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H: Big hello to everybody, you are listening to the radio "Raduga" (Rainbow). My name is Sergei Grifitz.
We were saying for a long time that we would have as a guest a young, talented, handsome, a dream of many - well, why will I lay it all out, my friends?
Alexander Rybak, please welcome! Good afternoon, Alexander!
A: Hello! You see, here I am, suddenly...
H: I can say that Alexander is very punctual. They promised us at 2pm and at 2pm Alexander has been already at the studio. A: Yes, I ran in at 2pm.
H: Alexander, here is the first question. People of Russian origin, let's say also of Belorussian origin, who live in Europe sometimes just have such an interesting situation with names,
that in Russia one calls them for example Sasha, Shurik and so on. But what do your parents call you?
A: The same way: Sasha, Soushka (bagel, dry bread-ring), Zajka (bunny) H: Soushka?
A: Well, I think it's not under any rules yet. H: And your friends, from Norway -(they call you) Alexander?
A: Yes, yes, yes. They just don't understand in Norway at all how one name can sound differently. If I am Alexander, how can I be Sasha?
H: So, your parents are musicians. Correct me: your mother is a pianist, your father is a violinist, your grandmother is also a teacher in a musical school.
A: Uh... they say so, yes. H: But is it true or not?
A: Well, I have seen my grandmother only as my grandmother at this time. But she is great. She plays the piano very well.
I am very happy that she educated children because she brought me up very well also. And my mom and dad are the best, best parents. They just... they...
I am very happy that they took Russian culture, I mean discipline, but when we moved to Norway they understood that there is a different culture and...
for example everybody celebrates Christmas on 24th of December. H: The same as in Lithuania.
A: The same as you, yes. And they could be such strict parents "no, we have our religion", but they saw that I have got new friends who celebrate on 24th of December and then they allowed me to do that too.
H: Well, the question is: You are a musical family. But was your love for music absolutely sincere since your childhood? Or maybe all this began, so to say, with a stick?
Say, if we are a musical family then you have to play too. Weren't there any protests? That "I don't want to be a musician, I want to be a firefighter!"
A: There were some for sure. I cried like all other children. I think that everybody is the same. In childhood you want to play games, to walk, and parents understand if you have a talent or not.
I... I really like to think that if I had no talent for violin or piano I am sure that my parents wouldn't force me to play. I am sure about it.
So it came out that I had a talent for violin and my mom and dad noticed that. So I am really happy that they forced me, oh my god! Children don't know what they need.
H: The question is: while preparing for this interview I looked through all the info and decided that we won't be speaking about Eurovision.
A: Thank you! H: So many words are said about it...
A: However, honestly I am one of those artists of Eurovision who speak with pleasure about it. So I know that many artists would say: "no, now I have new projects"
And I don't need to justify my new projects, and I will always warmly remember with pleasure about that peak which I started my career from.
So I always with pleasure ... Eurovision... I support new countries every year with pleasure. H: But do you watch it every year?
A: Yes. Yes, yes, yes. For example now I just ... I was in Turkey yesterday and shot the video for Alyona Lanskaya, who will sing for Belarus.
H: This year A: Yes. I like my roots very much. I am really proud.
H: Well, we will speak about roots later. Sasha, again we started to talk about Eurovision.
The question is: after your victory - well, I can suppose theoretically that your life has changed in this or that way. But I wonder maybe those of your friends...
A: Maybe not my internal life but of course my external one.
H: Well, those of your friends or buddies who were with you, did they stay after your victory? Because it's not always easy to accept the fame of another person.
A: I surely understood that some of my friends will stay with me forever and some of my friends are more like acquaintances. But I can't say that it's because I became famous.
I think that all people at some time understand who of their friends are true ones, and who were just around for several days,
but it doesn't mean that they are good people or bad people. Just some people fit each other and others don't. H: Like a puzzle.
A: Yes. I don't think that I lost my friends because I became a star, but because I think it's the same with everybody.
But after I won, after they started to invite me for concerts all around the world, I found out much more quickly who waits for me, or is envious, or who doesn't care that I deal with music.
H: But when you became popular, when you became a true star, did you get some new friends. Because when you have this status you probably treat people suspiciously
A: Well... My two... well, three friends are enough for me. I am friends with...
H: Are they from Norway? A: Yes.
H: From Norway. So they live in Norway. A: And it's enough for me.
H: well, yes. Three good friends. Are you often at home in Norway? Because you are such an international star, and in Belarus...
