- Written by Spiridon Kitsos
The One and Only Ms. Valentina Monetta
There comes a moment in our lives that we have the feeling that we’ve been touched by an angel. One of this special moments took place in the second Semi-Final of the 58th Eurovision Song Contest in May 16, 2013. It was a magical moment, a fairytale that turns out to be reality, a miracle that happened in front of our eyes.
One year later the same artist, one of the most exceptional voices of Eurovision, returns and shine brighter than ever! Ladies and Gentlemen, we have the honor to have with us the One and Only Ms. Valentina Monetta.
Ms. Valentina Monetta was born in the beautiful Republic of San Marino. She is the second of two children in her family, her mother is Sammarinese and her father Italian. The school years of Ms. Monetta was shared between San Marino and Rimini. When she was very little she discovered her true nature, her unique talent in music. Her musical influences led her to many musical “paths” and gave her the opportunity to explore many aspects of her talent. She is self-taught on piano and vocals, after many years of serious studies she reached a professional high quality level all by herself! This is something that only a true Artist can succeed!
Her fist steps in professional carrier was in 1995 when she started to collaborate with some of the best local musicians and she became a versatile singer with a great talent for improvisation. Her singing abilities make her a special singer with a colorful and versatile voice. For her, is very easy to change her repertoire from Jazz to melodic Italian, and from Soul to R&B and pop.
Valentina's artistic versatility has allowed her to deal with varied work experience as a singer, actor and presenter, and she had even composed the music and written the lyrics to her first solo album, a celebratory work of personal and professional balance, releasing the CD “Ii mio gioco preferito” available on iTunes, recorded with the trio My Funky Valentine (Simone Migani on piano, Massimiliano Castri on drums, Alex Gorbi on bass).
1995 Ms. Valentina formed her own band, called “Tiberios”, and soon thereafter formed the "Parafunky". But she was also a member of the group “2Black”. Few years after, in 2002 she release the single “Sharp” with the project “Charme”, and she collaborates with the band “Bluesmobile”.
Ten years later, in 2012, after a long carrier she took part in the Eurovision Song Contest in Baku, Azerbaijan for San Marino. That year she started to work with Fabrizio Raggi staging the show “Ma che differenza fa”, a tribute to Ornella Vanoni. In that show Ms. Valentina had the amazing chance to show people her singing and acting talent. In august of the same year she protagonist in “Camelia”, a musical commissioned by UNICEF, and both she made a “guest” on the CD of Luca Florian like percussionist in the song “Molto di piu” produced by Mario Biondi.
In 2013 she took part again in the 2013 Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden with “Crisalide (Vola)” and became unlucky, 11th in the Semifinal. So San Marino RTV asked Valentina and her producer Ralph Siegel, if they would go for a third time in a row. After long consideration both musicians agreed to take part one more time hopefully being third time lucky and going to the final.
In summer and autumn 2013 Valentina and Ralph wrote and produced her new Album “Sensibilità” (Sensibility). This new work has 20 tracks including English and alternative versions of “Maybe”” and “Sensibilità”. After a long discussion, experts and fans have chosen the song for Copenhagen. The song called “Maybe” (Forse) and will be performed in English for the Eurovision Song Contest.
We feel much honored that Ms. Valentina Monetta found some of her precious time to make a beautiful conversation with us, to share her memories, her sentiments and her emotions.
Before we start, I like to thank you from the bottom of my heart for your precious time. I like to start this conversation from the beginning, so, you were a “wonder-child” self-taught in piano and voice. Do you remember when your first “contact” with music was?
Ms. Monetta: I really think already when I was still in my mother's womb before birth.
With the passing of the years you have developed an especial affinity for jazz and R&B music, where did this inspiration came from? Who or what was your influence/s to turn to this “side” of music?
Ms. Monetta: I've always been a dynamic and spontaneous little girl and I think I chose the black music after listening to James Brown and Billie Holiday when I was 6 years old. Then as a teenager I appreciated the R & B and hip-hop as a physical dance expression, then later I studied the technique, both vocal and dance.
You are gifted with an amazing voice and talent. Do you remember, who was the first person which believed in you and helped you develop your “gift”?
Ms. Monetta: My father certainly influenced me and my brother, at school I always sang and I remember always pleasantly Romea Balsimelli, my teacher of elementary school who already predicted this future for me .. Thanks Romea!
I know personally that being a self-taught is not an easy thing to do, it demands very hard work and lot of mental straight. But sometimes the fatigue is too big that we want to give it up. In these moments I always thinking of my grandmother and her image gives me straight. What was your inspiration for not giving it up and always makes you to keep carrying on?
Ms. Monetta: The lack of the primary need of absolute and unconditional love. Singing for me is like breathing, eating, drinking, I'd die if I could not sing. I think the need for everlasting love makes me to continue, I find comfort in music. I have made many sacrifices to achieve what I've achieved now and I just don't give up because I have a great passion. Definitely my family, my musician friends with whom I grew up have helped me a lot because they believed in me .. and this makes me believe in me, giving me strength to continue without limits.
