In only a couple of days time, some of Albania’s biggest and most talented performers will be taking to the stage of Festivali i Këngës, where the Albanian public will choose who will carry the Albanian flag to Malmö, Sweden, as their representative at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. 31 participants will be competing for this honour, and one of those is Luan Durmishi who appears at Festivali i Këngës for the first time this year. He will be competing with his entry “Përsëritja”. We had the pleasure of catching up with Luan ahead of his upcoming performance.

Check out our interview below to learn more about who Luan Durmishi is, find out about his artistry and also what to expect from his upcoming performances.

D: Firstly, a huge welcome to the Festivali i Këngës stage! I believe this is your first time competing at this prestigious song festival – so how does that feel for you? Are you nervous? Excited? How are you preparing for the upcoming performances?   

L: Firstly, I’d like to thank you for your invitation for this interview. I feel very happy and relaxed for being part of Albanian Radio and Television’s 62nd Edition of the Song Festival — a festival that I regularly followed since my adolescence and am very familiar with its history and renown. It is a special honor for me to participate in this festival.

D: At Festivali i Këngës 62 you will be performing “Përsëritja” which was self-composed alongside Tomor Kuci. Can you tell us anything about the song? What the song means to you and how it came together?

L: I am just finalizing my first album “UNIFORMË”. When I decided to be part of the Festival, I figured that “Përsëritja” (“Repetition”) would be the song that would best represent me — even though, I think that all of the songs in the album represent me, my character, personality, and artistic identity in a unique way.

“Përsëritja” follows my taste in music: it is very contemporary with elements of classical and electronic music. Its concise text is a commentary on the human condition, from our beginnings and all the way to our present-day homo technologicus. The song is in three languages, Albanian, Latin, and English. The song is composed by Tomor Kuçi, who is also the album’s producer — an extraordinary producer, in collaboration with the very talented assistant producer, Dren Suldashi. And, obviously, myself — was also involved with the text and some musical interventions.

D: Every year, it seems the Festivali i Këngës stage continues to get bigger and bigger. How are rehearsals going and can you tease anything about what we can expect from your stage performance?

L: The rehearsals have begun and are going well. My performance will be conceptualized and curated to the last detail. It will simultaneously be a unique, unseen-before performance, yet, also, minimalist in nature.

D: The winner of Festivali i Këngës will go on to represent Albania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024, to be hosted in Malmö, Sweden. Are you a fan of the contest, and if you were given that opportunity what would you want to come from that experience?

L: I regularly follow the Eurosong Contest. It goes without saying that it is a great festival with a long and important tradition for every artist. In this case, I am participating in the Festival of the Albanian Radio Television simply to just enjoy the stage of the wonderful festival and to bring a taste of my own music. And that’s it. Of course, it would be an honor and a pleasure to represent Albania’s beautiful red and black flag and also meet artists from all over the world. Also, it would be amazing if this year in Malmö I were to experience the majestic energy from Eurosong’s wonderful audience.

D: We’ve talked a lot about Festivali i Këngës and Eurovision, but I want to get to know you a little better! We checked out your recent song “MAKTH (Ballkanik)” and it’s a very dark, artsy and experimental song. Tell us about your musical style and main influences.

L: My music is, I think, very complex and rich. It is of an industrial-pop style with elements of classical and electronic music. It covers a variety of social and cultural themes, from personal issues and all the way to collective ones.

I come from a background of classical music — I have studied classical music and have a long career as a tenor. At the same time, I have worked in many different artistic media and genres, such as modern theater, minimalist theater, and contemporary art. I have collaborated with conceptual artists, local and international directors, famous world-renowned conductors, local and international actors, etc.

I grew up with the music of Queen, Freddie Mercury, Pink Floyd, Tina Turner, ABBA, David Bowie, Madonna, and many other historically significant artists and bands of different musical profiles. My musical idol was and is Michael Jackson. On the other hand, my academic background exposed me to the music of Bach, Mozart, Verdi, Beethoven, etc. I adore electronic music. I am a big fan of Kraftwerk.

D: And outside of releasing music, you are also part of the Kosovo Philharmonic Choir! How long have you been involved with that for, and what has been your favourite memory from this?

L: Since 2003 I have been part of the professional Choir of Kosovo Philharmonic Orchestra, both as a soloist and as a choir member. I also lecture at a local University as a vocal coach. Singing in a professional choir is a great privilege and a very sophisticated musical culture. I have great memories. I also have sung on many occasions with the Kosovo’s State Symphony Orchestra.

D: We’d also love to learn a bit more about you personally – outside of music do you have any other fun or weird hobbies or interests?

L: I am a person who loves nightlife. Haha. My hobby is hiking and I love nature. This might seem like two extremes — maybe a reflection of my own personality. I think of myself as being very altruistic, hence my involvement with the Rotary Club. I am eager to help people in need.

D: With Festivali i Këngës just around the corner, do you have any other personal or musical projects being planned for the future? What comes next for you?

L: After the festival, I will be working on finalizing my album, which will be crowned with a grand live concert. Or should I say two concerts, one in Prishtina, and the other in Tirana. It would be a worthy launch for my album.

D: Thank you so much for taking the time to answer the questions above. Finally, do you have a message for our readers and your fans?

L: To the fans of Eurosong, I say: Listen. Listen to only quality, original music. It is like medicine for the mind.

Thank you to Luan! You can watch him perform his entry “Përsëritja” for the first time live on Monday 18th December during the first semi final of Festivali i Këngës 62. The winner will be decided during the fourth night of the music festival, on Thursday 21st December, and we will find out who will be taking the baton from last years winner, Albina & Familja Kelmendi with “Duje”.