Malta Music Awards presented in spectacular show
Ira Losco the Queen Of the Show
The Coca-Cola Malta Music Awards Night has been held at the MFCC at Ta' Qali. 17 Awards were given in a spectacular MTV style show hosted by Nirvana and MTV VJ, Rickie Haywood Williams.
Top local bands and artists performed in a three-and-a-half- hour non-stop show. Two foreign acts Supafly and Frank Ti-Aya also performed in front of a packed venue.
Ira Won :
Best Local Music Export Award
Best Female Artist
Best Album - Accident Prone
Ira Losco terġa' takkumpanja lil Gigi D'Alessio
... din id-darba f'Taormina
maltarightnow.com
Sorsi li tkellmu ma' MaltaRightNow.com qalu li l-istedina min-naħa tal-kantawtur Naplitan lil Ira Losco biex terġa' tkanta miegħu waslet wara l-prestazzjoni eċċellenti fl-interpretazzjoni tas-silta tiegħu "Un Cuore Malato" waqt il-kunċert ta' Malta. Kellha sehem importanti wkoll il-kollaborazzjoni u r-relazzjoni eċċellenti li teżisti bejn il-Management ta' Ira - Jagged House Management - u l-organizzaturi ta' l-avveniment - Renessaince Productions - flimkien ma' General Soft Drinks.
Bid-diversi kunċerti li tat grazzi għall-kuntratt li ffirmat mas-Sony BMG tal-Ġermanja, isem Ira Losco - u għaldaqstant isem Malta - illum hu magħruf f'diversi pajjiżi. Il-lista ta' suċċessi personali għal din il-kantanta lokali hi waħda impressjonanti. Fost l-oħrajn tliet kanzunetti tagħha ġew inklużi fl-aħħar album ta' Michelle Hunziker li ħareġ fl-Italja, l-Isvizzera, l-Awstrija u l-Ġermanja s-sena l-oħra, filwaqt li waħda mis-singles popolari tagħha sabet postha wkoll fl-album ta' Kelly Clarkson li nħareġ fis-swieq mużikali madwar id-dinja kollha dan l-aħħar.
Dan minbarra li l-aktar żewġ siltiet li għamlulha suċċess - "Love me or Hate Me" u "Accident Prone" - inħarġu bħala remixes taħt it-tikketta "Fektiv Records" u bħalissa qed jiddominaw id-dance floors u l-compilations Ewropej.
PRESS RELEASE August 2007
Ira Losco gives us “Something to Talk About”
This has been an unforgettable summer for our sunny island. One of the biggest events this year instilled a sense of national pride and notion that finally Malta’s name was being associated to chart topping names in the music industry. Ira Losco took the stage just before the international acts impressing both the crowd of 30,000 and the MTV media moguls present. Although it was surprisingly reported in the local media that it is very disappointing that the local acts would not be shown on the isle of MTV Ira Losco’s management company have expressed an incredible feedback from various head of MTV territories and decision makers.
“Record companies have a hard time to get their artists’ videos shown on MTV network so having a showcase in front of the decision and key people is something not to be taken lightly. We have been lucky to have Ira’s video shown in MTV Germany and other TV stations but our plans are far more ambitious this time round ” said Howard Keith from Jagged House.
“These are the kind of festivals we played to abroad whilst on tour and it is this reaction from an audience that re confirms how much I love doing this…but performing in my home territory is always more special” added Ms. Losco.
Even Latin heartthrob Enrique Iglesias interrupted his dinner backstage and immediately went to personally congratulate our local songstress after her performance. Alongside the other acts Ira Losco performed an energetic set including her latest single ‘Something to Talk About’. With the single doing so well on radio rotation and being in such demand Jagged House management have decided to release the single as a physical copy in the next few weeks. The single will also include the long awaited mashed version of Nancy Sinatra’s and Iggy Pop’s “These Boots/ Lust for Life” as well as “Who I am” both recorded Live from her sold out Unplugged Vodafone Concert last March. This will give a snippet of what’s to come in the DVD to be released later on.
“ We are extremely happy with the way things are going for Ira and her band. Artistically they’re simply getting better and better. Everything from day one has all been part of a plan which gives us the right tools to work with.,” said Howard Keith from Jagged House Management.
A recent addition to Ira Losco’s management is Harriet Cochrane, who has worked in the music industry in U.K, U.S and Japan, added, “ We believe in Ira and the band 100%. We’re both very aware of the pitfalls of the industry and this job is all about detail, perfection, feeling and definitely no room for errors. Managing a record label export division for many years and dealing with several territories I know how the industry thinks but ultimately it all boils down to having a good product.”
Last week Ms.Losco and her band shared the stage with Italy’s most popular singer of the moment Gigi D’Alessio. Whilst giving an excellent performance with a professional stage presence, graphics and sound Ira Losco and her band oozed the same confidence felt with other foreign acts . Furthermore the audience present were pleasantly surprised when Gigi D’Alessio invited Ira Losco to sing the duet ‘Cuore Malato’, which he had performed with Lara Fabian at San Remo this year. Ira’s performance with the Italian star was flawless and had most of the audience in awe. She delivered an impeccable intense performance which besides showing her versatility and utmost professionalism as an artist also marked a memorable moment in the event as well as an emotional one for the ones present, walking off stage with a thunderous applause from the audience and praise from Gigi himself .
Ira Losco has been asked to perform at the Waterfront 25th August alongside side Gianni Morandi, Claudio Baglioni, Richardo Coccante, Ivan Grech and Ivan Filletti. Unfortunately Ira’s band are busy preparing for the recording sessions of the upcoming album ‘Fortune Teller’ so Ira Losco will be performing solo on the 25th August. Entrance is free.
For further details visit www.iralosco.com 
Jagged House Management - Howard Keith / Harriet Cochrane TEL: - 27383982
Mobile: (+356) 99826000 / 99179917 e-mail: - howard@jaggedhouse.com /harriet@jaggedhouse.com. 
IRA LOSCO –More than one card up her sleeve - Ira Losco Press release
Last March Ira Losco enjoyed the tremendous success of her first ever sold out Unplugged concert as well as the simultaneous number 1 album entitled “Unmasked”. Just three months after, she is in the recording studio working on her new songs. Once again Ira’s mentor and manager Howard Keith is the mind behind the production of this new body of work. Each one of her previous albums has always topped sales charts positions. The most popular to date remains ‘Accident Prone’ holding No1 position for the twelfth consecutive time throughout these last two years and remaining in the charts for over a year and a half alongside her latest Unplugged album .
“Ira’s career has gone from strength to strength during these last five years. She’s proved to be a versatile performer but the new tracks are going to take her on a different international level. There’s always the element of surprise with Ira and coming up with something different is definitely in her nature . The international record deal , the big concerts and festivals abroad , music videos, an unexpected unplugged album and a sold out concert with a new concept of concert tickets are challenging to say the least however first and foremost it’s about the music.” said Howard Keith, Ira Losco’s manager and producer.
In fact Ira Losco’s management has promised to release her first ever DVD at the end of summer. The lucky fans who witnessed the Vodafone jam unplugged concert will have the chance to see it on dvd together with other interesting footage. The others who didn’t get hold of their ticket will now have the opportunity in experiencing it on DVD.
Jagged House Management ( the artist’s management company ) have chosen 4 main events this summer where Ira Losco will be headlining a string of concerts in Malta and one in Gozo. Each event is different from one another The most prominent is probably the Isle of MTV Summer Festival held on the 26th July at the granaries in Floriana. as well as performing before Gigi D’Alessio at Manoel Island. Ira was the first local artist hand picked to perform on the same stage as international superstars Akon, Enrique Iglesias and Maroon 5, who are all currently enjoying the success of their latest album releases. Ira will take the stage just before the headlining international act on the night.
“Every new project brings with it a ton of work, baggage and emotions, but never once has it crossed my mind to be doing anything different. To have approximately 2 releases per year takes a lot of hard work but I owe it to my fans who have always supported me.” said Ira Losco
Ira and her band will be performing her latest single ‘ Something to Talk about‘ scheduled to be released Friday 13th July . The artist will kick start on the 21st July at the XFM Coke Cola Festival performing before world renowned Steve Edwards. Also lined up 4th August at the Great Beer Festival held annually in Ta Qali and the Sole Festival –on the 18th August in Gozo, More details can be found on www.iralosco.com events page.
Ira Losco is supported by Vodafone, Mcdonalds, Guess, Global Capital, SG Solutions and Olimpus.
Last March Ira Losco enjoyed the tremendous success of her first ever sold out Unplugged concert as well as the simultaneous number 1 album entitled “Unmasked”. Just three months after, she is in the recording studio working on her new songs. Once again Ira’s mentor and manager Howard Keith is the mind behind the production of this new body of work. Each one of her previous albums has always topped sales charts positions. The most popular to date remains ‘Accident Prone’ holding No1 position for the twelfth consecutive time throughout these last two years and remaining in the charts for over a year and a half alongside her latest Unplugged album .
“Ira’s career has gone from strength to strength during these last five years. She’s proved to be a versatile performer but the new tracks are going to take her on a different international level. There’s always the element of surprise with Ira and coming up with something different is definitely in her nature . The international record deal , the big concerts and festivals abroad , music videos, an unexpected unplugged album and a sold out concert with a new concept of concert tickets are challenging to say the least however first and foremost it’s about the music.” said Howard Keith, Ira Losco’s manager and producer.
In fact Ira Losco’s management has promised to release her first ever DVD at the end of summer. The lucky fans who witnessed the Vodafone jam unplugged concert will have the chance to see it on dvd together with other interesting footage. The others who didn’t get hold of their ticket will now have the opportunity in experiencing it on DVD.
Jagged House Management ( the artist’s management company ) have chosen 4 main events this summer where Ira Losco will be headlining a string of concerts in Malta and one in Gozo. Each event is different from one another The most prominent is probably the Isle of MTV Summer Festival held on the 26th July at the granaries in Floriana. as well as performing before Gigi D’Alessio at Manoel Island. Ira was the first local artist hand picked to perform on the same stage as international superstars Akon, Enrique Iglesias and Maroon 5, who are all currently enjoying the success of their latest album releases. Ira will take the stage just before the headlining international act on the night.
