Ahead of Saturday’s Melodifestivalen Semi-Final, Jazzi interviews Cazzi Opeia. Cazzi is one of 8 acts competing again this week for one of the four remaining places in the Melodifestivalen final. Cazzi this year is competing with her song “I Can’t Get Enough”
Hi Cazzi, I would just like to start things off by asking how you are doing?
“I’m doing really great 🙂 Thank you for asking.”
We’ll start by breaking the ice, by just asking what’s a fun fact about yourself that not many people know about you?
“I am into photography. Me and my partner have a photo project together where we shoot close-ups on thrown stuff laying on the street. Mostly banana peels.”
How has the past year been for you?
“The past year has been good. I’ve been in the studio a lot. Had a nice summer and Christmas with my family. At the end of the year I won the award ”Internationell success of the year” at Musikförläggarnas Pris which was totally epic”
This is your first time performing in Melodifestivalen – which has an extremely rich history in Sweden. What inspired you to take part this year?Â
“Yes, Melodifestivalen is the biggest music happening in Sweden. I grew up watching the show and I’m so happy to now be a part of it. It’s all thanks to the song. I wrote it at a songwriting camp last summer together with Paul Rey, Bishat Araya, Jakob Redzter and we were aiming towards Melodifestivalen. We started the day by talking about which artist to write for and began writing a song. We gave it a few hours but it didn’t feel like the song was flying. We took a long lunch and got to know each other a little better and had lot of fun. When we came back to the session we decided to scratch our idea and start something new. And I’m so happy we didn’t give up cus that’s when ”I Can’t Get Enough” was written. We wrote it in a couple of hours and it was magical. That’s when I got my passion back for my artist project. I’ve had a break for 4 years and been waiting for that passion to come back. That feeling of wanting to release my own music again and perform on stage. It’s such a rush. And then we were lucky to get it selected to the competition.”
In addition, you also co-wrote your entry alongside Bishat Araya, Jakob Redtzer, and Paul Rey. What was it like working with them on your Mello entry?
“Us four really clicked. We had so much fun and I’m so happy I have met them.”
When we saw your performance in the deltävling, and it was colourful, and futuristic, are you able to tell us what was the creative concept for the staging.
“We wanted it to feel like a happy, dreamy, cloudy colorful trip. And with a 80’s choreography with big moves that brings that extra cool dramatic vibe to it.”
At the time we’re talking, you’ve made it to the next round of the competition. How are the nerves holding up leading into the Semi-Final?
I’m pretty nervous honestly haha, but excited at the same time. There are so many feelings at once. I am taking everything step by step in this journey so right now I’m just focusing on enjoying every second on stage on Saturday and to have fun.
The winner of Melodifestivalen gets to represent Sweden at the 2022 Eurovision Song Contest in Turin. What would it mean to you if you got the chance to perform on the world’s biggest music stage?
That would be so epic! I would be really proud if I got to represent Sweden in Eurovision. That would be an experience to remember for a lifetime.
Melodifestivalen has produced many hits in Sweden! What are some of your favourite past Melodifestivalen songs?
”Hela Världen för mig” with Sanna Nielsen.
”Euphoria” by Loreen.
After doing some research, you have written for a few Kpop artists over the years? What are some of your favourite KPop tracks which you have written?
Some of my favorites are:
”Psycho” with Ares Velvet ”
We are Bulletproof – the eternal” with BTS, ”Dance the Night Away” with TWICE.
It is early days, but what are your plans after competing in this year’s competition?
“I’m gonna do some gigs and also keep on writing Kpop in the studio. Attending songwriting camps.”
Every year Melodifestivalen manages to attract new viewers. If come Saturday, viewers are interested in “I Can’t Get Enough”, if the viewers would like to listen to the other music you have released, where would you suggest they begin.
I’ve been releasing music since 2010 so I have a few songs out there. I would suggest to start by listening to “Rich” then “Wild Ones” then “Batman & Robin”
Is there anything you would like to say to the International Viewers over at That Eurovision Site?
Thank you for your love
We would like to thank Cazzi and her management for their time and would like to wish her the best of luck for the Semi-Final this weekend.
About Cazzi Opeia
Cazzi started off her career back in 2010 when she released her first single “I Belong To You”, since then Cazzi has devloped herself into a successful singer and songwriter. Cazzi has written songs for a variety of different K-Pop groups, including TWICE and BTS. 2022 is Cazzi’s debut year in terms of Melodifestivalen, On Saturday March 5th she will be hoping to earn one of the last four slots in the final when she competes in the second chance semi final.
Listen to “I Can’t Get Enough” on streaming services
Spotify
Apple Music
You are also able to listen to the other competing entries at Melodifestivalen 2022, by following our Spotify playlist:
Sweden’s Eurovision Journey
In 1958, Sweden made their debut in the Eurovision Song Contest, with Alice Babs representing them with the song “Lilla stjärna” which placed fourth. Since their debut, the Scandinavian nation has managed to win six times (1974, 1984, 1991, 1999, 2012, and 2015).
In 2021, Sweden was represented by Tusse, who won the 60th edition of Melodifestivalen and competed with the song “Voices”, which managed to qualify for the Grand Final and placed 14th with 109 points from the jury and televoters.
What do you think of Cazzi’s performance of “I Can’t Get Enough”? How do you think she will do at Melodifestivalen? As always, let us know what you think by getting in touch in the comments below. Be sure to follow THAT Eurovision Site on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Source: SVT/Annika Berglund
