Maraaya book by Reakcija

Maraaya Logo Designed by: Klemen Kokol Design by: Žiga Culiberg

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

INTRO How to present yourself is probably the hardest question… Who are you? How do you want people to get to know you? Who is MARAAYA? It’s a duo. We are Marjetka & Raay.

But what’s next? One would ex-

pect we’d start with presenting ourselves in a usual way… Biography, facts, description of our musical path… Which was the very reason we’ve decided not to. We have divided this little book into 4 segments… INTERESTING, PRACTICAL, FUNNY AND OFFICIAL.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

01 INTERESTING GET TO KNOW MARAAYA Questions People Usually Forget to Ask In Slovenia little children write these books of random questions that they pass among their friends in order to find out as much as they can about each other. These books are called “Lexicon”. It is a fun way to find out interesting things about your friends. Our Eurovision entry “Here for you” is dedicated to friendship. A story about finding the person who you can count on when you’re down. That’s why we start with “Lexicon”. Where do you come from?

What is your favorite sport?

Marjetka: Venus.

Raay: Eating.

Raay: Mars.

Marjetka: Watching Revenge.

Dog or cat?

Wine or beer?

Both: Dog.

Raay: Wine. Marjetka: Beer.

Black or white?

Raay: Seriously?

Marjetka: White. Raay: Pink. 

Favorite movie? Marjetka: Million dollar baby.

Favorite subject in primary school?

Raay: Lord of the rings.

Marjetka: Music. Raay: Lunch break.

Favorite drama TV series? Marjetka: Revenge.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Raay: Once upon a time, Revenge, The

What is the most romantic thing that

Vampire diaries, The Flash, Arrow, Dexter,

happened to you?

The Originals, Prison Break, Scandal, How

Marjetka: For my last birthday Raay

to get away with murder ...

prepared a huge surprise for me. In total

Marjetka: Oh, you have too much time! 

secrecy, during nights for more than a month, he was creating a photo book

Favorite comedy TV series?

with over 200 pages of photos about

Raay: 3 rock from the sun, Hot in

the first two years with our kids. I was

Cleveland and 2 Broke Girls

really touched.

Marjetka: I find Hot in Cleveland funny,

Raay: Marriage. I was crying like a baby

but either way this sit-coms relates to

when Westlife’s Rose started to play.

Raay laughing loudly after I already sleep which always wake me up and I

Awkward moment:

am usually mad at him when he does that.

Raay: When we got married, I put the ring on the wrong finger.

What do you do, when you want to

Marjetka: During a performance in

be alone?

front of more than 5.000 guests and

Marjetka: Walks in nature.

streamed by national TV, I hooked my

Raay: Me-time with my iphone.

under-skirt with my shoe heel and couldn’t get it out. So I had to take off

Who was the first person you kissed

the underskirt and sing & dance in skirt

and where did it happen?

and undies only … This video is actually

Marjetka: Raay. Ljubljana, Slovenia.

online… I hope you’ll never find it. 

Raay: Tanja. Jesenice, Slovenia. What is the thing you are most proud of? Both: Oskar and Vid, our 2 sons.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Šimen Zupančič

Favorite time of the year?

Best book you’ve ever read?

Marjetka: Spring.

Marjetka: Alamut by Vladimir Bartol.

Raay: Summer.

Raay: Lying Suzy by Desa Muck. When I was a kid I stopped reading books

Favorite sparkling drink?

from 3rd to 7th grade. After reading that

Raay: Pepsi.

book I became a bookworm and I read

Marjetka: Pepsi with Jägermeister. 

40 books in a very short period. But it was just a phase.

Who would you be if you could be any historic person?

Lordi or Lena?

Marjetka: Bach. He had a great hair

Both: Lena.

style. Raay: Meryl Streep.

Sennheiser or Beats by Dre? Both: SENNHEISER!

What would you never do? Raay: I would never be Lindsay Lohan.

Favorite set of headphones?



Marjetka: Sennheiser’s Urbanite XXL

Marjetka: I would never go to a nudist

black.

beach.

