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Blogilkar exclusive: JOAN FRANKA INTERVIEW


My flying reporter Robert got to interview his fellow Dutch namely Joan Franka. This turned out to be the funniest interview yet with a lot of laughter and I hope I have managed to edit at least a little bit of it in here. Joan talks about her musical background and idols, hippies, freedom, the 1960's and what she gets up with her crew...  or then maybe not! Find it all out here:
Joan, thank you or this interview. You have a little bit hippy identity. Where is this coming from?
I really love the 60's, I'm not sure if I have a hippy identity. I love the music and the freedom, how people fought for their freedom in their own way. And yeah, they also had a lot of fun with other things, he he, but I love the way they felt free!
But who introduced you to this music?
I don't really know but it's my theory that I heard John Lennon at Christmas time, War is over you know, I was very little but I could understand every word he sung in a very strange way and it totally inspired me and that's how I fell in love with John Lennon and then I just fell in love with other people, too.... Later when I was older I did some research about these things but that was the first time that started my inspirational road.
You have to stand out among the other strong competitors in this contest. Is this why you decided to wear the Indian head piece again?
No. I really love feathers! I wear feathers all the time (You should meet Lauri from The Rasmus then. Ed.note) since three years or so. The feathers symbolize me freedom, the freedom to be what you want to be. I'd like to inspire people to be themselves. And the Indian headpiece is part of my story so why would I take it away?
It also draws a lot of attention to you, that people will recognize and remember you?
Yes of course, but I also hope people will like my song and that they can relate to that because it's about my first love and it's very clearly about children. Everybody has experienced the first love when you are little and everything's so pure and the message of the song is to be always pure and be yourself in everything you do. Don't let life get you, so to speak. 
And what are your plans after Eurovision?
I'm working on my album and I hope to release it right after Eurovision but as I write my own songs and I'm a bit critical myself so I have to see if it will be ready for release and hopefully not only in the Dutch market. My dream is travel around the world and sing. If they want me I'll come, ha ha!
Who are your idols?
Neil Diamand, John Lennon, Melanie Safka, Eva Cassidy. She's not from the 60's but she really sings with her soul and I love it.
And what do you think about the artists here? Do they have soul?
I have listened all the songs but I haven't really have had to meet them yet but I do want to. We are all so busy here that it's just like ”Hi!” in the hallways and then we have to run …
Is there a song that you could adapt to your repertoire among the other 41 songs here?
No, not really because they all belong to these artists, but I do love Sweden. It's really cool and up to date without being corny or annoying. I understand why it's number one in polls. It's just really awesome and good. I love Serbia also, it's a beautiful song and I have no idea what he's singing about but I can feel it. I buy it. Big time!
Who's your biggest supporters?
My mother and my sister. They are amazing. They are not here yet but they will come. I'm really excited to have them here and share all this with them! And my friends of course and now with our crew we are supporting each other. We're very happy together. Ha ha ha. Very 1960's! Ha ha ha!
Oh in that way? Ha ha ha (Lots of laughter from the crew in the backgroud, Ed. note)
Last question: Why should people vote for you?
I hope they vote for me if they like me and get me.That they don't think I'm just a feather head and see there's more to it. Try to understand me.
Thank you Joan and best of luck next Thursday and... see you in the final!

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