“Every new project brings with it a ton of work, baggage and emotions, but never once has it crossed my mind to be doing anything different. To have approximately 2 releases per year takes a lot of hard work but I owe it to my fans who have always supported me.” said Ira Losco
Ira and her band will be performing her latest single ‘ Something to Talk about‘ scheduled to be released Friday 13th July . The artist will kick start on the 21st July at the XFM Coke Cola Festival performing before world renowned Steve Edwards. Also lined up 4th August at the Great Beer Festival held annually in Ta Qali and the Sole Festival –on the 18th August in Gozo, More details can be found on www.iralosco.com events page.
Ira Losco is supported by Vodafone, Mcdonalds, Guess, Global Capital, SG Solutions and Olimpus. Source - manicmalta
Ħsibijietha u xewqatha fil-mużika
Franica Pulis tintervista lil Ira Losco
Fid-djarju tagħha fil-website Ira Losco tiddiskrivi lilha nnifisha bħala waħda li m’għandhiex kwiet toqgħod id-dar u fil-fatt hekk hu. Meta ltqajt magħha f’darha stess kienet il-ħin kollu tiċċaqlaq u kważi lanqas paċenzja tirrispondi ma kellha tant kemm bdiet tgħaġġel biex titkellem. 
Ilbieraħ Ira ħadet sehem fil-kunċert li sar il-Belt biex titqajjem kuxjenza dwar l-immigranti. Għalkemm mhix daqshekk akkanita għall-mużika Taljana, Ira Losco kuntenta li kantat, fl-opinjoni tagħha, waħda mill-isbaħ diski Taljani: Almeno Tu nell’Universo akkumpanjata minn Claudio Baglioni.
Din is-sena l-kantanta Slimiża matul il-kunċerti tagħha u anki fuq programmi tat-televixin għamlet bosta kummenti ta’ natura politika, l-aktar fuq l-ambjent, il-bżonn għall-paċi, l-omosesswali u issa l-immigranti.
“Qatt ma assoċjajt ruħi ma’ partit għax għalija il-mużika hi universali u ta’ kulħadd. Jekk nista’ nagħmel xi ħaġa bil-mużika nemmen li għandi nagħmilha. L-omosesswali għandhom ikollhom l-istess drittijiet tagħna. Il-fatt li nagħmlu distinzjoni bejnietna, aħna u huma, ukoll iddejjaqni.
“Kollox jaqa’ għal ħaġa waħda: tolleranza. Imma n-nies diffiċli jaċċettaw il-bidla anki fil-mużika,” qalet Ira kważi b’ċerta rabja għal din it-tip ta’ intolleranza. Tagħti fehmitha fuq l-immigranti u d-diffikultajiet li Malta qiegħda tiltaqa’ magħhom.
“Jien fuq iż-żewġ naħat. Fuq in-naħa ta’ l-immigranti għax dawn jitilqu minn pajjiżhom biex jiksbu xi ħaġa aħjar. L-ironija hi min jaf kemm jonfqu flus biex mingħalihom jaqtgħu xewqithom u minflok jispiċċaw jaħdmu f’cheap labour.
“Min-naħa l-oħra pajjiżna hu d-daqs li hu. Tkun trid tgħinhom iżda Malta ma tiflaħx għal ħafna. Imbagħad issib min jabbuża minnhom u jagħmel kemxa flus minn fuq daharhom, minbarra li jaffettwaw lill-Maltin minħabba x-xogħol.
“Hi vera ironika: id-dinja kienet kontinent wieħed imbagħad inqasmet. Kulħadd iħobb ikollu dik ix-xi ħaġa li hi tiegħu. Issa n-nies iridu jerġgħu jitgħallmu jaqsmu bejniethom tant kemm għixna mbegħdin minn xulxin. Jien il-ħtija nitfagħha kollha fuq r-regħba u l-kilba għall-poter. Fl-Istorja dejjem hekk ġara. Qatt ma kienet biżżejjed li nikkuntentaw bl-art tagħna. Dejjem ridna ta’ ħaddieħor.
“Hu diffiċli taċċetta kwalunkwe influss ta’ nies li huma differenti minna. Imma jien naraha li jekk l-Awstraljani u l-Kanadiżi ttollerawna, għaliex m’għandniex nagħmlu hekk b’ħaddieħor?
“Iżda mbagħad mhux aħna biss irridu naċċettawhom, iridu jaċċettawna huma u jaċċettaw il-mod ta’ kif ngħixu. Jekk jien sejra barra mhux se nimponi l-kultura tiegħi fuq ħaddieħor imma naċċetta tiegħu,” kompliet tgħid.
Indawwar is-suġġett fuq il-mużika u naqbad mal-festival ta’ l-Eurovision.
“Għalija ma kienx importanti li nirbaħ. Kien biss festival u esperjenza. Xorta ħadtu bis-serjetà speċjalment meta kelli nirrappreżenta lil pajjiżi imma qatt ma tajtu daqshekk importanza għax kont inħoss ħafna nuqqasijiet fuq livell artistiku u opportunitajiet wara li jgħaddi l-Eurovision li fil-verità hi kemmxejn differenti minn li jaħsbu ħafna nies.
Insaqsiha kemm hu veru t-tgħanniq u t-tbissim kollu li jidher f’dan fl-istess festival. Minn kliemha ninduna kemm ma tagħtix kas għaċ-ċuċati li jgħidu n-nies.
“Ħafna nies huma kattivi u tibda tisma’ ħafna kummenti iżda fl-aħħar mill-aħħar in-nies fl-udjenza tiddeċiedi u hemmhekk kelli appoġġ kbir li għadni nsibu sa llum. Jekk mhux aktar.
“Bħal daqslikieku trofew se jbiddilek ħajtek. Hemm deċiżjonijiet li jbiddluhielek u dawn trid teħodhom bis-serjetà.
Terġa’ tmur lura għall-Eurovision?
“Bħal kull ħaġa fil-ħajja kull bidu għandu tmiem u l-Eurovision għalija kien kapitlu ieħor fil-karriera tiegħi,” tgħidli b’daħqa fuq wiċċha. Tkompli tgħid kif il-mużika tagħha mxiet mill-istil tal-festival u tikkunsidra l-Isle of MTV u oħrajn bħalma kellha barra minn xtutna bħala opportunità ħafna aħjar.
“Inħossni fortunata li għandi maniġment professjonali u b’esperjenza barra minn xtutna.”
Naqilbu d-diskors fuq kemm kienet id-diffiċli biex tbiddel l-istampa tagħha għalli hi llum.
“Qabel il-Eurovision kont ġejja minn band fejn bħala udjenza kien ikolli 50 ruħ, l-aktar 100. L-istil ta’ li kien jispirani 10 snin ilu għadu l-istess u b’hekk ma nsejjaħx fejn ninsab illum bħala bidla iżda nikkonferma min jien verament u fl-istess ħin l-udjenza hawn Malta saret taċċetta dan l-istil ħafna aktar minn 10 snin ilu.
“Imma jien kuntradizzjoni waħdi. Inħossni komda fuq il-palk u forsi jirnexxieli niskopri lili nnifsi. Għalhekk l-ewwel irrid nikkonvinċi lili nnifsi. Bil-mużika tiegħi ngħid affarijiet li nibża’ ħafna ngħid bħala persuna.”
Donnha My Life kienet diska li fiha qalet ħafna ħsibijiet li kienet iżżomm għaliha nnifisha. Titfa’ dawl fuqha nnifisha li juri tfajla konfuża u ma tafx eżattament xi trid għalkemm meta titkellem magħha tidher ċerta mill-karriera li trid u lejn fejn tixtieq teħodha. Kontradizzjoni oħra!
Tkompli titkellem fuq l-esperjenza tagħha fil-Eurovision, li għalkemm kienet waħda pożittiva u lokalment mexxiet il-karriera tagħha ’l quddiem, kienet taf li wara s-suċċess kellha tkompli taħdem jekk riedet tkompli fil-mużika.
“Barra minn Malta hi storja differenti. Fil-fatt wara l-Eurovision kelli nħalli sena tgħaddi biex niġi avviċinata mid-djar tad-diski. Kont konxja li jekk mhux se naħdem għaliha ma kontx se nirnexxi. Insomma mbagħad iltqajt ma’ Howard Keith. Tant konna simili fit-tip ta’ mużika, kitba, ħsibijiet, eċċ, li kienet ħaġa naturali li nibdew naħdmu flimkien. It-transizzjoni kellha ssir bil-mod. Love Me or Hate Me u Who I Am kienu l-ewwel żewġ diski li ktibt ma’ Howard li ħallew il-marka tagħhom.
“Għalkemm dawn it-tnejn nibqa’ ngħożżhom m’għandhiex diska partikulari li togħġobni. Il-mużika hi proċess li jevolvi l-ħin kollu. Bħalissa qed nikteb diski li qed insir inħobb ukoll. Kbirt ħafna dawn l-aħħar snin u qed niżviluppa permezz tal-mużika.”
Indawrilha d-diskors fuq xi ħaġa kompletament differenti. Ix-xena mużikali hi assoċjata wkoll mad-droga. Kemm hi realtà għal Malta?
“Id-droga hi aktar assoċjata mat-tip ta’ ħajja u l-perjodi li tgħaddi minnha milli mal-mużika. Hi iktar fażi ta’ esperimentazzjoni. Min mar Woodstock, udjenza u bands, kienu hemmhekk għal żewġ affarijiet. Kien hemm mużiċisti ta’ barra minn hawn bħal Jimi Hendrix u Janis Joplin li għexu ħajja ta’ artisti kbar imma sfortunatament kienu dipendenti mid-droga u mietu kaġun tagħha. Il-mużika ġdida u ispiranti bdiet tolqot lin-nies imma bdiet anke tolqothom l-idea li biex tikteb mużika daqshekk tajba kellek tkun drogat.
“Pete Doherty qed jagħtini mużika tajba bid-droga li jieħu? Le. Qed igawdi biss hu mill-egoiżmu u l-gula tiegħu. Anki jekk tkun tidher tajjeb, id-drogi jibdluk f’xi ħaġa li m’intix.
“Mużiċist narċisist. Ħafna artisti jgħidu li mhumiex hekk. Aħna naraw l-affarijiet minn kalejdoskopju; għax nitkellmu b’mod poetiku naħsbu li aħna speċjali mentri m’aħniex. Xogħolna jidher aktar drammatiku.”
Insemmilha xi ħaġa li kienet qaltli ommha meta kont intervistajtha. L-ikbar beżgħat tagħha huma li Ira tibqa’ tiġri wara l-ħolm tagħha u jekk tirnexxi, titgerfex bħalma ġieli ġralhom kantanti oħra. Il-kantanta għal dan tinħaraq ftit. Min jaf kemm-il darba semgħet dan id-diskors…
“Ommi ma tafx dwar xiex qed titkellem imma għandha raġun. Kull omm tinkwieta li ’l dak li tħobb jinbidel. Jien naħdem ħafna u bħal kull artist ieħor ikolli nagħmel ħafna sagrifiċċji. Iżda jien għażilt din il-ħajja għax nemmen fiha. L-arti tal-mużika hi kollox għalija u l-aktar importanti hi li tagħmilni persuna aħjar.
“Anki għall-Eurovision. Trid tkun preparata mentalment biex tidħol għal xi ħaġa hekk. Hemm ħafna stress min-nies għax hawn jagħtuh wisq importanza. Xejn ma jiġi faċli.”
L-aħħar mistoqsija: Kemm hi diffiċli għalik titlaq minn Malta għal numru ta’ snin biex tkompli tirnexxi fil-karriera tiegħek?
“Mhux l-ewwel darba li mort il-Ġermanja għal kunċerti għal tul taż-żmien imma fl-aħħar mill-aħħar Malta hi dari. Kollox jiddependi minn dak li hemm bżonn isir. Jien minn dejjem għamilt li hemm bżonn isir u m’għandi xejn x’jorbotni. Fil-fatt dak li qegħdin naħdmu fuqu bħalissa u ħafna aktar ambizzjuż minn dak li wettaqna u għalhekk se jinvolvi l-possibbiltà ta’ aktar żmien barra minn xtutna!”
For some It seems that Ira Losco is
more than just a great singer.
When a lucky fan who won the right to ask Ira a question asked her what was the craziest thing a fan had ever done, she revealed the time when a male fan told her he had something to show her... 'Oh my God!', she thought. He opened his shirt in front of her revealing an IRA LOSCO tattoo on his chest!
When quizzed what she would do if she was invisible for one day, a smiling Ira replied: "Locker rooms!!"
We don't think she would get kicked out of locker-rooms if she wasn't invisible!
However Ira later changed her answer to: "Bank robbery".
Ira Losco was performing in front of a sold-out audience at the Grandmaster Suite at the Hilton as she dished out hit after hit from her popular collections, together with her versatile band.
Bitterside, Chasing Pandora and Scar also performed during the concert.
‘The reaction of the people was fantastic. This is the way we usually play our shows abroad. It goes without saying that it involves a lot of preparation, and creativity. It’s a process the whole team enjoys and it’s the professional way of doing it.'
"The result is breathtaking and this time I could share it with my local fans… it was incredible!’ enthused Ira Losco.
Just stay away from banks and locker-rooms Ira!
2006 was definitely a year to remember for local artist Ira Losco with 7 single releases from the top selling album ‘Accident Prone’ all placing top 10 in the radio charts as well as wining the prestigious ‘Woman of the year award 2006’ and also finding time to release a fourth album titled ‘ Unmasked’ just 3 weeks ago.
One week after the successful launch of ‘Unmasked ‘ a packed Eden Arena saw local singer/songwriter Ira Losco walk off stage with two awards at this year’s BMAS! Ira Losco was the biggest winner on the night taking home both Best Solo Artist and the Best Song Award .The audience were ecstatic by Ira Losco’s first win, more so when she took the stage with her band to give a very energetic performance of the song ‘Driving One of Your Cars’ which she scooped another award for later on that same evening. ‘Driving One of your Cars’ was the second song which shot up to number one on Bay Radio following ‘I’m in Love again’ which was released two years ago.
“Events like these raise awareness amongst local audiences that local music is of a great standard and thus encourages diverse styles amongst artists. Audiences at home were presented with a cool MTV style evening, a somewhat different representation of local music and most of all a credible, successful alternative to what the audiences are normally brainwashed with ” said Howard Keith who manages Ira Losco as well as produced acts such as ‘Chasing Pandora’ and ‘Bitterside’ who also won an award for best newcomer and best band respectively.
Adding to her success, Ira Losco has just released an unplugged album titled ‘Unmasked’ which is already gracing the top 5 of the album record sales. Ira Losco’s music is definitely in great demand, her previous album ‘Accident Prone’ is still at number 7 and has never been out of the charts since its release last November 2005!
This was the first year people could follow the Bay Music Awards in the comfort of their homes, as it was televised on PBS. The night kicked off transmitting Bondi + live from the Arena. Lou Bondi introduced Ms Losco as the best selling artist in 2006 and asked her why she thought people related to her music and what they liked about it, to which she replied “I believe that my music and lyrics are a true representation of who I am. I write about things that happen to me and that I see happening to others. People relate to that, a reality which they believe they are living too.”
There were 15 performances by Malta’s finest talent and 5 awards to be won on the night. Ira Losco’s powerful performance that night also earned her the recently added ‘Viewer’s Choice Award’, whereby the audience voted for their favourite performance on the night. Ira continues to prove popular amongst audiences and her great win at this year’s Bay Music Awards was most certainly a proof of that!
Ira Losco added “It was the most fantastic way to end 2006! It has been a very busy year, Howard and I worked very hard but I loved every minute of it. This year promises to be just as busy and exciting. The people have given me so much support and it is only thanks to them that I won all 3 awards! It’s amazing to be doing what I love best and to be surrounded by people who show such support.”
Ira Losco and her band will be kicking off 2007 on the 6th of January ‘Notte Magica’ at Freedom Square Valletta AT 11.00pm.
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1. Which song from your repertoire, do you link mostly to your own character, and why?
Probably 'Accident Prone' because it is a very sexy, straight to the point crude song....I like adding spiciness to my performances and life heheh so I think it says a very much everything about me hehehe! Having said that 'Love me or Hate Me' is the song that describes me completely!
2. If you had to have a say on your own creation, would you be different than how we know you today? Would you change yourself to be more compatible with today's trends, or would you try and set a new trend?
No I would be completely the same...this is me...I write my own songs both music and lyrics and nothin gives me more satisfaction or describes me better. I feel honest through my music and I feel that people of all ages relate to it and that makes me feel I am doing something right and above all it's something I love doing so I'm hitting two birds with one stone!
3. If we had to open your wardrobe at this time, would everything be organised or a total mess? Which colours would prevail?
well definitely black...I love dark tones...my wardrobe is colour coded...I find it's the easiest way to find stuff...plus when I tell my friends they are mega impressed hehehehe.
4. In the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest, we saw you in a white cat suit. Many rumours have been going on about wether you were wearing any underwear under the amazing dress. What have you go to say about this?
No underwear! just the birthday suit heheheh and a good tan and tights material lined the whole thing so that it wasn't transparent...I hope hehehhee
5. Do you regret going to Eurovision?
Not at all...I loved the experience...it was very exciting and a great honour to be representing my country and the result was fantatsic...I'm just at a very different point in my career now and I love what I do.
6. Why aren't you any longer interested in the contest?
I did it five years ago thoroughly enjoyed it...our team enjoyed a great result for Malta ....since then I've released 4 albums all top of the charts here in Malta had three international releases, supported international stars like Katie Melua, Elton John, Mel C, Ronan Keating and Bob Geldof..I feel I'm in a different time in my life. I don't discount ever returing to the contest but right now it's not the time.
7. Is it ok for you to get out of the house without putting any make up on, or do you have to at least always put on some lipstick and mascara?
Sometimes I do leave the house without make up ....to everyone's dispair hehehehehe
8. In a guy, do you go for witts or muscle? money or talent?
Money is definitely LAST on my list....I think a balance of everything is what counts....I must admit I love a good looking man...but the brains have to be there....or else I'm bored in a minute!
9. In a relationship, are u dominating or is your better half the one who usually dominates?
I am the one who wears the pants hehehe I'm very driven and ambitious...so it's very hard for my man to keep up...but I like to think I'm also very understanding..it's tough for any partner to keep up with my lifestyle and I appreciate that..so I try to make it work.
10. Many young girls, in Malta, see you as their idol. A case in point is Malta's 2006 Junior Eurovision singer Sophie, who told ESCMALTA.com that she follows your career with a keen eye. What's your message to these people? And what's your secret for success?
I think the secret for success is always taking things with a pinch of salt, and yet being professional. Hard work, determination and ambition are the name of the game, and never, ever forget where you're coming from...also discovering yourself as an artist along the way will make it easier for you to develop a style of your own and striving for originality.
A bit of luck never hurt anyone too hehehe!
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An Exclusive Interview with Ira Losco here._____________________________________________
IRA FEELINGS
Ira Losco's wide-angled pop is crossing new territories without losing its basic, no-frills touch. Her new unplugged album surely strengthens her cause.
by Eric Montfort
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Thus, I felt it was sheer coincidence when, having collected Ira's new CD and media package, I found out that one of the featured songs was none other than Soft Cell's Bedsitter which this month is celebrating 25 years since its chart success. It also featured in the duo's debut album, Non-Stop Erotic Cabaret, which said so much about London's decadence and hedonism, as well as its less glamorous side, not least the dingy, cold bedsitters which gave an impression of detachment and alienation.
"I was barely born when that song was a hit," said Ira when I caught up with her right after her performance at Axis. "It was producer Howard Keith who suggested the song. I liked it a lot and we worked a thoroughly different version." And indeed, it is different, as the original Mark Almond version is completely stripped of its electronic dance beats, and is given an acoustic guitar, piano and cello sound, with Ira's voice verging on the melodramatic, as it shifts from slow to fast tempo, with the accompanying musicians sounding equally evocative, almost neo-classical. Bedsitter is arguably the best song in Ira Losco Unmasked, her unplugged album featuring cover versions, songs that originally appeared in her previous album, Accident Prone, and a few new numbers.
Her album launch was complemented by a performance, which quite obviously, was acoustic, though it sounded more electric. Well, as an eight-piece outfit, Ira and co. were for most of the concert, electrifying. The well-tuned, well-versed musicians complemented Ira's voice, now more pronounced and more effective than ever before, not least because of her experiences abroad. What seemed like a false start with her very predictable and pedestrian version of the Cindy Lauper classic Time After Time, turned out to be a completely different story as Ira started showing how much her experiences abroad have paid off.
