Another of the many returnees to the contest, Greta Salóme comes to the Stockholm stage with a solo effort in 2016 which mimics the sound of one of Iceland’s most popular contemporary groups: Of Monsters and Men.
“Hear them Calling” has undergone a few tweaks since the Icelandic National selection, Söngvakeppnin 2016, in order to make better effect of the false ending. Fortunately, the accompanying eerily effective graphics that reflect the mythical dark heart of the island nation will remain.
Greta is great and fringe has never looked so fearsome. Iceland should make a triumphant return to the Grand Final after their misstep last year. I hear them whispering…
Watch Greta Salóme's official video for 'Hear them calling':
Four Questions with Greta Salóme
What are the three most interesting aspects about your entry?
- The song is about the voices we are surrounded by every day, positive and negative. These can be our own thoughts or the media or anything that influences us. The message of the song about listening to the positive voices because they are the ones that will lead you home.
- The song has interesting, unique graphics and choreography to illustrate the lyrics, originally written in English. We have created a visual background upon which a dancer and I are running, dancing, and so on. We have also videotaped our hands; these are shown in the graphics and I interact with them in the song.
- So really the piece is a mixture of music, choreography and visual art.
What are the three most impressive facts about you?
- I started playing the violin aged four and have been worked as a solo violinist as well as for different symphony orchestras.
- I am the only woman in Icelandic Eurovision history to be sole composer and lyricist of an entry; first in 2012 when my song Never Forget competed in Eurovision and then again this year with Hear Them Calling.
- I tour as a musician and for the last year and a half I have been under contract to present a headline show with Disney Cruise Lines.
Do you have a (lucky) routine before you go on stage?
Not really, I try to remind myself that a 100% performance does not exist, but 100% effort does exist and that is my mantra.
Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important for you?
It is an important arena for spreading positive messages and I see it more as a concert than a contest - where we can come together and perform different music to all kinds of people.
