Lake Malawi is the band that will represent the Czech Republic in Tel Aviv,  they gave us the opportunity to talk with them and this was what they told us

OGAERLA: Can you tell us about your beginnings and history in the world of music?

L.M: In 2013 my previous band broke up and I was listening to Bon Iver’s Calgary at the time, so I fell in love with the word „lake“ and just thought it would be perfect for my new band. Later, I saw Lake Malawi written on the map of the world in a friend’s flat and liked the way it looks and sounds. But in fact, I started singing when I was nine or ten. My first real songs were written when I was fifteen. I heard The Scientist by Coldplay and wanted to form a band…

OGAERLA: What style of music define your proposal?

L.M: Indie-pop band with 80s influences, nice melodies and a frontman who grew up listening to Peter Gabriel and Sting.

OGAERLA: You have given more than 300 concerts throughout the Czech Republic, the United Kingdom, Poland, Austria and Slovakia, how have they lived all these experiences?

L.M: One of my favorite memories is probably shooting the video for Surrounded By Light in Cuba. Cuban music is amazing and the local people are very kind and open-hearted. We love playing in the Czech Republic, club shows in Prague, big festivals like Colours of Ostrava, sometimes we play in people’s houses too. I really like how intimate unplugged shows can be.

OGAERLA: Albert Cerny is the founder of the band and throughout his career he has won several awards, including an MTV Award. Has the vision that you had of the band changed before establishing it until today? 

L.M: Yes it has. I hope I have become a more open-minded person. I feel ready to play all over the world. I hope I have found the right balance between listening to my heart and to other people’s advice and criticism. Sometimes what people tell you can hurt but it they love you or your music, it can make you go far. I hope that this is happening right now…

OGAERLA: In addition, you have also been the opening act for Mika, The Kooks and Thirty Seconds to Mars in the concerts they have offered in Prague. What do you remember about these presentations? 

L.M: I remember meeting Jared Leto after our soundcheck and being surprised how well he sings later on. He told me he likes what we’re doing which obviously made me happy!

OGAERLA: How does it feel to switch from be an opening act to be the representatives of a whole country in Eurovision?

L.M: Not much, to be honest… I know we will be doing our best! First of all, we’ll simply enjoy it. As long as we’re having fun, we’ll make our country proud!

OGAERLA: You have recorded an EP in 2015 and a studio album in 2017. In these creative processes, did you think that some of their songs were perfect for Eurovision?

L.M: That’s hard to say. I think Chinese Trees or We Are Making Love Again could do well. Have a listen and let us know…

OGAERLA: Then, you participated in the Eurovision Song CZ with “Friend of a friend“, What story is behind the song? 

L.M: It’s about friendship, about people you tend to forget who may have introduced you to the love of your life or may have said something that changed your life forever. You may not be in touch with them directly now, but they were pretty important for you at some point in the past. Speaking of „she’s only a friend of a friend“, except for it being just a random excuse, it’s also a way of saying thanks to all my friends of friends I no longer see anymore.

OGAERLA: How the opportunity to participate in the Czech pre-selection came to you?

L.M: We fell in love with the demo of our song so much, we just had to do it!

OGAERLA: Are changes in the song coming?

L.M: Not really, just more emotion and tension in a good way!

OGAERLA: What expectations do you have with this opportunity? 

L.M: I wish it was the open door that we walk through  and our music is found by fans across the whole world. I would like Lake Malawi music to be the soundtrack of people’s lives across the world – to be bigger than me or us personally, to have a higher meaning to our fans.

OGAERLA: Last year, Mikolas achieved the best historical position in the Czech Republic with a great 6th, does this bring any additional pressure to the band?

L.M: Yes, but I wouldn’t like to think about it too much. You know, we’ll do our best. Every artist is unique and we just need to be ourselves in the first place.

OGAERLA: Eurovision is a festival followed by thousands of people in the countries of Latin America. Did you know this? 

L.M: Wow, really? All I know is that fans from Latin America are so great, bands like Coldplay choose to do their LIVE DVDs in cities like Buenos Aires because of the good vibes they feel when they play there… That says it all.

OGAERLA: Have you been before in some of our countries?

L.M: Not yet, my dad went to Brazil once. We visited Cuba a few years ago. I need to learn Spanish.

OGAERLA: Would you like to visit our countries later? * It would be very interesting to publicize your culture with us *

L.M: Yes, I know Lucy Rose went on tour in Latin America and for her it was a life-changing experience. One day, we will go!

OGAERLA: Finally, what message do you want to give to the people who are reading this interview?

L.M: Thanks for reading this, guys! It means a lot to me and our band. Send us a DM on instagram or Facebook if you like our music. Have a great day no matter where you are and see you in Tel Aviv.

Social networks:

Web page: http://www.lakemalawimusic.com/

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/lakemalawimusic/

Facebook: http://https://www.facebook.com/lakemalawimusic/

YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/user/lakemalawimusic

In one of our questions, the leader of the band recommended two of his songs that according to him, could do well in Eurovision. Let us share thos songs with you and we want to know your opinion. What do you think?