Kaleen: “Only fell in love on second listen”

“It wasn’t until the second listen that I fell in love with the song. At first I didn’t think that this could be the song with which I go to the ESC”says Kaleen over “We Will Rave”. The 29-year-old from Ried im Traunkreis, whose real name is Marie-Sophie Kreissl, has now become friends with the pop song: “Now I’m the rave queen and I’m going to put my foot down in Malmö”says the lively singer, dancer, choreographer and label founder.

At the second semifinal on May 9th “I want to make myself and Austria proud, after all I already have a job to do at the ESC”. At yesterday’s presentation of the techno-inspired pop song in Vienna’s Ronacher, the video recorded in Los Angeles was particularly popular “We Will Rave” an eye-catcher. Lascivious and with a lot of skin, that’s what the presentation of the red-white-red contribution to the European singing competition should look like.

“Video better than the song”

Kaleen: “I like the video almost more than the song.” For the number, which apparently still takes some getting used to for the performer, the ORF has docked with renowned ESC professionals in Denmark. The songwriter team includes Thomas Stengaard, the producer of the Danish winning title “Only teardrops” by Emmelie de Forest from 2013. The fact that the competition was also held in Malmö back then may be seen as a stimulating omen.

The Swedish producer and songwriter Jimmy Thörnfeldt also carries ESC laurels: last year he was responsible for the Swedish winning title “Tattoo” Loreen shared responsibility. Thörnfeldt has worked with stars like Lady Gaga and Enrique Iglesias and has a Grammy Award on his business card (album “Dale” from Pitbull). Vocal coach Monika Ballwein helps Kaleen vocally, and the choreography, which is important for the presentation of the uptempo pop song, is done by Canadian Lukas McFarlane (“X Factor”, “The Voice”).

• Read more: Pros & Cons – Bring us “We Will Rave” to the final?

In addition to numerous championship titles in dancing, Kaleen herself brings a lot of personal experience to the Eurovision Song Contest. She has been part of the active ESC entourage since 2018, including as a choreographer and dancer for Spain and Bulgaria: “I know which train is rolling towards me.”

“Bring it pretty far forward”

Content-wise should “We Will Rave” create a mood-enhancing effect. It’s about finding a musical refuge. When hearts are broken, the song is meant to heal the problems of hurt souls. Kaleen is confident that she won’t need the song to soothe her soul on May 9th in Malmö, but will advance to the final two days later: “With this number I can show everything that defines me. And with that I will take us quite a long way.”

ESC in Malmö The semifinals will take place on May 7th and 9th (with Kaleen). The top ten qualify for the final on May 11th with Italy, Germany, England, Spain, France and Sweden.