Oikotimes: Hello, Paolo. How are you? How are the preparations for the Eurovision going? 
Paolo: I'm fine. Although i have participated in many festivals as Vina Del Mar in Chile or Festival di Sanremo, the adrenaline and the tension that you use to feel is always the same like the first time. The previous experiences will help me face ESC with most complete awareness and maturity, but the pre-performance excitement is always alive. It lets me confront everything with adrenaline and enthusiasm.

Oikotimes: During the first presentation of "Era stupendo" there were dancers with you on stage. What can we expect in Belgrade? Will there be any changes? 
Paolo: The performance will be surprise for you; I don't want to reveal anything (smile). Everything will be scheduled to highlights lyrics of "Era stupendo". Jus one thing is confirmed: peace, simplicity and good things will be in my music... and I never draw a line in my songs... (smile) Like all the contestants, we are rehearsing and preparing a nice stage show for the audience. We hope to touch people;s hearts with an unforgetable angelic feeling. At the moment, I cannot tell you all the details, but we believe that the performance will cause a very loving atmosphere. 

"Era stupendo" wants to be a sort of psalm for freedom, simplicity and retutn to simple things and feelings in our lives. We should often remind ourselves of how lucky we are. My music takes inspiration from different kinds of music: R'NB, pop and rock. I couls define it as "Rock'nb" (smile). "Era stupendo" is a very melodic song in my opinion and it immediately strikes people's hearts. I hope that mixing good feeling with the Italian lyrics will be appreciated by the ESC audience.

Oikotimes: Could you tell us you decided to take part in the contest?
Paolo: Participating in the Eurosong has always been my dream since i was a child and i watched it with my mum hoping to become the Swiss entrant!!! The dream has come true! :-); I'm very attached to Song Festivals, they let you introduce your music to very important audience and you can promote yourself and your song foculizing everything in a few days. ESC is a phenomenal manifestation which helps music and young artist to be discovered by international audience. It will be a big occasion to promote my music in a lot of different countries where i'm still unknown. I think is a great opportunity for any singer which allows us to work  in an international contest with a lot of international artists. It's an honor for me represent Swizterland and Swiss people also.

Oikotimes: "Era stupendo" is among this year favorite entries of the fans. Some even expect you to win. How do you see this? 
Paolo: I'll approach ESC with humilty and hope that all people will appreciate my song,  i'll take whatever it happens thinking positive and i will be happy to have experienced an important event as this one. I will be always the same person that my audience has used to know,  all the people will see myself as I am. Although i couldn't imagine the ESC final result i'm sure it will help me to grow both in my professional life and especially in my private life.

Oikotimes: Have you heard any other entries? Which one did you like the most?
Paolo: No i haven't, I want to discover all the ESC songs after the starting of the show as one spectator  who watches this important event for the first time! It's a sort of big surprise that i want to "taste".

Oikotimes: The eurovision fans see the contest as a very important event in Europe, while some other people see it as a trivial thing that should be scrapped. How do
you see it?
Paolo: I have a positive opinion about the Eurovision Song Contest,  i like it very much and i have been watching it since I was I child. I like to discover how many kinds of music exist in Europe. All of them are very different and every song has a particular story links to its culture and place... Eurosong is a sort of "Big Musical Container" which draws up people and countries.

Oikotimes: Many critics say that in the Eurovision today it is not important what kind of song or performance you have, but the number of neighbors your country. Do you
think this is true?
Paolo: I love that people are the only one to vote and logically decide everything, However, i'd like that vote doesn't depend on nationality and on other hand I'd like that songs were voted without any prejudice.  If someone loves a song, he'll vote it, i just hope that a lot of people love mine!! (smile)

Oikotimes:   You won San Remo last year with "Musica" and also achieved respectful sixth place this year. The new album "Corro via" has also come out. What are you next plans?
Paolo: I'll keep promoting my new album "Corro Via" hoping that the European audience could appreciate it.  Meannwhile, my press & promotion office is working for "Era stupendo" releasing on the european radio stations. The best way to getting known, is promoting yourself with a right promotional plan and being always the same person who approach everything with humility. I have already planned a spring/summer  Italian tour and my record company is negotiating about an interesting international project in South America and in some parts of USA, but i wouldn't reveal too much. If everything will go on as I hope, there will be a big surprise for my fans!

Oikotimes: Is there something you would like to say to the Oikotimes readers?
Paolo: I would ask all the Oikotimes readers to write me whenever they want to at io@paolomeneguzzi.it; I receive a lot of emails and i'm not able to answer to all of them, but i'm very happy to read about your support!!!!  Ciaooooooo a tutti!!!, and please Vote for me!

special thanks to mr. Marco Zorzetto for the help during the interview