Today we have the honor to interview one of the most unique contestants of Eurovision 2021.
He is a colorful character, that doesn’t bring us only a song but also an important lesson for life.
However, he won’t be alone. We will find him acco,panied by his favorite musical instrument: The Ukelele.
Of course, we are talking about Jendrik from Germany.
Who is Jendrik Sigwart?
Jendrik Sigwart is 26 years old from Hamburg. He was born on the 27th of August 1994 .
He has played piano and violin since he was very young. Jendrik studied musical theatre at the Osnabrück University of Applied Sciences. Jendrik has completed his final project on Ukelele.
He played lead roles in musicals including: “Peter Pan”, “Hairspray”, and “My Fair Lady”.
In 2016, he released his first song “Dibdibidi” :
About the Selection Process
The act has been chosen through a complicated process. 2 jury panels were involved in the selection process. The jury panel included 100 Eurovision fans whose taste is predictable and similar to the typical Eurovision voters. Another jury panel included a former international Eurovision jury and participants.
The German broadcaster has received 300 songs for this year’s selection.
In the beginning, the Eurovision fans panel chose their favorite songs in a multiple rounds process. Thereafter, an international jury was involved. The list of acts (song+artists) has been narrowed from 300 to 200 to 100 to 50 to 20. The 20 final acts can include two different performers for a single song or 2 different songs that are performed by the same artist.
The 20 final acts have been requested to send a video clip with the performance concept in case they will represent Germany at Eurovision 2021.
The 2 jury panels had equal weight in the decision on what will be the act for Eurovision 2021.
Jendrik will perform the song “I Don’t Feel Hate” at Eurovision 2021.
Jendrik, welcome to ESCBEAT and thank you for accepting our invitation
“Thank you for the opportunity!“
- Tell us about the moment when you decided to submit a song for the German selection.
“I wrote the song back in 2019. when it was finished I thought to myself: This one has to go to the ESC!“
2. How was the song created? Did the lyrics or the melody come first or simultaneously?
“The chorus was the first thing that came to mind. And it came together, like both lyrics and melody of “I Don’t Feel Hate, I just feel sorry.” The rest was created over the summer of 2019“
3. The song “I Don’t Feel Hate” inspires the listeners with its message and lyrics. Can you tell us the message of the song from your point of view? Have you been through any special situations that lead you to write the song?
“Yes!
The message is to not fight hate with hate. If somebody is bitchy to you, don’t be bitchy back. Be better than that. There was a person that really did not respect me at all. They were the inspiration for many verses in the song. I went to them and told them that what they are doing is hurtful, and it worked! They stopped being disrespectful.“
4. People saw a place for comfort in the song that made them feel comfortable with their bodies (body pride) and even gender and sexual identity. Have you expected this?
“I was hoping for it, but was not expecting it! It’s so important to realize that the hate people throw at us is just dumb and that it should affect us!“
- Was it clear for you the Ukelele will be part of your Eurovision song?
“Yes, I love that thing (as you already know)”
6.The clip is very colorful and unique. Some of your best friends take part in the video. Can you explain the role of each one of them in creating the message of the song?
“Each of them has a different story in the music video where they experienced hate, and we based the stories on the colors of the pride flag:
Yellow: Body Shaming
Green: Hate against classism/natural things
Red: Homophobia
Blue: Hate through pressure
Purple: Hate against Religious Beliefs
Orange: Sexism“
7. Can you please tell us the decision to include washing machines in the video clip. What’s the reason for that?
“I needed a place where people meet that don’t know each other. And as I don’t have money, I needed a cheap place. So when I saw on eBay that many people give away their broken washing machines for free, I thought that’s it. Then I created that laundrette in that basement. It’s a laundrette where you don’t wash your clothes, but your soul.“
8.Tell us about the moment you discovered that you would represent Germany at Eurovision 2021. Who was/ were the first people you talked to?
“My neighbour came out of the door when they told me, carrying her trash bags. She was the first to know and just threw the trash bags on the floor to hug me.”
- You’ve shared in the media some negative comments you’ve got this year. How did you manage to face them?
“They just troll on the internet I guess. I like what I’m doing and many others do too 🙂 Luckily, I am confident enough to handle it.”
10. Can we expect a similar concept for your Eurovision performance as in the backup recording?
“It will be slightly changed as we see what we need to change to get the message across more.“
11.Are you planning to release a new album/ new songs soon? If so, will it be in English or the German language?
“I have a lot of songs, but it’s a question of money, if I am able to record them.“
12. Which Eurovision 2021 songs do you like the most?
“I won’t tell“
13. What’s your favorite Eurovision song from Germany?
“I know its a boring answer, but it is probably “Satellite” by Lena (Germany Eurovision 2010, ended as the winner of the year)“
14. What’s your favorite Eurovision song, not from Germany?
“There are so many! I’ve really enjoyed “Think About Things” by Daði & Gagnamagnið (Iceland, Eurovision 2020).”
15 .What’s your message to ESCBEAT readers and Eurovision fans in general?
“Enjoy the competition! Celebrate each and every country, as that is the reason why the ESC got created in the first place. If you have any free space on your Top 10 list, give it to me!“
ESCBEAT Team wishes good luck to Jendrik and Germany at Eurovision 2021!
Germany will compete in the Grand Final of Eurovision
You can find all the relevant information on our Eurovision 2021 homepage:
