ORLA: Tell us about your beginnings in the music industry
Manel: I started with 14 years old playing in my house (where the music had always been very present) and learning in a self-taught way, until I presented myself to a contest -Teen Stars- in Barcelona and I won it, getting a contract with a record label Talana.
ORLA: In three words, describe your personality
Manel: Tranquility, friend of my friends and fun.
If something has clear Manel, is that it should preserve its essence and ideals: ”it is something that you would NOT do for your lover, I think when you have a lover you obviously have to do things for that person and try to adapt, but always conserving your values and your principles and trying not to change your personality … ”
ORLA: If you get the chance to represent Spain in ESC again, would you do it?
Manel: I think my chance at the Festival is this. You can never say that you will not do something again, but for now, I think not.
ORLA: Define your musical style.
Manel: My music has two styles mainly: pop with tropical touches and pop-rock with a british profile.
Manel is aware of how difficult it has been to start in the music industry especially if you start as an amateur. “If something I have learned is that to make a hole in music you have to work very hard, spend many hours and strive every day to improve in all aspects.”
“I think my proposal is different from the rest. My country has never taken anything like it and I think my international profile can work in every country in Europe”.
ORLA: What do you want to contribute to Eurovision?
Manel: I want to contribute with my essence as an artist, let everyone knows how I am and my music and when I finish, no matter the position, everyone could be proud of the work we have done.
ORLA: Eurovision has always been a goal or it just suddenly came to you?
Manel: I’ve never considered it with objective, but when I was proposed from my team, I started to visualize it as something that I wanted and that could be very much as a person and as an artist.
ORLA: Your favorite song that has represented Spain in ESC is? …
Manel: “Say yay” by Barei and “Bailar glued” by Sergio Dalma are the two themes that I like the most, although there have been other great representatives like Ruth Lorenzo, Pastora Soler …..
After Kiev already has his agenda ready, his first EP is out and he has a tour prepared: “My career, whatever happens at the Festival, keep going.”
ORLA: Eurovision is a festival followed by thousands of Latinos annually, did you know that? what do you think about that?
Manel: I know the Festival is very often followed in Latin America, US, Australia … The truth is that the power of music is incredible.
ORLA: Have you been to Latin America?
Manel: No, I would love to! I hope the music will take me there soon.
ORLA: Finally, a message for all our Latin readers and beyond our borders.
Manel: I hope to see you soon and support my musical career and my participation in Eurovision! Peace and love!