Marcin Mrozinski (POL 2010) interviewed

Another Eurostar, Marcin Mrozinski, entrant for Poland in 2010, spoke to INFE Greece regarding his Eurovision experience

1. WHAT KIND OF EXPERIENCE WAS YOUR PARTICIPATION TO THE ESC.?DO YOU HAVE IT AS A SWEET MEMORY OR YOU WOULD LIKE TO FORGET IT?DESCRIBE US WHAT HAPPENED THE PREPARATION DAYS,WHILE YOU WERE ON THE STAGE,AND YOUR FEELING AT THE TIME YOUR SONG ENDED.WAS IT A DREAM OR A MIRACLE?
Eurovision is my favorite music competition, I was watching it since I was 9. Our first (and last) big success Edyta Gorniak, on a 2nd place in 1994 made me dreaming about representing my country! I didn’t expect it will ever happen. I decided to try to take a part in that contest. I won Polish National Final in 2010 and it was unbelievable! My dream came true. Now I am thinking it was very difficult time in my life. The most busy, stressful half a year ever. Trying to find any sponsors, cause Polish TV (TVP) doesn’t help to the representatives, preparing everything, costumes, performance, promo materials. Polish TV didn’t help at all. They only paid for the flight and a hotel. The rest, I had to pay from my money. So, I had a very difficult time. But finally, we made a show. Now I think, I made a big mistake of showing my song that way. I had to many things on my head that time, so I trust to the choreographer. But now I know it was my mistake. We should sing “Legenda” without any strange dances, etc. Still, it was an amazing experience!!!
2.WAS YOUR PARTICIPATION HELPFULL TO YOUR CAREER?WHAT CHANGED AFTER TAKING PART TO THE CONTEST?
Well, actually it didn’t change a lot… I am still working as an actor at the theatre, tv series. I am still singing, hosting a show for children. Doing same things I was doing before ESC. The only thing which changed is that I am invited for some concerts out of Poland f.e. Portugal, Malta, Germany, Ukraine. It’s so nice, when someone out of your country comes to you and say: “Hi, I saw you on Eurovision. I really loved your song”.
3.WHICH DO YOU THINK IS THE ‘STANDARD RECIPE’ FOR HAVING A GOOD POSITION IN THE FINAL?
For Poland? No recipe… We never pass into the finals  (except Isis Gee, who ended on the last position in the final). There is still very political voting, even we have 50/50. The only non-political voting past last few years I remember was when Alex Rybak won. He was the winner from the very beginning!!!

4.WHY DO YOU BELIEVE THAT THIS CONTEST REMAINS,ONE OF THE FAVOURITE SHOWS,AFTER SO MANY YEARS,IN A TOTALLY DIFFERENT DECADE WHERE NOTHING SEEMS TO BE THE SAME?
It’s still a competition of countries, even more than songs. I think it’s popular, cause it’s glamour! I love it. I am watching it, cause I know what I can expect. A great show, with nice music, colorful, nicely done, well prepared, professional! And you can find there everything you like. If you like kitsch songs, disco songs, ballads, folk, you can find it on Eurovision! Amazing!

5.IN YOUR OPINION,HAVING EXTREME CHANGES,DURING THE YEARS,IS THE CONTEST BETTER OR NOT?-televoting system,-the ‘missing’of the orchestras e.t.c?
I miss the orchestra! The best times of Eurovision were in 90’s. Full of great songs, lovely melodies, amazing singers, live music! What else? I think they should be back with 10-15 members of jury in every country, no televoting. Best composers, singers, songwriters, producers as those members. It would become more professional again! Maybe it would mean more for people and countries again if they know that it’s not only a voting for those who can spend money on that voting…? Don’t know really…

6.HOW COMES THAT EVEN THOUGH,EUROPE IS IN A PERIOD OF ECONOMIC CRISIS,THE SHOWS ARE GETTING MORE AND MORE EXPENSIVE EVERY YEAR?
As I said before, this is not only a competition of songs. It’s a competition of countries! Every single country wants to show to the other countries, that the final in their country is the best ever! So, they spend more money every year to make it better than the other country made a year before… Bit silly, but still works. I think, they should think more of tourists who come for Eurovision. The hotels, hostels, etc. should be cheaper if they really want to make people come! I know lots of people who didn’t go to Dusseldorf because of unbelievably expensive hotels! And I am sure it would be bigger if they would save money on the organization than growing prices for the hotels and tickets!

