It took 11 times for the sister of Fabrizio Faniello to follow him to Eurovision. This year is her time.

Read now what she told us about her participation.

1. It took you 11 times to get the ticket to represent Malta at the eurovision. Where does the motivation came from to try it so often?

To be resilient is a way of life for me, music is my everything and the Eurovision stage was in my bucket list. Dream , work hard and achieve.

2. Who is the private person Claudia?

A very relaxed human being, peaceful, dreamer and a traveller.

3. How would you describe the development of your musical career and work through since 2006, the first time you tried to get the ticket to eurovision?

Little by little with perseverance it has been an ongoing growth both musically and personally.

5. What was the inspiration behind your song?

Real life experiences

6. What is the one thing you are looking for the most in Kiev?

To be on stage and sing Breathlessly.

7. Any musical projects and objectives for the time after eurovision?

My 2nd Album

8. And - now where you did it, could you imagine to return to participate to represent Malta

I have no idea, I'm still trying to fully absorb the fact that I'm actually going.

9. Europe is in a very special decade. What is your message to our readers and to europe? Why shouldn’t europe become „breathlessly“?

I believe they all should become breathless by beautiful experiences they go through life. May they be real and in touch with their emotions.

We wish the best of luck to Claudia.

Pedro de Almeida

Ira Losco is stepping the stage of Eurovision again! What did you miss on her career?

1. She competed for her country in the Eurovision Song Contest 2002 with "7th Wonder", finishing second.

2. Losco started her career with a college band called Tiara.

3. In 2003, she was chosen to perform the song called "Reaching Higher" which was the official song of the Xth Games of the Small States of Europe Malta 2003.

4. Losco has been involved in advertising in her country, including Guess, McDonald's Salad Plus, and Vodafone's Music Jam Campaign.

5. Ira is a firm voice in support of LGBT Rights in Malta, and also supports the YMCA for homeless people.

"7th wonder" was her song in 2002 and at the end it was the first Eurovision wonder for Malta making the 2nd place and fighting for the first victory of all times. Missing just 12 points at the end for the victory. 7th wonder x 2nd place = 14 years later return! That could be the mathematical reason for Ira’s return after 14 years to Eurovision this year. If this is the reason or not, if Ira this time is going just to win and what she my learn from Malta’s victories at the Junior edition of the eurovision song contest… this and even more points can be read now in the exclusive interview Eurovision on top was allowed to have with Ira Losco.

She turned into the leading female artist of the mediterranean island. She got more than 20 music awards in the last years and released 4 number 1 albums. But being famous didn’t change the social part of Ira Losco’s personality. She fights for the rights of animals, LGTB, cares about homeless, supports children and schools. It is no wonder that Ira is someone with a magnetic charisma.

1. Ira - Let us start with the most interesting question. Why did you decide to return to Eurovision in 2016?

Various factors. Ever since I represented Malta in Eurovision and got a 2nd placing I was asked several times to return . My answer was consistently ‘never say never’ After the release of 'THE FIRE’ three years ago, which was ‘pop’ in genre it received very good reviews in the international press and has retained it’s 10 position since it’s release in 2013. It also enjoyed a number 1 spot in the MALTA iTunes for  several weeks, which was very encouraging for me. In 2014 I was asked to co-host Malta’s selection for Eurovision with Gianluca where I really felt the warmth of the audience and that’s when I started to re-consider my participation in MESC. Last year I also reached out to my fans on my fanpage and also asked for their feedback with regards to my possible return to Eurovision. Loreen's win with a track like 'Euphoria' in my humble opinion made Eurovision even more relevant. Since my genre is pop music and my album is due for 2016 I felt this was the right time to return.

Photo by Reno Rapa

2. In 2002 you made the 2nd place. To make it this time better would mean a victory. Aren‘t you afraid about that, is it pressure or do you don‘t care?

I don't think it goes like that! (Laughs) It would be very pretentious of me to think that just because I placed 2nd back in 2002, it will be easy to now place 1st. The festival has changed considerably throughout these past few years. The fact that there are over 40 countries participating is enough change to make things harder. The level of song writing has improved tremendously and the artists sent to represent their countries are world class. Everyone has upped their game. I will do my best to give the performance of a lifetime, definitely not by pressuring myself with the thought of the result, because as we have seen many a time, anything is possible in those three minutes on stage.

3. How was your participation in 2002 and which highlight do you remember?

I remember it fondly. I was a young girl, full of ambition and drive to make it someway or another in the music industry. The Eurovision in my home territory opened many doors. I wrote my first album in 2003, which led to my first record deal with Sony/BMG, I then toured the GSA territory extensively and opened concerts for huge superstars including Elton John, Maroon 5, Akon, Bob Geldoff, Duran Duran, Enrique Iglesias , Katie Melua and many more . What followed were numerous collaborations with various international artists . The most recent being with X factor USA finalist David Correy in collaboration with Coca Cola for the World Cup anthem song . One of my singles ‘UH OH’ from my 2nd album was also partially used  in Kelly Clarkson’s  HIT song ‘Don’t waste your time’.

4. What was the story behind your song „7th wonder“ in 2002?

Philip Vella and Gerard James Borg had approached me to sing 7th wonder after I had placed second with another song of theirs called "Spellbound" the year before. It won in Malta by a unanimous jury and public vote and got the first ever second place for Malta in Eurovision in 2002. 

5. From whom was the idea to blow glitter to the camera in 2002?

It was Gerard and Philip's idea. I'm not very good at these sort of gimmicks (laughs) I actually thought it was the cheesiest thing ever and yet it was one of the most memorable moments of that year's festival! 

6. What is the history behind your song for this year?

‘Chameleon’ is about one of human’s best attributes. Our species has survived so much throughout the years also managed to evolve because we are very capable of adapting . Sometimes we forget this and limit ourselves because accepting change can be scary at times . So I’m using the chameleon to bring across this symbolic attribute alongside being there for others, hope and feeling invincible.

7. What are your targets and objectives for this year?

I'll be releasing the album hopefuly by end of this year. There's a lot of work surrounding this release, which is not new to us, but we have to do this amidst the Eurovision madness ;-) bring it on!! 

8. What you have been very close to, Malta did twice at the junior eurovision. What do you think can you copy from this two victories for your participation this year?

First of all I think it shows Malta can host a great show …hehehe. Whilst the junior Eurovision is of course much smaller a show in terms of presentations, contestants and tv viewership , If not mistaken EV is close to 200 million whilst junior is between 2 and 3 million if I’m not mistaken , I genuinely believe one simply has to believe in it. What I have learnt in the industry is that it’s not having a hit which is the hardest part, or impressing once but impressing twice and three times over and keeping you’re A game through out a career. This is the hard part . To some extent the higher you get the higher the expectations and more difficult it becomes . So I will definitely try and copy the innocence , the fun factor , the no expectation feeling and to allow myself to be me all the way . I have fond memories of Stockholm throughout my career so I’m looking forward to it.

Photo by Reno Rapa

9. Any details and ideas for your performance on stage?

Not yet but we are all wearing our creative hats at the moment ;-)

10. What would you say have been your musical highlights since 2002?

I am thankful to have had a couple of highlights . I would say performing many memorable concerts some of which were my own like the unplugged concert or the latest one I did , others were festivals such as the isle of mtv, the Germany ones some of which had audiences between 50-80k . Other highlights would be some award shows . releases and launches of my albums , dvd and book . Meeting new fans. The latest highlight of course being winning the Malta entry to Eurovision .

Eurovision on top thanks Ira Losco a lot for this interview and we are sure that also in the futur our readers will have a lot of songs they can vote for in our weekly charts, coming from this wonderful artist.

Don't miss in the meantime the chance to follow Ira Losco and all the updates about her work through her social media accounts:

Facebook IraLoscoFanPage

Twitter @IraLosco

Anyhow Eurovision on top will follow Ira’s way to Stockholm and will update you will everything you need to know.

Pedro de Almeida

In the next weeks a lot of seletions are running and very easy to loose the overview of all choices and songs. But even easier just to read our weekly report and not to miss any selection, artist and song. Like this week! 5 choices and 4 songs:

1. An underdog for San Marino

2. An experienced artist for Ireland

3. Some freshness from Belgium

4. An IVAN from Belarus

5. A comeback for Malta

1. An underdog for San Marino - the turkish singer Serhat will sing for San Marino

In an internal selection the national broadcaster decided to send Serhat to Stockholm to represent the smalltest country in the contest.

Serhat could be a kind of underdog for the contest. He makes music for a lot of years and had already hits.

Till now there are no details about the song Serhat will sing in Stockholm. Eurovision on top will follow all information around San Marino's entree and inform you.

2. An experienced artist for Ireland - A boyband man Nicky Byrne

He had already a lot of hits years ago with the boyband Westlife. He also already had some experiences with Euovision. He presented three times the results of the irish vote.

Now Nicky already has a top 2! His song "Sunligh"t is the second song of the eurovision season 2016 being announced.

We will see, if that is an advantage or not.

3. Some freshness from Belgium - Laura Tesoro is the hope for the belgium tresor

Tesoro in spanish means treasure. After some very successful years at Eurovision Belgium returned with a strong national selection show.

This time it was a young and fresh girl winning. Laura Tesoro with the song "What the pressure".

If she will be able to handle with the pressure and hope all belgium people will put on her will be seen in Stockholm. Perhaps she will be a treasure for Belgium.

4. An IVAN from Belarus - one more X factor candidate

Last friday the broadcaster of Belarus hold their national final, which was won by IVAN.

"Help you to fly" is his song. Belarus would love to win and for sure they hope that this song will help this country to fly to the top of the scoring board in Stockholm.

If this will happen or not will be seen and decided by the audition.

5. A comeback for Malta - Ira Losco returning, but will return the success too?

Ira Losco made Malta in 2002 dream seriously of a victory at the eurovision. With the song "7th wonder" she was very close to make the first wonder for Malta at the contest.

She isn't the first former eurovision artist returning to the contest this year. 

This time Ira Losco will try to make come true what she wanted to reach 2002 and what at the junior contest Malta did last year for the second time, a victory!

Eurovision on top will follow Ira Losco, as usually not just during the contest, but also afterwards and present all her new music in our site.

Don't miss our weekly reports in the next weeks. There will be more songs, more decision and more news.

Keep updated!

Pedro de Almeida

Maltese singer and artist Amber is thrilled to announce the launch of her single called "What They Say". The song forms part of Amber's upcoming debut album which will be released later this year in the EU and the USA.

“What They Say” is composed with Amber in mind. It is a pop song with a dash of jazz, a characteristic that distinguishes Amber from many other pop artists. What makes this song special for Amber is the fact that she took an active role from the initial concept to production.

What They Say” is the creation of Matt Muxu Mercieca, an established singer and song writer and Elton Zarb, an accomplished musician who has scored for movies released by Universal and eOne, with the participation of Amber.