Hungary: Gabi Tóth [Interview] [escChat.com]

days until the Eurovision Song Contest Final in Azerbaijan!

Hungary: Gabi Toth [Interview]

escXtra had a great pleasure and an opportunity to chat with one of the biggest names in the Hungarian music scene - Gabi Tóth. She rose to fame in the second edition of Megasztár which was held in 2005, where she finished third and was also the best ranked female vocalist. Since then, she released two studio albums, more than 10 videoclips, and lots of singles all of which ended up high in the music charts. She was also nominated for many different awards in the country, winning the awards for the video of the year, song of the year, and also has the title of the best female vocalist in Hungary in both 2010 and 2011.

We chatted with her about her views on Eurovision, her song, career, and all this you can read in the interview below:

escXtra: Hello Gabi! Thank you very much for taking your time out for doing this interview. First of all, how do you feel being in the top 20 in the national selection?

Gabi Tóth: Hello, and thank you very much for your request. It’s a very, very good feeling and an honour to be in the top twenty of the national selection. I am already very excited and happy about this, although the true competition starts just now.

X: You were the first one this year in Hungary who said "I want to do Eurovision!", even before the national selection was announced. How did you come to the idea to try and represent Hungary in the Eurovision Song Contest?

G: My dream since I was a child would come true, if I could go on stage and perform in front of people from entire Europe. This is a huge challenge, and it was always my desire to perform in front of many millions of people.

X: Can you tell us a bit about "Nem kell végszó" - what is the song about?

G: This song is about the ending of my last relationship, about my break-up. It’s about all the pain, difficulties, and these kinds of feelings. This is the way my songs are always born, they are all inspired by my real life, because this way I can be authentic. However, this is very important, because this is the way I can help people through my music. If they listen to my songs, they will know that they are not alone with their problems, and they will forget about their bad feelings for at least a couple of moments.

X: Was this song originally written for Eurovision, or was it composed before and then entered to the national selection?

G: This song wasn’t written for Eurovision, but I thought that this song is really good, and I had to enter it to the Contest.

X: Caramel is also taking part in the national selection. He won the edition of Megasztár when you came third. How do you feel competing once again against him?

G: Caramel is an amazing and very capable and professional singer, and it is always a great challenge to compete against him.

X: You have won many prestigious awards in Hungary - video of the year, song of the year, and you also received the title of the singer of the year in both 2010 and 2011. Do you think this gives you some advantage towards some other entrants in the national final?

G: It means an advantage only in the sense that these recognitions may give me great confidence, and psychical strength. However, I won’t get a better result in the contest only because of this.

X: Can you tell us a bit how your performance in the national final is going to be like?

G: Let this be a surprise :) I will say only that I will put my heart and soul in the performance, in order to be able to represent my country very worthily in Eurovision.

X: Did you hear the other competing songs in the selection, and do you have any favorites?

G: I don't have a clear favorite. I think the contest is on a very high level, and I think that every single performer in the contest truly makes a big effort and gives out the best.

X: Are you a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest?

G: Of course! For every single performer it is an unbelievable recognition to get into this huge competition, and to be able to show what you know and what you are made of, in this gigantic show.

X: Have you got an all time favorite Eurovision song (either Hungarian, or from any other country)?

G: I’ll admit that I am biased with the Hungarian entrants :) At the same time, it is hard to choose a favorite, because the performances and the songs contain many different elements together. The song itself, then what we see on stage, all the elements of the show, personality of every performer etc, and because I know them all in person as well, I couldn’t really be objective.

X: And finally, do you have a message for all your fans, and readers of escxtra.com?

G: Thank you for all the love and encouraging words I get from you! I couldn't possibly say how much that means to me! Please keep supporting me, and vote for me! ;)

X: Thank you very much for this interview, and we wish you all the best in the national final!

G: Thank you!

Listen to Gabi's entry in the national final - Nem kell végszó (No need to say goodbye):