News - Turkey: Interview with MaNga | Eurovision Song Contest News - Azerbaijan 2012 

MaNga who will represent Turkey with the song We could be the same at the Eurovision Song Contest 2010 gave an interview to esctoday.com and answered questions about their song, plans for the future and some specific questions of the Eurovision Song Contest.

1.  Could you tell me about your musical lives so far?

Before maNga, every member was into performing with local bands, cover bands etc…With Yagmur's dream of a band creating their own songs, the five members of maNga got together. Just as maNga accomplished its actual form, they had the opportunity to participate in a song contest called Sing Your Song which was broadcast on a major national channel at prime time. This is the first occasion maNga met the Turkish audience in a professional manner. In this competition maNga came second and the idea of recording an album become more realistic than it was. After two years of preparation, in December 2004 maNga released its first album which was awarded a gold album by MÜYAP (IFPI Turkey) in 2005. After touring for 2 years all around Turkey in 2006 maNga re-released its first album with two more songs, one is Cem Karaca song Rap-rap and one brand new song Kandirma Kendini. After the release of maNga+ the band started creating songs for their next album Şehr-i Hüzün. The album was released in April 2009 after 20 months of hard work. At the end of 2009 maNga was nominated “Best European Act” at MTV EMAs and won the prize.  With this award, maNga had its first step in the European market and is recognised by European audience.  After 8 years of career, maNga had over 350 live concerts (including around 20 appearances abroad), around 500 media appearances.   

2. How was the process of creating your song?         

Yagmur or myself bring the ideas. Then Yagmur arranges the song and after that we play together and with the other guys we take notes about the song. (Ferman)  Generally Yagmur or Ferman come up with an idea which could be a song. Then all of us start working on that particular idea, processing new approaches. When the idea appears to be a song Yagmur does the pre-production process and the idea becomes ready to record as a song. (Cem)

 3. Do you plan to rearrange or sing your song in other languages and also in Turkish?         

Maybe in Turkish. 

4. What does Eurovision Song Contest mean for MaNga members?         

It is the only TV festival in Europe. We are excited about the idea of sharing our song with nearly 1 billion people. Also we are honoured to represent our country.   

5. How would you rate the Eurovision Song Contest in terms of musical quality?        

It depends on how you look at it. If you look this event as an entertainment you could find out very good songs. On the other hand if you are looking for the most genius, spectacular song ever made, you are at the wrong place.          

6. What are your favourite Eurovision history songs and Turkish songs?         

For after 2000’s Sertab’s and Alexander’s songs are the best winners I think. Our favourite Turkish song ever is Deli (mor ve ötesi).

7. Do you plan to make a promo tour? Are destinations certain for now?         

Yes there is a plan for a promo tour but the dates and the locations are not finalised yet.   

8. If you have a chance to choose another song for Eurovision Song Contest, with which song do you prefer to compete among your other previous songs?        

I could be any maNga song!  I know the guys, they are solid rock!   

9. Are you planning to release an album in English for world music markets? Is it in your future plans especially after that MTV award and possible success of Eurovision Song Contest?

Becoming a worldwide band is always on maNga’s agenda. But right after the MTV EMA 2009 “Best European Act” award, releasing an album in English became the priority for maNga. We already made 3 songs in English. As soon as the ESC ends we are going to get into studio to create more songs in English.  

10. Do you follow other contestants of Oslo 2010? Do you have any favourites?        

Denmark’s show and Armenia’s song are cool.  

11. Do you have a message to esctoday.com readers?         

Thanks a lot for supporting us. Peace.         

Thanks for the interview. Good luck.        

Thank you.