Join Us on Eurovision: UK: Exclusive! Interview with Joe & Jake "We want people to jump up and down and dance along with us"

Thursday, February 25, 2016

UK: Exclusive! Interview with Joe & Jake "We want people to jump up and down and dance along with us"

Joe & Jake are one of the contestants for the British national selection "Eurovision: You Decide" with their song "You're Not Alone". They will perform in the national final of "Eurovision: You Decide" on 26th February 2016.

You can listen to "You're Not Alone" from Joe & Jake here:

Joe & Jake - "Your're Not Alone" (Audio)

We talked to Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft today about their participation in the British national selection "Eurovision: You Decide". Read our interview with them below to find out what they had to say...

Hello Joe, hello Jake, first of all gratulations that you are one of the qualified participants for the UK national selection of "Eurovision: You Decide".

How does it feel to be part of the national selection with your song “You’re Not Alone”?

Joe: We’re so excited to be part of this! Jake and I are big Eurovision fans. Both our families tune in every year and it’s amazing to think that we could be there this year to represent our country!

Jake: It would be an honour to represent our country and do the UK proud!

What was your motivation to submit a song for the British national selection and who decided “You’re Not Alone”?

Joe: We checked out a handful of demos and ‘You’re Not Alone’ just stood out to us. We had a really good feeling about it. My favourite Eurovision winner is Mans Zelmerlow, I loved ‘Heroes’ and ‘You’re Not Alone’ kind of has that similar vibe. It’s uplifting pop with a dance beat, which we love.

Jake: We definitely wanted a song that feels like a ‘stadium song’. We want people to jump up and down and dance along with us… to basically have as much fun as we do performing it!

What’s the message of “You’re Not Alone”?

Joe: It’s about togetherness and unity, which suits Eurovision

Jake: Yeah… It’s just a feel good song with a really positive message. We love that it is open enough to interpretation that you can adopt it in any way you like. It can be about someone you love or a family member you care for.

Can you tell us something about the beginning of your career?

Joe: Jake and I met on series four of The Voice UK last year. I was on Rita Ora’s team and Jake was on Will.i.Am’s team. It was an incredible experience – one we will never forget!

Jake: Joe and I always got on so after The Voice we just started hanging out more and doing gigs together so it made sense to carry on as a duo. We have very similar tastes in music and we both support Liverpool Football Club!

How do you prepare yourself for the show this Friday?

Joe: We’ve been rehearsing as much as we can!

Jake: Yeah just staying focused on our performance. It all comes down to Friday and we can’t wait for everyone to see what we’ve been working on!

Are you Eurovision fans?

Joe: Absolutely! My family watch it every year… it’s part of the tradition. My sister even had a Eurovision themed hen party!

Jake: Same! Our family has always tuned in and this year it’s great that we have Eurovision: You Decide because that means everyone can get together earlier and enjoy an extra family event around the show!

Which are your favorite Eurovision songs and what is your favorite from the history of UK?

Joe: Mans Zelmerlow’s ‘Heroes’ definitely

Jake: Mine would be Loreen’s ‘Eurphoria’ – what an incredible performance that was!

What is your first Eurovision memory?

Joe: Probably just a few years back, maybe 2010 or 2011 watching with the family?

Jake: Yeah I think mine might be 2012 the year Loreen was on. That was a great year!

What are your plans for 2016 beside “Eurovision: You Decide”, are you working on a album?

Joe: We’d love to do an album! But at the moment our focus is purely on Friday’s performance.

Jake: We started working as a duo before Eurovision opportunity came up so regardless of what happens on Friday we’ll both carry on writing and working together. Obviously going to Stockholm would be amazing!

What was the most excited moment in your life?

Joe: Probably getting the call to say we’ve made the shortlist for Eurovision You Decide! I was at work and it was a bit overwhelming, but at the same time I could tell anyone exactly what was happening.

Jake: Same. I was home alone, my parents were on holidays so I just rang them immediately.

If people never heard about you before – what should they know about you?

Joe: We’re just two guys who love to have fun and love music. We’ve been gigging as solo acts around the country for a few years and we’d love nothing more than to represent the UK!

Why should UK vote for your song to represent United Kingdom at Eurovision 2016?

Jake: We want to change the perception of UK Eurovision acts. We really think our song ‘You’re Not Alone’ is a contender and it’s time the UK were proper contenders again!

We hope we have the support of the country… and of course, the votes on Friday night! :)

Do you have a message for “Join Us on Eurovision” readers and your fans?

Joe and Jake: Thanks so much for your support and all your lovely tweets!

Thank you so much for answer those questions. Good luck for you and your song in the British national selection and maybe we see us in Stockholm!

The British national final of "Eurovision: You Decide" takes place already on 26th February 2016. If you like "You're Not Alone" from Joe & Jake, vote for them - because "You Decide"!