Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

It's been a long autumn but finally we have the first artist for the Eurovision song contest 2019. Armenia revealed today their internal choice and it is 24-year-old Srbuhi Sargsyan aka Srbuk (apparently pronounced Serbuka, phew).   She has already done X Factor Armenia 2012 and The Voice of Ukraine 2017 and finished in top-4 in both. Two singles to her credit so far - Yete karogh es and Half a goddess - Armenian tv has now launched a song search for her that runs until January 10, 2019. W will hear the chosen one propably only in March....

This blogger has been a fan of Eros Ramazzotti since the beginning, I loved Terra promessa when he won the very first Sanremo nwcomers category back in 1984, and his next songs and albums were eagerly waited by me. Over the 35 years my fanhood has had its ups and downs and even if I have seen him live in Helsinki already a couple of time (and front row seats for October 2019 are booked) I was very pleasantly surprised with his latest album Vita ce n'è. If his resent albums have been a bit the same old, this new one - his 13th studio album - has a fresh air to it. The classic Ramazzotti ballads are there but there's also a nice mixture of more modern sounds and Latin flavor to make fresh, interesting, catchy and highly enjoyable!  Maybe it's thanks to the authors of the album next to Eros himself: Federica Abbate ( Nessun grado di separazione and Roma-Bangkok among others) is present in eight songs, Jovanotti in one ( In primo piano ), as is Fortunato Zambaglione ( Nat...

Claudio Baglioni has today revealed the 24 that made it through to the Sanremo Giovani selection next month among the nearly 2000 applications. Two of them will make it to Sanremo 2019 among the Big, and who knows.... all the way to Tel Aviv and Eurovision song contest 2019? I'm quite pleased to notice 11/18 of my picks made it (I didn't have energy to listen well the Area Sanremo ones...) Update 15.12.18: Laura Ciriaco's L'inizio has been sacked because too similar to Jason Mraz's I won't give up . She is replaced by Federico Angelucci and L'uomo che verrá .  Andrea Biagioni - Alba piena   Cannella - Nei miei ricordi Cordio - La nostra vita Diego Conti - 3 gradi Einar Ortiz - Centomila volte Federica Abbate - Finalmente Fosco 17 - Dicembre Giulia Mutti - Almeno tre La Rua - Alla mia età si vola La Zero - Nina é brava Laura Ciriaco - L'inizio Le Ore - La mia felpa è come me Mahmood - Gioventú bruciata Marte Marasco -...

SVT revealed the artists and songs for the Melodifestivalen 2019 and most names were already leaked beforehand so there were only three surprises among the 28: Zeana feat. Anis Dom Demina, Omar and Pagan Fury. And minor surprise that LIAMOO and Hanna Ferm were actually together in a duet. Besides Arja Saijonmaa also High15 has a Finn in it. Göteborg, February 2, 2019: Anna Bergendahl - Ashes to ashes **** AC Thomas G:son, Bobby Ljungren, Erik Bernholm, Anna Bergendahl Nano - Chasing rivers **** AC Lise Cabble, Linnea Deb, Joy Deb, Thomas G:son Mohombi - Hello ****  FINAL Alexandru Florin Cotoi, Thomas G:son, Mohombi Moupondo, Linnea Deb Zeana feat. Anis Dom Demina - Mina bränder * 5th Thomas G:son, Jimmy Jansson, Anis Don Demina,  Pa Moudou Badjie Arja Saijonmaa - Mina fyra årstider * 7th Arja Saijonmaa High15 - No drama * 6th Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Kate Tizzard Wiktoria - Not with me *** FINAL Joy Deb, Linnea Deb, Wiktoria Joha...

Softengine scored the best Finnish finish in the Eurovision since Lordi's win with their Something better in Copenhagen 2014. They released their debut album, got good critic abroad and for a while it seemed they would actually make it and become world known band. Then September one of the guys left the band and they continued as foursome, releasing singles and promised two EPs to be released. One came, the other never. Then May 2017 another guy left and they were three... Then we haven't quite  heard of them until now: lead singer Topi Latukka has released his debut solo single (but the band still exists). In Finnish. Pehmeitä pintoi is a far cry from bands rocky pop and flirts with today's radio friendly trends and thus remains rather anonymous sadly.... The year after Satin Circus was in UMK and instantly became a fan favorite with Crossroads . They already gained popularity before UMK but sadly Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät run over them for all the wrong reasons...

The 24 finalists for Sanremo Giovani in December will be selected among these  previously announced ones from open call, and among these ones below coming through Area Sanremo selection. In previous years Area Sanremo ones had two places reserved among the Newcomers, but this time it seems the 24 will be selected among all these entries without limiting the numbers. Both groups have the live auditions in front of the committee, Area Sanremo ones on November 26, while the other already had theirs on November 12. It's worth remembering one of these could become Italy's entrant for the Eurovision song contest 2019... Sanremo Giovani runs from December 17 to 22, with the first four nights presenting six entries each before the prime time and will be hosted by Eurovision veteran Luca Barbarossa. The two final nights in prime time live television are presented by Sanremo legend Pippo Baudo and Fabio Rovazzi.   Listen Area Sanremo entries here .  Adabell - Questa ...

No need for Sanremo for dummies this time, as it's going to be all very easy and simple come February 2019. As the Newcomers will have their own show already in December (two of them will join the Big) for the first time since 1983 (with the exception of the messy year 2004) when the Newcomers selection was created, won by certain Eros Ramazzotti btw, there will be one category only.  The formula of how the evenings run is very simple: the first night all 24 entries will be performed, the second and third night half or 12 of them, and the fourth night is the event night when all the songs will be performed again but this time with guests and different arrangements. For the final and fifth night all 24 songs will be again performed.  The voting is on every night and as usual it's a threesome: televote (40%), demoscopic jury (30%) and the media present in press room (30%). That voting will be the same for the three first nights, and in the end of the third night the re...

YLE has been very, very quiet about the coming UMK2019 - so much that fandom is creating such a fuss about it in chat rooms and message boards that even the tabloids are starting to talk about it. Last year this time we already knew Saara Aalto was selected in a surprise twist and YLE angered most everyone who had submitted songs to the selection that was cancelled just like that. Lack of any information or hints only fuels the idea YLE is clueless what to do or simply won't get anyone decent. The only thing known so far is that the selection will take place on March 2, 2019 somewhere, with someone with three songs. When UMK boss Anssi Autio was interviewed about it the whole affair can be summed up in this way: He didn't comment the No comment line of comments he gave to most every question. Meanwhile the fandom has desperately seeked for clues and created several lines of conspiracy theories and even a rather credible reason: Yle may have had someone booked up who then ...

Melodifestivalen artists guessing goes wild when tabloids Afronbladet and Expressen try outdo each other in revealing the names before SVT does sometime in December most likely on November 27, 2018. So far we have a 15 year old Youtube star (he'll be 16 in time though) Bishara Morad in the list, as well as 86 year old Jan Malmsjö who could return to contest 50 years after his last appearance when he tied for the win with Hej clown co-written by ABBA's Benny Andersson but lost in revote.  Other rumored returnees are Arvingarna ( ESC 1993 ). Ann-Louise Hansson (74) could return for the record breaking 14th time. She first took part in 1963 and last 2004. Her best placing so far is 4th (1966, 1969, 1973). Jon Henrik Fjällgren could become third time lucky having placed 2nd and 3rd already. Last year's 3rd placed John Lundvik seems to be back as well with other recent participants Anton Hagman , Nano , Polish Margaret and Wiktoria . Add ex-Barbados and ex-Alcazar M...

Out with the pink and baby blue , Celine Dion creates with Nununu cloathing brand that liberates children from the traditional boy/girl thinking. (Yet they have dresses, even tulle, what's girlier than that???.... hmmmm)  Here CELINUNUNU unites two forces by one voice: fashion has the power to shape people’s minds. inspire your children to be free and find their own individuality through clothes.

Not only Melodifestivalen and Sweden but also Italy's Sanremo rumor mill is already in full swing. Several papers have hinted the same names so maybe there's some truth to it, then again who knows? As we know, even the artists will find out if they have been accepted only when we common mortals do, too. Usually in live television when the list is read out. We also have one certain no goer as Emma has declared she won't be there but on tour and as she has been a participant, the winner and the presenter she will only return as an invited superguest.... (Good luck with that!) Arisa is widely rumored and her dream to do Eurovision is no secret. She also won Sanremo the only year Rai decided to fish outside the pool and went for Emma..... Time for a revenge?  Other welcome names would be  Nek ,  Giusy Ferreri ,  Paola Turci  and  Loredana Bertè  (late Mia Martini's sister) who at 67 can still deliver hit songs, like  Non ti dico di no . ...

Douwe Bob is one of the artists I've been following since he slowed down Eurovision in 2016. Judging his resent interviews he's had a rough ride since including too many parties, alcohol and becoming a not so nice a person. Add breaking up with his girlfriend and alcohol abusing dad in a care center and that got him sitting on his sofa in a boat - he's Dutch after all - for months until he realized music is his savior and he better shake himself out of that misery. Thus The Shape I'm In .  If you liked his previous album Fool bar you are going to like this one, too. This blogger isn't a big fan of country pop/rock but for some reason Douwe hits the right spots and this new album is something I listen with pleasure over and over again. The lead single is Shine , and also I do has been released for promotion, a duet with Jacqueline Govaert. Twelve songs in all and they all could be next singles, but I took instant liking to Consider , Make believe and Running ...

Rai has published the Sanremo 2019 Giovani entries. With a quick listen through this blogger didn't quite find anything to be extremely excited about but below you can see my pick of those 24 entries that got my attention for more than 30 seconds for a reason or another. I don't usually agree that much with the jury that will pick up the 24 for the shows also because they have to keep in mind to get some variety and balancee between male/female/groups - or so I wish they do! If half of these make it to the tv I consider it a success for me ;-p You can listen to all entries HERE . Two of these artists will be selected in a prime time tv show in December to join the Big category and could become Italy's Eurovision song contest 2019 entrant. However, they must present in Teatro Ariston in Sanremo with a new song come February... Andrea Biagioni - Alba piena Andrea Vigentini - Magari Cordio - La nostra vita Einar Ortiz - Centomila volte Federica Abbate - Finalm...

EBU has published today the list of participating countries in 64th Eurovision song contest 2019 in Tel Aviv, Israel. This came as no surprise as of ysterday only Moldova hadn't made its intentions clear after San Marino's and Russia's confirmations the past few days. Only Bulgaria will be missing as they let us know last month despite initial intention to participate.  EBU also lists several milestones: the Netherlands and Switzerland will send in their 60th entry, Greece its 40th, Croatia, Estonia and Slovenia their 25th, Latvia and Lithuania their 20th and finally San Marino it's 10th. Germany holds the record of most entries as they send already their 63rd one. They have ben abseent only once over the decades (1996 when Leon with Planet of Blue failed to qualify from the pre-selection causing the creation of Big4, later Big5 when Italy returned). 19 countries are yet to win the contest.... Albania (RTSH), Armenia (AMPTV), Australia (SBS)*, Austria (ORF),...

Another name Spain should send instead of some Operacion Triunfo newbie is Pablo Alboran. This blogger has been a fan since the beginning and he's still going strong: He was just awarded in Los Premios 40 as the Artist of the year and his Prometo as the Album of the year. He was also nominated for the Song of the year and the Video of the year ( No vaya a ser ). Since winning the same award as the Newcomer of the year back in 2011 he has collected already eight other ones. Add 12 Grammy or Latin Grammy nominations, countless other nominations and wins. In short he's one of the hottest artists of 2010's in Spain and in Latin America. Eurovision could make him a househod name in Europe as well following Julio Iglesias footstep with his soft voice singing sweet nothings into your ears... Check out also Miedo , El beso , Quien , La llave  and Recuérdame

Her son Fabrizio did it . Twice . Her daughter Claudia did it . Now she has entered X Factor that also doubles Malta's Eurovision 2019 selection and charmed pants off from most everyone with her heartfelt cover of Mia Martini's Gli uomini non cambiano . Forget girl power - it's Mom power time (especially if we also get Pernilla Wahlgren for Sweden).... How cool that would be?! Mrs Faniello can sing, she's lovely and she deserves it. Check out also Cinque giorni , Il mare calmo della sera . Fabrizio and Claudia can provide her backing vocals if needed. 

Sergiu Bolotă has been trying to get to Eurovision for Romania already twicee - who knows if he's at it again and will be third time lucky? Last year he missed the final by placing 4th in his semifinal with self written Every little thing , adn the year before with Stig Rästa penned We were young ( below ). Since then he has released his debut album Umbre and string of singles like Tell me , Monstri , Pleaca and next one will be Un nou inceput . 

Lordi is currently touring Europe with their #Sexorcism tour and is treating fans in merchandize stand with limited editions of various items. Another treat is coming in a form of their first real live DVD to be filmed in Pratteln Z7 , Switzerland later this month.  Spice up your love with #Vodkatomicbomb  lingonberry hot sauce  or fix your sugar rush with #Chokelate chocolates.  And 50 daredevils can get wild with #Lordildo !  All of sudden the Lordi Cola of the 2000's seems rather innocent.... Tonight Lordi plays Heidelberg (Germany) and the tour continues to Slovakia, Czech Republic, Hungary and back to Germany, then Switzerland, Italy, Russia and finally Finland on December 28 at legendary Tavastia Club in Helsinki. They already did Austria, UK, France, Spain and Belgium.

Slovakia hasn't participated in Eurovision since 2012 and hasn't really shined when they did participate. One act however was a fan favorite and still remembered today despite finishing only 16th in the semifinal. That didn't hurt Kristina's career at home at all and has been ever since one of the biggest schlagr queens enjoying popularity also in Czech Republic and Poland... And that makes her a perfect candidate for an eventual comeback artist and make it even with the Horehronie injustice.  Five albums and 30 chartings songs later - five #1's and 13 top5s - she's done also television and gained a lot of experience and confidence.  Listen to Láska bombová ,  Si pre mňa best , Number one , Ta ne  and   Navždy . 

The new formula of Sanremo Giovani has been a success at least in submissions: a record 677.  The jury has now cut those to 69 (instead of planned 60) for the live auditions on November 12, where from the 24 finalists for the televised shows on December 20 and 21, 2018. Each night will have a winner and those two will enter the main festival in February among the Big artists. Among the hopefuls also familiar names like Mahmood (Sanremo Giovani 16, 4th after Francesco Gabbani, Chiara Dello Iacovo and Ermal Meta), Federica Abbate (co-writer of Nessun grado di separazione (ESC16), Andrea Vigentini (Italian backing singer in ESC18 and long collaborator of  Ermal Meta), Icaro aka Antonello Carozza (co-writer of two Italian Jesc entries), La Rua , Einar Ortiz (from Amici), Federico Angelucci (from Tale e quale show), Nyvinne (Sanremo Giovani 18)..... Other names from Amici are Federico Baroni, Zic, Michele Merlo aka Mike Bird. From X Factor Ros, Diego Conti, Andrea Biago...

Mario Venuti may not be one of the most obvious names to think when thinking Eurovision but he come to my attention thanks to his duet with Alice in Tutto appare , and has delivered goodies like Caduto dalle stelle , Fammi il piacere , Ventre della città  and Lasciati amare .  This Sicilian singer-songwriter and guitarist started his career in early 80's and found fame in group Denovo before going solo. In mid 90's he reunited various artist for a Battiato tribute album Battiato non Battiato where he covered E ti vengo a cercare . He has written for and collaborated with many other artists. He hasn't been to Sanremo for a decade, it would be nice to have him back.... and why not hav him in Tel Aviv, too. This DILF would certainly stick out.