For the second year running, Valentina Monetta will represent San Marino in Eurovision Song Contest. She sat down with escNorge for a little chat, to give us a chance to get to know her a bit better before Malmö.

Wiv; Valentina Monetta is a new name to many Norwegians. Could you introduce yourself and tell us a little about your musical background and your career?

Valentina; I started my music career when I was only 5 years old. My dad used to play the piano, and my brother and I inherited his passion for music. I’ve learned to play the piano too and I grew up listening to soul and jazz… People in San Marino have known me for a long time already, as I have participated in various festivals and performed on local TV stations.

Wiv; This will not be your first time in Eurovision Song Contest; you represented San Marino last year too. Your entry in Baku, «The Social Network Song», is very different to this year’s «Crisalide». Which of the two songs do you feel is closest to your regular style of music?

Valentina; I love both of them… But where you can say that «The Social Network Song» is about stereotypes, «Chrisalide» is more about my authentic personality and my growth.

Wiv; Can you tell us a bit about how it was, participating last year in Baku? Do you think that the experience will be of help to you this time around?

Valentina; For sure I feel more secure… It was a very nice experience where I had fun and I learned a lot from it. I have learnt a lot of new aspects of the job, and I face them with a passion.

Wiv; How will you describe «Crisalide»? And since it’s in Italian, and not all listeners will understand the meaning of it; could you tell us a bit what it is about?

Valentina; «Crisalide» is like a breath of life, an awareness of a new truth to help us face courage, a positive message to recover ourselves…. destroying all the walls that doesn’t allow us to believe in ourselves. The Beatles used to say «Let it be» and I say «Fly». Every time we rediscover our own light we go back to crisis and this happened to me many times and I’m sure this happened to you, so all we do is trying to search for the truth. Soon I will release the English version too.

Wiv; «The Social Network Song» was in English, «Crisalide» is in Italian. What language do you normally prefer singing in, and why?

Valentina; I like singing both in Italian and English. The English language is easier to sing because of the technical aspects, singing in the Italian language give the singer the opportunity to show more his talent and his interpretive skills.

Wiv; In Eurovision Song Contest many countries sing in English instead of in their national language. What is your opinion on the language question?

Valentina; I think every singer should sing in his own language, and then maybe a part of the song could be in English.

Wiv; Have you listened to the other songs in the competition? And if so; are there any you think stand out?

Valentina; I love Anouk’s song «Birds», and I also like Ukraine and France a lot.

Wiv; Is Eurovision Song Contest popular and respected by artists and the public in San Marino?

Valentina; After San Remo this festival is the most liked by the people in San Marino, because it gives them the opportunity to see songs from various countries in a festival.

Wiv; What are your feelings towards the contest? Have you been following it growing up?

Valentina; I  started watching the contest in 2008 when I tried to participate with my own song, but I am very happy for MIODIO that participated that year for San Marino. I believe that Eurovision is an international musical celebration that it’s a very important opportunity for the artists and their country.

Wiv; What is your favorite ESC-entry?

Valentina; «Non ho l’età» performed by Gigliola Cinquetti for Italy in 1964 is a great classic.

Wiv; Since we’re a Norwegian site; do you have a favorite Norwegian entry as well?

Valentina; From Norway I like Maria’s «Hold On Be Strong», and of course Alexander Rybak singing «Fairytale».

Wiv; In addition to participating in Eurovision Song Contest, what are your plans for the near future?

Valentina; I hope I will have a nice tour with my musicians, and that I will have various other occasions like this for my career…

Wiv; Thanks a lot for taking the time to talk to us; we really appreciate it. And we are looking forward to seeing you in Malmö! Best of luck from escNorge!

Photos; artist’s facebook