The French Destination Eurovision starts tomorrow evening with its first heat, where eight acts are going to compete for four places in the Grand Final. Just before the rehearsals and the show itself, we had a great honor to speak to the very talented artist Silvàn Areg, who will be competing with the song “Le petit Nicolas”.

Bonjour Silvàn, congratulations on being selected to compete in Destination Eurovision.  You have had a very long career in music, releasing music under the names Casus Belli and Caz B previously.  What brought you to choose your current name ‘Silvàn Areg’ and how different is the music of Silvàn Areg to what you have released before?

First of all thank you for receiving me for this interview. After a career in the 2000’s and an experience of being a writer, especially for Claudio Capéo, I decided to live a new musical experience, with more singing. So I decided to change the name of the artist so as not to mislead the people who followed me at the time. The challenge of starting from scratch is also very rewarding, as a little child we start again and we embark on a new advance. I see myself more as a “cook” who prepares different recipes. Before I rapped , now I’m cooking a mix of pop, reggae and hip hop with a French touch.

Your song ‘Le Petit Nicolas’ talks about a young boy of school age who seems bored of village life and wants to see more of the world.  Is your song strictly based on the famous French children’s books by René Goscinny or is this more your interpretation of what it is like to be a young boy with adventurous dreams? 

The title of the song is a snap to the book of René Goscinny, the title came after writing the song.  It’s a very universal theme that is personal to me, the idea of never giving up, of going after your dreams.  This song talks about trusting life by following our little inner voice.

How are your preparations going for the upcoming semi final and what can we expect to see as part of your stage show?

I try at the moment not to think too much not to stress unnecessarily. Whatever happens to me it’s just fun, I’m a little bit of a stranger who has nothing to lose so I have to show what the little Nicolas has in my stomach. The show will be simple because it’s a song that has a lot of energy so I put it on it.

What made you decide that 2019 should be the year that you send a song to Destination Eurovision? 

It’s a little fruit of destiny, I had not planned at all to make the competition … My song had reached the ears of one of the people who manages the casting.  I was called at the end to tell me that my song was likely to be selected. I hesitated a lot but I thought it was a great adventure to live.

What more can we expect to hear from your in regards to further music and even an album after Destination Eurovision?

I am currently finishing my first album that I hope to release by this summer.  I hope the show will highlight my work to provide great visibility to the tracks.

What would it mean to you to be France’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest?  And is it a show you’ve watched before and are familiar with?

I take life as it comes, step by step. If I am selected it will be a great pride to represent France, its villages, its suburbs, and all its diversity.

Thank you for answering our questions today.  We would like to wish you all the best from ESCBubble for Destination Eurovision!

Thank you for giving me some time and light. Looking forward to meeting everyone. Hoping that you like the show.

If Silvàn Areg is one of your favorites in the first semi final of Destination Eurovision, make sure you cast your vote for him, and for up to three other acts in our poll right here: