JJ before ESC performance relaxed: "This will be easy!"
On Thursday, things will get serious in Basel for Austria's Song Contest candidate Johannes Pietsch, aka JJ, when the 24-year-old competes with "Wasted Love" in the 2nd semi-final for his ticket to the grand finale on Saturday.
The betting offices see the countertenor as a sure starter - with good chances for a top placement. Beforehand, JJ spoke with the APA about unknown stress, betting money on himself, and his biggest wish in case of his victory.
Song Contest Causes More Stress Than Usual
APA: You are studying solo singing at the Music and Arts Private University of the City of Vienna with the great Wagner heroine Linda Watson. Is your voice holding up amidst the ESC turmoil?
JJ: I am so well trained by Linda Watson that it just goes well. But of course, there are external factors that come into play, such as too little sleep, giving interviews, talking a lot, etc. It's definitely an adjustment. I am certainly exposed to a world here where I have more stress than usual.
I hope for you that your private life is not always as stressful as an ESC!
You get used to it. (laughs)
Speaking of stress. In "Wasted Love," you address a personal, traumatic breakup. Isn't it painful to sing about this phase in your life all the time now?
I'm fine with it because I know: The more I talk about it, the easier it is to get over it. If you keep everything inside, you will eventually break and lose everything. It makes it easier for me in the performance.
And you are now in a happier situation, right?
Definitely.
No Betting on Yourself
The betting offices and experts predict a top placement for you in the end. Does that increase the pressure? Or does it make it more chill?
It's both. But I trust in my abilities. We've rehearsed this so many times, and once you have something vocally down, you have it forever. I'm not worried: It's going to be easy!
Speaking of the betting offices: Do you bet on yourself? Or does your environment?
I don't do that because I don't like to spend money - especially not in Basel, where everything is so expensive! (laughs) But I've heard from some friends and family members that they've bet on me. Now I have to work even harder so they can get their money back! (laughs)
Now let's assume your environment cashes out with a profit - would you like to host the Austrian Song Contest 2026 then?
That would be so cool. If we win, you come back as the winning act anyway. But I would love to host! I saw Conchita in 2015 and just thought: How cool is that?! Flirting with people, that's just fun for me.
Graduation and Album in Planning
And afterwards? What are your future plans? Will you complete your MUK studies?
It is definitely my goal to complete my studies - I've already done half and don't want to throw that away. How and when that will work out time-wise, I have to see. But you're never too old to finish studying.
Is it conceivable for you to leave the opera world behind completely?
I want to continue doing the pop-opera genre because I notice how much people like it. Whether it will continue in the direction of "Wasted Love" is still open, as the number was specifically written for the Song Contest. Maybe it will be more pop-mainstream. But the operatic aspect will remain because it simply defines me. I will never forget my classical side and will also gladly continue to give concerts.
Do you already have an album planned for the time after the ESC?
JJ: Yes, we have even scheduled songwriting weeks afterwards. There is already a song as a follow-up number. But it's all still experimental. We have to find out how much we can go into the mainstream without losing the classical element. And for that, the trio JJ, Teya, and Thomas Turner (JJ's co-author team, ed.) will stay together for the foreseeable future.
(The conversation was conducted by Martin Fichter-Wöß/APA)
This article has been automatically translated, read the original article here.