The UK’s 2023 Eurovision entry Mae Muller has spoken to NME about her hopes for the competitors, and the way her music goals to “make individuals really feel empowered”.
- READ MORE: Sam Ryder: “Eurovision was the proper level in my journey to throw all of the chips on the desk”
Final month it was introduced that Muller will probably be representing the UK on the 67th Eurovision Tune Contest, heading to Liverpool in Might together with her observe ‘I Wrote A Tune’.
Co-written with Karen Poole (Kylie Minogue, David Guetta, Galantis) and Lewis Thompson (Anne-Marie, Little Combine, Steve Aoki), the music seeks to drag victory from the jaws of defeat following a breakup, as Muller defined.
“Loads of my music can come from a spot of ache, though the result is sort of sassy and liberating,” she informed NME. “This was a type of moments the place I needed to write down one thing that made individuals really feel empowered. Whether or not it’s a heartbreak or one thing that you just’re going via with a pal, take into consideration the way you navigate these feelings and are available out stronger.
“Lots of people suppose it’s a revenge music, however actually it’s in regards to the reverse. I may have sought revenge however as an alternative I selected to empower myself.”
Whereas admitting that the music’s manufacturing has just a little added “Eurovision flavour”, Muller revealed that ‘I Wrote A Tune’ doesn’t differ an excessive amount of from how she initially meant it to sound.
“The launched model is similar to the demo – it was all the time an upbeat and empowering dance bop designed to make individuals really feel assured,” she mentioned. “Then as soon as I came upon about Eurovision, I needed to maintain that in thoughts. The spoken phrase center eight part wasn’t within the authentic and I needed so as to add that in with the Eurovision efficiency in thoughts to essentially have an intimate second with the 200million individuals which are going to be watching.”
Having came upon that she’d be competing within the Tune Contest just a few months in the past – following been hand-selected by the TaP Administration workforce who selected final 12 months’s entry UK Sam Ryder – Muller mentioned that she discovered it arduous to maintain it a secret, particularly as rumours circulated of the likes of Rina Sawayama, Birdy, Jessie Ware and Ellie Goulding acting on behalf of the nation.
“It was actually arduous for me as a result of I’m a little bit of a tease,” she mentioned. “I like leaving little Easter eggs and clues with my music however I couldn’t do any of that so I simply needed to watch from the sidelines.
“With all of the hypothesis that was occurring, I actually needed to become involved and put up to TikTok, however I needed to hold the key. Then you definitely see the large reveal and also you perceive why it was so necessary to maintain it quiet.”
The annual competitors will happen at Liverpool Area in Might, with town internet hosting the occasion rather than final 12 months’s winner Ukraine, as a result of ongoing conflict with Russia.
“This 12 months feels so particular for thus many causes,” Muller informed NME. “Liverpool is simply the house of a lot iconic music historical past, so simply being in that metropolis goes to make it really feel particular. We’re all so excited to be doing this on house soil, however it’s on behalf on the Ukraine so it’s necessary for them to really feel celebrated too.”
Whereas remaining tight-lipped about what to anticipate from her efficiency on the night time – apart from that she’ll “deliver the power” – Muller did reveal that she’s been having fun with exploring the entire different songs that she’ll be competing in opposition to subsequent month.
“I’ve bought some favourites and I’ve spoken to some of the opposite artists,” she mentioned. “That’s essentially the most enjoyable a part of every part earlier than the competitors. There are such a lot of nice songs and pop girlies collaborating this 12 months. We’re going to deliver it! That actually excites me.”
She continued: “I’m actually having fun with Austria’s entry in the meanwhile. I simply really feel just like the songwriting is nice. With so many boss ladies collaborating, it could simply be wonderful to see them do properly.”
Noting a shift in attitudes within the UK in the direction of Eurovision, significantly after the success of Ryder and former Italian victors Måneskin, Muller mentioned that she was excited to be swept up within the contest’s ever-increasing credibility.
“I’m an enormous fan of Måneskin and Sam Ryder, and I actually really feel like they’re serving to the tide to alter,” she mentioned. “Eurovision has all the time been enjoyable, however I really feel like individuals within the UK are taking it extra severely. I’m fortunate to be collaborating in a 12 months when there’s a lot optimistic consideration round it. Sam Ryder actually did change that. He was an enormous a part of individuals going, ‘Are you aware what? We may have a shot at this!
“I feel that was a very long time coming as a result of the UK is house to a lot expertise, and he actually helped shine a lightweight on that.”
And what are Muller’s private favorite Eurovision classics?
“I liked Netta and ‘Toy’ [Israel’s 2018 entry], as a result of I liked how out of the field however good it was,” she replied. “The message was actually highly effective and he or she looks like a really vivid and heat particular person.
“I’m an enormous ABBA fan like everybody else on the planet, however taking a look at their first Eurovision efficiency and the place they’re now could be so inspiring. I noticed ABBA Voyage twice and cried each occasions. It simply highlights how iconic Eurovision is.”
The 2023 Eurovision Tune Contest will happen on the M&S Financial institution Area in Liverpool from Might 9-13. This week noticed the BBC announce the cities throughout the UK that will probably be internet hosting official “giant scale screenings”.
