One of the big fan favorites in the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest is Sergei Cetkovic from Montenegro. He will perform his own song «Moj svijet» in the first semifinal in Copenhagen next Tuesday. In the very busy days leading up to the big night ha took time out of his packed schedule to answer some questions for escNorge. 

Wiv; Sergej Cetkovic is a new name to most Norwegians. Can you tell us a bit about your musical background and your career so far?

Sergej; My career is over fifteen years long. So far I have released five albums and several «Best of»-compilations. My first album was released 14 years ago and I am currently working on my sixth studio album. I’ve already released two songs («I still love you» and «Because of us «) and with this I have announced a new CD which will be released hopefully next year. Anyway, we are still in big concert tour in the Balkans, and in some European countries, where we promote my latest CD «2 minutes», which was released four years ago. I have worked as a lyricist for sixteen years. The audience has identified my composition gift and supports me in this. There is no recipe or a special inspiration in creating my compositions. It is about the everyday emotional experience, which every man can recognize. Through my emotions I am able to transfer into lyrics and music. I feel good when I can transfer my emotions to my audience. I’m glad that they feel it.

Wiv; In addition to singing it, you are also the composer and co-lyricist of «Moj svijet». Do you write a lot of your own music, and do you prefer performing or making music?

 Sergej; I have a lot of unpublished compositions. I like to both compose and perform my music! Both inspire me.

Wiv;  A lot of people talk about the preview video for «Moj Svijet», which is very beautiful and powerful. Can you tell us about the story behind the video?

Sergej; Our video is informally named the best in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 looking at the initial reactions. Otherwise, the video we shot at several exotic locations – from the Skadar Lake, along Ulcinj, Bar, and all the way to Zabljak. The biggest praise came from some people in these places where we were shooting. And they said: «The child you were filming, what is this beauty?» It was a sign that we made it. We recorded on location in Montenegro, which was virtually untouched and yet had all that we needed. It’s just a small part of our natural resources, that we
will carry it with us to Copenhagen and show the world. The wild beauty we have presented to the rest of the world, I believe, with the help of my co-workers, producers and people from the Radio Television of Montenegro, will succeed.

Wiv; After the language rule was lifted in 1999, many countries choose to sing in English instead of in their native language. This year only 10 countries out of 37 perform their song, partly or entirely, in one of the country’s official languages. What is your view of the use of languages in Eurovision Song Contest, and did you ever consider
singing in English?

Sergej: I recorded the song in our language and in English. We wanted to sing in Italian, but I did not have enough time. It is possible we will do so in the future. My producers and I’ve been thinking a lot about what language to sing in in Copenhagen, but it was decided that we have just from Europe, so people from Belgium, Germany, Norway, England, he was assured that it is better to sing in our language, because it is authentic and emotional. So long have I been thinking, I say, but at the last moment withdrew from the English and decided to ours. There are arguments both for and against! We’ll see if I’m wrong. Although, I have no problem and that I was singing in English, which is close to everyone in Europe, but I think that is the closest emotion I’m sending all the good people who will follow the Eurovision Song Contest.

Wiv; Have you heard the other entries in the contest, and if so; are there any you think stand out?

Sergej: I’ve heard some of singers who will appear in Copenhagen and I respect them very much. I wish a good performance to my collegues and I expect to join them in the final. To me, this is another challenge and I hope for a good result and may the best win.

Wiv; What does your participation in Eurovision Song Contest mean to you and your career?

Sergej; Participation in the ESC for me is a new experience and one more chapter in my fifteen-year career . I really think that the ESC is the largest and most important music festival in Europe, I am honored to represent my country on it .

Wiv; Being a Norwegian site, our readers will be interested to hear whether you have a favorite Norwegian Eurovision entry?

Sergej; I like the song Margaret Berger from Norway last year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

Wiv;  What kind of music do you listen to when you want to relax and enjoy? And which artists inspire you?

Sergej: Everyone has their own style. I grew up with San Remo. In Montenegro, we all watched RAI UNO and so their music is close to us. I believe that I was „infected» by that sound since childhood and I became the composer of sound similar to Italian pop sound rather than the Balkan’s sound. I like Zucchero, Sting, Joe Cocker…. In our region I appreciate the work of Oliver Dragojevic, Gibboni …

Thanks a lot for taking the time to speak to us! Best of luck in your semifinal on May 6th, and we hope to see you in the final.