Raay: Sennheiser’s Momentum overhead Ivory or Black.

What do you wish for you to happen in future?

What is your perfect pizza?

Both: A day off.

Marjetka: Margerita. Raay: Ham, cheese, tomato and Slovenian

Apple or PC?

sausage called kranjska klobasa. But I

Marjetka: None.

am eager to try “Käsekrainer” variety of

Raay: Everything that exists.

kranjska klobasa in Vienna.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Jani Ugrin / RTV SLO

If you could have anyone locked in a

How do you handle people you don’t

room so that you could torment them

like?

for a day, whom would you choose

Raay: I block them from facebook.

and what would you to?

Marjetka: I don’t have that problem

Marjetka: RAAY! I would take ALL the

often.

electronic devices out of the room. Raay: If I’d say that loud I could become

How do you describe yourself in 5

the main suspect in a police investigation.

words? Marjetka: Honest, cynical, funny,

What’s the question you hate to

hardworking, emotional.

answer most?

Raay: Loyal, workaholic, emotional,

Marjetka: Questions about sex.

loving, persistent.

Raay: How did you start your career? Who is your celebrity crush? What cheers you up?

Raay: Jennifer Lopez.

Raay: Gathering with our friends.

Marjetka: Wentworth Miller.

Marjetka: A good song. Which game did you enjoy playing

What is the longest you have gone

as a kid?

without sleep?

Raay: Monopoly.

Raay: 2 days.

Marjetka: Yamb. The dice game I played

Marjetka: 20 hours.

with my dad.

Do you have anyone you go to for

Where is your favorite place in the

an advice?

whole world?

Marjetka: My mum.

Marjetka: In the forest under the tree,

Raay: Google.

all by myself, listening to the birds.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Šimen Zupančič

Photo by: Tanja Zrinski

Raay: By the sea in the morning when

How tall are you?

the sun is rising and it is windless.

Marjetka: 162 cm. Raay: 185 cm.

Have you ever cheated on an exam? Both: Of course. Several times. 

What’s your weight? Marjetka: 57kg.

Are you a night or a day person?

Raay: 91 kg.

Marjetka: Day. Raay: Night.

If you had super-powers, what would they be?

Your siblings’s name(s)?

Raay: I would become invisible so

Raay: Janina, Andraž, Aleksandra.

I could hear what people are saying

Marjetka: Mitja.

behind my back . Marjetka: I would be the fastest human

Your mother’s name?

alive.

Marjetka: Marjetka.

Raay: So you wanna be The Flash… I

Raay: Mojca.

told you this is a great TV Series! 

Your father’s name?

A thing from everyday life that

Marjetka: Bogdan.

annoys you?

Raay: Sandi.

Raay: My socks are constantly vanishing. The more I buy them the

Chocolate or vanilla?

less there are… and never in a pair! One

Marjetka: Vanilla.

sock is always missing.

Raay: Chocolate.

Marjetka: Since becoming a mother I sleep badly and I’m waking up for every stupid little thing. It’s exhausting!

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Any pets? Both: A dog. Yorkshire called FLOKI. As a person - romantic or wild? Both: Romantic. If there was something you would change about each other, what would that be? Marjetka: Raay cooks amazing … but not leaving the kitchen looking like the remains of the Second World War would be a pleasant change. Raay: Marjetka knows I will always do whatever is needed with computers, files or technical issues in the studio etc… It will be a shock when one day she tells me she doesn’t need any help from me.

Photo by: Žiga Culiberg

02 PRACTICAL Frequently asked questions … We stopped counting after about 100 interviews … But now surfing through websites and checking the interviews online they still seem fresh and exciting even to us. We collected answers from some of them and here it is - the most extensive interview of us. We want to thank media, webpages and portals for their questions. The questions below are taken from various interviews we’ve done while promoting our entry. First things first... Would you please

Who are your musical influences?

introduce yourselves and tell us how

Raay: We are influenced by the songs

music entered both of your lives?

that are out of the box, we try to find

Raay: Maraaya is Marjetka and Raay, Mar-

styles that are yet to come. That’s why

jetka is the singer and songwriter; I am

we love indie pop style. Everything is

producer and song writer. We are a couple

built on Marjetka’s voice. I do all the

for more than 10 years, we have two sons.

production around her voice.

Marjetka is also a pop vocal coach.

Marjetka: Raay is one of the most suc-

You are not only a musical couple,

cessful producers in Slovenia. We both

but also a real life couple. How does

started at a young age. I got my degree

being married (and having 2 young

at Academy of music , Raay didn’t, be-

boys) influence your work on the stu-

cause his producing career started to

dio and on stage?

take off and he decided to focus on that.

Marjetka: Raay cooks and I clean after him.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Raay: It has its advantages and disad-

with youth. When working with young

vantages. It is most important that we

singers I learn so much. It is not only me

know professional criticism about music

teaching them, they also give back so

we give to each other has nothing to do

much to me. I just love it! We wanted

with us personally as a couple.

to share with them a bit of Eurovision fairytale, that’s why we took them to

Do you both consider yourselves

Vienna where we filmed a special video

Eurovision fans? If so, what are your

for a version of Here for you we record-

favorite songs or singers ever in the

ed with them. They were really excited.

contest?

Working with Ula is just fabulous, be-

Marjetka: We are not extreme fans.

cause she is such a talented and hard-

But we totally support Eurovision, we

working girl, she is a true professional.

support Slovenia every year. It is not just a festival or a show; it is a musical

Raay was also the author of Tinkara

and cultural movement.

Kovač’s song for ESC 2014. Do you think to work again with her in the future?

Raay wrote the Ula Ložar’s song for

Raay: Working with Tinkara was just

Junior Eurovision 2014 and Marjet-

amazing, we are such a creative bunch

ka was her vocal coach. In addition

of people when we work together.

you have a music school for young

Right now we are quite concentrated

talented singers and musicians.

on Maraaya’s project and Eurovision,

How important is it for you to teach

but we are great friends, so why not!

kids to make music and how did you choose to open this kind of school? Marjetka: It is very important to work

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Marjetka & Raay with Ula Ložar (Junior ESC 2015, Slovenia), Photo by: Žiga Culiberg / RTV SLO

Both your “Lovin ‘Me” and “Here for you” have been published in Italy. Will we have the opportunity to listen to your first album which, we know, are you working on? Raay: We are publishing an EP (extended play) at the end of the year. We already have couple of singles ready, which we are going to release after Eurovision, so yes.  What do you think about Italian music? Are there some Italian singers you like? Marjetka: We love Italian music, Laura Pausini is great. We are for sure going to the concert of Eros Ramazzotti, who is going to perform in Slovenia soon. You are one of hot favorites this year. How do you feel about that? Raay: It gives us a lot of energy for our preparation in Vienna. Of course it’s better to go to Eurovision when you are in top 5 in pre-charts and betting odds rather than 30th. 

Photo by: Tibor Golob

Marjetka: But most of all, this gives

How do you normally watch the Eu-

people in Slovenia hope. People have

rovision Song Contest? Where, who

almost lost faith in Eurovision as we

with, do you have any traditions?

haven’t placed really high for almost

Where did you watch it last year?

15 years. But this year people really

Raay: We get together with friends,

feel that something is happening and

each gets a voting sheet and

are eagerly awaiting Eurovision. Who

then we all vote. Marjetka nev-

knows, maybe we can finish in top 10

er wins, I often choose the winner.

or even higher, but the most important thing is we connected Slovenia in this

What does Eurovision mean to you?

Eurovision story no matter the outcome.

Raay: It’s an oportunity to present our music to millions of view-

Buranovskiye Babushki or Lordi - and

ers and to represent our county. To

why?

a musician this means something

Marjetka: Babushki, because they

like Olympic games to an athlete.

were cute and we liked the idea of coming to Eurovision a bit later in

What’s your goal of success in Vienna?

life, it gives hope to all elderly people.

Marjetka: We are not traveling to Vien-

Raay: And the song was well produced.

na to get a result, but we want to give something to people, if we manage

ABBA or Celine Dion - and why?

that, we shall succeed and we will win

Marjetka: Celine Dion, because her voice

in our minds. Everything else is a matter

is so special, her technique is perfect.

of the moment. Everything is possible.

Raay: ABBA, because they made one of the most memorable stories in history of music.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Šimen Zupančič

You are a married couple. How does

What is the meaning of your song

that affect your music?

for you?

Marjetka: Of course the good thing

Marjetka: The song is about friend-

is the synergy that you can share with

ship and I believe people can relate

the person you love and that effects

to the song. It holds a message about

your musical creation. We are creat-

true friendship, when you can count on

ing music together for more than

somebody, when you are down, when

10 years now. Even if there are some

everything is falling apart but you know

tears and quarrels in the studio, the

somebody is there for you. That gives

result is even better because of that.

hope to people. Raay: Every person deserves to have

Are your sons going to be present

somebody he or she can count on and

with you in Vienna?

vice-versa. This can be a friend, partner,

Marjetka: Yes, they are going to be

family member …

there for first five days, when the real thing starts they are going back home

Did you ever heard about being com-

to be with their grandparents.

pared with Amy Winehouse? What do you think about it?

Who will baby-sit them?

Marjetka: I’ve heard a lot of compari-

Marjetka: Both our mothers and Raay’s

sons and that of course flatters me. All

aunt with her husband are coming

mentioned singers Amy, Duffy, Adele,

with us. 4 people for 2 children. It seems

Paloma Faith have a modern way of

enough. 

intimate interpretation and of course I am flattered to be compared to them. That’s something I have never imagined.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Jani Ugrin, RTV SLO

But I have to admit that every singer

Slovenia never won the contest. What

is special in it’s own way and so am I.

do you think is the reason for that? Raay: The moment was never right,

What is the reason for having head-

sometimes our song was not right for

phones on stage?

that year, sometimes we did not choose

Marjetka: I use my headphones to

the right song, sometimes the compe-

revoke my emotions from the studio.

tition was too strong. It is important

When I am on the stage and performing

to keep going, keep trying to do your

with headphones it feels like singing in

best. I believe that even Slovenia can

a studio. That’s how I stay calm and it

win one day.

is easier for me to give people my true emotions. I was always wondering how

Do you think that you have a realistic

to perform with the same intimacy and

chance to win it and to bring for the

emotions as in the studio. When I found

first time the contest do Slovenia?

the solution – the headphones - it was

Marjetka: Slovenians are still not sure

just great. After that the headphones

that we as a country can ever win, be-

became our image as well.

cause of all the talk of smaller countries being at a disadvantage.

How will be the performance at Eu-

Raay: If we talk only of music, then yes,

rovision? Will there be the woman

we have a chance. We hope that only

playing the air violin?

music counts and then the chances are

Raay: Air violinist is an important part

there. 

of our show and at the same time an element that symbolizes a bit different music, a bit different thinking.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Jani Ugrin, RTV SLO

Which is your all time favorite entry

You are a married couple and have

of Slovenia?

two children, how to combine your

Marjetka: Of course last year’s Tinkara

life with them and preparations for

Kovač, because Raay wrote the song. 

the festival?

Raay: Yes, the memories are still fresh,

Marjetka: First rule for us is, that we

so yes it is my favorite entry, but besides

never compensate our time spent with

that we loved Maja Keuc in 2011, Nuša

our children. They inspire us on our way

Derenda with Energy and so on…

and only time spent with our children gives us the right amount of inspiration

What would be the worst thing which

and strength to do what we do.

could happen to you in Vienna? Raay: The worst thing would be that

Can you talk about the staging that

we would be too late for all the good

you will have in Vienna?

food at the opening party. 

Raay: Everything is going to be similar. We want to keep the intimacy from our

If you could describe with one word

performance at our national selection

your performance in the final and

EMA, we are keeping the air violinist

super final of EMA, what would it be?

and the dress is going to be white. We

How did it feel to be crowned winner?

going to work with cameras and light-

Marjetka: Intimacy and emotion would

ing a bit more.

be the two words to describe our feelings. Winning meant confirmation for years of our hard work in music business, our path was sometimes difficult but we would not trade it for anything.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

We heard Slovenia will become the

Many people have lots to say about

country with the most promotional

Australia competing in The Euro-

material in history… What are you

vision Song Contest. What’s your

bringing to Vienna?

thought about this?

Raay: Yes. We decided not to come to

Raay: We don’t mind. I think it’s like British

Vienna empty handed. To thank for all

singer Adele getting award at American

the support that we got in these weeks

Music Awards... No one complains about

Marjetka: These are just a few gifts we are

that... Or Beyonce winning European Mu-

bringing to Eurovision: almost 500 special

sic Awards.

edition of Sennheiser’s Maraaya HD 201

Marjetka: In other words, The Eurovi-

Headphones, promotional CDs Here for

sion Song Contest is a brand. It’s a name

you, postcards, posters, postcards, the

of a popular music festival and songs

best of Slovenian cosmetics Afrodita, I

from countries that are not in Europe

FEEL SLOVENIA promo material for all the

could also win the title of best Eurovi-

fans, pens, lighters, key chains, Slovenian

sion song. Maybe it doesn’t need to be

made AMULETS, chocolate CDs Here for

the last time Australia competes. Maybe

you and special line of Chocolate Pra-

ESC will grow even more in next years.

line Maraaya – Here for you by Slovenian chocolate factory Cukrček, bottled water

How does your day usually look like

Maraaya, presentation books including

now?

“Maraaya for beginners”, “Everything

Raay: Every morning we start with each

You Need To Know About Maraaya”

eating ten nuts.  We are awaken by the

and pastilles for voice that Marjetka uses

crying of our two sons. Marjetka goes

- Gelo Revoice … 

out for one hour walk to clear her head and of course we practice every day.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Tibor Golob

What is different in your life since you

You are the composer of the Sloveni-

won at EMA?

an entry; do you think that it is more

Marjetka: Nothing is really different.

special to represent your country

We are in the music business for many

with a song composed by you?

years, so we work 24/7 because music

Raay: With Marjetka we composed this

is not only our profession, but also our

song together in a time when we were

passion.

producing songs for our EP for Maraaya

Raay: We sleep a bit less and at this

and of course we feel the song even

moment everything is dedicated to the

more, because we created it ourselves.

mission Eurovision. 

Marjetka: Yes it is different since we are also composers of our song, but on

If you would have to perform a duet

the other hand it does not matter who

with another contestant from this

wrote the song, the most important

year, who would you like to share

thing is how you feel the song. If you

the stage with?

feel it like it is your own, than everything

Marjetka: I would like to sing with the

is just great.

Israeli guy, I like his energy, his movement on stage.

The American songwriter Charlie Ma-

Raay: I would like to be digitalized in

son is the other co-writer of the lyrics

instead of the dwarf with an umbrella

of the song. How’s to work with the

in the Swedish background. 

last Eurovision Song Contest winner song’s writer? Raay: We are really happy that former Eurovision winning writer co-wrote the lyrics. We worked with Charlie well

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

before this project on our other songs

Many singers at ESC 2015 comes from

and projects. We also worked together

talent shows… What is your opinion

on the first single of Maraaya - “Lovin’

about that?

me”. He is great, he has great ideas, a

Marjetka: Somebody can become fa-

bit different view on poetics and we

mous through a talent show nowadays,

love that.

but that could mean that they lack experience in the long run. Or they may

Do you come from musical families and

get lost in vast amount of talent show

if so can you tell us more about them?

winners.

Raay: Marjetka not, but I do. My

Raay: But on the plus side this is a

mum teaches musical education in

great opportunity for young talents to

primary school, my father runs his

present themselves. For that moment

own music school, my aunt is rec-

on Eurovision stage I guess it does not

ognized professor of flute, my grand

matter how you came there, in the long

father was playing in a marching

run it is different though, because you

band and was a clarinet teacher…

need a lot of experience.