Her rendition of Winter Day, a song which was written as a tribute to her late uncle, showed that her sensual, plaintive vocal delivery can also reach lower notes, as way of creating an aura. Get Out, which is her way of expressing her independence and self-respect was done with more passion than when it was originally released. It certainly says a lot about failed relationships and self-preservation, a social phenomenon which has also affected Malta and Gozo on quite a significant scale. However, the best was still to come - Driving One of Your Cars saw Ira singing on top of her voice. Besides, the half-French, half-Slovenian violinst Eva Julia made her mark on three plaintive songs, namely Love Me Or Hate Me, Don't Wanna Talk About It and the above-featured Bedsitter.
Ira is all praises for this young musician. "We came across this intelligent cellist when she was performing with Steve Caesar - her improvisations impressed me and Howard and as a result we ended up recruiting her. I feel it turned out to be a win-win situation."
"This album was a great experience for me," added Ira. "I loved every minute of the writing process. Howard has excelled behind the production controls and performing it live is unbelievable. Every song means so much to me. I feel I am maturing, I am falling in love with music so deeply every time I release a record and I am so contented with Unmasked".
This project developed after Ira Losco supported Katie Melua last summer. She was playing electric sets while touring, however the agency suggested that she mellowed down her set, since Katie Melua's music is very acoustic. The experience was very positive and it certainly did rub off on Ira's performance, both at Teatru Unplugged last Sunday as well as with her augmented band at Axis.
Her talent abroad has not gone by unnoticed. UK-based Rhine magazine stated that "as a supporting act to Katie Melua, Ira Losco was certainly way above average". They praised her version of Time After Time for its wonderful melancholic feel as well as for her dusted-down version of the Guns 'n' Roses classic Sweet Child Of Mine. The magazine was all praises for her vocal talents and style and for her rock music appearance. I believe the magazine would have been overwhelmed by her rendition of Bedsitter.
"The whole concept was to allow the instruments and voice to take prominence in this record. I wanted to really explore my voice and its different tones and in this regard, it was Howard Keith who was instrumental in guiding me. Lyrically, I wanted to expose my true emotions; vulnerability is truly beautiful through music." It may well continue to be a good learning experience for Ms Losco, who was clever enough to move beyond her Eurovision success.
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Ira Losco scoops two BMA prizes
Commenting about her award winning night Ira told that: "It was amazing to see the reaction of the audience... I have honestly never seen a maltese audience react in such an unbelievable way! Malta's music scene is pumping and 89.7 Bay are one of our prominent local stations helping that happen. I am ecstatic about my two awards it was the perfect way to end this incredible year!"
During this year's Bay Music Award, Ira Losco (Malta 2002), was the winner of both categories of her nominees. She won the category of Best Solo Artist and her single 'driving one of your cars' was the winner of the Best Single 2006.
The Bay Music Awards were held at the Eden Arena on Tuesday 12th December. For the first time ever, the awards were broadcasted live on TVM (PBS) at 10pm.
A new award was introduced during the 2006 Bay Music Award, this is the Viewers' Choice Award. TV viewers had the chance to vote for their favourite performance of the night. Voting for this award will close on Tuesday 19th December while the winner of this award will be announced on 89.7 Bay on Wednesday 20th December 2006. Link Ogaemalta.com
Let's start with a little bit of history. How did it feel back in 2002 to stand in front of hundreds of millions of eyes and sing for your country? And then in the green room? What was the feeling like? You and Marie N. were extremely close, there was only 12 points between you..
"I felt very proud to be representing my country and also excited because I had never performed in front of such a large audience, including the TV ones!!! The green room was nerve wrecking in the very beginning. I remember, I took a sip of wine because my philosophy was better get drunk so if the result is bad I'm numb. But as soon as I took the first sip, I felt sick. You see it was only just before the votes started that I felt some sort of pressure. However, our first vote was 10 points and the second one which I believe was by the U.K. was a 12, then I kinda had that feeling that we were going to do well".
Although Malta is a small country, not supported by diaspora or neighbourly voting, you have done admirably well over the years. What would it take to bring the Eurovision Song Contest to Malta?
"I guess a very good song and a very good performance....and the logistics to host it".
They say Eurovision is like a drug, you have to have more once you've done it once. Would you consider running the Eurovision race again in the future?
"I don't really see it that way for me. I really really enjoyed my performance. I felt confident and prepared and I'm the type of person that does something wholeheartedly. I'm a perfectionist. If I do something I have to do it right plus I wanted to make my country proud. Now is not the right time for me to give it another go.
International commitments keep me very busy so I'm not thinking of the Eurovision Song Contest as yet...but I never say never. However the preselections will determine whether I represent my country again ever. So...still a question mark even at that point".
We know artists who will be competing for the honour of representing Malta in Helsinki. After Lordi's victory what would you say the trend is, do you think we may see a rock song from Malta?
"I believe Lordi won because they were popular before...and let's face it ...it was different and a good pop song.... I don't even see them as rock artists...they were at the V Festival last year and let's just say the REAL rockers...kinda had a go at them.
I don't think Malta should focus on copying or trying to have something similar to what won last year. Music is always evolving and therefore...innovativeness is the name of the game.
Also Malta should try and send a song that has a life after the actual contest. It must be a song which MTV and VH1 want on their playlist.
Unfortunately we live in a world where the music industry has become very cut-throat and record companies will only save the sellable artists/ bands. They have no time for one hit wonders anymore, unless they know that they will be worldwide hits or summer hits like Helena's winning song. So my advice to Malta is.... watch MTV and get cracking on a good decent song."
Having been in this position yourself - running in Malta's national pre selection - how would you say the candidates for Helsinki feel?
"Well I guess they feel excited. I just hope that they are happy with their songs. The thing is, in Malta, we have a tendency, the artists I mean to really lose our identity because we want to make it so bad. It happens to a lot of artists around the world too it's not just here. I just hope that the artists believe in themelsves and have a song to interpret which they love, because they will trasnmit that to the audience and there's nothing like a good honest performance".
What is your favorite entry ever, both Maltese and international?
"Maltese, I would say Chris and Moira, because it was the song which really came close to sounding like a good pop song you' d hear internationally...plus there was a similar song called On the beach in a soundtrack about 6 years after their song, so they must've been in the right track!!
And international entry, I think it was Sertab, she gave me goosebumps, even though maybe on the night the perfromance wasnt' the best, compared to some other she has given in my opinion. But she looked like she was enjoying it and kicking and that came right across. She impressed me".
Your previous CD, Accident Prone, did extremely well. How is your new one doing? What are your plans for the future?
"Oh, it's doing so well already, I just can't believe how blessed I am! It's called Unmasked and it's my fourth album since 2003. It is a collection of 10 songs, some acoustic renditions of Accident Prone and 5 new songs, some of which are my adaptation of classic 80' s hits. There is Time After Time originally done by Cyndi Lauper, which is just guitar and voice, very intimate. Another is Love Song by the Cure which is very heart breaking and another is a very mellow and intimate rendition of Bedsitter originally done by Soft Cell.
Here in Malta there are plans for some concerts on a large scale and a visual release this February.
You mentioned earlier some international obligations, would like to tell us a bit more about that?
"We also have some gigs planned in the U.K and U.S. However nothing is 100% confirmed yet, although I am confident to say that we've been in contact with some pretty weighty names from the industry and there's a lot of interest that fills me with even more determination!
And now a final question by a huge fan of yours: Whose idea was the glittery stuff you threw while singing 7th Wonder in Tallinn and how did it come along?
"That was the song author, Gerard James Borg's idea, he's very creative and I believe it was the perfect gimmick. I was sceptical about it...for the simple reason that I hate worrying about something like that whilst singing but it worked wonders!"
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All those who follow the daily satirical programme Striscia La Notizia on prime time Canale 5, were in for quite a surprise when they saw the popular veline dancing to Ira Losco’s popular song Get out! The song was the second single release off Ira Losco’s massive Accident Prone album released just over a year ago. The version heard on Striscia is sung by Michelle Hunziker, well known as Eros Ramazzotti’s ex-wife, model and television presenter. Recently introduced to the music industry she enthusiastically chose to include a few of Ira Losco’s best known hits in her new album titled Lole, giving the song-writing duo Ira Losco and Howard Keith more international recognition.
“Michelle Hunziker’s interpretation is quite different, but let’s say it looks like she’s having fun with the songs,” said Ira Losco
Howard Keith said “It’s always good to have other artists wanting to include your songs in their repertoire. The music industry is all about promotional stunts having record companies trying to break their artists in different territories.”
“I have a very busy year coming up with a lot of interesting ventures. However at the moment I’m concentrating on the first ever unplugged album titled Unmasked,’’ added Ira Losco
The launch for Unmasked was held on 6Dec 2006 at Axis.
Ira Losco mil-lenti ta’ ommha Margaret
Ira Losco, minn tas-Sliema, waħda mill-aktar kantanti popolari Maltin. Illejla se tkanta għall-aħħar lejl fil-GlobalCapital Teatru Unplugged. Nhar l-Erbgħa li ġej se tagħmel il-launch ta’ l-album il-ġdid tagħha Unmasked fl-Axis. Ingħaqdet mal-grupp Tiara meta kellha 16-il sena.
Margaret, omm Ira, ilha taħdem mal-linja nazzjonali ta’ l-ajru Maltija għal 32 sena u bħalissa qed taħdem bħala pursor. Barra Ira għandha żewġt ibniet oħra - Lisa ta’ 23 sena, sentejn iżgħar minn Ira, u Jacquelyn ta’ 12.
Liema mużika tippreferi ta’ Ira, ta’ żmien il-Eurovision jew ta’ issa?
Nippreferi ta’ issa.
Kif ħassejtek dakinhar li rebħet
il-Kanzunetta għall-Ewropa, imbagħad meta ġiet fit-tieni post fil-Eurovision?
Ħadt gost mhux għax rebħet imma għax tat performance tajba. Fil-Eurovision, meta ġiet fit-tieni post, fraħt ħafna mbagħad ħadt nifs twil ’il ġewwa.
Il-kantanti jitilgħu b’ħafna pressjoni fuqhom għalkemm Ira ma kinitx affettwata wisq. Kont inkwetatha jilqgħuhiex meta niġu lura.
Affettwatek xejn li bintek ħadet din il-karriera li għamlitha popolari?
Bħala omm nixtieq naraha f’ħajja aktar ‘normali’ imma mbagħad irrid naraha ferħana. Mingħajr mużika żgur ma tkunx kuntenta.
X’tixtieq għall-futur ta’ Ira?
Li dak li tagħżel jagħmilha kuntenta. Jekk mingħajr is-suċċess ma tkunx kuntenta, mela nixtiqilha s-suċċess, imma jekk le, nippreferiha mingħajru.
X’inhuma l-ikbar beżgħat tiegħek dwarha?
Li tibqa’ tiġri wara l-ħolm tagħha. L-industrija tal-mużika hi diffiċli ħafna biex tagħmel suċċess fiha. Hi mhix lesta li toqgħod iddoqq fil-lukani imma trid tkun artista internazzjonali. Nibża’ li jekk tirnexxi, titgerfex bħalma ġieli jiġrilhom kantanti oħra u jekk ma jirnexxilhiex tkun diżappuntata.
X’inhi l-iktar ħaġa li għamlitek kburija biha?
Li minkejja ġrawlha affarijiet li setgħu jġiegħluha taħseb li saret xi ħaġa, xorta baqgħet l-istess. Jekk nibgħatha tixtrili l-ħalib xorta tmurli u anki tieħu ħsieb lil oħtha. Ira tifla tajba, it-tjubija tagħha baqgħet hemm. Anki kieku ma saritx popolari xorta kont napprezzaha t-tjubija tagħha.
Kif inhi r-relazzjoni bejn l-aħwa?
Tas-soltu, il-ħin kollu jiġġieldu fuq xi ħmerija bħal xi żarbun li waħda tieħdu lil oħra. Imma mbagħad qegħdin hemm għal xulxin – għandhom relazzjoni ħelwa. www.illum.com.mt
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Ira Losco is this year's Mc Donald’s World Children's Day AmbassadorFor the fifth consecutive year, McDonald’s Malta will be renewing its collaboration with the Eden Foundation to organise a programme of fund-raising activities between Saturday, 18 and Sunday, 19 November to cele-brate World Children’s Day, a global event that sees the participation of over 30,000 restaurants in 121 countries. This event has become the largest annual fund-raising event worldwide, with all proceeds in Malta going towards the McDonald’s Eden Found-ation Children’s Fund. On Sunday, 19 November, McDonald’s Malta will be donating to this fund Lm1 from every Extra Value Meal sold.
Details of all the events were unveiled during a press conference held at the McDonald’s St Julian’s restaurant. Those present included McDonald’s Malta managing director Melo Hili, Eden Foundation president Josie Muscat, McDonald’s Malta marketing manager Joanna Ellis, Eden Foundation marketing executive Robert Farrugia and Ira Losco, who is this year’s local ambassador for World Children’s Day.
“Through World Children’s Day at McDonald’s Malta, we are helping to improve the lives of children at the Eden Foundation,” said Mr Hili. “Last year, this event raised Lm8,623.54. Thanks to the generosity of our local suppliers, employees, celebrities and customers, I trust this year’s event will be successful in raising both funds and awareness for the ever-increasing needs of children everywhere.”
A number of well-known local personalities will be making guest appearances at McDonald’s restaurants on Sunday, 19 November. Casts from popular local TV series and children’s TV programmes will be present, as will Ira Losco. McDonald’s Ronald McDonald will also be making special visits during the day.
People will have the opportunity of meeting these and many other personalities who will either be signing autographs or working behind the counter in different McDonald’s restaurants. Added to this, the management and staff of each restaurant are organising additional fund-raising activities on the day in order to boost the fund even more. Ira Losco will also be hosting a concert at Tigulio, St Julian’s, at 7.30pm on Sunday, 19 November.
As part of McDonald’s on-going commitment to promote an active and balanced healthy lifestyle, on Saturday, 18 November, a fund-raising spinning marathon is also being organised at the Hilton LivingWell Health Club between 7am and 11am, at Cynergi St Julian’s between 9.30am and noon and at the 24-hour Ta’ Qali Health and Leisure Centre between 11am and 6pm. For a donation of just Lm2, all the participants will avail themselves of a 45-minute session and the use of other facilities at these centres. A number of members of parliament are being invited to give some time from their busy schedule to participate in this marathon as a sign of solidarity.
A football tournament is also being organised on Saturday, 18 November for children under the age of eight from local football nurseries. All the proceeds will also go towards the Eden Foundation.
Globally, World Children’s Day is being endorsed by a variety of celebrities, with Sarah, Duchess of York, being the global ambassador for World Children’s Day at McDonald’s for the second consecutive year.
The McDonald’s Eden Foundation Children’s Fund was specifically established in 2002 to help children in the care of the Eden Foundation, and the money collected will be used for specialised projects undertaken by the Foundation.
More than Lm23,000 has been collected on World Children’s Days over the last four years, and this has been used to subsidise educational and therapeutic services for children with developmental disabilities who are in the care of The Eden Foundation.
Ira Losco @ Malta Olympic Day Run 2006
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Ira Losco was crowned this year’s Bailey’s ‘queen’ during a glamorous gala evening held at the Valletta Waterfront last month. Sunday Circle took a sneak peak at the glitterati event
The Valletta Waterfront turned out to be the perfect setting for this much-awaited event and elegance and refinement were the order of the day for the distinguished guests that attended this M.Demajo (Wines & Spirits) event of the year. As the guests sipped their welcoming shots of Bailey’s, the excitement made itself felt as everyone wondered who would be taking the award with her that night. Guests of honour, of course, were the four nominees to the award – singers Chiara Siracusa and Ira Losco, lawyer Ramona Frendo and police inspector Sharon Tanti. The ever-charming chairman of the M. Demajo group Anthony Miceli Demajo, together with his beautiful wife Lorraine, were the perfect hosts for the evening and made sure that all the guests had a lovely time. Also present for the evening was Dr Giannella Caruana Curran, last year’s award-winner, looking every inch the glamorous professional lady in her beautiful gown. Chev Miceli Demajo’s speech was as witty as ever and everyone was very pleasantly surprised to learn that the Bailey’s Woman Of The Year Award has made an impression even away from our shores. The Bailey’s brand owners in Slovenia, in fact, will be introducing a similar event in that country – something for the Demajos’ to be proud of, indeed. The Bailey’s Woman Of The Year Award has indeed evolved incredibly ever since it was first launched on this same magazine some three years ago. Introducing this year’s contestants, Chev Miceli Demajo paid tribute to their charm. An indefinable quality which all four ladies possess in abundance and which, as always happens with this particular award, must have made it particularly difficult for the final choice to be made! The five judges – Vanessa MacDonald, Claudette Pace, Jonathan Abel, Fiona Galea Debono and Josef Bonello, who were also spotted at this gala event – must have had a pretty tough time finalizing everything! Besides being excellent ambassadors for their respective fields, all the four nominees are very well-respected within the Maltese community and are well-known for the sterling work they carry out in society. Corinthia, which were the caterers for the evening, rose splendidly to the occasion and the exquisite dinner that was presented was certainly enjoyed by all. Fine wine and congenial conversation made for a lively evening – especially when Ira and Chiara decided to mark Minister Frendo’s birthday (also present among the guests) with an impromptu rendition of Happy Birthday, performed in the Marilyn Monroe style that will somehow always be associated with that song. And finally, while the guests were enjoying their desserts and Bailey’s liqueurs, Chev Miceli Demajo took the stage for the moment that everyone was waiting for. When Ira Losco’s name was announced as this year’s winner, everyone broke into a spontaneous round of applause. Ira’s innate charm, talent and personality are certainly in keeping with the ethos of Bailey’s and it is no wonder that this young woman is so well-loved by the Maltese! As she received the Bailey’s Woman of the Year trophy and a sum of money to be donated to the charity of her choice, Ira told guests present that she was very proud to be the recipient of such a prestigious award. The evening ended with further excitement for at least one of the guests present – the winner of the reader-voter competition that was carried in Sunday Circle. Mrs J. Mifsud of Qormi’s slogan, “The Smoothest Way to Chill in Style” earnt her a truly fabulous price, a Luxury Aegean Cruise for two with monidal travel. A truly memorable evening – thanks to all the readers of the Circle Magazine who make this |
RJ says Ira's performance during last night's dress rehearsal was excellent
Dateline: 25 May, 2002I am pleased to say that Ira's performance during last night's dress rehearsal was excellent. The broad smile on the faces of the Maltese delegation showed this. There will be on last dress rehearsal this afternoon at 1300hrs CET time. The event will then take off at 2100hrs CET time.
In a press release issued today it appears Sweden has taken the lead in the betting companies, followed by Germany, England, Estonia, France, Spain and Malta in the seventh place.
The Maltese public might wish to know what voting arrangements have been made in each respective country :
Televoting only : UK, Austria, Estonia, Switzerland Sweden, Denmark, Belgium, France, Germany Latvia.
Jury only : Russia, F.Y.R.O.M., Bosnia-Herzegovina, Turkey, Romania.
50% Jury / 50 % Televoting : Cyprus, Greece, Spain, Croatia, Israel, Finland, Malta, Slovenia, Lithuania.
Besides the above Denmark, Belgium & Germany allow voting by SMS.
Ira Losco's tour around Europe will reach the end at the end of this week with a visit to Spain and Finland. Since she won the Malta Song for Europe Festival in February Ira has been touring Cyprus, United Kingdom, Denmark, Lithuania, Latvia, Romania and Slovenia. In all these
countries she had appearances in prime time TV programmes. She was also interviewed by radio stations as well as newspapers and magazines.
This week she will be visiting the last two countries on the list, which are Spain and Finland. In Spain she will be guest on a programme called MUSICA SI on TVE to be aired a week prior Eurovision, and also on different radio
stations. In Finland she will close her tour with a big concert next Saturday. The visits to these two countries (Spain and Finland) where sponsored by Vassallo Builders. Lately Mr.Nazzareno Vassallo Chairman of Vassallo Builders handed a cheque covering the expenses for the visit of these last two countries.
On Monday Ira will return to Malta in time for the last preparations for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest.
Interview
Round about the time of our first interview all your four singles released from the album 'Someone Else' reached the number 1 spot in the local radio charts. You then proceeded to win a bunch of awards such as 'Best Female Artist', ' Best Image' at the Malta Music Awards, 'Best Artist' at the Bay Music Awards and Tune In's 'Battle of the Babes Title'. And immediately took off to Germany for the first leg of your tour. But do you ever get time to celebrate your achievements or do you simply take them for granted and go on with life?
I never take anything for granted...I just don't give myself time to savour what I've achieved I guess, just because I'm too ambitious and too excited about what comes next. My mind is always running ahead of me, thinking of new songs, concepts, image and how I can improve myself and my act. I love music and I live it everyday. Howard Keith and I work an average of 20 hours a day, lately...it's crazy but it is so worth it! I appreciate everything that comes my way and everyone who I have worked with, I love sharing this experience with them and I believe that hard work always pays off.
In Germany you supported Ronan Keating, Nena, and Jimmy Sommerville in Pappenburg. You were also main support to Elton John at his only European arena stadium concert. You even supported Mel C! ... .Wow!! How does it feel to be performing alongside such huge international stars? Did you get a chance to talk to them or even shake hands or exchange a hug or at least a nod of encouragement!?
I enjoyed every single experience that has come my way, and last Summer was definitely a confirmation that this is what I want to do for the rest of my life. Performing alonside such famous international acts, was a great achievment and honour for me. I spoke to Katie Melua, Jimmy Sommerville, Mark Owen and Mel C, all of them were lovely! I was at the bog when Ronan Keating walked in the venue and putting away my instruments when Elton John walked past me! hehehehe so I wasn't too lucky there, but apparently Elton John was impressed by my performance...the promoters told me, I was over the moon when they told me that. It's a great feeling to know you've been a valuable supporting act, because the headlining artist appreciates the fact that you've put up a good show just before he/she takes the stage. It's important to warm up the crowd!
So tell us. Did the Summer Festival Tour in Germany work out as anticipated or are you just whetting your appetite? Did you really perform to an audience of 80,000 people!!!?
The Summer Festival Tour was an incredible experience, I love being on stage performing my music to the German public. They are a fantastic audience and my performances where extremely well received. Along the way, I realised that certain fans where actually travelling from one venue to another just to watch me! The last gig I played in August was to a crowd of 80,000 people...it was incredible...the more people there seem to be, the more I enjoy kicking serious ass! heheheh.
But have you ever suffered some form of stage fright before performing to such huge numbers and alongside international stars? Is there any form of pressure or is it "loads of fun" to you !?
I just can't wait to get on stage, whenever we play a venue. The whole experience is fun from beginning to end. Arriving at the venue, (after a five hour drive!!) sound check, catering, the dressing room, the performance and the after party!!! Sometimes, things don't always go as planned, we once couldn't have a decent sound check, didn't have dressing rooms or catering and I once showered in a bucket! but it's all an amazing experience, and I will never ever forget last Summer! There are no pressures if you feel prepared. I love my job, this is what I've always dreamed I'd be doing, and I'm living my dream, what more could I want?
What was the longest time spent abroad on tour so far and do you perform every day? Is there a special routine the band and yourself go though before getting on stage?
The first leg of the tour was three weeks long and we played every other day. The second was two weeks where we played nearly every day. The last was one month where we played every other day, with the last four days back to back. That meant travelling form one hotel to another, being in the van at a 5 hour stretch every time! The band and I just get along so much, it's just a matter of keeping that positive energy on stage too!! We all get tired and it's not easy to be on the go like that everyday, but this is our life and we love what we do, so that's our psyche. In the van we're like school children on an outing, except school children aren't allowed alcohol or foul language..... we are.... heheheheh!
What's a normal day like for you guys on tour? Where do you live? Do you sleep well? Do you eat well? (I sound like your mother here) Do you get enough space and time to get prim and proper? Do you get time to practice as a band?? And odd question but honestly ... do you end up co-habiting with dirty linen and empty beer cans or do you even tidy up?
Ok, I'm like the pain in the ass mum, who cleans obsessively in the kitchen and gets pissed when the guys turn up late at table for dinner! lol. Alex (my acoustic Guitarist) and I take it in turns to cook. When living in an apartment in Berlin we usually end up sleeping together even though there are like four bedrooms...it's more fun!!! When we go to our gigs we travel in our van for long hours and then crash at our hotel, obviously this time we all get double rooms, I share with Nadienne my bassist. Like I said before, sometimes I had to shower in a bucket, it's a bit like camping lol ...without the trees! As for dirty linen, the apartments we stay in have a laundry service and when we stay in hotels we wash our stuff in the sink and hang our g strings everywhere! (obviously referring to Nad and myself here and not referring to guitar strings either!!)
German audiences seem to react extremely well to your music. Is there a chance of rocking Germany even further? Is the big breakthrough close by? Do you talk to your audience and what about?
I love working the crowd, they just go biserk!!! They love a bit of freaking out on stage and my band they're just plain crazy!! I'll jump on the monitors and stand on the front speakers....the last gig at Metzingen was wild....the front rows were screaming like banshees hehehhehe. I believe it can happen in Germany....it's just round the corner...I just need to keep working my ass off!
As soon as you launched your first album you immediately started work on the second. Incredible! So what are you up to at the moment?
I am now back in the studio, finalising my second album for the territory of MALTA. My first album for the territories of Germany, Switzerland and Austria, is due to be released early 2006. In fact I started my radio and TV Promos, last Thursday. I was off to Berlin to perform my single "GET OUT!" on KIKA TV broadcast on ARD and ZDF.
Please do tell us more about this second album of yours!!
The second album in Malta and the first album in the GSA territory have the same name...'Accident Prone'....but with some difference in the track listing. Reason being the first album for the GSA market has 8 new songs no one's heard in Malta yet, together with Love Me or Hate Me, Who I Am, Someone Else, Day By Day and So Alive, which people in Malta will remember from 'Someone Else'. The local release has 12 new tracks...one if which was the single 'EVERYDAY" which hit number 1 spot on a local radio station.
So is Malta where you pre-release singles to test the public's reaction?
Let's just say it's always worked great as a test bench, however Malta has always been and will always be my home territory and people who have supported me and continue to support me through my career are very important to me. I want to give them my best and I always want to deliver a great sounding record, which is why I value their opinion so much!
How different is your second album from 'Someone Else'. Was it easier to write?
Howard and I thought it would be hard to beat 'Someone Else', but listening to this album now, I can say that I have matured and challenged myslef so much as an artist! This album sounds amazing...it's deeper, grungier, the guitars are in your face and the melodies are very strong. All the songs mean so much to me, Right after 'Someone Else' was released I started writing for this album. I also had co writing sessions in Sweden, and have written some really special songs during our tour in Germany. Vocally I feel I have reached another level. I am so proud of this album, I just can't wait for it to be released.
Is there anything you miss badly and would love to have more time for but simply can't?
I miss being with my loved ones. I miss having time to sit at table even just once with my family and have dinner and discussing what we've all done during the day. I arrive home at unearthly hours of the morning when my parents are fast asleep ....and when I'm on tour, I don't see them at all. But this is the life I've chosen, it's my passion, and they understand that and support me and that means the world to me. No one ever said this was gonna be easy and I'm ready to take anything that life throws at me....at the end of it all I can stand tall and say "at least I've tried my best!".
And now for our popular cheeky question ;) How would you classify the following situations; starting with worst first?
| a. | Meeting someone dressed exactly like you in an important reception | |
| b. | Stepping on waste chewing gum half way through a performance | |
| c. | Badly needing to go to the bathroom soon after starting off an hour's long live television interview | |
| d. | A long lost lover asking to get back together on 'Tista' tkun int' with smoochy photos in hand |
Worst first would be as follows:
| d. | A long lost lover asking to get back together on 'Tista' tkun int' with smoochy photos in hand
Long Lost lover??? (a) I’m not a romantic so throw away your red roses guys...(b) Displaying emotion on National TV was never my forte! ( C) If they’re lovers from the past...there’s little hope for re union...my relationships end for a bloody good reason!! lol | |
| a. | Meeting someone dressed exactly like you in an important reception
I hate wearing things off catalogues, I usually try and scout around thrift shops abroad and customize my clothes, so if this ever had to happen, I’d walk into a bathroom and improcustomise...lol that’s a word I made up (improvise+customise) or get wasted, run up to the girl wearing the same outfit and yell “SNAP” to the top of my lungs! hahahahah | |
| c. | Badly needing to go to the bathroom soon after starting off an hour's long live television interview
During those 5 hour trips in the van, Nadienne and I had a competition going, it was either me or her sitting on the edge of our seats, with grimacing looks on our faces, I hate bushes ...my ass deserves better hehehe. So this one’s a killer...sitting through an interview holding a pee sounds like torture and do remember.... my interview gets translated there and then in Germany, so that’s like double the amount of time holding it!! | |
| b. | Stepping on waste chewing gum half way through a performance
A little bit of gum never hurt anyone....try stepping on dog s*** just before you get on the van in Berlin and drive to Stuttgart.................and I wondered why the band wouldn’t sit next to me!!!! hahahahah |
Thanks Ira! Good Luck
Interview for Manicmalta.com by Richard Borg on 30-Oct-2005
THANKS TO MANIC MALTA
The Indipendent 2006
| 200,000 hits on Ira Losco’s official website | ||||
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MaltaNow
| MaltaNow October 2005 |
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Features NO ORDINARY BAND KARMEN AZZOPARDI PERSPECTIVE IT’S ALL ABOUT THE MUSIC SMALL PLEASURES |
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- Ira Losco makes a hit at Bay Street on Jum il-Hajja
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Ira Losco short biography at eurovision - eurovision.tv
"7th Wonder"
2002 - Malta
- Ira Losco was born on 31 July 1981 in Sliema, a small town in Malta.
- At the age of 15 Ira started taking singing lessons. One year later she started singing professionally in a band called Tiara.
- In 2000, Ira entered the ‘Song For Europe Festival’ for the first time, finishing both sixth and seventh with two songs. At the age of 19, Ira entered the ‘Song For Europe Festival 2001’ with four songs – a record for one performer.
- Ira’s voice can be heard on numerous radio jingles, advertising Martini, Yellow Pages and others.
- Ira was discovered by Ray Agius, a former Eurovision composer and conductor, whilst singing at a school concert.
- In 2000, Ira played the main part in an original Maltese musical ‘Rita’, the story of Saint Rita from Cascia.
- Ira Losco is also the winner of the ‘Best female Singer’ award at the ‘Malta Music Awards 2001’.
- Her first single, ‘Butterfly’ shot to number two in the local radio charts.
- In 2002 Ira participated in the Eurovision Song Contest and came 3rd with the song ‘7th Wonder’ which is her biggest international success so far.
- Besides being a singer, Ira hosts TV shows
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Ira Losco Interview
The beginning of mine SOW makes (shorten interview service) Ira Losco. That „sexiest woman“ Malta's is has to be sure yet quite unknown, but already so a few things to its tour with Elton John and other things to tell. Janina: How did you find your show? I. L. : I found it magnificently if one considers, that I was somewhat sick today. I have also not really helped was unfortunately for two weeks a cold and there the rain, but the public fantastic! It is to be played such a wonderful opportunity before the sons of Mannheim. I really wetted the show. Janina: What was that exciting in your career? I. L. : I think to play twice as a before group for Elton John, was exciting one of that events previously. But each experience that I through my career would experience, means me very much. To be here over there in Germany and one of the most famous German volume to support, is an important moment for me.
Janina: What do you make soon? I. L. : I become singed soon a new in Germany releasen, it is named „Get out“. Beginning next year comes out then my album, that becomes probable „Love me or hate me“ hot. And further with Janinas interview-Special: >> Interview with the avenue of the cosmonauts
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Vodafone sponsors Ira Losco's New Album by di-ve.com
Saturday, 19 November, 2005
Vodafone Malta Limited is the main sponsor of Ira Losco's second album, "Accident Prone". This new album includes the singles "Everyday" and "Get Out".
Following the success of her debut album "Someone Else", Ira Losco's "Accident Prone" aims to further entertain fans with its powerful guitars, edgy riffs and strong melodies. Vodafone is also supporting Ira Losco in her efforts to promote the new album, and her career, internationally.
"Vodafone is one of Ira Losco's main supporters and thanks to our co-operation Vodafone live! customers have unique access to Ira's music and photos, as Ringtones or Backgrounds. Vodafone Malta has always been committed to helping Maltese artists fulfill their potential and we have every confidence that Ira will go on to make a big name for herself and for Malta," said Ms Alison Bezzina, Brand Manager at Vodafone Malta Limited.
Ira Losco launched 'Accident Prone' at Axis on Wednesday 16th November. She said, "This has been an incredibly busy but enjoyable year. Vodafone has helped me bring my music to as many people as possible. I am really proud of 'Accident Prone' and excited to find out what the reaction to it will be."
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Ira losco support Bob Geldof
" BOB GELDOF LIVE IN MALTA Supported by Winter Moods, Ira Losco and The U 2, Coldplay , Queen Tribute Bands "
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Ira Losco Malta Telecards
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The Global Group have signed up one of Malta’s top music talents – Ira Losco – to promote their products and services
Ira Losco will he handing out her new signed posters to fans at Vodafone retail outlets on Saturday.
MaltaToday
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What a week! Confident, pretty, charming: 19-year-old singer Ira Losco looks foward to fun and fame ira losco in 1 april 2001 |
Monday
I was still in Gozo because I had sung at Paradiso for the public holiday. I woke up reasonably late compared to the rest of the week, at about 12. I waited for like three hours in the queue and came down to Malta, where I had a rehearsal with the band I'm performing with for the University Students Festival. We're doing two or three numbers, they're funk, it's a new style I've never tried before but it seems like it's going well.
I always go out every day, to a bar and just to relax, I like to have my time where I can do whatever I want. I go out about 9pm and am home by my own curfew of midnight. I'm quite disciplined. It means that on Saturdays I can't stay out that late because I'm on TV the following morning. But I'm used to it now, and besides, it does bother me but I've had my fill of going to Paceville. I tell my boyfriend to stay out if he wants. Being on TV regularly on Sundays is good for me, so going home early is a little sacrifice to make.
TuesdayAt university Tuesday is my busiest day, I have about four lectures and get home at 2pm. I'm reading Communications and Psychology – second year is tough. When exam time comes around I'll have to find time to study. I had to be at Rahal Gdid by 4.30pm to try on some clothes for Saturday when I would be presenting the Malta National Fashion Awards. My mother drove me to Direct Boutique, and I was there about an hour. Left to go to Attard to join up with the band.
I do have my driving licence but I'm still getting practice, it's my mother's new car so I'm being extra careful before I take it.
The rehearsal took quite long and at 9.30pm I was at my boyfriend's. He was ill and I went to keep him company.
Wednesday
Had a one o'clock lecture, so woke up at 12. The credit is Presentation Techniques where we're learning to make a speech and how to address the public which I'm not very good at, I'm good at singing.
Singing was always the only thing I really liked doing. Now I only sing when I have to, I prefer listening to songs, you learn more when you listen.
Came back home, had lunch, and I studied a bit. Went back to university for our audition at 5pm. I wasn't nervous at all, this was my third audition for the Students Festival.
Went to see Gavin, he was still ill, so I didn't get to go out much this week. Normally I'm nearly never home.
ThursdayWoke up early, 7.30am for an 8 o'clock lecture, psychopathology, how boring. When I'm supposed to meet my friend at 7.30am, I wake up at 7.30 because I know she'll be five minutes late, and I shower and put on full make-up in that time, I've trained myself to do that. I like to wear make-up, I feel I need to. Everyone's seen me all dressed up, every time I appear on TV I look good, so it's important to keep up the image. Once when some children saw me with my hair in its curly state, they got such a shock, so I feel I have to live up to people's expectations. My life has been conditioned by singing, whether I like it or not.
After I went to Snackline, had a coffee and met some friends, the barman is really a good friend too, who likes to catch up with what I'm doing.
Caught the bus and went to try on some clothes for the Kinnie and KFC advert I was doing. When I was younger I was quite chubby, so I never thought I could be a model, which I will be doing for my main clothes sponsors Hot Couture. I've been this size for the past two years. When I was 15 I was nothing much to look at, I always felt good because I had lot of friends and I was the fun person to be with.
At Hot Couture we were chatting for about two hours. The clothes are outrageous, very in right now, they're my type.
At 4.30pm the pianist Frank Bonnici came around so that we could practice songs for Sunday. I like any kind of music except commercial dance, it's blaring out of every night club you go to.
Rehearsal lasted till 6pm, and I had to be at the Dolmen by 7.30pm for Fashion Awards rehearsal. It was my first time presenting. I'm quite well versed in Maltese, we speak Maltese at home but when I argue with my sister Lisa it's always in English!
During the rehearsal, we were told not to use the phrase ‘and the best model is' – instead we had to say ‘the award for modelling goes to' because awards were given for the achievement during the year, it wasn't a competition as such. Everyone's beautiful in a different way.
Taxi back to Gavin's house, and I was home by midnight.
FridayUp at 9 because I had to do my nails at OPI. I was early so I went round the shops. This is the first time I've had false nails applied, for the Song For Europe festival it was a choice to either get changed quickly or have false nails, so I went for glitter nail polish and that was it.
University for a lecture, went for my sister at school and kept going to the Dolmen where I met the co-presenter John Suda, whom I've known for years.
I went with my father to collect the photos of me during the Song for Europe festival. They were taken by Dominic and I really like them, they're in action.
Babysitted Gavin's cousin Becky, watched a video and walked back home at 1.30pm. Had a nice sleep.
Saturday
Got up at 9am thinking it was 10am so got quite angry, should have slept more! Got my driving practice with my father up to Zebbug where I picked up clothes from Gilda for Sunday's programme.
I went to Sandro Azzopardi Jewellers to drop off some gifts. They had been one of my sponsors, with Bvlgari jewellery, and I hadn't had a chance to thank them. Without sponsors I wouldn't manage, it's quite an expense, they help you achieve that look, I must have cost a bomb that night!
Gavin and I went out for lunch to Paparazzi. I love the food, I had spaghetti with tomato sauce and a chicken curry called Henpecked.
Dropped by Hot Couture to buy the clothes I'd tried on for the advert. I always buy sensibly, like, the white trousers have a big cowboy buckle which you can take off.
By 7pm I was at the Dolmen. The Nightlife crew were there while I was getting my make-up done. Gianni interviewed me, making jokes that she was taking really long on me.
The awards were over by about midnight, then it was off to Golden Seven for a half chicken. I did say I pig out!
Sunday
My father plays football on Sundays, so he woke me and took me to PBS. I had a chat with Rachel, Christine and Diane Nikolic who had been presented with the make-up award the night before. We speak about our weekend, have our little girlie fun before Joe Dimech comes in. I don't get nervous about singing on TV, you don't have to think about people watching you.
After the programme, went to eat at nanna's. Lasagne, my favourite, we had to make do with Argentinian corned beef instead of mince. Better safe, eh? Watched TV while Gavin's family were having lunch, then it was out with two friends for a drink at Hank's. All these insects fell in our Cokes, the guys drank theirs.
At 6.30pm zoomed off to mass. Back home, had a shower and watched Shaft, a really cool 70's style movie. Ordered a takeaway pizza at 9.30pm which arrived two hours later, but it was worth waiting for.
Before bed, my thoughts went to university. Obviously the main goal is to actually represent Malta at the Eurovision but I won't let that be the pinnacle of my career. Hopefully it will get me out of Malta.
I have to have something to fall back on if the singing doesn't work out, but I'm hoping by that time…
Ira Losco in 2002
Ira losco participate in 2002 at eurovision. With her song 7'th wonder she placed 2nd place..Her performance was great!!!!
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Duduplanet
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: Ira Losco chats with the Dudus, 'somewhere else' after a great performance on stage... |
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To many of our readers, the name Ira Losco brings in mind the singles "Who I am" and "Love me or hate me"… which are being aired on all local radio stations and making us proud that such great music comes from a Maltese artist. To many others though… Ira Losco is still the darling singer of Malta, who placed second in the Eurovision song contest with "7th wonder". The more musically impaired know her more as 'the sexiest woman', as voted on a popular TV program last year. | |
| Who is the real Ira Losco? How is she when not on stage or in the recording studio? | |
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Dudu Planet had the great pleasure of meeting her in person and interview her outside Ryan's, (sitting down on the stairs to be exact)... after the wonderful performance she gave for our second anniversary party, and would like to share her words and thoughts with you… |
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( Quotes accompanying each picture, are taken from songs in Ira's album "somewhere else". ) DP : Ira Losco is a household name in Malta, often followed by 'the Eurovision singer'. Hearing people talk about you, it would seem that you have been singing forever. Do you remember the first time you actually sang a song? Ira : Well I guess that singing was always in me from a young age. The first time I actually sang was at a parish church concert when I was 7 years old. One thing led to another and here I am. DP : Everyone has got to start in some way right… some of us singing in the shower… others at parish church concerts… |
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"Now here I am on a Rocket to Venus - with no thoughts inside my head - And I tell myself I'm gonna believe this - Better go than stay instead" |
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DP : You were known as a singer even before coming second in the Eurovision song contest - however it was after that contest that you became the 'darling singer' of Malta. Do you count it more as a blessing or a curse that the Eurovision Song Contest gave you so much popularity? Ira : I consider it a blessing in disguise - Eurovision gives you a boost, especially locally. Besides that, going abroad to sing is stressful but fun, you meet people and make contacts (hopefully). It's always a great experience to do what I love doing. | |
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DP : Did you find it difficult to cast aside the Eurovision typecast that somehow curses many other contestants from previous editions ?
