Eurovision’s Electro Velvet: “We’re marmite, but that could work in our favour”

Once upon a time, the United Kingdom had a strong record when it came to the Eurovision Song Contest. 

In the competition's 60-year history, we've triumphed five times and been runners-up on 15 occasions. But ever since 2003, when Jemini scored the dreaded nul points, we've been stuck in a Eurovision slump.

Hoping to turn things around for us this year are Electric Velvet; a duo comprising of singers Bianca and Alex who have so far received a mixed response from the country with tier entry Still In Love With You. Ahead of this weekend's final (May 23) in Vienna, we phoned them up to find out whether the nerves have kicked in yet...

Hello Electro Velvet! Where are you at the moment?

Bianca: We’re in the Austrian embassy in London and it’s like being in a castle or something. They’re having a send-off party for us which is great, we’re about to perform.

You’ve been non-stop promoting Eurovision since you were announced as this year’s UK entry in March. Are you Eurovisioned out yet?

Alex: Not at all! It’s been a lot of hard work but we’re really enjoying every second of it.
Bianca: We’re in a Eurovision bubble at the moment and I think we’ll be sad when it’s over. We’ll definitely have the post-Eurovision blues.

On a scale of 1 to 10, how nervous are you about the big performance?

Alex: I feel okay actually, I’m probably at about a 2. It’ll all change on the night, but we’ve had no time to be nervous as we’re working so hard.
Bianca: Really Alex? I’m about a 7!

The song - Still In Love With You - has divided opinion somewhat, which doesn’t often happen with Eurovision entries…  

Bianca: We’re definitely a marmite act, but we think that could work in our favour. We’ve become one of the most-watched entries this year and it’s given us more publicity. We’ve also been promoting the song around Europe and the reaction there has been overwhelmingly positive. We’re hopeful!

The track has an electro-swing sound, which people seem to either love or hate…

Alex: We both grew up with that sort of music. Personally I was very into Louis Armstrong – in fact the scat section in the song is a bit of an homage to him.
Bianca: I’m very into Caro Emerald, Imelda May and Amy Winehouse. Anything retro has always been my style. I like that on this song we’ve taken that vintage sound and updated it for today.

You were previously working as solo artists before forming Electro Velvet; how did you two meet?

Alex: I was looking for a singer and I saw Bianca on The Voice so I got in touch. It turned out we had a mutual friend in common called David Mendell, who wrote the song a few years ago. We both loved the track as soon as we heard it and he told us he wanted to put it forward for Eurovision.

Did either of you have any reservations about doing Eurovision?

Alex: We honestly both jumped at the chance! As much as we love the song and believe in it, it’s been such a wonderful thing in itself to be chosen to do it.
Bianca: When you’ve been asked to perform in front of 195 million people, it would be crazy to say no! I can’t believe we actually got picked to do it, I’m still amazed.

The UK as a whole are generally a cynical bunch when it comes to Eurovision; how much do you really think political voting has to do with us doing so poorly in recent years?

Alex: I don’t know if political voting really exists these days. You get all these songs like Lordi’s metal song and Conchita’s ballad or Bucks Fizz… I don’t think there’s any formula other than the right song in the right year.
Bianca: There are so many factors that go into it as well: the running order, the staging… I don’t think there’s any set rules as to what makes a winning song.

Other than yourselves obviously, who are you tipping to do well this year?

Bianca: There are three or four particularly strong songs that I like. My favourite is Australia’s entry from Guy Sebastian because it’s upbeat, and there are a lot of ballads this year. We’ve met him as well and he’s lovely; and no Alex, I don’t fancy him!

What’s the rules around that? What happens if Australia win?

Alex: The rule is they can compete again if they win, but otherwise it’s a one-off.

Surely that could encourage people to vote for them to keep them in?

Alex: Quite possibly! Again, it’s one of those many factors thrown into the pot that makes who will win so unpredictable. We just want to focus on working as hard as we can and getting the performance right so we have no regrets on the night.

Do you each have an all-time favourite Eurovision song?

Bianca: We’re both agreed on this one, and it’s Gina G’s Ooh Ahh Just A Little Bit. I can’t believe it didn’t win, but we’d be happy we did as well as she did.

Have either of you thrown a Eurovision party, where you dress as a country and bring country-specific food?

Bianca: I’ve never thrown one or even been to a Eurovision party! For me, it has always been the sort of thing I’ve just watched and enjoyed with family.

If you had throw one this year, which country would you go as and what food would you bring?

Bianca: It’s funny, my friends are saying they’re going to go as us two this year! I’d probably go as Ireland because my fiancé is Irish and I like the colour green.
Alex: I like the Lordi outfits if I’m honest. I’d put on some platforms and go around scaring people. What food is local to Finland though?
Bianca: Cold meats… so maybe a Lady Gaga dress?

Electro Velvet will perform Still In Love With You at the 2015 Eurovision Song Contest on May 23. The song is available to download now.

Remind yourself of every UK Eurovision entry ever in our gallery below: