This time we bring you the conversation we had with Roxen, representative for Romania for Eurovision 2020, in a very sincere conversation, we talked from her beginnings to what the song that she will be perform in Rotterdam “Alcohol You” means for her, this is what she told us :
OGAERLA: What emotions define you as a musician and person?
Roxen: All kind of emotions. I am an emotional person and this defines me as an artist, also. I couldn’t live without emotions and feelings.
OGAERLA: What does the music represent for Roxen.
Roxen: It is everything, what I love the most and what represents me 100%.
OGAERLA: Your passion for music became since childhood, but it was not until last year that you became known thanks to “You Don’t Love Me” by Sickotoy, how was it to be in a project that gave you so much recognition including plays in stations in France, Russia, Spain and the United States?
Roxen: It feels great. I loved that song since I heard it for the first time and I wanted to sing it. I would like to thank SICKOTOY for choosing me. You don’t love me means the start of my music career and I’m so thankful for all its success.
OGAERLA: On the other hand, your first single “Ce-ți cântă dragostea” had great acceptance in Romania. What has been the most difficult and the most satisfactory of this local and international recognition?
Roxen: Till now, I didn’t find anything negative or difficult in all this. I am focused on what I have to do, on the people who support me and encourage me. Even if I receive a not so nice message, I’m try to find something constructive in it and it doesn’t have any, I will simply not let it affect me. Because, in the end, you can’t thank everyone, but you can learn something from every reaction or opinion. I am happy for the success my songs have and I would like to thank everyone for making my dream come true.
OGAERLA: Since Romania announced they will choose its representative internally, you name started to sound as one of the strongest ones, how was this whole process and how did the opportunity to represent your country in Eurovision came to you?
Roxen: Together with 2 other artists from Global Records, Diana V and Cezar Guna, we were the proposals for representing Romania in Eurovision 2020. The three of us spent one week in a music camp, together with producers, composers and songwriters. In all this time, we produced music, sang, had sessions etc.
After this week, the jury chose the winner, the artist who would represent Romania. And they chose me. 🙂 Five songs were composed for me. I sung all of them on the 1st of March, in the National Selection, when the public and the jury chose the one that I will sing in Rotterdam, Alcohol You.
OGAERLA: Then it was announced that the song choice would be made through the Selectia Nationala and with five competing songs. tell us about this process, Did you have any favorite songs from the beginning?
Roxen: All 5 songs mean something to me, all of them represent me in a way or another. I love to sing them, but I have to admit that Alcohol You was closer to my heart, because a part of my story is there, in the verses of this song.
OGAERLA: What musical genres do you identify with and which artists inspire you?
Roxen: Jorja Smith, Sabrina Claudio, Sam Smith and many others. All of them are really talented, hardworking and inspiring artists.
OGAERLA: Among the five proposals, the favorites in the bets were Cherry Red and Alcohol You. What thoughts crossed your mind as your performances passed until the moment of results?
Roxen: I tried to focus on all the 5 songs equally and let the public and jury chose the one that I will sing in Rotterdam. I did my best for all of them and I will continue singing them in concerts, live interviews, radio interviews etc.
OGAERLA: Has a performance in Eurovision been in your mind previously or it came suddenly?
Roxen: Since I was a kid, I have been dreaming of performing on such a big stage, but it was only a dream. I knew that I had to work hard for my dream, and I didn’t expect all this to come true so quickly, but I am more than thankful and motivated to work more and improve every day.
OGAERLA: Finally “Alcohol You” stood above the great favorite “Cherry Red” and will be the song to perform in Eurovision 2020, what is the story behind the lyrics?
Roxen: Rarely I have the opportunity to spend time with myself. Generally, we are on the run, we care too much about unimportant things in our lives, but in the end all we have is us. I like to discover myself and change what doesn’t work, so I can have a good relationship with my own self, learn how to accept and be proud of it.
I have always cared too much about what others think of me, about what they tell me to do or not to and I forgot about what I think is best. This is when frustrations and complicated relationships appear. I’ve started to eliminate all of the above and adapt to society exactly the way I am, with all that I have to offer, through all that I am as a human being.
Maybe I am different, maybe I don’t do things as others think appropriate or according to their wishes. I’m not looking for everyone to understand me, only for those people who resonate one way or another with me and whom I feel part of my universe. Alcohol You sends this message, that’s why it represents me, because I find myself in those lyrics, there you can find a part of my life story.
OGAERLA: Is there a revamp of the song planned before may or it will be as we all know it so far?
Roxen: Yes, it was released these days. Here you can listen to it
OGAERLA: Tell us about your favorite Romanian representative in ESC?
Roxen: My favorite Romanian representative is Let me try – Luminita Anghel & Sistem.
OGAERLA: Eurovision has a large number of fans in Latin America, have you visited any of our countries?Roxen: Unfortunately not, but I would love to. 🙂
OGAERLA: Any plan to bring your music to this continent?
Roxen: I would love my music to be listened to your continent and visit you also soon.
OGAERLA: Would you like to make a collaboration with any latin artist?
Roxen: Yes, of course. I really admire Latin artists and I would love to have such a collaboration.
OGAERLA: Finally, what message do you want to give to the people who are reading this interview?
Roxen: Follow your dreams and keep the good vibes! Love you all!
Interview: Christopher Estrada
Traduction: Alberto Delgado