Special - The Jeronimas Milius interview | Eurovision Song Contest News - 2009 Moscow, Russia 

Jeronimas Milius won the first Lithuanian semi final with a song about two nomads in the night, a man and the moon. Looking like a figure right out of the Pirates of the Carribean he captured the attention of the Lithuanian public and will be now competing in the final on 2nd February. Jeronimas spoke to esctoday.com's Arvydas Makselis about himself and his music in his first Eurovision interview outside Lithuanian borders.

Is the Eurovision Song Contest an acceptable way to represent and to express the music you love?

Of course it is. I don't care if it's Eurovision Song Contest or a rock festival. The most important for me is to sing the song that I love. And I think my song Nomads in the night is good for this kind of contest. Anyway, we all know that “Eurovision formula” doesn't exist anymore. A new year - a new formula.

What result did you expect when you participated in the first heat for the Eurovision Song Contest?

Actually I went there to sing my song and to do my best. I didn't have much time to think about the result because it have a complicated song to sing, I just wanted to be satisfied of myself. I didn't think about any result.

Have you watched the contest on TV before?

I can't say I haven't. I was watching the contest with great excitement when Lordi and LT United participated, that was an interesting competition. But I'm not a big fan of this contest. If I have time or if I'm out with my friends and Eurovision is on TV - I don't miss it. But I just watch the finals, I care about the final decision, the semi-finals are not interesting for me.

Tell the esctoday.com readers what is Nomads in the night about and how did you come to write this song?

First I got the music written by my band's mate. And then I had an idea to write the lyrics about two nomads - a man  and the moon. They both support each other and they understand each other very well.

Saules Kliosas and Aistė Pilvelytė are the veterans of national Eurovision Song Contest finals. Do you see yourself competing every year to win a ticket to Eurovision?

I don't think so. This year's contest is a big adventure and a personal challenge for me. I'm an artist from another music world than Eurovision is.

 What can Eurovision give to a young and inexperienced singer?

It's the best experience  a young artist can have. In Eurovision you sing live and millions of people see you performing. Usually a young artist is very excited and nervous in such a big competition so he learns to control his nerves and to concentrate on the song.

You don't think that this contest isn't the best place to learn controlling the excitement?

I think that the way the artist is prepared for the contest depends on their personality, not on the age of artist. It's all about psychology. On the other hand, if we see an artist for the first time it doesn't mean he's inexperienced. Probably he hasn't participated in any TV shows, popular music festivals or a reality shows. But it doesn't say anything about him. There are lots of not so popular rock festivals and underground music concerts that give a big experience as well.

 Who is Jeronimas and what does he do in his life?

Jeronimas is a simple citizen of Lithuania, like the rest of the three million. I have a melodic metal-rock band called Soul brothers. We have been playing together for four years and actually we are currently working on our first album. There are a lot of festivals we have participated in, not just in Lithuania. In our future plans we see us performing in foreign countries where rock music is more popular. Also, I just finished my studies in business management. But as you can see I don't have much time for a serious job as the biggest part of my life is concentrated around the music.

Which artists in this year's national pre-selection you take for your biggest rivals?

To be honest I haven't heard all the songs yet. But I'm pretty sure that the biggest rivals in the final will be the semi finals' winners. Last Saturday I've watched the second heat. I loved Sasha Son and Raimonda. Also there are the wildcards - Aistė Pilvelytė and Julija whose songs I haven't heard either. I don't agree with the newspapers that claim "Finish the preselection, Jeronimas to Belgrade!" because there are some strong songs in the final. And it's very good as there will be a tough fight for the ticket to Belgrade