After using the X Factor Malta for the past few years as their Eurovision selection method, in 2022 Malta is going back to their longstanding national final show Malta Eurovision Song Contest or MESC for short. With that comes 22 hopefuls who will all be competing for the ticket to Turin! Over the next two weeks join us for our series of interviews with the artists in the lead up to the show.

Next up its Norbert, who is taking part with is song “How Special You Are”!

Welcome to MESC! Why did you choose to enter a song to this years Maltese national selection for Eurovision?

Eurovision was always on my bucket list. Since I began singing I have had lovely experiences on X factor Malta, BBC1 ‘ All Together Now’ and Britain’s Got talent. After 3 years of not having the Eurovision in Malta, I decided this is my time to apply. Having around 2 years break from singing, this was the best comeback for me. 

This year you’ll be performing “How Special You Are” at the contest. Tell us more about the song, working with the team behind it and why you chose this to be your entry?

Initially ‘How Special You Are’ was Originally written for my new EP. Together with Peter Borg and Shaun Farrugia How special you are came naturally to us. We communicate so well as a team and they know I love emotional ballads. I am an artist where I have to connect to the song I am singing as that is very vital to the performance. How special you are is very personal to me. I want the audience to connect to it like i do and think of their special one, be it them being physically here and even if they aren’t. I want the audience to know that I am singing this song to a special person which can include my family, friends and partner and I wish for them to relate to it.

You are no stranger to doing well on TV shows, having reached the live shows on the X Factor Malta and did well on All Together Now in the UK. Tell us more about your experiences on these shows and how that has shaped you as a musical performer.

All these shows were very exciting, emotional and fun. I look back and dont believe how well i did. They are both different experiences which i will treasure and learn a lot from. Be it from being on a massive stage, singing live, makeup and new outfits, it’s what every artist wants. These shows help me to build more confidence and to believe in myself. They also make me realize the style that suits me best.  

You helped to write your own song this year. What are your biggest influences and what is your creative process when writing music? What story are you hoping to share through your music?

I truly believe an artist should have an input on the song he or she sings. This will come out in the performance and emotion. I always try and give a lot to every song we write as I want it to connect to everyone listening. Artist like Adele and Sam Smith influence me a lot in the style but personal experience is what brings about my songs. I hope to share my emotion, voice and experience with everyone and make them relate to my song in order to appreciate their special person in their life and tell them to their face that they are special and loved.

Eurovision is huge in Malta! What would it mean to you personally to represent your nation at the Eurovision Song Contest in Turin?

Yes, Eurovision is big in Malta. Especially after 3 years, all the public are definitely waiting for it. It would be an honor to represent Malta in Turin, not only to spread my voice with the world but to also spread emotion and passion to music. 

We like to throw a random question in the mix… if you could collaborate with any musical artist who would you choose and what song would you sing together?

Hands down I would choose Adele. She has been my Idol and inspiration from day 1. She is so pure and classy and her emotions are out of this world. I would perform ‘Someone Like You’ with Adele. 

Thanks for taking the time to answer our questions. Best of luck in the contest! Did you have any message for your fans?

Response has been great, I am super looking forward to performing. Thank you so much.

The semi final for Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2022 will be taking place on Thursday 17th February 2022  with the top sixteen performances qualifying for the grand final, which will be taking place on Saturday 19th February 2022.

You can vote for your favourites in our poll here!