Blogilkar's Flying Reporter Robert has been busy and sat down with pretty as can be Zlata Ognevich representing Ukraine with her Gravity. And she turns out to be a very sweet and lovely girl! She talks about her mother, her career, gets totally moved when someone in Malmö 2013 is pregnant, spends sleepless nights and thinks someone would be the best choice for Ukraine in Eurovision 2014! Who? Find it out here;
Thank you Zlata for this interview. Could you please tell us something about your musical career so far?
I remember I was always singing already as a child, listening to good music, everything from Maria Callas to ethnic music from Ukraine, Armenia, Africa... all around the world. At the age og 8 I entered a music school to study piano. It was my mother's dream, she wanted me to become a pianist. I had to convince her that I really wanted to sing and in the end she agreed. My family has always been very supportive to my music school. At the age og 9 I went to music festival but it was a disaster! I forgot the lyrics and lost my self confidence, it was terrible. Once again my mom supported me telling I must be strong like a soldier, show business is hard. My mother never was a singer but she also has a beuatiful voice. She's also very talented and organized many concerts when we lived in Belarus and in Russia.
You were born in Murmansk?
Yes, I was born in Murmansk but then we moved to St.Petersburg and then to Belarus. When I was 5 we moved to Ukraine.
So you slowly went south....
Yes! I don't know why but when I was a child I was always getting sick and my mother told my father: Let's go to Ukraine, the weather is better at Black Sea. And ever since I haven't had any problems, my health is great!
When did you career take of as a real singer?
When I was a student at the Kiev Musical Academy I studied pop vocals but I had also lessons in classical singing. I also can sing ethnic songs, jazz, soul thanks to my vocal training, breathing right and so on. I also had one year of jazz singing lessons. Four years ago I met my producer and my solo career started. Before that I had been performing as a child of course and then with the Ukraine Army Ensamble.
So you are big enough star now to support yourself as a singer?
Yes, I'm big like Ani Lorak, Ruslana... we know each other and Ani Lorak is supporting me in this....
How about Russia, Belarus...?
A little bit. I have a lot of fans in social medias like Facebook asking me to come and give concerts there so I have some fans there, too. And you know, it's my dream, too. I love to sing!
How would you describe your song Gravity?
This is music from the deep inside me. It's not just a pop song for me. It's a little bit pop, a little bit folk, a little ambient.... we were thinking and creating this song months ago. We dropped things to water, like bottles and coins and such, to create the sound of water splash... you can hear it in the song.
But also your vocal range plays an important part in the song....
Yes. from low to high notes. It's not only about singing well, everytime I sing it must come from the heart. Like my mother always says, there are so many technically talented vocalists in the world, but without heart and soul it's nothing. You don't need to have a great vocals range to be a great singer.
Gravity for me is to sing from my heart.
Can we expect more songs like this from you?
Yes you can. And already can listen to some, you'll find it on Youtube :-), called One day. It's a tribute to Japan, after the tsunami. Ukrainian children will go to Japan with that song to a music contest.
And who do you listen to? Your favorite artists?
Bobby McFerrin is the God of music for me. And Stevie Wonder. They are the best. Then Celine Dion. Whitney Houston of course. Michael Jackson. I also like Björk. Sting. Adele. Of the national artists Okean Elzy (Океан Ельзи,) a rock group, very good!
You changed the song a bit after the national final, mostly the chorus part. Why?
In the national final we presented a musical idea, it wasn't the final version. Just the idea. After the win it was reworked to the perfection and it's what you hear now. One shouldn't pay much attention to that version. Even if it was a more finalized version it would have been revamped for the Eurovision anyways.
How do you see your chances in Eurovision? Do you follow the predictions and bookmakers at all?
I concentrate on my song and music, the others in my team can do that! Of course it's an honor if they look good but only the performance on stage matters. For me Eurovision is a big chance in every way; to meet people and maybe collaborate in the future and for my whole team it's a big honor to represent Ukraine. I'm representing my country, my people, the people who voted for me...
Do you feel a lot of pressure to do well?
Of course! And I'm very excited!
If you wouldn't go to the final...
WHAAAT?
... I said IF! ha ha ha
Ha ha ok! It's a destiny. In my life I know how to be a winner and how to be a loser. It's life! You can only do your best and the outcome will be what it will be.
How was the song received in Ukraine?
Many people like it, but some like it less. it's normal. But in a poll 95% of the people are supporting me and my song! And there are many cover versions, children singing my song, awww.... makes me cry! I'm so sentimental! There are so many emotions going on right now, and all I can do about is cry!
Can you tell us about your other interests and hobbies? Your daily life?
I wake up in the morning and listen to my favorite music. Not necessarily Björk or Adele, it can be simply birds singing! I love cooking. Cakes! Mediterranean food..
I can see you eat a lot of cakes!
Ha ha ha! Everytime I'm singing on stage I lose one kilo! really, it's hard work for me. After performance I can't sleep for one night thinking how it was, what was right, what was wrong....
So you are little bit perfectionist?
I'm not a l-i-t-t-l-e bit..... Ha ha ha. It's my fobia! My obsession!
So when you get critizised you take that very hard...?
No! Not at all, it's normal. But I accept it only from a very few people; professional people who work with me, my parents.... they always speak their mind, not saying it was great and beautiful if it wasn't. They will tell me honestly.
Are your parents here with you?
No, they decided to stay home. They said they will call me when I win, ha ha! But now let's get back to the question.... So, I wake up, listen music, cook, go bicyckling, maybe to the studio, or with friends to movies or to see the starts in the sky but I love to sleep when I have free time!
So that's why we have this interview only at 11.30! Ha ha. What was the best day of your life so far?
Oh there have been many! For example when a friend of mine had a baby. It was wonderful. I think a baby is the biggest miracle. And I want a baby, too. But not now! Only after Eurovision, ha ha. Of course I was also very happy when I realized I'd be going to Eurovision.
You know there's also a pregnant singer in Eurovision?
Oh really? WHO?
Birgit from Estonia.
OMG. WOW. How far?
I don't know. I will interview her tomorrow.
Oh my gosh, it's so nice, wow.... Another very happy moment was when we moved to Ukraine. I saw the mountains. We lived in a very cold country Russia so moving to Crimea and the Black Sea, it was wonderful! My parents still live there, ten minutes to the Black Sea! It's a little like Greece, Italy....
Who is the person who has influenced you the most?
Steve Jobs. I read his book. His life. He was a perfectionist. Celine Dion. My vocal counch. And of course my mother. She's a very strong woman.
We have come to the end of this interview. Who Ukrainian artist would you like to see on Eurovision stage next year?
I think Jamala. She's gorgeous. She's so talented. She was in the national final with Smile when I was with The Kukushka. I think she'd be the best choice for Ukraine 2014.
And your favorite songs in Eurovision?
Ruslana and Ani Lorak for Ukraine. Celine Dion. In my concerts I actually do Wild dances, Satellite, Shady lady and My number one covers!
Thank you Zlata for this interview and good luck next Tuesday and see you in the final!
Comments