Austria’s Eurovision representative, Kaleen, has spoken out about the leak of the song which will represent her country, saying “it didn’t actually matter”. 

An early demo version of We Will Rave leaked online in early January, nearly two months before it was officially released on March 1. 

Click to read this story at a glance…

• Kaleen, Austria’s Eurovision representative, remains unfazed by the leak of her song We Will Rave, stating it had no negative impact on her
• Despite the leak revealing details including involvement of renowned Eurovision songwriters, Kaleen embraced the situation positively, highlighting her pride in the song’s demo version
• With a team experienced in Eurovision staging, Kaleen anticipates an exciting performance in the upcoming Eurovision Song Contest

Despite leaks being widely considered as detrimental for artists who lose out on streaming revenue, Kaleen looked at the situation positively. 

Speaking to The Euro Trip, Kaleen said: “I was on cloud nine because I was finally released as an artist. 

“The team and the broadcaster were wondering what to do, but I was thinking, ‘It’s not a bad version, it’s a demo, and people seem to like it’. 

“You can’t control it, especially nowadays. Once it’s out there, it’s out there. It multiplies and you can’t control it. 

“It didn’t affect me negatively at all. I was proud of the demo already. 

“I couldn’t wait for the final song to be released, but it supported my energy anyway. It didn’t actually matter to me.” 

When the demo was leaked, other details about the song were revealed too, including that Eurovision-winning songwriter Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt was involved in its creation. 

It was later confirmed that he wrote the song last year with fellow Swedish Eurovision winner Anderz Wrethov, Danish Eurovision winner Thomas Stengaard and Julie Aagaard. 

“I reached out to them and told them who I was, I’m releasing my own stuff, I do music, I dance as well, and just asked if they wanted to do something for next year. 

“They were on board immediately.” 

After telling them she wanted a party song, she flew to Malmö, Sweden to record the song, before even knowing she’d be back in the city a matter of months later representing Austria. 

“I’m so grateful and proud to have this team around me. They have Eurovision experience and they’re known. It’s amazing to have their support,” she said about the songwriters. 

Kaleen’s performance is being staged by Black Skull Creative, led by its co-owner and long-time Eurovision Creative Director Dan Shipton. 

Marvin Dietmann – also an individual best-known for his work creating Eurovision stage shows – is working with Shipman to create his wife Kaleen’s performance. 

“We’ve known Kaleen for years as friends,” Shipton told The Euro Trip in February. 

“The song is an absolute banger and it’s got really good ingredients; she’s amazing, her vocals are outstanding, her choreography is amazing, and the song is a belter. 

“It feels different to what you would expect of the average Eurovision song. What we’ve got planned is really exciting.”

Kaleen will perform in the second Semi-Final of the Eurovision Song Contest in May.

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