Eldar Gasymov: I don't like to speak to the press about something that has nothing to do with my career

Eldar Gasymov can rightly be called one of the most popular people over the past two months. He seems to be one of those who can be awarded the prize "Man of the Year" for achievements in music. After all, Azerbaijan does not appear on well-known world stages as a winner elected by the people very often and such a victory does not bring all of Europe to our country every day.

Recently, a correspondent of R+ was involved in a street concert of guitarists in a European country. After the fiery performance, one of them approached and spoke to him. He asked where he was from. After hearing "from Azerbaijan", he reacted so vigorously that our colleague was even a little scared. The guitarist called his comrades and together they began to ask many questions about Azerbaijan, strumming the song "Running Scared". Then they began to congratulate him on victory and wondered whether he knew the performers. The idea that he ought to meet them crossed his mind at that point, but only now was it possible to realize this idea. R+'s guest is the young, promising and talented Eldar Gasymov.


Eldar, how many hundred interviews have you given over the past two months?

I'm not sure, but there have been a lot of interviews. To be honest, it's always a pleasure. It's a bit difficult when journalists ask the same questions, because when you answer the same question for the fourth time, it's difficult to put the primary emotion into your response. However, this problem does not exist in Azerbaijan, so even though two months have passed since our victory, it's still interesting what new and interesting questions they will ask me this time.

What were the trickiest questions they asked you and Nigar?

The most uncomfortable questions were related to politics, money and so on. I don't like to speak to the press about something that has nothing to do with my career. I am an artist. For me, the main thing is my art, everything else, perhaps, is a question for the producers. But I love talking about Eurovision.

Then tell us how many days and nights your celebration lasted?

We're still celebrating and will continue to do so until May next year (laughs). But to be honest, we were happy like crazy. No one could sleep because of overexcitation. It was sincere and slightly uncontrollable joy. Now I find it hard to remember how I got onto the stage and sang the song again. I watch the video and do not remember how I stayed behind the scenes, fell to my knees, ran around with the flag, shouted something, held this crystal microphone in my hands and didn't want to let it go. I know all this from the recordings. Then there was a press conference – everything was like a dream, a beautiful dream. And one day later, we flew home, and only our team was on the plane. We just went crazy. Then we celebrated in Baku and then, with my family... And this will last all year long until our country hosts the best Eurovision in history.

Will it be the best?

I think so, because our country's ambitions match our potential.

Tell us how you felt when you watched clips about people celebrating your victory?

They immediately started sending all these videos on my mobile, so I watched all that almost live. Of course, we expected everyone to be pleased and say that we did well, but still, we were surprised by such a reaction. We watched these videos together with participants from other countries, and I was so happy that our work was so appreciated... And the surprise and the shade of light envy on the faces of the contestants were also enjoyable. These two days resulted in a rapid surge of emotional patriotism. We were all a single whole, and it's really cool.

Tell us about your path to success. Is your victory in the European song contest sheer luck or hard work?

Victory is impossible without luck. How can you guess what the audience will like this year and next year? But without hard work, your success will be short and fleeting. In addition to luck and hard work, a combination of talent, spirit and appearance is necessary. But the main thing is still hard work. It wasn't easy, we prepared a lot and comprehensively - from voice performances and choreography to skills of communication with the media and acting. At rehearsals, we sang the same thing a hundred times and, of course, there came a time when there was no more emotion left to put into the song. And it's very difficult to sing beautifully without feeling the song. Then we were given two days of rest, and we recovered. After that, when there was a turning point and we didn't want to sing, we decided to create an acoustic version of the song. It was the second wind for us, and it returned to me and Nigar the emotions we experienced when we listened to the song for the first time.

Did you like your Eurovision song? And why do you think your song won but the Safura's song didn't?

Nigar and I liked it immediately. We listened to all the songs of the contest, and there were also lyrics, fast dance songs, impossibly beautiful Azerbaijani songs, but you know, this is Europe, and in their territory you have to play by their rules. Why did they love our song more? Probably because people are tired of negativity, dirt and pain around, and we sang a bright, beautiful song about feelings and genuine love, putting all our heart and soul in it. I think our song is very beautiful and I don't get tired of singing it.

Did you ever think you can win? Did you think how you would come back if you didn't live up to expectations?

I once looked at bookmakers' bets where we were in 7th or 8th place, and then, honestly, I was nervous. But I really wanted to win. I thought it was just impossible that so much of our efforts were in vain. And when I thought what would happen if we didn't win, I imagined how I would return to Baku, fall into depression and lead a secluded life. But then I drove those thoughts away and did something useful for myself, just sending positive energy out into space.

You closely watched the voting there, and you were very worried, we all saw it. Tell us what was the first thing you thought when you already realized that they were about to name your names?

Towards the end, Nigar somehow quickly calculated all, and told me that we had won. I, too, was waiting for this, but I had to hear my name to believe in the reality of the situation. Then, as I said, I don't remember very well what happened. It was such an emotion... I was so proud of our country.

How are you going to continue to represent Azerbaijan?

I want to be a famous Azerbaijani. I would like people to speak about me as a person, singer and actor who made a good career, but always to add that he's from Azerbaijan. In general, I believe that art is the main representative of the country in the world. Music makes it easier to reach out to people's hearts, because everyone listens to it - a doctor, a photographer and a seller. Therefore, musicians and singers should take responsibility for their life and work, because we weren't just Nigar and Eldar, we were representatives of Azerbaijan. But I want to ask as well whether we're coping with this responsibility.

No errors have been noticed yet, so you're coping! Eldar, how do you react to gossips about yourself?

I just ignore it. If you pay attention to each such thing, you're just going to break down one day. Let them say what they want. If someone wants, they'll call and ask me personally. And I'll answer them. I don't like to read and discuss gossip.

Do you love to read?

Reading books is a separate pleasure. I love to read science fiction, adventure books and sometimes novels. It all depends on my mood. At the moment, I'm reading a book about riding on horseback. I need to learn this, and I decided to approach the question scientifically.

Why do you want to ride?

I want it for myself. Maybe, in the future, I will need to ride a horse for a clip or movie? Who knows...

Eldar, you have such kind eyes and an interesting appearance. Do you often hear about that?

Yes, it happens. I even remember there was a crazy rumour in the city that I was not Azerbaijani and was hired abroad, taught Russian and Azerbaijani and sent to represent the country. And it's very funny when they attribute me to the race of elves (laughs). But to be honest, it's not true.

What are your future plans?

I'm in my second year for a master's degree at Baku Slavic University, and I study diplomacy. Of course, I want a family, children, career, business, but a little later. Now I'm concentrating on my career and I enjoy it. I'm recording songs, and most likely it will be singles, but I'd like to work in a duet with Nigar. I want to sing beautiful songs and film clips worthy of them. I know that this requires a lot of work, but I'm ready for it.

Do you believe in doomsday in 2012?

No, I'm an optimist. But even if it happens, I hope that it will happen after our Eurovision (laughs).

Then, who will you be rooting for next year?

The first of all, for us, of course! And then, for Sweden. As always, though. I like the way they work and give us Eurovision hits every year.

In conclusion, say a couple of kind words to our readers.

I wish everyone persistence and strength to achieve their goals. I wish you to always have your doors open to success.


/Region Plus/