Portugal is gearing up their preparations for Festival da Canção 2023. As artists look ahead to the national final, which begins on February 25th, Rory speaks to The Happy Mess. They are vying to represent Portugal with their song “O Impossível”.
Hello guys! How are you doing today?
“We’re great! Great times”
You are competing in Festival da Canção 2023 with your song “O Impossível”. You were invited to take part by RTP itself. How did it feel when you were approached to participate in the Contest?
“It was a nice surprise. Festival da canção is the great stage for any artist. It is the opportunity to reach a more mainstream audience. We were very excited.. it’s a huge challenge, it forces us to get out of our comfort zone. And of course, it is a privilege to be part of the history of the festival, to feel the mystique of the festival inside.”
Can you tell us about the story of your song, as it tells us about two people coming together? What was your inspiration?
“It’s an ironic song, about the vertigo of wanting everything here and now. People have no time for each other. And we had this desire to caricature the simplistic idea that love happens around the corner, on a night, on a party, in a snap of fingers.
Love and friendship to endure imply patience, altruism, overcoming.
Days of smiles and tears.”
Your music is an eclectic mix of experimental pop that spans different genres. What does it mean to you as artists to be so diverse in the music you make and how it influences you?
“We don’t like to be tied to one style, to one approach only. We are a pop-indie band but we seek influences in different decades, different environments, different artists. We like this idea of mixing sounds. From analog to digital, from guitars to synths. That’s what makes us happy as composers.”
What are your memories of Festival da Canção and Eurovision? Was it a big thing for you?
Each of us has different imaginaries of the festival. It’s part of our lives. The high moment was, without a doubt, when Salvador Sobral won the Eurovision.
The competition is coming up and of course, you’re rehearsing intensely for the show. Is there anything you can tell us about your performance or is it all being kept a secret for now?
Impossível… impossible 😉
If someone listens to “O Impossível” and really enjoys the sound of the song, what’s one other track from your repertoire that you would recommend other people listen to?
“It is not easy to choose one… but maybe one or two of our albums in English… “Morning Sun” or “waltz for lovers” “backyard girl” and others in Portuguese such as “nadar de costas “, “alguma coisa vai mudar”, “perder o pé”.”
What would it mean for you to represent Portugal at Eurovision, one of the largest shows in the world?
“It would be an honor, a privilege, a huge adventure to represent Portugal. And it would be unprecedented for a small indie-pop band to go up to the largest mainstream pop stage in the world.”
Finally, do you have a message to our readers at That Eurovision Site?
“We hope you have fun. May this year’s edition be filled with great songs that make you happy in these crazy times of war and crisis. And we hope that, somehow, our song will be part of your lives.”
If you are interested in learning about some of the other Festival da Canção acts this year, check out our interview with SAL, MoYah, You Can’t Win, Charlie Brown, INÊS APENAS and Esse Povo.
About The Happy Mess
The Happy Mess are a Portuguese band. Their members consist of Afonso Carvalho, Hugo Azevedo, João Pascoal, Paulo Mouta Pereira, and frontman Miguel Ribeiro. The band have been releasing music since 2012, they released their first album “Songs from my Backyard” in 2013. Their most listened to song on Spotify is the song “Waltz for Lovers”. The Happy Mess’ “O Impossível” was written by members João Pascoal, Afonso Carvalho, Miguel Ribeiro, Paulo Mouta Pereira, as well as Bruno Vieira Amaral.
Portugal’s Eurovision Journey
Portugal debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest with António Calvário’s “Oração” in 1964. Since then, Portugal has participated in the competition 53 times – appearing the final 44 times. Their only win in the competition came in 2017 with Salvador Sobral, performing his heart-wrenching song “Amar Pelos Dois”.
Portugal’s most recent participation was with MARO with the song “saudade, saudade”. MARO managed to qualify for the Grand Final and once there, she finished 9th, after receiving 207 points from the jury and the televote.
What do you think of our interview with The Happy Mess? Do you think “O Impossível” could represent Portugal in Liverpool? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we prepare for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: The Happy Mess