7.TELL US A PARTICIPATION,THAT YOU REALLY ADMIRED AND THAT YOU WOULD,NO DOUBTLY PERFORM
I am having a lot of favorite songs! Last year I had few of them as well. As I said I love Eurovision! One of my favorite song ever is “Nocturne” Secret Garden, so simple and so beautiful! Sometimes less means more!

8.WHAT WOULD YOU LIKE TO SUGGEST,IN ORDER TO MAKE ESC A TOTALLY REMARKABLE COMPETITION?
Eurovision in very remarkable, you don’t have to make it more special than it is. When you go once, you want to go every year! It’s amazing. Lots of people come for ESC and it’s great you meet them every single year! I have a lot of friends from Eurovision now. Not only from the participants, but fans as well. The most important is to enjoy it! It’s 2 weeks of a hard work, but as well a big fun! No time to sleep, no time to rest. Go out and have fun! 

9.WHAT DO YOU THINK SHALL ,IMMEDIATELY CHANGE TO THE CONTEST
I wouldn’t change a lot… Maybe I would give the same chances to the countries who have less money… So, I would give no permission for any scenography, and special effects, etc. F.e. Polish TV give no money for ESC to pay for fireworks, scenography, etc. We can’t do any special show without money. I would give the same chance to every country. Have microphones, same stage and sing… We’ll see what’s going to work better. To many circus on ESC at that moment sometimes.

10.WOULD YOU GIVE THE ADVICE TO A RELATIVE,OR A GOOD FRIEND TO TAKE PART?WHAT WOULD THE CONTEST OFFER HIM?
If you wanna take a part in Eurovision, have money! Then, enjoy 

11.DO YOU PREFER THE ‘OLD’ OR THE ‘NEW’ EUROVISION?
I prefer the old one… As I’ve said: better songs, no circus, amazing singers, competition of songs, not countries! But still, I am watching it every year and have my own favorites… Last year I really loved few songs and voices. We can get to know so many amazing singers who come to Eurovision every year from all Europe! Cool!

12.IN YOUR OPINION,WHICH IS THE MOST ‘SERIOUS’ PART OF A WINNING SONG,OF THE ABOVE..a.THE LYRICS? b.THE MUSIC? c.THE VOICE? d.THE APPEARANCE OR EVEN e.THE LANGUAGE?PLEASE SELECT ONE.
f. money? Hahahaha. No, just kidding  uhmm… What’s now? Not the voice (not any more L), not the lyrics (cause you can sing anything, and it can be catchy), I would say: a mixture of MUSIC and APPEARANCE (that’s how it works at the moment).
Personally I would go for music!

13.WHICH OF THE ‘NOWDAYS MUSIC STARS’ SHOULD HAVE A TRY,ON THE CONTEST?
I wish I could see Anna Vissi (again) for Greece, Tarkan for Turkey, Mylène Farmer for France, Elton John for UK, Edyta Gorniak (again) for Poland, Lara Fabian (again) for Belgium, Jamala for Ukraine! But would be funny to see Rihanna or Lady Gaga 

14.WHICH WAS THE ARTIST,THAT COULD HAVE GONE BETTER AND ESC OWES HIM?
Harel Skaat (Israel 2010) one of the best vocalist in the contest, Maja Keus (Slovenia 2011) amazing singer! WOW!

15.THE ‘IDEAL’ ESC CONTEST FOR YOU.PLEASE GIVE US A FULL DESCRIPTION OF PLACE,BUILDING,SEASON,KINDS OF PARTICIPATING SONGS,E.T.C.
Warsaw, National Stadium, Summer 2013, Every country of Europe, the best songs possible, best vocalists ever!!! HUH? So… See you in Warsaw 2013