A: Well, yes. Now I am trying to barely speak in Russian with you.
H: No, no. Everything is okay. Often, yes? Do you spend the most of time in Norway, of course?
A: I wouldn't say so. H: Then where?
A: Well, sure, most of the time I spend in Norway. But taking into consideration that I live there, that I have an apartment there, then I am ashamed that I am only in my apartment one or two days per month.
H: But where are you more often? A: Well, in Norway. I am just more often not in Norway.
H: I just want to understand this range of countries. Well, one can understand that it's Russia. Russia came to love you and won't let you go.
A: Well, no, Russia and all Russian-speaking countries. H: Ukraine, Belarus.
A: Yes, well, here in the Baltic countries and in Turkey. By the way, I have my page on Facebook. I have almost 600.000 followers there now.
H: Now you will have much more after this announcement.
A: Hehe, we'll hope so, yes. Lithuania is a big country. So, I have 600.000 people there and 130.000 of them are from Turkey.
H: 130.000. Wow! It's like Vitas (Russian singer) is famous in China, the same is Alexander in Turkey.
A: So either they understand my music quite well, or they like Facebook very much. I don't know.
H: Well, yes. By the way, do you know how many inhabitants are in Lithuania? A: Well, say it.
H: Almost 3.000.000. Well we hope for 3 millions. I mean that 600.000 is one fifth of Lithuania. A: Well...
H: I want to remind you my friends that we have a live video-broadcast even on Facebook. Our guest today is Alexander Rybak, the same one.
A; Yes, I just haven't shaved myself, but still I look well.
H: Yes, I am the same as you. You can wave now. Yes, Alexander is now sending to everybody his air kiss. We have rummaged all over the internet. You know journalists are like this.
We have rummaged all over the internet, searching for some scandals. If you hit somebody's face, if you had some romance with somebody.
A: Not so far H: We found nothing! How come? So many years in show business!
A: Because Belorussian mafia works with me. H: They blocked everything off
A: But I get angry sometimes. And two years ago at rehearsal, everything was wrong there, all the sound-technicians...
H: Was it in Belarus? A: No. In Sweden. And there I hit my violin upon the floor, and it broke. H: Was it expensive?
A: No. I thought half a second, "Is it the expensive violin or not? No, it's not. Let me break it." So, sometimes one should show one's different sides and not hide them.
But the main thing for me is not to step on people's toes. I always try that. It's okay, I have a nice bonus in that I am a famous person, yes.
But I try never to forget my main philosophy that... I try to make people happy all the time, but ... Not that I try that and forget myself. I adore myself! But...
H: Well, it's all right. A: But you have to make people happy and ... I am very happy if... I am pleased to think, that if I won't wake up tomorrow...
H: Well, it's okay... You are 26 I think... So you can think about it already
A: I am already happy. If I won't wake up tomorrow, I comfort myself by the fact that other people will wake up and they will remember me in a good way.
H: Sasha, we have a live video-broadcast, and we have a message from America. They listen to us via Internet
A: Sure. I have just been there. H: In America? A: In New York.
H: Oi, now we will learn everything about it. And there is a girl, Sonya, who is listening to radio "Raduga" right now.
She is your big fan. And she has a birthday soon. She asks if you can greet her into the camera?
H: So, take one - greetings to Sonya from America, let's go!
A: Sonya! You're older now. It's time to think, to make people happy. It's time to be happy yourself.
I really hope you'll have a nice day and some day we will even meet. I really hope we'll meet. Dear Sonya, we all love you.
H: Sasha, and your air kiss would be like fatal shot to the head A: But her mother could be there so..
H: Ah! hahaha... Dear friends, our guest today is Alexander Rybak. Now we'll have a small music break. Sasha, there are many good songs.
I can say that the next one is one of my most favourite. It's called "I don't belive in miracles".
A: Thank you. H: Do you believe in miracles yourself?
A: And I do believe, yes! It's just for the movie we made such a song. H: Yes. The movie was not bad. And the song is just wonderful. We'll listen to it and continue soon.
H: We are continuing our conversation. I remind you that we are on air, and on Internet air on-line, on air on 108.7 in Klaipeda. Questions keep coming to us.
Here is a question from our Facebook follower Denis. He writes that he is in Oslo now. "Why everything is so expensive? Where one can find a cheaper bar?" Well?
A: Oho! Just while you were playing my song we were talking to the radio team that there are many Lithuanians now in Norway
H: And they are listening to us now
A: But the culture is a bit different. I don't even know how to say it. However I usually talk about culture differences in Russia, between Norway and Russia.