After “Tiberios” and “Popstar" came into your life the contest of Eurovision. Your first attempt to enter the contest was in 2008. What Eurovision means to you? It was always your dream to be a part of this grand event?
Ms. Monetta: Not really, I say my dream has always been to be able to not hide behind the shyness and insecurities, and definitely putting myself into an event like this through my music, it is the best I can do in this life giving me an opportunity to begin to believe I deserve something.
In 2012 San Marino selected you for the 57th Eurovision in Baku with the song “The social network song”. Now after two years how Valentina sees this participation?
Ms. Monetta: As a progression of a path that I hope never ends
On January 30, 2013 the National Broadcast of San Marino was announced that you will represent the country in Malmö for the second time in a row. Do you expected that, or it was a surprise for you?
Ms. Monetta: Yes. I did not expect it after the result of 2012 but perhaps for that very reason, my production team believed to give me another opportunity to express with more truth and calm my true artistic light, giving me the chance to introduce myself more properly and show what I'm able of.
2013 and the 58th Eurovision Song Contest was not gave you the chance to have a place in the final. What “taste” left you that experience?
Ms. Monetta: Wonderful .. I have overcome myself
Both Ralph Siegel and Mauro Balestri wrote respectively the music and the lyrics for the songs “Crisalide (Vola)” (2013) and “Maybe (Forse)” (2014). Is there a special connection between you and those 2 great artists?
Ms. Monetta: Absolutely. They read and interpret me, and this is luxury for an artist. It is good to get to know each other and explore new musical worlds.
I must say that “Maybe (Forse)” is the most astonishing ballad these year. It speaks straight to the heart, I love both English and Italian version. But some people find me a bit “banal” when I say that I prefer the songs to be in the official language of their country, like the old Eurovision. What do you think about it?
Ms. Monetta: Thank you for these words .. because often people tend to give more importance to the image and the show than the message of the song. In this case for me to sing in English this year is another beautiful artistic test in order to make myself understood by all.
Allow me to stay for a while in the old Eurovision. I must admit that I miss the conductors and the musical directors. I miss the old glamour or Eurovision with the live orchestra. That’s why I love the competition of Sanremo, it never loses its splendor. Do you think that Eurovision has lost its meaning in the altar of commercial or it’s just evolving?
Ms. Monetta: I couldn't agree more .. it was a wonderful time. I love the live music in all its forms .. I often talk about this .. it would be wonderful to do Eurovision like the old days ; D
After the presentation of “Maybe (Force)” it came the album “Sensibilità (Sensibility)”, an emotional album with 20 new songs including English and alternate versions of “Sensibilità” and “Maybe”. I think it is the most “sparkling” period of your life. Do you feel the same too? Can you tell us a few words for your new album?
Ms. Monetta: It is a good period. Just thinking about when I had my first inspiration to write the songs on the album, remember the moments and the unexpectedness of being able to publish and promote them throughout Europe. I am absolutely over the moon. Like it or not, I made it and I am proud to have many collaborations with artists of my country: from the military band of San Marino to the choir, I also have a song with my brother who has always been a songwriter .. so many songs from different styles but the harmonic same time. This album is definitely a celebration of my musical journey done so far. Funky, soul, pop, fusion, classic, be-bop, swing, reggae, hiphop, bossanova .. just to name some .. and the journey is not over.
Let’s go back to Eurovision and “Maybe (Force)”. I can’t imagine how it feels to be selected for the third time for Eurovision. Really, what do you feel about it?
Ms. Monetta: I feel good, fortunate and gratified by the choices I make and more. I only hope I continue always to believe.
This year you will make a “Viaggio” in lovely Copenhagen for the 59th Eurovision. What Valentina waiting from the contest this year?
Ms. Monetta: Emotions, fun, support, love, commitment and passion.
The rarest thing in our days is to find someone to admire. You, with your passion, your talent, your voice and your persistence to learn became an inspiration for us, a person to admire. You are a true Artist and true Lady with all the meaning of the words. You have been inspiring not only San Marino but the entire Europe. What do you have to say to these people, to us?
Ms. Monetta: You make me cry, it's marvellous what you write. I have already won reading this. I love you! I never thought that this little girl who was so insecure and comfortable only with her piano and her voice would be able to respond to an interview like this one day .. so wonderfully loving grazieeee! What can I say... rejoice of your talents and your passion, do not let anyone ever, ever take away your freedom to express yourself as you please, respect your life and who supports you, be humble and tolerant but determined at the same time and fall in love always. Never ever be ashamed of your truth.
I want to thank you again and express my honor for this conversation with you, Ms. “Incredible” Valentina Monetta. I would like to ask you the last question if you allow me. What do you think about the Greek song this year?
Ms. Monetta: I adore them!! I love them and I'd marry all three of them . I just jump like a grasshopper when I listen to this song.
Enjoy your life ..
We feel much moved for this beautiful conversation, it is really “ones in a lifetime” experience. We have nothing else to say but thank you, thank you, thank you! We wish Good Luck!!! to Ms. Valentina Monetta, the woman – artist who gained our love, our respect, and our support.
You can follow Ms. Valentina Monetta on her Official Site, Facebook, Twitter, and YouTube.
