Dansk Melodi Grand Prix, Denmark’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest is taking place this Saturday in Copenhagen. 10 acts are going to compete in order to be the act that will represent Denmark in Rotterdam. There are only three songs in Danish language, and only one of them came as a wildcard from the regional semis – it’s Emil’s “Ville ønske jeg havde kendt dig”.
We had a great pleasure to chat with Emil about his new song, his place in DMGP, his preparation for the Contest, the message his song carries, and more. Check out everything he told us in this interview here:
Hi Emil! Thank you for taking your time out for talking to us. For the beginning, tell us what made you enter Dansk Melodi Grand Prix this year?
I’ve always been very drawn to DMGP. I remember during my childhood, me and my family sitting with pillows and popcorn in the living room watching it. I guess I really wanted to be a part of it. I tried to take part in the DMGP for children that we have here in Denmark, but unfortunately I didn’t qualify. That experience just made me even more obsessed with becoming one of the ten finalists. – when I got the opportunity to write with some amazing songwriters, I knew it had to be for the DMGP.
You were in the regional semi, and you won one of the two wildcards. Did you expect that?
I knew there were some chances, but I prepared myself to not win – so when I got the news I was just so glad!
How are your preparations for the show going?
They are going great. We’ve figured out the overall picture for almost everything. But I can’t wait for when we start practicing in ROYAL ARENA.
What kind of performance can we expect from you at DMGP?
I hope that people will feel that it’s a personal song, and get touched by the lyrics. It will be a kind of relaxed stage show.
Can you tell us more about the team, and the message behind your song?
The song is about my granddad whom I never met, because he died before I was born. It’s about feeling sorrow for someone you’ve never met, but wished you’d known. He died under tragic circumstances after being involved in a car accident.
It’s written by me, Esben Svane, Tim Schou and Gavyn Bailey. Esben and Tim won the DMGP with their band: A Friend in London back in 2011 I believe. And Gavyn is just an amazing songwriter, he is really good with melodies.
As we all know, your song is in Danish. Should you win DMGP, would you keep your song in Danish for Eurovision as well, or would you translate it into English?
Actually we wrote it in English, when we first made it. Then when we sent it to DR, they advised us to try and make a Danish version. We did that and I felt it was better and more “honest”. There is just something different about singing and writing in your mother language. So if it wins, I will perform it in English.
As you already said, you watch Eurovision, but did any song in particular catch your attention in the last couple of years?
I’ve always watched Eurovision and been very drawn to the event. I actually really like the winner song from last year, and then also “Silent Storm” by Carl Espen. Two of my absolute favorites.
What are your plans for after DMGP, and possibly after Eurovision?
Well it depends on a lot of things. If I am able to live off my music, then I will do that, but if not, it’s my plan to start studying theology at Aarhus Universitet.
Thank you very much Emil for your time, and we wish you the best of luck in DMGP!
Give a listen to Emil’s entry in DMGP – “Ville ønske jeg havde kendt dig” right here:
Let us know which act in DMGP is your personal favorite, by voting in our poll here:
