Throughout the years, many Canadian singers have represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest: Celine Dion (in 1988) and Annie Cotton (in 1993) are among those artists. This year, Rykka, born in Surrey, Canada but raised in Switzerland, will participate in the Swiss national final with the hope of representing her home country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016, in Stockholm.

She took the time to speak to ESCBubble about her forthcoming participation in the Swiss national final for Eurovision 2016 and about her entry called ”The Last of Our Kind”.

What was your first reaction when you were told that you had qualified for the Swiss national final?

We were very excited! I was at an Italian restaurant with some friends when I got the call. We ordered more red wine and a huge chocolate cake!!! 

Can you tell us a little bit more about yourself and your musical career?

I’m just a insane-crazy artist-person from a weird city in Canada (Surrey, actually), raised ultra back-in-time Switzerland. My brother was a schwinger, in Canada. My parents were in the Swiss Choir of Vancouver. I’ve been a full time musician for over 10 years, mostly travelling on tour throughout Europe and Canada. In the last couple of years I’ve been living where I was made – haha! In Switzerland. I write most of my songs here.

Is there a message behind your song ‘’the last of our kind’’?

The Last Of Our Kind is about standing up for love and what you believe in. Especially when it’s difficult.

Do you have any special ideas (ex: dancers, choreography…) for your live performance during the national final?

We’re really just planning this out right now, I’m very excited about my dress. I made the top I’m wearing for the expert check, so once I figure out what I’m going to wear… I’ll see if I can make it too! 

What were your thoughts and feelings during your performance at the expert check?

IT was so much fun. I can’t wait for the show Feb 13. I was pretty nervous for the Expert Check, but I feel like I got that out of my system now. 

Do you have any plans for 2016?

Yes! I’ll release a whole new album. Also tour a lot, hopefully a lot of summer festivals in Switzerland and Germany. Woo!!

What do you think of the previous Swiss Eurovision participants?

My favourite is when Celine Dion won in 1988. Canada and Switzerland are the perfect match <3 

Who are you favourite artists? Do you have an inspiration?

I grew up listening to Joni Mitchell and Steve Miller. Now, I love Whaletooth, MotherMother, Grimes, Mø, Goldfrapp.

Are you a Eurovision fan? What are your favourite Eurovision songs?

Eurovision is actually very new to me. It’s not so popular in Canada, so I didn’t grow up with it. I’ve only started watching Eurovision in the last couple of years. But I love Aminata – Love Injected and Loreen – Euphoria! 

What would you like to say to your Swiss and Canadians fans who are going to support during the national final?

Thank you so much for your support! Let’s go on a crazy adventure everyone. Stockholm!!! 

We would like to thank Rykka for taking the time to do the interview and we would also like to wish her the best of luck for the Swiss national final, that will be held on February 13th. Until the show, you can watch Rykka’s performance during the expert check:

If Rykka is your personal favourite in the Swiss national selection, you can vote for her here: