Elaiza in Copenhagen

DW: A string bass, an accordion and high heels would seem to be the Elaiza trademark. How many pairs of these monster shoes did you bring along to Copenhagen?

Steinmetz: I have a bag full of heels and have decorated the stairs with them. The living rooms and bedrooms in our hotel suites are joined by a staircase. And each step of mine is now decorated with a pair of high heels. You never know, it's good to have them all within reach.

After achieving not only German but also European fame, it's no surprise you can afford some extra shoes. Up to now, you've had to earn your living by doing odd jobs. Torsten Amarell, who heads the German delegation at Eurovision, described your development in the last two months as "from zero to hero." How are you coming to terms with such a rapid climb?

Elaiza: It's still a very extreme situation for us. We don't feel like we’ve arrived at the top. We see that our music is getting more attention, but it doesn't seem like we've become celebrities or minor stars. We're just musicians.

You’ve been here at the Eurovision Song Contest for a week now. What have been the highlights of your time here in Denmark up to this point?

Everything. There's a new highlight every day. Of course, it all builds to the real climax at the finale on Saturday. But the first highlight was the first rehearsal in the hall. For us, it was like, 'Oooohhh, my goodness!' The huge stage in this huge hall, and then the lighting! It’s insane!

In the first semi-final, something happened that drew the attention of many viewers and journalists. After the host announced onstage that Russia with its twin sister act would be making it to the final round, there were boos in the audience. How much of a politicized atmosphere do the artists perceive offstage?

First of all, it's a shame that politics play any role at all, because the ESC is supposed to be apolitical. We think it's mean and unfair to carry out this conflict on the backs of those girls. It's not their fault. They're only 17, they gave a super performance, sang wonderfully - and then they have to listen to that. People should try to put themselves in their shoes. Music is something that connects us. We're all human beings, we have the same rights.

Does that mean that backstage is a politics-free zone?

For the artists it is, yes. At least, we're not aware of it. But the media are forcing the issue. That's the problem. Is that really necessary?

The Russian twins do give a spectacular performance. Eliaza's act, on the other hand, is deliberately kept simple. Or did you make some changes after the German nationals?

The Danish production company is responsible for the backdrop and everything else. During rehearsals, we had a couple of ideas about the background. We talked about them. And I think we're on the right track. But it won't be much different from our appearance in Cologne. People liked us the way we are, so why should we do an action-packed show with trapeze artists or some such thing? What's important to us are our instruments and our music. They should be the point of focus.

In one interview you said you didn't think it was so important what place you achieve at the ESC. Not everybody was happy with that; people want Germany to get a good spot on the final rundown. What would you say to those critics?

We didn't say we wouldn't be trying. The problem is: we have absolutely no influence on the voting. We can only give our best, just like we did in Cologne and at the club concert in Hamburg - just approach the thing with as much joy in playing and fun as possible, and to try to win people over. But in the final analysis, we can't do any more than that.

Viewers in Germany can't vote for you any more. But who would you vote for?

Difficult to say. Everything's different this year. There are so many good artists, and they're all such individuals. Every show is different. There's something for everybody.

And almost everybody knows about Ela's Polish-Ukranian heritage. But you're singing a song in English. Can your fans perhaps expect to hear something from you not in Polish, Ukranian or Russian, but maybe in German?

Steinmetz: Never say never. I'm a singer and songwriter and write songs for other artists. I also have some songs in German. But it was clear to us that we'd sing in English, so that other countries would understand us too.

But you can sing in Polish?

In Polish and Russian.

Do you know what you'll be doing after Copenhagen?

Giving concerts! Right on the following day in Hamburg on the harbor anniversary - on Sunday, May 11. And then on May 13 in Detmold. And then it really gets going with several concerts at the end of May and in June and July. Then, at the end of the year, the tour.

Elaiza is representing Germany at the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 in Copenhagen on May 10. The band has three members: front woman Elzbieta (Ela) Steinmetz, Ivonne Grünwald und Natalie Plöger.