With a chuckle, JAnvil kicks off the interview by telling me that he sure hopes that now he's been part of the Malta Eurovision song contest as both host and contestant, he will finally be able to add "winner" to the list. Having already taken part numerous times, he is keeping his fingers crossed that this year he “wins it and completes the mission”.
“Eurovision is right up my street. It’s a colourful showcase for musical talent – at school I was always noted for my voice and encouraged to sing...despite this, I only started singing professionally when I hit thirty! Nowadays my favourite singers include Fred Astaire, Paul Anka, Zucchero, Elton John, Michael Jackson, Beyonce, Lady Gaga...but if there’s one genre I can’t stand, that is heavy rock.”
J.Anvil's entry this year is called You Are My Life, a song that he describes as a total departure from the style of his previous entries.
“It’s a pop song with a nice, up-tempo beat. I have to say that it’s also very sentimental. I believe that this is a very particular festival and that singers need to tailor their song specifically for the event. An element of originality and fun, coupled with a strong performance and stage presence, always help. And of course, vocals and charisma are the basic essentials,” the singers says says.
J.Anvil describes his song as being about that moment when you realise how important someone is in your life and you find yourself hoping for their forgiveness when you have let them down.
“We need to remember not only to tell the people in our life about how important they are to us, but also to show them.”
J.Anvil admits that the first eliminations are making him quite nervous, adding that he’d rather perform to a billion people than be made to face six judges “staring at him”.
Winning the European contest on Malta’s behalf, he believes, is a matter of both money and luck. However, getting the chance to represent our country is one of the singer’s dreams and he predicts lively reactions should his name be called out: “I will be over the moon, jumping from one table to another in joy.”
Getting to know J.Anvil
Favourite fast food: Mc Donalds.
Would like to visit: The Far East.
Wants to retire: In Gozo.
Drives: A Kia.
Pets: Loves animals but no time to care for them.
Last book read: Reads mostly magazines and news papers.
Day person or night owl? No difference, he’s a “24 on 7”.
Favourite time of year: August, birthday month!
Outfit on the night: Same as always, maybe in a different colour.
Web addiction? No, Eurovision addict.
Favourite gadget: Mobile phone.