ESC 2015: MEET GUY SEBASTIAN (AUSTRALIA)

EBU surprised us all announcing Australia would take part in Vienna as a competing country, a decision that didn't please everyone. I think it's ok if it remains a one-off as they say (unless Australia wins then they will be back in 2016 co-hosting the contest in some European country) and actually it would be fun to have a guest from far taking part every year. But back to Guy Sebastian.

He was born in Malaysia and is a mix of Portuguese, English, Scottish and Sri Lankan. Guy is married and has two little sons and is very committed to charity work. He plays violin, guitar, drums and piano. He started singing in church choirs and after winning Australian Idol in 2003 he has become one of the best selling Australian artists ever. He has more number one hits than any other male artist, six, and he has sold well over 3,7 million records and has over 50 platinum certifications. He has also been nominated and won countless awards.

Over the years he has also charted in the US and Norway, of all places, and worked with likes of Robin Thicke and Brian McKnight. He has also been a X Factor judge. His career highlights also include performing with the Australian Philharmonic Orchetra in Sydney Opera House, writing the anthem for Roman Catholic Church's XXIII World Youth Day held in Sydney in 2008. Receive the power that he of course sung to the Pope as well. That was nothing new to him as he has written a lot of gospel music in his youth. He has performed next to fellow Australian Eurovision star Olivia Newton-John in Summer nights. He headlined Oscar Haven during Oscar week singing to nominees, actors and film industry insiders, as well as for the Grammy celebrations several times. He has sung to Oprah Winfrey. And now he takes on Eurovision.....

So far he has released seven albums plus one compilation album, one live DVD/CD and a couple of EPs. Two of the studio albums made to #1 and all made it to top-6. His career got a huge start when his three first singles went to #1 (Angels brought me here, All I need is you, Out with my baby) and others followed: Like it like that in 2009, Who's that girl (2010) and Battle scars (2012). In addition he hs five more top-10 hits. And one more #1 with the Australian Idols cast, Rise up.

Guy Sebastian who wrote, recorded, mixed and mastered his entry in two days! Tonight again is a groovy little number I like a lot and will stand out in the line up. He was originally supposed to take a song from his latest album but when inspiration hits..... And well so. The album has goodies like Linger but Tonight again stands out more, me thinks. It is a bit hard to tell how Australia will feature in the voting I think he has good chances to finish in the top-5. Or very close to it anyways. This is in my top-5 for sure!

I don’t want tomorrow Oh baby tonight’s so good

Tonight’s so good This is one tough act to follow

Oh baby tonight’s so good Forget tomorrow

We can do tonight again

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Sabina Babayeva for Azerbaijan

The Azerbaijani selection show for the represant was as long as the selection process for the five finalists. Kurt Calleja from Malta and Can Bonomo from Turkey were present with Ell/Nikki to see Sabina Babayeva to emerge as the winner after each and every finalist had done about zillion songs amongst other guests. Now the Azeri TV will shop around a suitable song for her.

SONGS OF THE YEAR 2015: #5 KRISTA SIEGFRIDS - ON & OFF

Krista Siegfrids is delivering nice pop tunes one after another and this one is particularly catchy and soon you will be singing along..... Hopefully her Melodifestivalen entry will be equally good!

ESC 2015 NORWAY: LISTEN TO THE FINALISTS

The Norwegian entries are now and there to listen, or here . This time Norway has only one off final with 11 songs and a live orchestra, so it will be interesting to hear how these songs will turn out as most are rather modern sounding and not so Eurovisionesque midtempo numbers. There could have been also only ten if they had dropped that joke entry from the line up. The old veterans Elisabeth and Tor have nothing to be ashamed among this lot. To be honest I didn't get excited by any of these really... Something is wrong in my books if a classic schlager like Heaven sounds almost the best... What's wrong Norway?

ESC 2016 WISH LIST: MARGARET FOR POLAND

Małgorzata Jamroży aka Margaret has also been tipped for Eurovision and apparently she did turn it down but she'd be perfect. She's got a look and persona you can't unnotice nor forget, she's got hit songs, she has been voted or nominated for everything from Trendy artist to the Hope of the Year, Fashion Icon and Glamour Woman of the year besides the usual best video, song, album, debut..... Oh she's also a fashion designer! She's very clever with social medias and would surely use it to her advantage if selected for Stockholm 2016. Her debut album is titled Add the blonde , do we need to say more? Except it includes mostly Swedish written pop tunes like Tell me how are ya , Wasted , Start a fire and Heartbeat . And of course her debut single and internationally noticed Thank you very much that you can enjoy below with all its anti-textil feel. I think she's Eurovision perfection, she's cheeky and fun, can we have her?

FINLAND: LORDI RELEASES SEXORCISM - THEIR 9TH STUDIO ALBUM

Brand new studio album SEXORCISM is released tomorrow, 12 years and 5 days after their monstreous victory in Athens 2006 Eurovision song contest. It is quite possibly the most controversial Lordi album yet and already their 9th stuido album (plus three compilations and one Ep)

THE ABBA REUNION 2016 - WATCH THEM SING TOGETHER AGAIN

The 2016 Eurovision song contest organizers didn't manage it - or any of the previous ones either nor those offering them millions of dollars - but they seem to get together for birthdays, the way the old friends do. Back in 1999 they performed together in a private party for Görel Hansel's 50th birthday, and now to celebrate the first meeting of Björn and Benny 50 years ago. Venue was Stockholm's Bern's Salonger and once again in a private setting but today even they can't stop the cell phone videos and social medias. Enjoy the magic of Frida's and Agnetha's voices again.

GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...

FINLAND: REMEMBERING KIRKA

ESC 2016 BELARUS: NAKED WITH WOLVES?

Today's funniest Eurovision related story comes from Belarus. Some sources claim Ivan wants to perform on stage naked and with live wolf or wolves. It surely would be a first on Eurovision stage! We have seen some forgotten underwear over the years, and some cardbox animals though..... Is it time to take things a bit further? No, according the rules live animals are not allowed, and Eurovision being a family show nudity won't do either. (It seems to be ok to be half naked if you are a dancer though..... )

Boobs for summer: Samantha vs Sabrina!

The old rivals have put their bras (or the lack of them) in peace and entered the studios together to record Blondie's boombastic Call me . Life could be worse.....

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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