Nikki Kavanagh Interview!

We were delighted and priviliged to have a chat with the very talented and Fabulous Nikki Kavanagh earlier today.

Hi Nikki thank you for speaking with us, we are all delighted to hear that you are taking part in Eurosong, this year this time as a main act. How does that compare to your last 2 entries when you were a back vocalist?
Thank you! It’s more exciting & more nerve wracking at the same time! I love to sing backing vocals, its great discipline as a singer; you really learn how to use your voice well to compliment the lead singer. This time round it’s a tough song to sing, vocally challenging and very dynamic, I can’t wait to perform it!

(Nikki pictured in Oslo, second from left)
How was Oslo for you last year, any special memories, any gossip?
Oslo rocked, it was a fantastic experience, I’ve honestly never had such a good trip away meeting so many talented & wonderful people. We don’t reaslise how huge the contest really is, compared to the nationals it’s a totally different ball game!

You must come from a very musically talented family, how do they feel about yet another Kavanagh in the Eurovision?
I’m the only musical one would you believe! Everyone thinks Niamh (Kavanagh) and I are related but we arent! Mind you my daughter Eden is following closely in mommy’s footsteps!

Do you feel under pressure because people might be comparing you with Niamh Kavangh?
I don’t feel the pressure at all, I’m Niamh’s biggest fan, she is without doubt the finest singer ever to emerge from Ireland. I can sing…there is no doubt in that…but Niamh could sing the phonebook!

Do you play any instruments yourself?
I play a bit of guitar, getting stuck back into it at the moment, love acoustic spanish guitar, I intend to improve drastically!

Who do you listen to music wise, and who or what would influence you most?
At the moment I am a huge Rihanna & Pink fan, I listen to pretty much all kinds of music, I’ve a very diverse ear! Strong independent women who sing with heart & passion, live bands and serious attitudes, that’s where it’s at for me right now!

What is your favourite song from the Eurovision, and do you have any childhood memories of it at all?
We used to have Eurovision parties when we were kids! It was amazing but it seemed to die a death after we began to lose…a lot! We stuck to the same theme that worked for us all along,  fine songs and singers but time has moved on, we need to evolve as a nation and send more current acts, personally speaking! I don’t have one favourite I have loads! Loved all our winners of course, Niamh’s ‘In your eyes’ was probably the best one. Last year I loved Paula & Ovi from Romania & I loved Drip Drop

We all know that you were in X-factor a few years back, how did that affect your life? Would you do it again?
Gosh that was 2006 I think! Feels like a life time ago! It was a great experience but quite disappointing, they keep a lot of really bad or average singers that have some drama going on in their lives that might make good TV. As a singer, a devoted singer…that annoyed me! Just because I hadn’t got anything heartbreaking going on! I should have made something up! Was happy to get to boot camp though, made some great pals and it’s nice to see behind the scenes like that, gives you an eye opener. Leona Lewis won that year so let’s face it, she is awesome!

Of all the artists that you performed with who would you say you are most proud to have collaborated with?
Being a session singer, you sing with everyone and anyone, be it on TV shows as backing vocalist or sometimes on their albums you don’t even get to meet them! It’s all part of the job really and Irish singers don’t get calls to do anyone UK based so it’s pretty much our own artists. I loved singing with Sharon Shannon on The Late Late show with Eleanor Shanley & co., I love to sing harmonies and we had great fun rehearsing! Other than that I have sung support for some big acts in The George over the years!

Any plans for the future, outside of Eurovision. Do you have any tours or song launches ahead of you?
I think at the moment I’m focusing on the Eurosong, we’ve a big campaign of radio, tv, shoots & interviews set up for the next two weeks so I’m flat out with that!
I’ve been selecting songs for my album so will head off to Sweden to record later in the year. My diary is pretty jammed until October so I hope too much more doesn’t come in that I can’t say no to! I will be sleeping in my car!

Can you give us any hints on the song you have for Eurosong, we now know that it is called Falling? Anything special on the night planned?
The song is very current, has a Rihanna feel with a Pink vocal & space allowing, it will be a performance to be remembered!

What will your guna be like? Will it be fabulous?
If I could actually chose one it would be! Still at the drawing board but it will be very sleek, sexy & have some attitude thrown in for good measure! I hope to finalise this week….excited
This year RTE have changed the format of Eurosong to include mentors for each of the artists, has that helped do you think with the songs?
Yes definitely, David has been a superb mentor, we have the same vision and we are ploughing ahead! As the ‘artist’, its like having a manager looking after the show in all aspects, less work & pressure for me…It means I can focus on my look and vocal…and my dance moves of course

Who is this mystery act that have yet to be announced? We know you know who it is.
I think the cloak & dagger aspect is more to do with the group being so new the final line up hadn’t been finalised and also the name hadn’t been chosen. I think they just wanted to launch on the 5th Feb on the documentary to give themselves time enough to have everything worked out, track recorded & rehearsals in place, it’s more work when there are four people expected to gel together…which in fairness is what I would have done myself if we had considered a group option. They haven’t announced the names yet but we all know, worst kept secret with the music business but it’s done well to keep out of the press! Best of luck to them!

So, She’s going to Sweden (Fabulous), has a great dress planned (More Fabulous), Loves Romania’s entry from last year (Our performance of the year in the ESC Ireland awards) (Double Fabulous) with a great performance planned for the night, humble and extremely talented how can we not love this girl. Nikki you got our vote.

Nikki Kavanagh will perform  Falling by (Christina Schilling, Camilla Gottschalck, Jonas Gladnikoff and Hanif Sabzevari), she will be 5th on the night. Eurosong 2011 will take place on the Late Late Show – RTE 1 on Friday Feb 11th at 21.30 GMT.

Don’t forget to vote for your favorite entry for Eurosong this year on the following link.