What is your favourite Slovenian

Could you say there exist a music

food ?

style for typicall Eurovision song?

Raay: There is so many! Prekmurska

Raay: Less and less so. Eurovision songs

gibanica (traditional dessert from Prek-

today are not typical any more. It is im-

murje region), Kranjska klobasa (Slove-

portant to leave a strong impression.

nian sausage)… Marjetka: Štruklji (unique Slovenian side dish), Potica (typical and unique dessert).

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

03 FUNNY Social Media Commentators Know It All From time to time we check feedback and comments on youtube, forums, Eurovision websites or facebook … We’ve been flattered so many times and we also laughed loudly when the joke was on us … We collected some of them and here we share it with you. People simply “tell it as it is”.

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

04 OFFICIAL Official biography MARAAYA

praised abroad as well. The greatest

The Maraaya duo are Marjetka (voca-

number of comments by the Slovene

list/songwriter) and Raay (producer/

Eurovision Contest 2015 were in res-

songwriter). The name Maraaya is a

pect to Marjetka‘s mesmerising voice,

combination of their names, MArjetka

huge headphones and the „air violin“

and RAAY respectively. They are mar-

performance.

ried and are proud parents of two boys. „What‘s with the headphones?“ is the Marjetka and Raay formed the duo Ma-

most common question regarding the

raaya just last year, when they released

Slovene contestant. Marjetka started to

their first single LOVIN‘ ME which was

use her studio headphones on stage

a big success in Slovenia and in some

since she wanted to evoke the same

other music charts abroad (Italy, Poland,

emotions and feelings she felt in the

Belgium, Spain...). HERE FOR YOU is

studio while recording. Later, the head-

their second single, and was chosen to

phones became their trademark and are

represent Slovenia at the Eurovision

now part of the duo‘s graphic design.

Song Contest 2015. Due to Marjetka‘s unique and distin-

The duo convinced audiences with the

ctive vocal expression, Internet social

exceptional vocal and stage performan-

networks were immediately filled

ce of „Here for You“ at EMA, which was

with comparisons with other female

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

singers, such as Duffy, Amy Winehouse

Phoenix“ by Conchita Wurst, and one

and Adele, known for their „modern“

of the previous Italian representatives,

interpretation. Albeit, Marjetka is flatte-

namely „L‘amore è femmina“ by Nina

red by these comparisons, she stresses

Zilli.

that her singing style is individual and original, and is based on her unique

Raay also produced and co-authored

interpretation.

last year‘s Slovenian entry »Round And Round« by Tinkara Kovač and a

People often express a wish to hear va-

project which evoked a lot of interest

rious songs in Marjetka‘s interpretative

amongst the Slovene and European

manner, and they often ask her to sing a

sports scene: a venture into the world

well-known song in her individual style.

of music by the current Olympic and World Champion Tina Maze, one of

The young duo‘s successes are not just a

the best female Alpine skier in history

coincidence, since Marjetka‘s and Raay‘s

who recorded the song »My Way Is My

lives have always been intertwined with

Decision« two years ago.

music, the same as the name Maraaya, which is an interlacement of both their

MARJETKA

names.

Marjetka Vovk has a degree as a music teacher. She has perfected her musical

Trivia: Both Maraaya‘s singles („Lovin‘

knowledge at the Academy of Music

Me« and the Eurovision representative

in Ljubljana. She has been present in

„Here for You“) were written in coopera-

the Slovenian musical scene for ten

tion with the American lyricist Charlie

years, mostly as a vocalist in various

Mason, who was signed also under the

genres, and as a member of two popular

Eurovision 2014 winner „Rise Like a

groups. In the year 2014 she caught the

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Niko Karo / Karo Media

most attention as the singer and the

venian authors and producers. His al-

co-author of songs of the duet MARA-

ready successful career became more

AYA. For the first time in ten years she

conspicuous eleven years ago with the

is participating in the project that is

first Slovenian musical talent contests..

conquering the international charts.

He has collaborated with various per-

Apart from singing, her great passion

formers in different musical genres. At

is teaching young singers, which is her

the moment, he is a member of the

primary occupation. Together with her

duo MARAAYA - as a performer, pro-

husband Raay, a successful musical

ducer and its driving force. The duo‘s

producer, they have established the

first single »Lovin‘ me« has made it to

POPSING workshops for singers in the

the international charts. With his long

recent years, where they guard upon

term partner and wife Marjetka Vovk

the young upcoming talents. Marjetka

he has been in touch with the young

always listens carefully to them and

talents and singers for years: they have

helps them to develop their unique mu-

supported the winner of the first season

sical style with her particular method

of Slovenia’s Got Talent contest, and

of teaching. One of these singers is also

have discovered and tutored many pro-

Ula Ložar, who represented Slovenia

mising singers who can now be found

in Junior Eurovision Song Contest

among the most prominent performers

2014. Apart from the Maraaya project,

on the Slovenian musical scene, one of

Marjetka dedicates her time mostly to

the most noticeable being Nika Zorjan

the Asian market and writes songs for

and April.

J-pop as a member of the Raay Team. For the fourth consecutive year he has RAAY

been the most successful author and

Raay is one of the most successful Slo-

producer according to Slovenian air-

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

play charts. Due of their songs Raay‘s 2014 and 2015. He was one of the team was noticed by one of the biggest judges in the show Misija Evrovizija Japanese publishers with whom they (Mission Eurovision) in 2012, in which have been collaborating for the third the Slovenian representative for the year. Raay‘s songs were included in the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, Eva Boto albums that have made it to the 1st was selected. »Round And Round« perplace in the Japanese Charts. In this formed by Tinkara Kovač was his first period of international activity, Raay has song that represented Slovenia in the also participated in co-writing projects Eurovision Song Contest. It became a in which various authors have collabo- major hit in Slovenia in 2014 ending rated. Raay used the knowledge that he as a biggest Slovenian hit according to had thus acquired also in the song that official airplay charts. he created for Junior ESC 2014 with the young singer Ula Ložar. With the help of Raay’s pedagogical knowledge and his skill to get the most out of young musicians, the young representative of Slovenia had no difficulties in demonstrating her talent and participating as the co-author of music. The Eurovision Song Contest has been permanently on his schedule, since he participated in the Slovenian Eurovision Contest EMA as the author of songs in the years 2004, 2008, 2010, 2011,

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Šimen Zupančič

HERE FOR YOU Music: Raay, Marjetka Vovk Lyrics: Charlie Mason, Raay When you're down down low And there's no place you can go... When you're down down low You know that I am here for you... You came into my life when I was broken You heated up my heart when it was frozen And we got the flow Now it's up we go And now thast it's your turn you wanna hide it A million times already you've denied it You don't have to fear You don't have to fight

When you're down down low Sinking in the undertow When you're down down low You know that I am here for you Cause I know know baby All the hurt you never show When you're down down low You gotta let me heal your aching soul You came into my life when I was broken You heated up my heart when it was frozen And we got the flow Now it's up we go Cause you released my pain now let me take it Just leave it at the door and we can make it You don't have to hide I am by your side Everybody else sees in black and white You look at wrong and make it right Can't I open your eyes When you're down down low...

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Tibor Golob

Thank you!

There are so many people we would like to thank ... But this booklet is too small, if we want to thank all of you. You all know who you are, we know you feel our energy and grattitude. Thank you for being Here for us. Especially B, T, M, A. - we wouldn't be what we are without you. Vid and Oskar ... our two little boys ... you are our inspiration, you are our life ... Whole Maraaya story is inspired by you two! Once you grow up and you read this booklet, remember that ... We love you!

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Special thanks

Everything You Need to Know About Maraaya • Eurovision Song Contest 2015

Photo by: Ana GregoriÄ?