This year’s MTV Music Awards will take place in Berlin in November. Before then, though, Hungary’s selecting its home-grown offering: the Best Hungarian Act, 2009. On October 9th, the five nominees (The Moog, The Kolin, Žagar, Esclin Syndo and The Idoru) will perform on the A38, where the local winner will be announced. To help you decide, check out the links to the competing bands and voting details below. Before then, though, here’s what The Moog’s frontman, Tonyo Szabó, had to say about the band, the competition and rainy days in Seattle. 

How did The Moog get together?

Three of us were classmates in high school, and in 2004, when we were around 19 or 20, we formed the first version of the band. There have been a few changes and additions since then, and now we have a lineup of five beautiful men. 

And when did you feel like things had changed and you’d made it as a band?

There hasn’t been one particular moment. I think we’re still an in-between band. Sometimes I feel like we’re a professional band, and at others I feel like we’re still trying.  

How have you been received in Hungary?

Well, one problem we’ve encountered is criticism for singing in English. Not singing in Hungarian is suicide here. People think Hungarian acts should sing in Hungarian, and that if you sing in English you’re just trying to copy others. It’s 2009, though, and I think you should be able to sing in English. There’s so much crossing over, through the internet and travel, and it’s not communism anymore – though sometimes it still feels like it.  

So, where are most of your fans from?

Most of them are in Hungary and America, as well as Japan and Germany... and there are a lot of female fans in Mexico, actually.  

Which brings us to the ladies... A large proportion of your fans are female. Do you think that damages your image?

In the long-term, yes, I think it could. But at the moment, it’s not a problem! In Budapest, it’s becoming increasingly even, though – the balance is becoming a little more like 80/20 female to male fans. Perhaps as we begin to play more adult-oriented music that will change... not that we ever will! 

And how do you guys all get on; are there ever any fall-outs over girls?

We get on really well, that’s the cool thing. We’re more like friends playing music and enjoying ourselves, not professional musicians who are trying to make it whatever it takes. And no, we don’t fall out over girls.  

And what are your plans for The Moog – do you want to stay in Budapest or make it big somewhere else and move away?

I don’t want to move away, but I want to tour a lot. 

So, do you think Budapest is a good place to be a musician?

In a way, yes, I do. I think it’s relatively easy to reach a certain amount of people quite quickly. It’s hard to reach the next level, though, and become established as a musician here.  

You’ve spent time in America – recording and touring – how was that?

I loved making our second album (Razzmatazz Orfeum) in Seattle. We worked at London Bridge Studios with producer Geoff Ott, which was a huge thing. The place was rainy and beautiful, but the main reason I loved it was that it was an absolutely different world to here. It was completely separate; a place where I didn’t need to worry about anything that was going on in Hungary. 

And does being Hungarian feel like a help or a hindrance in the US and the UK? How are you received there?

I think being foreign helps us in some ways, by making us different; but it definitely has its disadvantages, too. We’ve never lived in either country, so needing to travel makes things difficult. We played in the UK for the first time in 2007, at a Death Disco night organized by Alan McGee. The first gig there was hard – the venue and the equipment were fairly bad – but we did our best. In my opinion, we probably looked fairly ridiculous, but it went well.  

Your sound’s been described as having an “Eastern European feel” to it. What do you understand that to mean?

I don’t know, I think it comes from people outside recognizing that our sound is different – not completely British or American – and so attaching an Eastern European label to it. It’s funny, because here, everyone says we sound British or American. 

You’ve experienced the British and American music scenes, to an extent. How do they compare with the Hungarian?

They’re completely different. The main difference is that there’s a music industry there; here, there isn’t one. It’s a good thing, in a way, that here it’s more family-like – it’s not so official. In America, though, where I’ve spent most time, I felt that there was a lot of fakeness, lots of hugging and smiling within the industry, but none of it was genuine. There, I think there’s a real industry that tries to seem family-like; in Hungary, I think it’s a family-like situation that tries to seem like a real industry.

You’re often compared to other, British and American, acts. How would you respond to people who say you’re merely copying, and who are your main inspirations? 

I think most bands sound like other bands. There are, of course, very original bands, but we’re obviously inspired by the music we hear. I particularly like bands like Bauhaus, Siouxsie & the Banshees, My Bloody Valentine, as well as The Beach Boys and The Sonics.  

What are your favorite Hungarian acts at the moment?

Hangmás and EZ Basic. Both of them have just finished their new albums. 

And how would you describe your sound?

I think we make pop with rock elements. We play pop music with guts, with guitars. I call it pop, and I don’t think it’s a sin to say that. There are some good pop tunes out there.  

What are The Moog’s plans over the next 12 months?

We’ll be recording demos for a third album. It’ll probably be a short LP with around eight songs. We’re also preparing for a possible US tour in November or December of this year, but that’s still in the pipeline. The plan is for us to support some big name acts (compared to us) there. 

And your plans?

I’m beginning a collaborative project with the lead singer of Jacked. We’ll be working as two vocals with one acoustic guitar and a piano. The whole thing will be mainly acoustic.  

And why do you do what you do?

I want as many prostitutes as possible in Miami, in the Jacuzzi of my own mansion… No, I love being in a studio in particular; I’d like to be able to do that more often. I write most of the songs, so it’s a cool thing seeing your baby being born. 

Do you want to be famous?

No, not really. I want to reach a certain level of fame or popularity which allows me to be free to concentrate as much as I want to on my music.  

What would winning the Best Hungarian Act award mean to you?

It would be cool. We’ve been nominated for many awards, but we haven’t won any yet…  

Which act do you think offers the most competition?

I think Esclin Syndo are definitely competition; there’s a lot of hype around them nowadays. Or maybe Žagar. 

And why should people vote for The Moog?

Because, like I said, we’re five beautiful men! 

MTV European Music Awards, Regional Final Party further details 

Nominated acts

The Moog: http://www.myspace.com/moogband

The Kolin: http://www.thekolin.com/

Žagar: http://www.zagarmusic.com/

Esclin Syndo: http://www.myspace.com/esclinsyndo

The Idoru: http://www.myspace.com/theidoruband