Ira : Although I sang 7th Wonder, the song was written by someone else and the music composed by yet another person so it was not really MY song, even though I was… let's say… on the 'front line' ! There were lots of people working hard in the background as well. The thing was that at that time, I got chosen to represent Malta with that particular song so I said, ok let's do it and do it well and bring honour to my country - and that's what we managed to do…all of us. DP : In the end, like many other things in life, it all boils down to teamwork and great chemistry between the team players. Do you think that your new album will succeed in convincing the Maltese in general to change their idea of 'Ira Losco - the Eurovision singer'? Ira : The songs in the Album "Someone Else" are very different from 7th Wonder - more guitar based, more rock based and more about who I am as most of them delve into some personal stuff of mine. However, it's nice to see people appreciating what I actually wrote… |
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"I know you can't read my mind but if only you could try - So tell me... tell me... tell me - Who I am... who i am..." | |
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DP : We can all say that we 'appreciated' your powerful performance on stage today and …at least from the dudus side…we did not miss 7th Wonder a bit :-)
You have been recently signed on to a big German music label. What are your expectations about the way this collaboration will turn out? How is it going in the meantime? Ira : Actually I am signed with Seven Days Music licensed to BMG, who are one of the largest music companies. They are releasing my music in Germany, Switzerland and Austria. We also have a co-op deal with RTL which should give us a good kick start. I don't have any expectations as yet, even though I am very excited. We just shot the video for the first single release "I'm In Love Again". I will be going on a TV promo tour over the next couple of months in various cities in Germany. It's a long tough road but it is exciting and I'm enjoying being out there and sharing my music with other people. DP : … yep… the road to success is all uphill… but let's hope that we will all soon see you on MTV :-) | |
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You won the 'Sexiest woman' award in Xarabank last year. This year the winner of the award also represented Malta in the last Eurovision. The guys at dudu planet agree 100% that both of you deserved this award :-) However do you think that the increased popularity from the festival helped you win the award ?
Ira : I think you are right there - most of the time people vote for the most popular personality of the moment. DP : Personally do you consider yourself sexy ? And we want to hear some reasons as well !! Ira : I sure don't look very sexy in the morning !! (DP : Who does!?) But I always do my best to look 'sexy'… I train almost every day to keep in shape. Being sexy in the music industry most often helps. I strive to improve all the time, be it in vocal training, guitar practice, song writing and physical appearance. |
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"Oh I must have been good if you still think about me - a whole lotta better than you thought it would be" | |
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DP : Cool… training to be sexy!. Are there exams at the end of the course as well ?? Sexy or not sexy, would you change anything from 'Ira Losco'? Ira : I don't think I would change anything… I am who I am and I hope that people appreciate me for that. | |
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DP : Let's move on to more personal stuff now. Due to huge pressure from the male Maltese population, we are forced to ask about your love life. What is going on in the Ira Losco love department? Shall we tell everyone to give up or are you still waiting for your 'Prince Charming'?
Ira : I have been going out with someone for a little more than a year so I am very happy where I am. But you never know what life has in store for you. I promise you that, should I, for some reason, be single again I will immediately contact dudu planet so they can tell the male population to start sending their details… hehehe |
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"My feet were slowly losing ground - And I felt helpless sick and down - But then I met you - And I'm in Love again - No reason to pretend I lost my heart to you - I'm so in love again" | |
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DP : that would be cool… we could charge a commission and get filthy rich… all of us :-P but most probably by that time, Ira would have become rich and famous herself. | |
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More personal stuff…how does a typical day go along for Ira Losco? Any time to develop hobbies? (not related to singing !!)
Ira : let's start from early morning… I wake up at 7 (definitely NOT looking sexy… or so the mirror tells me ! ). I train at 7:30 then I have a bowl of cereal… (a healthy one - nothing with chocolate in it…). Then I practice guitar and vocal training, sometimes followed by some songwriting; should I feel inspired. Quick shower, then off to the studio at about 12:00, where we either have a songwriting or recording session… I love working in the studio. It's where all the creative stuff happens. In the afternoon there might be some interviews… if not, I stay at the studio till late… or else there might be some gigs or I simply go out with my boyfriend. So as you can see… no time for hobbies at all… My hobby used to be shopping until I noticed that I was broke 9 DP : unless you happen to be loaded with cash, with a lot of shopping, one always ends up being broke… it's one of the laws of nature. | |
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Have you ever had a funny or embarrassing moment on stage which you would like to share with our readers ?
Ira : Once I had to sing 'Candle In The Wind' and forgot all the words. I made them up on the spot but everyone noticed and was like… "What the hell is she singing??" … Never liked that song anyway… Then… there are some of those embarrassing moments on stage that are just… really EMBARRASING so are better kept secret !! DP : Ok… point taken !... let's move to the last Question. |
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"Can't you look me in the eye? - Don't you even realise that you made me stronger? - I don't have to cry - If you say that none of this was true - Don't you say that all this ain 't enough for you..." | |
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What message would you like to pass on to our readers, Malta and the rest of the world?
Ira : Believe in yourself and if you really work hard, things will happen. Please be nice to each other…don't be assholes… it's so nice to be friends with everyone… just be friends. Actually I am sounding like Barney the purple dinosaur right now but that's my message :-) | |
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Barney aside, we would really like to thank Ira Losco for sharing some of her time with us…We hope that by now, whoever did not know how down to earth and nice Ira Losco is in person, realized it from this interview.
Dudu Planet would like to thank her for her wonderful performance on stage and we can assure her that she will be going places and making Malta proud… She already conquered Dudu Planet… next stage is all of planet Earth!
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2002 Scoreboard
- Ira Losco placed 2nd place in the Eurovision song contest 2002 in Estonia with her beautiful song 7th wonder
| Country/Song/Artist | Points | Position |
| CYPRUS Gimme One | 85 | 6 |
| UNITED KINGDOM Come Back Jessica Garlick | 111 | 3 |
| AUSTRIA Say a Word Manuel Ortega | 26 | 18 |
| GREECE SAGAPO Michalis Rakintzis | 27 | 17 |
| SPAIN Europe's Living a Celebration Rosa | 81 | 7 |
| CROATIA Everything I Want Vesna Pisarovic | 44 | 11 |
| RUSSIA Northern Girl Prime Minister | 55 | 10 |
| ESTONIA Runaway Sahlene | 111 | 3 |
| FYR MACEDONIA Od Nas Zavisi Karolina | 25 | 19 |
| ISRAEL Light a Candle Sarit Hadad | 37 | 12 |
| SWITZERLAND Dans le Jardin de Mon Ame Francine Jordi | 15 | 22 |
| SWEDEN Never Let It Go Afro-Dite | 72 | 8 |
| FINLAND Addicted to You Laura | 24 | 20 |
| DENMARK Tell Me Who You Are Malene | 7 | 24 |
| BOSNIA-HERZEGOVINA Na Jastuka Za Dvoje Maja Tatic | 33 | 13 |
| BELGIUM Sister Sergio and the Ladies | 33 | 13 |
| FRANCE Il Faut du Temps Sandrine Francois | 104 | 5 |
| GERMANY I Can't Live Without Music Corinna May | 17 | 21 |
| TURKEY Leylaklar Soldu Kalbinde Buket Bengisu and Group Saphire | 29 | 16 |
| MALTA Seventh Wonder Ira Losco | 164 | 2 |
| ROMANIA Tell Me Why Moica Anghel and Marcel Pavel | 71 | 9 |
| SLOVENIA Samo Ljubezen Sestre | 33 | 13 |
| LATVIA I Wanna Marie N | 176 | 1 |
| LITHUANIA Happy You Aivaras | 12 | 23 |
 OGAE VIDEO CONTEST 2005:. |
|
01 |
171 |
Ukraine |
Svetlana Loboda |
I Will Forget You |
|
|
02 |
112 |
Netherlands |
Anouk |
Lost |
|
|
03 |
111 |
Turkey |
Hepsi |
Yalan |
|
|
04 |
104 |
Italy |
Laura Pausini Www.Laurapausini.It |
Come Se Non Fosse Stato Mai Amore (As If It Had Never Been Love) |
|
|
05 |
84 |
Germany |
Paul Van Dyk & Peter Heppner
|
Wir Sind Wir |
|
|
06 |
74 |
Malta |
Ira Losco Www.Iralosco.Com |
I'm In Love Again |
|
|
07 |
72 |
Portugal |
The Gift
|
Driving You Slow |
|
|
08 |
62 |
Bulgaria |
Gloria |
Krepost |
|
|
09 |
47 |
Greece |
Eleftheria Arvanitaki |
Os Ta Haramata |
|
|
10 |
42 |
Ireland |
Corinna Brouder |
Feel For You |
|
|
11 |
38 |
Russia |
Alsou |
Always On My Mind |
|
|
12 |
30 |
Slovenia |
Frenk Nova & Clea |
Ne Priznam (I Do Not Admit) |
|
|
13 |
29 |
Macedonia |
Lambe Alabakovski |
Kade Pesno Moja |
|
|
14 |
24 |
Finland |
Technicolour
|
Teach Me Love (I'm In Denial) |
|
|
15 |
24 |
Poland |
Kayah |
Jutro Rano |
|
|
16 |
22 |
Spain |
Fangoria |
Miro La Vida Pasar (I See Life Go By) |
|
|
17 |
21 |
Serbia & Montenegro |
Vlado Georgiev |
Zivim De Ta Nadjem |
|
|
18 |
0 |
Rest Of The World / Kazakhstan |
Nur-Mukasan |
Bakyttyndy Zhirlaidy |
|
|
Un-placed |
35 |
France |
Sinsemilia |
Tout Le Bonheur Du Monde (All The Happiness In The World) |
|
-
Ira placed 6th place with her amazing video I'm in love Again in the OGAE Video contest 2005
1. 2002 |
2. 1998 |
4. 2004 |
5. 2000 |
6. 2001 |
7. 1997 |
8. 1992 |
9. 2003 |
10. 1999 |
11. 1995 |
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