Mélanie René has developed her passion for music from a very young age. She grew up in a musical family and has dedicated all her life to music. Her first stage performance took place when she was merely seven years old. Besides playing piano, she also writes her songs herself. At the moment, she is working on a five-song EP, which will most likely be finished this spring.

Mélanie has attended numerous music schools and performed on stages and on television across Europe.

However, now more than ever, it’s her “Time To Shine,” as she’s been chosen by the Swiss broadcaster RTS to compete in the national final Entscheidungsshow 2015, which will take part on 31st of January. We were fortunate enough to interview Mélanie just a few days before her big performance in Kreuzlingen. Here is what she had to say!

• Hello Mélanie! Firstly, congratulations on being one of the six chosen participant in this year’s Swiss national final. What made you decide to sign up for the Entscheidungsshow?

Last summer I was with my manager Eliane, and she was listening to the newest songs I have written. When she heard “Time To Shine,” she told me we had to send this song to the Swiss national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest. We worked hard to adjust the song to the format needed and, luckily, we were able to submit it on time. I’m so thankful that I trusted her on this one!

• How are you preparing yourself for the show?

I am practicing every day, so that I can give my best performance on the 31st of January. I know that I’ve been given an amazing opportunity to participate in the contest, which I’m assuredly not taking for granted. It’s definitely a fun experience. I’m trying to keep cool and calm before D-Day comes, and I hope that I’ll be able to appreciate the moment to the fullest.

• Why have you chosen to perform your song in English and not in French?

When writing songs, there is usually one word or phrase that springs to mind, and that is usually the trigger of the song. Sometimes this word or phrase comes to me in French, and sometimes it’s in English. For “Time To Shine,” the phrase that initiated me to write the song is the chorus line “…the sky is the limit now that I know I can fly.” I believe that my English interpretation of the song will work well for the Swiss national final. And, since English is the most popular lingua franca, my message in the song will, thus, hopefully have a greater reach.

•  What do you think of the concept of the Swiss national final?

It’s great that the public can have its say and that the nation can decide who should represent Switzerland internationally. I am actually quite excited about it! And, I can’t wait to see the performances of my colleagues too!

• In your opinion, who is your biggest contender?

I think they are all very talented! We all have different styles, so it really depends on what kind of style the public wants to see from the Swiss in Vienna. Nonetheless, the competition is very tough! 🙂

• What would it mean to you to win the Swiss national final?

It would be an honour to be able to defend the colours of a country which are so close to my heart! I was born in Geneva, I took my first step as a singer-songwriter there, and I went to a music school for 7 years in Nyon. My career as an artist has been steadily growing in Switzerland, and it would be amazing if I could take it one step further, and be my country’s “music ambassador” in Vienna.

• Which is your favourite Eurovision song?

Loreen’s performance in 2012 really left a big impression on me! I had that song stuck in my head for a good week after that, so I will have to say “Euphoria.”

• Thank you Mélanie, and good luck on Saturday!

To keep up with the latest news from Mélanie, you can like her official Facebook page. Also, give a listen to her song in Entscheidungsshow – “Time To Shine!”