The first semi-final of Festival da Canção is right around the corner and we had the big pleasure to meet Diana Castro, who is participating in Portugal’s semi-final with the song “Ginger Ale”.

Diana Castro is a true multi-talent. She is a singer, actress, teacher, architect and mother to twins! While music has always been Diana’s biggest dream, she has also a master’s degree in both Architecture and Interior Decoration, she has studied at professional music schools and besides being a professional musician now, she is also a music teacher to children from 2 to 5 years.

Although Diana has a busy schedule, she found the time to have a quick chat with us about her participation at Festival da Canção!

Hello Diana and thank you very much for agreeing to do the interview with us! We are really excited to find out more about your music and your participation at Festival da Canção this year!

Thank you so much. I’m so excited too!

First of all, how did your musical career begin? 

I started (I guess just like everyone else) doing covers with a small band  in bars, or in small family events. I also sang in the church for a while, wich gave me the passion for harmonies in choirs.

I started writting songs a bit later, and only when I had a bit more knowledge , practice and courage 🙂

What were your favorite moments as a musician so far?

My favorite moment so far was my first solo concert, where I shared for the first time lots of my original songs.

Happily the show was sold out, we got to repeat two more days. But above all, it was magical because I had the chance to share my music and my soul with the public. 🙂

What made you join Festival da Canção this year? 

I was invited by Joana Espadinha, who is an artist, a composer and a singer that I admire so much. I was really happy and honored .

And even at this point of my career and life, where I’m tottaly foccused on my debut album, I loved the song and the meaning of it so much, that I immediatly had to say yes!

What meaning does the festival have to you?

I think the Festival is at a very good moment. It is a place where the public gets to know new artists (and also not so new) and the quality is very high. It’s a very good place to be right now as artist.

Many of our readers do not speak Portuguese – Would you like to explain to them what your song “Ginger Ale” is about?

The song is about this idea that persists in our minds of the perfect woman, perfect housewife, perfect mom… when we also want to be ourselves, be artists, go out, dance and drink something that reminds us of our youth. In this case it is a Ginger Ale, a sweet ginger drink, but for anyone else it could be a Coke ou a Gin. 🙂 Just the idea of getting rid of the expectations and have fun.

What are your personal goals for the festival?

I can promise that I will have lots of fun. And actually that’s my main goal. 🙂

But obviously would love to go to the final and to Eurovision! It would be twice the fun!

Have you followed the Eurovision Song Contest in the past? What would it mean to you to represent Portugal there?

I would be very happy and honored to represent my country in such a huge contest of music .

Once again, a big thank you for taking the time to answer our questions! In the name of our entire team, I wish you the best of luck for Festival da Canção and I can’t wait to see your performance!

Thank you! 🙂

Listen to “Ginger Ale” by Diana Castro here!

In case you want to support Diana, you can also vote for her in our poll for Portugal’s first semi-final!