That Russian culture is so strict, there is discipline, we don't smile. And in Norway everybody is happy, nobody thinks, everybody just smiles. H: Just emotions.
A: Yes. And here in Lithuania there is a very good mix. So I think Lithuanians are used to smiling so they will feel much better in Norway than Russians do.
But regarding expensive beer... I very rarely drink myself and I won Eurovision myself so.. H: You cannot drink now
A: No, I just don't know what is cheap and what is expensive. But you always can find some Russian bars, Russian clubs. And there are Russian prices.
H: When you are in Russia. For example I am from Russia myself, but when I come to Moscow... well, there is such a thing "Russian mentality, Moscow mentality".
I agree that nobody smiles there, everybody is quite severe.
A: Well, yes. But I like it. H: You like it!? Doesn't it stress you at all?
A: I always try to find the best in every culture, to understand every culture. I like very much that people are constrained in Russia because when they start ... well, not necessary to sing but...
for example they come home, take off their coats and start to have dinner with their family so then their smiles are sincere, you know?
And in Norway everybody always smiles so nobody ever knows if they smile for real or it's just a facade
H: Wow, how interesting! Let's continue this topic about Russia because you are connected to Russian show business.
Do you feel like a part of Russian show business and Belorussian one, or an all-over-European one?
A: No. One can say it's both my biggest problem and my greatest happiness. H: You don't feel like this?
A: That I feel just like a European and I know that, for example in Norway, they say me: "Why do you sometimes sing sad songs? Generally we don't come to your concerts to listen sad ballads"
I just sing one sad song and everybody asks straight away: "Why have you done that?" They don't understand that those of us with Russian roots like nostalgia. If we are sad we don't try to hide it
On the contrary we listen to the saddest song and start crying and crying. So Norwegians will never understand this side of me
And in Russia people, for example, don't understand that I refuse to drink ***. Well, for example at parties: "Well, don't you respect us?"
"Well, no, I respect you. But namely because of that I want to communicate with you and not to...fall asleep on the sofa! So since I respect you I won't drink."
So in Russia people say: "Well, you Alexander are not Russian for sure, not ours" In Norway they also say: "Well, Alexander you are not ours".
So they always send me to different countries and everybody invites me for the concerts. And when I am on stage I am suddenly become "ours".
And then they understand that I have such a mix of different cultures. But I consider that I am very lucky, because now I have the most interesting things from every culture and I enjoy it.
H: But when you became really popular in Russia didn't any of the show-business stars want to take you under their wing.
I know for example that Phillip Kirkorov, having all my respect for him, tried to take under his wing and spin up Dima Koldun or something else. Have you got anything from the producer's side?
A: Well exactly, Philip Kirkorov wanted to spin me up in Russia. And unfortunately then I had managers who prohibited me to do everything. H: "Don't go to Kirkorov!"
A: Yes. Well, Norwegian managers. They even didn't know who Kirkorov was. They just knew that he participated in Eurovision and didn't win. That's all they knew about him.
So they thought: "No, no, no, Sasha, you can't, you can't, you can't". But you have to listen to your managers. I wanted it very much!
I have such respect for this artist so I am very sad that I didn't manage this. But it's better not to be sad about it. Just what happened happened.
But there are other things, which I refused, but I'm happy that I did that. For example, when Oprah Winfrey invited me three years ago and I refused because firstly she just wanted to talk with me for 5 minutes, but I don't like this "minute of fame".
On the contrary I need just to write music and be on stage. Plus that month I had many concerts in Sweden and Denmark. I had agreements so I had to refuse those concerts to go to Oprah Winfrey
But I have such a philosophy since I have an agreement that's all, it doesn't matter if they offer me more money or anything, it doesn't matter to me at all.
The main thing for me is not to offend people with whom I already have a contact with.
H: Sasha, after that I found an answer to my question that I asked earlier - why don't you get in any scandals. It seems to me you are not an item of show business, you are just an artist, a musician.
A: Yes, yes, yes! Thank you. H: Well, it seems to me so.
A: It's not necessary for me to fit any format for example. I write songs and sure I am really happy if radio stations will play my songs.
But I understand that I am not Rihanna and Justin Bieber. I don't alter myself to this sound. I write my songs. One can say I write folk pop. And I just never adjust myself to fit any format.
I remember when I suggested Fairytale to different radio stations and recording companies in Europe they all said "Sasha, yes, you are talented guy but people just don't need this kind of music now.
