The search for the next Maltese Eurovision representative is going strong, and we have been following the first shows of MESC 2023 during the last couple of weeks. One of the contestants is Dario Bezzina, who is hoping to represent his country with the song ”Bridle Road”. Although the artist surely is very busy at the moment getting ready for the MESC semifinal, he still had time to answer a few questions we asked from him. This is what he told us about his relationship to Eurovision, his musical background, his song ”Bridle Road” and some other things too:

Hello Dario Bezzina and thank you for giving me this interview! At first I’d like to ask what is your relationship to Eurovision? Do you usually watch the contest and do you have some favorite Eurovision
memories?

I’ve been following Eurovision since 1997, when I was just 8 years old. It used to be marked on our calendar at home, we invited friends over and watched the show together. I stepped it up lately and have been to Eurovision as a fan 3 times so far – Vienna 2015, Stockholm 2016 and Torino 2022.

I will never forget Il Volo‘s performance in Vienna 2015. I still get goose bumps every time I watch that performance.

Could you tell us a little bit something about your musical background? How long have you been singing and do you play any instruments?

My love for music started with music theory and piano lessons from the early age of six, followed by vocal training under the tuition of Maltese veteran singer Doreen Galea. My first singing success came in 2004 as a first runner-up in the Malta Junior Song for Europe with the song “Eviva l-Muzika”. I was then just one point away from representing Malta in the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. Since then, I won various titles as a singer and songwriter in other national contests such as L-Ghanja tal-Poplu, Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza and Festival tal-Kanzunetta Maltija (now known as Muzika Muzika).

Lately I got more involved in the local musical theatre scene with credits including The Sound of Music, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat, Cats, Matilda, Il-Perit, Nahal ta’ l-Imhabba and Zeza tal-Flagship.

How was your song ”Bridle Road” born and how would you describe the message of it?

I can very well remember the day Martin Alenmark and Darren Michaels (composers of the song) sent me the melody line for “Bridle Road”. It took me through a simple, yet thrilling emotional journey. Then I got to know that the author behind this song is Charlie Mason, who wrote the 2014 Eurovision winner “Rise Like a Phoenix” and I got even more excited.

Growing up, we begin to see things from a different perspective, appreciating life experiences we didn’t value before, missing the old days and sometimes yearning to go back to the place where it all happened. This is what “Bridle Road” is all about. It is a heartfelt, nostalgic song that tells a real story one can easily relate to.

What kind of stage show can we expect from you in MESC?

If I make it through to the Semi Final, expect a minimal but warm performance. I can’t reveal much for now 🙂

What do you think are the greatest achievements in your career so far and what would you like to achieve in the future?

Every performance and song that I write is a great achievement in its own right for me. To become successful in the music industry it takes time, dedication and an unwillingness to give up. My aim is to always be the strong voice for so many quiet hearts across the globe. 

Malta has had many amazing Eurovision entries during the years. What do you think is the most memorable Maltese Eurovision entry and why?

“The One That I Love” by Chiara remains in our hearts. Malta was so close to victory! Lest we forget the nil votes from North Macedonia!

Who are your musical role models or artists you look up to?

My musical role model is Sam Smith. I admire his journey from a shy Herfordshire boy, his voice, performing capabilities and his meaningful songs. My favourite album remains “The Thrill of it All”.

What do you do when you don’t do music?

I am a certified public accountant and I work as a CFO and Managing Director for a group of companies in Malta.

What would it mean to you to win MESC and represent Malta in Eurovision 2023?

Winning MESC would be a definite life changing dream come true! I would undoubtedly do my very best to make Malta proud in the 67th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. If not, I am likely to be in Liverpool as a fan nonetheless, supporting our ambassador like I did in previous years 🙂

What would you like to say to our readers and your fans from all over the world?

A heartfelt thank you, for sure! I would not be where I am today without your support. I am so grateful to be able to write and compose my own music, as well as work with some remarkable writers and composers as I am doing this year, and I promise that I will keep on doing so in the years to come.

Eurovision is so special, it unites Europe and somehow, in every edition there is a song for everyone.

Thank you very much for the interview and the best of luck to MESC!

You can listen to the song “Bridle Road” by Dario Bezzina here:

If Dario Bezzina is your favorite in MESC 2023, don’t forget to vote for him in our poll: