Special - 2009 Irish entry song writers meet esctoday.com | Eurovision Song Contest News - Azerbaijan 2012 

After just winning the Irish National Final - Eurosong 2009, Niall Mooney and Jonas Gladnikoff part of the quartet of writers (Niall Mooney, Jonas Cladnikoff, Christine Schilling and Daniele Moretti), spoke to esctoday.com about writing their winning song Et Cetera.

Hi Niall and Jonas, congratulations on just winning the Irish National Final - Eurosong 2009, how does it feel?

Niall: I can't believe it, it feels fantastic.

Jonas: Amazing!

What was the inspiration for your song "Et Cetera"?

Jonas: It existed for about six years, and we we're constantly making changes to it. It's a contemporary song something along the lines of 'Pink'.

Niall: Well I seen Sinead on You're A Star (Irish national selection) back in 2005 and I like to write short rock three minute songs. I'm a fan of pop-punk such as The Clash, Sex Pistols and the 80's sound of the suburbs.

Did it take long to write?

Jonas: It was resting for a while, and we came back to it. We actually have an Italian version too! We hope for a duet with Sinead and Daniele Moretti (another co-writer) which is planned.

Niall: As Jonas said, it took roughly six years, Jonas emailed me the chords, I wrote a version, emailed him back, then we hooked up with Danielle in Italy. It has English lyrics with an Italian melody. The chorus and name 'Et Cetera' comes from the Latin/Italian in pronounciation. We we're actually going to submit this song to San Marino but they withdrew from the Eurovision Song Contest this year.

Who was your great rival tonight on Eurosong 2009?

Niall: It was 'Out of Control.' A brilliant song and very catchy. I also lost out to Voda in the Bulgarian National Selection in 2007, it reminded me of parts of that song.

Jonas: For me it was the ballad 'So What.' Very Irish and Eurovision inspired also 'I Wish I Could Pretend' put on a great performance.

Do you think your song will be well received in Eastern and Mediterranean countries?

Jonas: We have a Lithuanian drummer if that helps?

Niall: Havn't a clue! It's very much an international song I think. Something like Pink and Avril Lavigne maybe?

Did you find it difficult collaborating together to create the song online?

Niall: It was alot easier I think. It can be hard sitting in a room with another songwriter with a guitar and possibly nothing coming to mind. It's less talk more work done I think.

Jonas: No! Not a problem. It took a little longer though. We we're chatting over facebook and email. Gave us time to think as individuals too.

Will there be any further ventures writing songs together?

Niall: Yes! I hope! We have a couple of songs. Jonas had great success in Denmark with 'Someday' which came 2nd in their National final this year.

Jonas: Right now I've got no plans to move to Ireland but yes!

Will there be any possible remixes of 'Et Cetera'?

Jonas: There is one remix planned, but we'll see. 

Niall: We'll find someway of getting the song out there.

We're you apprehensive with your act performing last tonight with so many strong acts ahead of you?

Niall: I'm sure it was an advantage!

Jonas: Good to be last, we had an advantage yes!

What message have you got for all the esctoday.com readers?

Jonas: I hope you like the song. I hope you vote for us in May and I hope to see many of you in Moscow!

Niall: I think with esctoday.com you readers out there have got great opinions on songs. I enjoy reading your comments and its one place I make contacts. With esctoday.com, I think Eurovision is on the way back!

• Sinéad Mulvey & Black Daisy with "Et Cetera"
  
  

Esctoday.com kindly thanks Niall and Jonas for this interview and wishes them good luck at the Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow!