Always is the most viewed video on the official Eurovision channel

Always music video of AySel & Arash has become the most viewed video on the official youtube channel of Eurovision – www.youtube.com/eurovision. With almost 400.000 views in less than 1 month since the video was uploaded on the channel, Always is the most viewed video in the history (!) of the Eurovision youtube channel. It leads not only among this year’s Eurovision entries but has also overtaken the videos of the last year. 

The duet’s exclusive interview to Eurovision.tv made in Stockholm is also in the lead among all other interviews with this year’s Eurovision participants. It has gathered more than 35.000 views. 
 
Thus, AySel and Arash, the most romantic duet of Eurovision 2009, have also confirmed the reputation of their song Always as the most awaited Eurovision hit of this spring.

Birthday Party!!!

Hi guys! It’s AySel here! Last week was a very special one for me and Arash. We both had our birthdays. Arash had his B-day on the 23 April, and mine was on the 25th. 

Of course, there is not a lot of time for partying now but we did go out for a dinner with friends to celebrate. We went to a beautiful restaurant in Stockholm with some of our friends – who are indeed Arash’s friends but now are mine too. 

It was smashing – and quite a surprise for me. First of all, things are generally unpredictable as you are getting ready for the Eurovision Song Contest. But then the first surprise was for me – Arash hadn’t told me it would be a celebration dinner with friends. He just invited me to eat out that night. I didn’t see it coming until the last minute. And here we go – there were like a dozen people there waiting for us. It was so nice that all of them came to celebrate our birthdays. I was trilled and had a great time. 

However, I was also prepared. I had got a gift for Arash and was choosing an occasion to give it to him. Well, it was a perfect occasion. We also got gifts from friends, lots of flowers and smiles along with amazing food and even fireworks! 

The fireworks were fun but I didn’t expect them and was caught completely unawares. The fireworks scared me a bit – I even jumped away and hit my leg. But everything worked out just great and the next day we were back on track preparing for the Contest!  

Aysel&Arash on tour in Slovenia, Romania, Sweden till April 29 !!!

In the last days before the Eurovision Week in Moscow, AySel & Arash are touring actively in Europe. On 26-27 April, they had a heavy promotion schedule in Slovenia where they appeared in different shows of TV Slovenia, POP TV, Charlie TV and interviewed for some other media.

Next the duet goes to Romania. AySel & Arash are going to spend the full day of 28 April and part of the day of 29 April in Bucharest. They will appear in several Romanian shows, including Miezul Zilei and Trezirea La Apel on TVR, Neata Cu Razvan Si Dani, Acces Direct and Un Show Pacatos on Antena 1 and other programmes. AySel & Arash will also give a press conference for the Romanian media.

In the evening of 29 April, AySel & Arash will perform their Eurovision hit Always in Stockholm at the Eurovision Preview Night together with several other Contest participants of this year.

More news will be available on www.ayselarash.com

AySel & Arash launch their official website - www.ayselarash.com !!

AySel & Arash, the romantic Azerbaijani duet of this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, have launched today their official presentation website www.ayselarash.com. The launch comes just days after the duet’s promotional trip to Moscow and the secret inspiration visit to the Eurovision stage in Olimpiysky. 

The new website became a symbolic birthday present for AySel who was born on 25 April, and Arash whose birthday is on 23 April. 

The web resource is planned as the ultimate one-stop guide to everything about AySel & Arash and their song Always. It will be the only place to carry the most exclusive and up-to-date information about the duet, including fresh video trailers, interviews and photos – and some hot and unexpected news straight from AySel & Arash themselves! 

Since one of the duet’s main goals is to stay in touch 24/7, the website will aim at providing everyday updates with AySel & Arash news, their upcoming activities and events. 

Simultaneously, following the success of the AySel + Arash = Always trailer, Azerbaijan launched the second promotional video trailer Music is the language of everybody, which you can watch on www.ayselarash.com.

Azerbaijan releases a series of promotional trailers of AySel & Arash!

In addition, as the Eurovision promotional campaign ramps up, Azerbaijan is releasing a series of colorful promotional trailers that will be available on television channels throughout Europe and online on the official resources of AySel & Arash. The idea behind the trailers is to introduce an unconventional, fresh idea into the traditional Eurovision promotional campaign.  

To watch the first of the trailers, please go to www.youtube.com/ayselarash. You are really welcome to post a link to the trailer on your website. 

AySel & Arash in Moscow on 18, 19 April!

AySel & Arash will visit Moscow on 18-19 April, the days when many other Eurovision performers are promo-touring in Europe’s heartland. The duet will perform their romantic hit Always at an invitation-only concert on Saturday, and Sunday will take AySel & Arash to one of Moscow’s most prestigious clubs to shoot a special interview for MUZ TV, a top music channel in Russia.

AySel & Arash make no secret of the fact that they both are very sensitive persons, and getting the feel of the city and its public allows them to better tune into the atmosphere and prepare for their performance. They chose Moscow among all other promotional opportunities to establish a connection with the city. First and foremost, AySel & Arash expect that this visit will help them get their creative vibes flowing and put them into the right mood in the last weeks before the Contest.

The duet did not disclose if they were going to visit the Olimpiysky Arena, the venue of the 2009 Contest.

New videointerview!

For Eurovision.tv! Check it out now!!!

AySel & Arash- in it to win it! - fresh interview

Duo's interview for OIKOTIMES! Originally posted - http://www.oikotimes.com/v2/index.php?file=articles&id=5483

Presented as a potential summer hit, AySel & Arash go to Eurovision with the hopes of one of the contests newest countries resting solely on them. After Elnur & Samir came 8th in 2008, Azerbaijan's second duo are aiming to go higher still this year. The singers of "Always" exclusively tell oikotimes.com about themselves, their song, and their Eurovision participation:

AySel, Arash our congratulations on being the 2nd representatives for Azerbaijan at Eurovision. How does it feel?

AySel: Exciting, exciting, exciting! I mean it was like WOW! I’m only 19 years old and present the whole country Azerbaijan at Eurovision it’s like a fairytale, like a dream come true! Moreover in a duo with such experienced musician as Arash. It’s great opportunity and huge responsibility at the same time. But we’ll try to do our best for Azerbaijan and show to all Europe unexpected Always show in May.


Arash: What can I add? The only one that is great to be a part of Eurovision 2009.


When were you contacted about performing in Eurovision, and have you ever worked with AySel before?
Arash: We haven’t work with each other before it’s our first time. As you know I won Azerbaijani national song selection for the Eurovision with Always and after national jury made their decision to create the duet of AySel and Arash. That is our story. I think we work with each other like no one else, it’s an amazing chemistry.

Have you ever seen Eurovision before? If so, what are some of your favourite songs?
Arash: No, never! Of course I’m joking! I don’t know how can you miss this event if you like music and live in Europe. Favourite songs? AySel, can you help?


AySel: Tricky you! It’s very hard to pick one from such a huge amount of Eurovision songs! Among my favorite song is Waterloo by Abba.

AySel for people who may not know much about you, how would you describe yourself?
Look at photo of me and you’ll find out a lot. What else? I’m not going to retell you my short bio. But just want you to know that since childhood I’ve had a dream. Every single day I’m becoming closer and closer to this dream. In May I’ll perform on the biggest European stage – on the stage of Eurovision. It’s like in that song 'I should be so lucky lucky lucky star'.

Last year, Azerbaijan qualified to the final and finished 8th in the final. Do you feel pressured to achieve another good result?
AySel: I think you don’t need to bother even to go and take part in some competition if you don’t want to win it. We are aiming to improve result for Azerbaijan this year.

Arash: Of course, we will do everything possible to win. Our song is a romantic anthem for all people. I’m saying this sincerely. So let’s see what love and belief can do nowadays cause you never know for sure.

Your song "Always"- how would you describe it?
Arash: Have you ever been in love? Always is about the strongest feeling in a world and great love story of two people.

AySel: Our song is a romantic anthem of Eurovision 2009. I’ve got nothing else to add.

And finally, how important do you think Eurovision is firstly for you, and secondly for Azerbaijan as a country?

AySel: Azerbaijan will participate only second time at the Eurovision Song Contest so it’s Important for our country. Moreover this year Azerbaijan will host the Eurovision Dance Contest thus Eurovision brand is popular all over Azerbaijan. Azerbaijani people really like this shows. For me personally Eurovision it’s a great opportunity to start my own career.

Arash: I just want to add that we are musicians and we do music which is for everybody. Always is a song for all people around the world even if you speak French, Spanish, Polish or other language. Always is about LOVE. I’m not the first one to say this but language of love is an international language and it doesn’t need any translation.

Official video!!!

Amazing news - official video for ALWAYS is up!!

New making of for the AySel & Arash contest song video ALWAYS!

The famous director from Sweden Frederik Boklund took into his hands a screen incarnation for an incredible song by the best duo of the Land of Fire Azerbaijan AySel & Arash. Nordic director, who had worked with such celebrities as the Army Of Lovers and Bodies Without Organs, now show his skills in a new video for the Azerbaijan representatives. Shootings the Azerbaijani duo’s video was very tough – it took more than 24 hours, but AySel and Arash as well as the crew almost did not feel tired. The evidence for that is an excellent result - the most exciting song of this spring from Azerbaijan can now be not only heard but you can also watch it!

Official YouTube Channel For AySel&Arash

Official channel on YouTube for the most romantic European duo AySel&Arash!!

YouTube - AySel&Arash

Always - official video!!!

And finally official video for Always!!!!

Fresh photo from the duo!!

Fresh photo from the duo!!

“Always” - Eurovision romantic anthem got the video!

The most unexpected and romantic duo of «Eurovision 2009» AySel & Arash from Azerbaijan had completed work on the video for the song «Always» - one hundred percent European hit of this spring.

The famous director from Sweden Frederik Boklund took into his hands a screen incarnation for an incredible song by the best duo of the Land of Fire Azerbaijan AySel & Arash. Nordic director, who had worked with such celebrities as the Army Of Lovers and Bodies Without Organs, now show his skills in a new video for the Azerbaijan representatives.

Shootings the Azerbaijani duo’s video was very tough – it took more than 24 hours, but AySel and Arash as well as the crew almost did not feel tired. The evidence for that is an excellent result - the most exciting song of this spring from Azerbaijan can now be not only heard but you can also watch it! «As soon as I heard the song I got the images that I'm presenting to the viewer. The video is not explicitly constructed by the storyline - it is rather a visual expression of emotions and feelings of the singers. For now I won't reveal a thing. You'll see it for yourself», - Frederik Boklund admitted.

Both AySel and Arash are very satisfied with their work with the director and the crew on the video. «In the video viewers can see only a few parts that will be included in the final performance at the Eurovision Song Contest. – AySel told. - Besides we still have enough time to explore our options and bring perfection. The video is incredibly energetic like the song itself ».

Arash will play on the national Azeri instrument «tar» in the video. He could not stay calm even for a moment during the shootings and had shown to everybody his incendiary temper. «I am moving all the time and almost constantly writing new songs, - Arash commented. – And our song for Eurovision was born thanks to a vivid emotions that filled my life. Also seeing the beauty of AySel I just could not get rid of lines in my head... Always on my mind, always in my dream ... ».

The video for the romantic anthem of the Eurovision 2009 from Azerbaijan «Always» can be seen in the near future on the music channels all over Europe!

«Always» - opening performance for millions!

This weekend the most surprising duo of Eurovision 2009 AySel & Arash have started European promo tour to present the romantic anthem of this year for European audience - 100% hit song “Always”.

On the 7th of March show “Always” was presented in Moscow during national Russian final for Eurovision 2009 with live broadcast at Channel One Russia. Azerbaijani duo AySel & Arash was a special guest of the show among two other Eurovision 2009 participants – Jade and Sakis Rouvas. “Always” show was a huge success. It gave millions of viewers an incredible understanding of unexpected mix from the best European musical drifts and traditional Azeri musical culture. In Moscow AySel & Arash was extremely popular among media representatives. Azerbaijani duo gave interview the MTV Russia, Channel One Russia, Russia Today, RU TV and dozens of other leading TV channels, magazines and newspapers.

Today on the 8th of March on the most romantic spring holiday - International Women’s Day - composition for this year competition to make the best result at Eurovision 2009 for Azerbaijan by the duo AySel & Arash will be presented during national final for Eurovision 2009 in Bratislava, Slovakia. Millions of viewers will became witnesses of show “Always” presentation during live broadcast at STV 1. Recall that European release for this song was held at the begging of this week. You can hear song here:



Furthermore show “Always” by Azeri duo presentations in Poland, Israel, Netherlands, Belgium, Great Britain and in other countries-participant for Eurovision 2009 are in discussion. Detailed schedule of the AySel & Arash promo tour will be known in the nearest future.

Azerbaijani entry for the Eurovision 2009 - ALWAYS by AySel & Arash

The Duo

On the 12th of February 2009 Azerbaijan the Land of Fire announced the launch of the Eurovision duo of AySel & Arash. In the second ESC semi-final on the 14th of May in Moscow, young AySel will compete for the victory in the Eurovision 2009 along with the experienced songwriter and artist Arash by her side. 



AySel Biography 

AySel was born in Baku on 25th April 1989 in the family of a University professor. Her Zodiac sign is Taurus, the underpinning of her ambitious, committed, self-confident personality, who loves the atmosphere of competition. AySel is just 19, but her ambition coupled with the faith in her talent has already led the young artist to the main stage of the European show business, the Eurovision Song Contest stage, as the representative of Azerbaijan.

Music. AySel started to sing at the age of four. AySel begins to take part in national vocalists’ competitions when she was eight. In 2001, she wins the prestigious Azerbaijani contest Рohre. At thirteen, AySel enters a Baku music school where she learns to play the piano and sings in the choir. The piano is AySel’s passion since childhood. No wonder, since AySel’s parents still keep a unique XVIII-century piano at home.  

USA. In 2004 AySel goes to study in the USA as a student of the exchange program FLEX. Within days from her arrival to the USA, she signs up for the local choir and begins training for young vocalists competitions. During her year in the US, AySel won 3 gold medals at prestigious contests which were held in the Southern Arkansas University and in the University of Texas at Austin.

Baku. Upon her return to Baku AySel takes part in the television project Yeni Ulduz 4 (“New Star 4”) where she goes straight to the final. When the project ends in 2006 AySel becomes a student at the International Relations department of the Azerbaijani University of Foreign Languages. Currently she continues her studies and is simultaneously working hard to prepare for the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in Moscow. 



Arash Biography

Success. Famous singer, author, entertainer and producer Arash was born 23 April 1977 in Tehran, Iran. At the age of 10 he and his family moved to Sweden. His debut album, “Arash”, was released by the Warner Brothers Music in June 2005, after he had finished college. His singles, "Boro Boro" ("Go Away") and "Temptation", made it to the hit lists around Europe, and their respective videos garnered significant airplay on more than 20 MTV outlets across the world. In addition he has had hits notably in Eastern European and South-East European charts like Russia, Ukraine, Greece, Bulgaria, Poland, Hungary, Georgia, Serbia, Slovakia, Slovenia, Romania, Turkey etc. He has gone gold in 5 countries: Germany, Russia, Slovenia and Greece for his album, “Arash”, and in Sweden for "Boro Boro". 

Way to Eurovision. Arash has Azerbaijani roots that is why he had decided to take part in the Azerbaijani Eurovision national selection. In February his song “Always” won the selection to represent the country in Eurovision 2009. On the 12th of February 2009 Azerbaijan announced the launch of the Eurovision duo of AySel & Arash. The decision to create the duo of AySel and Arash was taken by the 7-member jury of the Azerbaijani national final for the ESC 2009.

Azerbaijan to send a duet to Eurovision 2009

The Land of Fire announced the launch of the Eurovision duet of AySel and the author of her song Always. In the second ESC semi-final on 14 May in Moscow, young AySel will compete for the victory in Eurovision with the experienced songwriter and artist Arash by her side.

The decision to create the duet of AySel and Arash was taken by the 7-member jury of the Azerbaijani national final for the ESC 2009. This decision was heavily influenced by Arash’s own statements, which he made when his song Always won the Azerbaijani national selection to represent the country in Eurovision 2009. Arash was adamant that he is not only a songwriter and composer, but also a successful singer, and that is why he would like “to be on the Eurovision 2009 stage, and not just on its backstage.” This sincere acknowledgment of the author of Always gave the start to the Eurovision duet from Azerbaijan.

“This idea came to us already at the first audition of Arash’s song,” said Farhad Hajiyev, one of the jury members. “His song is about love, beautiful and pure, and love is always about two people! When in an interview Arash expressed his desire to perform for Azerbaijan, we arrived at a firm decision that our country will be represented by this romantic duet - AySel and Arash. Moreover, Arash has some Azerbaijani roots, as you may know!”

The popular songwriter and singer makes no secret that he has long been interested in the Eurovision Song Contest. In addition, one of the decisive factors for him was the offer to sing in duet with AySel.

“Performing with AySel was important for me, since I wrote Always specifically for her said Arash. “It is my sincere desire now to make our duet into something special for Eurovision 2009.”

Before announcing the duet, the Azerbaijani national jury made a somewhat unusual decision: to record a working version of Always performed by AySel and Arash. It is the song, they believe, that is the most important factor for a good result, let alone victory, in Eurovision.

“I was a little nervous,” said AySel after the recording. “Not about meeting Arash, just about the outcome of the recording. My worries proved to be groundless! We spend 48 hours in the studio, almost entirely; we changed and tweaked the song endlessly. The result of all our work you will hear very soon! What concern Arash, I am impressed by his professionalism as well as his open and friendly personality and charm.”

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