performance, all our preparations are in progress.
ESC+Plus: How do you remember your participation in Eurovision 2010 along with Olia Tira?
Sunstroke Project: We can describe it in three words: positive, joy and energy!
ESC+Plus: Will we see the Epic Sax Guy on stage again?
Sergey Stepanov: Of course you will see me! (laughing)
ESC+Plus: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What is your favorite song in the history of the competition?
Sunstroke Project: Of course we watch ESC every year!
Sergey Yalovytsky: Loic Nottet – Rhythm Inside (Belgium).
Sergey Stepanov: Alexander Rybak – Fairytale(Norway).
Anton Ragoza: Sergey Lazarev – You Are The Only One(Russia)
ESC+Plus: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
Sunstroke Project: If we could choose a former Eurovision participant to sing along with it would be Loreen. Her music is closer to us, and inspires us.
ESC+Plus: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?