They listen to Eminem, they listen Justin Bieber铆s kind of music so we won't play your music."
H: Let them sprinkle ashes on their heads all who said that then. Dear friends, I remind you that our guest today is Alexander Rybak.
By the way I know that you have at least one song performed by you in Belorussian. "Nebesa Europy"
A: "Nebashil Europy" H: Do you speak Belorussian or just read on paper?
A: No. They teach me how to say certain words and I say them. H: And do your parents speak it?
A: Mom and Dad remember something for sure. H: What languages do you speak fluently? Well, Russian, we know.
A: Russian, English. But I speak Norwegian the best H: Do you speak Norwegian with an accent or not?
A: No. H: Without any accent at all? Nobody says: "Oi..."?
A: Well, in Russian and in English I speak with an accent, well in Russian I speak with an accent but English and Norwegian are easier for me.
H: You said that it's important for you to write music but when does the inspiration come to you? When do you write songs? I can tell how it is for me - I think up all my programmes in the shower.
Honestly, I can stand 40 minutes in the shower and think everything up. Is there such a place or situation...?
A: In your soul or in your shower? (It铆s Alex's joke, Russian words sounds similar but with different emphasis) H: In the shower, the water is flowing...
A: Ah, in the shower! H: I know that some people do it in WC or somewhere else...
A: Well, it means you have a very good shower H: With music by the way, I like it
A: Interesting H: And where do you write? On the train or on the plane...?
A: It doesn't matter to me. I have new melodies all the time. Well, I just live in such a country where there are fjords, mountains. So I am inspired there all the time.
And the main thing for me firstly to find a beautiful melody. Mostly I drop those melodies because I try, try and think "Well, I am inspired, and that's enough. Let's go further"
And sometimes there is a melody that gets stuck in my head and I need to write some cords.
But what I really like it's to use my education to make interesting cords for this melody, to make arrangement for strings and for winds. That's what I like the most - not just writing a melody but...
One can say that I get inspired from children. I like so much to work with children. My latest project is that I am touring all over the world and 3-4 days before the concert I work with the orchestra (children or young orchestra)
and work with them as a conductor and then it turns out that when we have a concert, such a big pop concert and a bit of classical music, a bit of jazz, it turns out that we are a big family.
Because I remember that 1.5 years ago I said: "That's enough, I am bored of arriving in a limousine 2 hours before the concert and saying: "Okay, are you ready?"
It's much more interesting for me to become acquainted with people, to work with them.
The only sad thing is that after becoming acquainted and feeling like it's my new family is that then right after the concert I have to go to a new country. So it always turns out a bit sad.
H: I can say to our listeners, regarding a limousine, they are hearing that and feeling that you have absolutely no stardom in the worst meaning of this word. A: I am lucky with it.
H: But don't you have such situations when they get on your back? Those journalists, you know, they see that: "Sasha Rybak is so famous and without any 毛show-off's铆卯, now I ask him such a question..." Do they get on your back? Do they use it?
A: Why? No, people always use everything. The same as I use other people. We people have such an instinct.
H: To use each other A: Yes, but the main thing is to learn how not to rage, how to control yourself.
H: And when can you rage? What can make you mad? In work, not in life but in work. A: Unfairness... Unfairness is the worst thing in the world.
I remember a year ago after the concert when there were 12.000 people and it was said that I couldn't give autographs because there were too many journalists with big cameras and there were small children and they...
they.. how do you say... they pushed children with their elbows and cameras and the children started to cry. So I just had to run away from there so that everything could calm down.
And then the next day the same journalists who... "touched" those children said that I went away from crying children.
H: What journalists! This is...! A: So that's what kind of people we are. H: What a horror!
A: But I think there are no bad people - there are just bad actions. So I always forgive everything to everybody because the main thing...
the main thing... I have so much music all the time, therefore I have no time for ... I have no time for hatred.
H: Well, I can say that audience in Russia and Lithuania mainly know you as a performer of modern pop songs. Yes, it's good, absolutely. But I just learned that you are so versatile.
Firstly, you were touring with your dad over Europe, if I'm not wrong there was an artist from A-HA group, no?
A: Ah! Well, it's a mix of many different rumours in one. It's true that I played with A-HA but it was in a pop concert. I was touring with my dad 15 years ago. H: And in Jurmala?
A: Well in Jurmala... But can we call it touring in Jurmala? Touring for me is 80 concerts without possibility to come home again. That's touring. And there we had a great, very nice concert.
