Michał Szpak

Michał Szpak

Szpak in 2016
Background information
Also known as Miszel, Miszanel, Majkel
Born (1990-11-26) 26 November 1990
Jasło, Poland
Genres Rock, pop
Occupation(s) Singer, Songwriter
Instruments Vocals
Years active 2009–present
Labels Universal Music Poland, Sony Music Entertainment Poland
Associated acts Whiplash
Website www.szpakmichal.com

Michał Szpak (born 26 November 1990) is a Polish singer who found fame on the first series of the Polish X Factor in 2011.[1] On June 5th, 2011 Szpak and Alexandra Burke sang "Hallelujah" during the final.[2] On May 12th, 2016 Michał Szpak will represent Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden with the song Color of Your Life.[3]

Early life

Szpak was born in Jasło, a small town in southern Poland. He has two sisters and a brother. His older sister, Marlena, is an accomplished soprano opera singer, who completed her professional studies in Italy.[4] Szpak started singing when he was nine years old. His early musical influences included Queen, Muse, Zbigniew Preisner, Pink Floyd, David Bowie, Marilyn Manson, and Michael Jackson. As a high school student together with his friend, Kamil Czapla, Szpak was part of the Whiplash band playing mostly hard rock style music.[5] Over the years, he has admitted that unlike his older sister, he has never taken any formal music lessons. Szpak currently resides in Warsaw, where he is pursuing a psychology degree at the University of Social Sciences and Humanities.[6]

Career

2011–14: Career beginnings and X Factor

Michał Szpak during X-Factor Poland, June 24, 2011

On March 6, 2011 Michał Szpak took part in Poland's first edition of the X Factor (Polish TV series) when he first sang Czesław Niemen's classic „Dziwny jest ten świat”. He eventually reached the final of the competition.

On Friday, June 17, 2011 Szpak was on the lineup for the Orange Warsaw Festival at Stadion Legii, Warsaw, Poland. The other artists taking part in 2011 Orange Warsaw Festival included Moby, Skunk Anansie, My Chemical Romance, Sistars, Plan B (musician), The Streets and Jamiroquai.[7] Between September 4 and November 6 of 2011, Michał Szpak participated in the 13th edition of the Polish version of Dancing with the Stars show, Taniec z gwiazdami, where he was partnered with professional dancer Paulina Biernat. Together they reached 5th place in the competition.

On August 28, 2011 it was announced that DRUTEX company, the biggest producer of PVC windows and doors in Europe, would sponsor Michal Szpak first album. In the album Michal Szpak presented himself as not only a performer, but also the author of several texts. Most of the songs were made in Polish. "I am pleased that DRUTEX has decided to support my debut album, being confident of my talent", stated Szpak. The album, titled "XI" was issued by Universal Music Poland in 2011.

On December 7, 2011 Szpak performed as a guest celebrity on the finale of the Top Model. Zostań modelką (Polish for Top Model. Become a Model) show, an ongoing Polish reality documentary based on Tyra Banks' America's Next Top Model.[8]

In 2013, he was awarded first prize at the Russian song Festival in Zielona Gora with his performance of the famous Dark Eyes (song), Russian «Очи чёрные», Ochi chyornye.[9]

2015: Byle być sobą

"Byle być sobą" (English: 'Only to be yourself') is the second album by Michał Szpak. It was released in Poland on November 13, 2015 through Sony Music Entertainment Poland. Titled as a reflection of his life and frame of mind at 24 years following the unexpected death of his mother, the album includes 12 songs performed in Polish as well as in English. The album, which was dedicated to the singer's mother has met with critical success in Poland.[10] His flawless rendition of the song "Jesteś bohaterem" (English: Real Hero) brought him first prize at the 2015 National Festival of Polish Song in Opole.[11]

2016–present: Eurovision Song Contest

Michał Szpak singing "Color of Your Life", Poland's choice at Eurovision Song Contest 2016

Michał Szpak will represent Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden with the song Color of Your Life. The winner in the Polish national final was chosen by televoting; Polish TV viewers could give only one vote for each favorite singer from a single telephone number. Michał Szpak beat world famous Polish performer Margaret, who came second, and another long time accomplished singer, Edyta Górniak, who reached the third place.[12] “I would like to take part in Eurovision, to face the European artists and present the entry which I believe will leave big emotional mark on everyone”, stated Michal.[13]

This was the first time Poland has held a competition to choose its entry since its return in 2014. The Eurovision preselection show took place on March 5th, 2016 at the TVP Headquarters in Warsaw and was hosted by Artur Orzech. The Polish public chose Michał Szpak and his entry song titled "Color of Your Life", with Szpak winning overwhelmingly with 35.5% of the vote. He will perform in the first half of the second Eurovision semi-final on May 12, 2016.[14]

To promote his Eurovision Song Contest entry Szpak will be taking part in the Eurovision Concert Tour in London (April 17th, 2016), Tel Aviv (April 12th, 2016), Amsterdam (April 9th, 2016) and later Portugal.[15][16]

Discography

Tours

Awards and nominations

References

  1. ↑ http://xfactor.plejada.pl/
  2. ↑ http://www.sam-pol.com/2011/06/alexandra-burke-michal-szpak-hallelujah.html
  3. ↑ http://www.eurovision.tv/page/multimedia/videos?id=202683
  4. ↑ http://michalszpak.org/biografia/
  5. ↑ http://www.agencjaluxart.com/michal-szpak-whiplash/
  6. ↑ http://www.lifestyle.newseria.pl/newsy/michal_szpak_krytyka_pod,p798763218
  7. ↑ http://orangewarsawfestival.pl/artysci.html
  8. ↑ - TVN: ruszają castingi do programu top model
  9. ↑ http://www.radiozet.pl/Rozrywka/O-tym-sie-mowi/Michal-Szpak-jedzie-na-Eurowizje.-Kim-jest-Michal-Szpak-00019714
  10. ↑ http://muzyka.onet.pl/newsy/premiera-albumu-michala-szpaka-byle-byc-soba/7h02n2
  11. ↑ http://www.empik.com/byle-byc-soba-szpak-michal,p1116483617,muzyka-p
  12. ↑ Omelyanchuk, Olena (5 March 2016). "Michał Szpak with "Color Of Your Life" for Poland!". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 5 March 2016.
  13. ↑ http://oikotimes.com/2015/06/25/michal-szpak-is-interested-for-eurovision-2016/
  14. ↑ http://www.eurovisionary.com/poland-sends-michal-szpak-eurovision-2016/
  15. ↑ http://eurovisioninconcert.nl/news/item/309-welcome-poland
  16. ↑ http://eurovoix.com/2016/04/05/poland-michal-szpak-films-eurovision-postcard/
  17. ↑ http://www.psda.pl/
  18. ↑ http://www.tvp.info/20456220/michal-szpak-wygrywa-opolski-koncert-superpremier-2015
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