interview with anja rupel

1. Can I in the beginning address you as: Anja Rupel, the queen of Slovene pop music?
There are quite a lot of queens, princesses and other crown heads here. I find these adjectives funny. I'm just a singer of pop music who is trying to her best like other Slovene singers.

2. Lately you are engaged beside your own projects (song "Vse") with writing lyrics. What triggered that?
Even with the group Videosex I was involved with writing lyrics but back then it was a team work. But when I started my soloist carrier I was somehow forced to write the lyrics as I actually knew best what I would like to sing about and there's of course a lack of good text writers. Later I started as text writer on most projects from Ale Klinar. Personally I like best cooperation with Alenka Godec as we co-write texts and we greatly complement each other (we received 2 awards for best text). I think that for good pop text there are many factors, it has to blend with the music perfectly, has to be simple but not banal, has to have some message and have good interpretation.

3. You haven't participated in Slovenska popevka 2004 where group Deur won. You were not present in MMS and Ema. Have you ever tried and were not selected or there are some other reasons?
I have participated in various festivals just as text writer. I strongly believe that music is not sport and therefore for me is not subject of competing. I know how much effort has to be invested in one song and I think all performers are trying their best; but except from winner all others are disappointed. Unfortunately it's true that festivals are almost only way for promotion so they are to great importance to some performers.

4. You work together with Ale Klinar in more than one way. Have you ever got an offer to work with Agropop?
Ale and I have independent carriers but we help each other with it. When he was playing in Agropop I was helping with the back vocals.

5. Your daughter Luna has very strong musical background with you and Ale. Would you help her if she would like to follow your steps?
If Luna decides to follow us I will be more than happy to help her with advices. But I won't be some ambitious mother and force her to anything. I believe that every child has to choose his/hers path and get involved with everything it makes him/her happy.

6. It is said that you are like a vine. The older you get the better you are. What is the receipt for it?
Thank you for the compliment. I don't take care of myself very well because I don't have any time for exercises and I don't eat particularly healthy food. I guess it is important to feel good in my skin and I'm not burdened with my years. And it is said that Rock'n'roll rejuvenates.

7. Your song "VSE" was elected best by members of OGAE Slovenia for OGAE Song contest between 32 songs and beat for instance Nua Derenda and Natalija Verboten. Any comment?
The only goal of pop song is that people like the song. I'm very glad that I succeeded!

8. Your expectation for above mentioned competition and which place would you consider being a success in this competition of 27 songs?
I don't care about the ranking. I only care that even more people will hear the song and I hope someone will like it.

9. How do you comment so called Karaoke where they choose idols, singers and search for new talents? Do they contribute to higher quality of our music?
Various searches for talents and stars in the Karaoke shows are very popular in the world and even here with us. So everyone has his/hers chance for 5 minutes of fame. But this definitely doesn't raise the quality of music. Unfortunately we haven't found any major talents this way. It's actually the only path some has to show themselves in public.

10. Would you participate in the jury in above mentioned shows and if not why?
I was kind of jury member in one of the shows "Bodi idol" where we just comment the participant, the winner was as usual picked by televoting which proved to be ineffective here in Slovenia, as we can see in various festivals, and we should prohibit it by a law.

Thank you, Anja Rupel, but above all a great success in both personal and private area.