It was just leisure. One concert and two days of leisure. It's a paradise for me.
H: And I know that you voiced a cartoon in Norway? A: Yes.
H: About a dragon. Was it your first experience? I just want to explain to our listeners that actually Alexander Rybak is not only a performer, but you're a very versatile personality. Whom did you voice there?
A: I thank you very much that you want to show people that I am versatile. I think that my talent will always reach the audience that needs it. I'm very glad. But you're right. I'm known as a modern artist and singer
But exactly it's a very good way to star through (here he invented a funny new word, the meaning of which is "to became a star") H: "To star through"! Very good word!
A: Just so that people get to know me, to make it easier to sell my projects that are closer to my heart. For example my playing with orchestras.
I really explicitly want to tour with such orchestras in Lithuania. With different ones, children's, young ones. And then I understand that there won't be the biggest stages at once. It doesn't matter to me.
I understand that this project is not of common format. But it's really close to me. I want to do what is kind of my mission - to show children and their parents that one can use their instrument for different genres.
Plus my audience adores me playing masterly pieces and then playing a couple of songs with children and then playing pop. I have the best ,best audience in the world. And they like versatility
And then they are pleased when I voice cartoons for example. Because they know that all I do I get prepared for this and focus on every project.
I remember that the first year after Eurovision I cried every night. H: Why??
A: Well, because I felt that... I agreed to everything and on the one hand then I offended nobody but on the other hand I did everything for 50%. Because I just had no time to prepare properly for the concert.
Now when I have 2-3 concerts per week and during the other time I work in the studio with my new songs so I have much more time to prepare better for these concerts.
And before that it was like a concerts here, then 3 hours later a concerts there. H: You had concerts everywhere
A: I remember I have been to Spain, Italy, Ukraine and then to Norway all in one day
H: But on the other hand this is probably a good experience for an artist. A: It's an experience - it's good that I was alive after that, yes.
H: You are alive and healthy, thank God. Today many of your fans whom you are talking about, by the way, and there are a large number in Klaipeda, believe me,
because our radio station is one of the most popular in the city and your songs are often requested on our radio station. Well, and today very many of them come to the concert at the club Martini.
What will they see there? Who they will see is clear. Alexander Rybak. Will there be the hits that are known by everybody.
A: Yes, it will be a pop concert. Well, it's a party so for me, it's more important to sing the coolest songs. I won't show Bach and Paganini, they are for another concert.
Now I am with dancers... You know I had a concert yesterday with the same program. H: In Turkey?
A: No, I was in Turkey in the morning but yesterday I had a concert here. I was in Siauliai. Am I saying it correctly - Siauliai?
H: Yes, Siauliai. A: Aha. It's in Chinese. Siauliai. H: What is your name? Siauliai. A: Yes.
H: How it was? How did the audience receive you?
A: I very much like the dancers that work with me! The best group, the best dance troop that I have ever worked with. So...
H: Such a compliment. A: So my favourite dance troop now lives in Lithuania. And tonight I will have a concert with them.
H: Dear friends we are sure inviting everybody today. A: Me too
H: Wait, I铆ll remind when and where and all the words will come from you. You say it beatifully
H: So Club Martini tonight at 1am, everybody get together and watch Alexander Rybak. If there are sad songs we will cry, happy songs we'll dance and Alexander Rybak will be waiting for you there.
A: Yes! With flowers. H: And with his charming smile. A: And I hope you will be waiting for me with flowers too.
H: Well, so go there. Well, Sasha, I thank you with big pleasure that you found time and came to us because it's not always possible for schedule reasons.
It seems to me we had a sincere chat for 40 minutes. However we planned it for 20 minutes. A: Yes, with pleasure. It's very nice to talk to you. Will you play my new song?
H: We will! No problem. Friends, our guest was Alexander Rybak. A: You promised.
H: And it ended like this! Sasha said that everybody needs something from everybody! A: And I need you to show my song.
H: With big pleasure. What do you wish to all listeners of radio "Raduga", to all admirers of your talent?
A: I wish you all the most important - a lot, a lot of health and the most important to sleep well. With a sleep it will be a very good life.
H: I Agree. Before the interview I was so sleepy that I needed to drip Visine into my eyes. Well, dear friends, here is Alexander Rybak on radio "Raduga".
Tonight we'll meet at the concert. Sasha, it was nice to talk to you. A: The feeling is mutual
H: Good luck with your performance, big honorariums and an unquenchable inspiration to you! A: To this line. H: Yes.