Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Slovenia had again its very long new talent Ema Freš selection prior to announcing the Big names for Ema itself. A total of 24 under 30 Freš artists battled it out in endless duels in November-December, and out of January final four of them got an access to the main thing: Stela Sofia, Leya Leanne, LPS and Luma. Next step was two semi-finals where six acts from each made it t the final, and all the youngsters are in! In the final six thematic juries (OGAE members, songwriters, international artists etc) along with the televoting public will choose the winner.  BQL is back for the third time ( 2017 , 2018 ) after being the runner up and televoting winner in both occasions overruled by the jury. Will they have their revenge finally? Luma has generated certain buzz in the fandom though. Anabel - Tendency *** Very middle of the road perfect pop song, and therefor rather unoriginal and forgettable. Anabel maybe isn't the strongest link in this affair. Somehow very American? Stela Sofia ...

  Lea Sirk wins Slovenian Eurovision national final with Hvala, ne! BQL won the televote the second year in a row but the jury stopped their way to Eurovision (again). Actually the televoting winner hasn't ever won in Slovenia, has it? Lea Sirk - Hvala, ne! (jury 68 + televote 48) 116 BQL - Promise (34 + 72) 106 Nuska Drascek - Ne zapusti me zdaj  (28 + 60) 88 Lara Kadis - Zdaj sem tu (38 + 36) 74 Proper - Ukraden cvet (30 + 24) 54 Ina Shai - Glow (26 + 12) 38 Indigo - Vesna (18 + 0) 18 Marina Martensson - Blizu (10 + 0) 10

Slovenia had last week its semifinal where half the entries, including Eurovision veterans ManuElla and Tanja Ribič had say sadly goodbye to their comeback to the contest. Apparently some of the songs will be performed in English in the final, BQL and Ina Shai at least....  I'm a bit confused about some of the final choices as all my three faves are out, and I don't really care for any of the finalists even if some are ok. Will this be the usual case when last year's moral winner comes back and wins with an inferior song to make up? BQL- Ptica Ina Shai - V nebo Indigo - Vesna Lara Kadis - Zdaj sem tu Lea Sirk - Ne, hvala! Marina Martensson - Blizu Nuška Drašček - Ne zapusti me zdaj Proper - Ukraden cvet

      Slovenia has its semifinal tonight. The only one instead of the usual two aka the Maltese way. Eight songs will qualify for the final; four my a jury made of OGAE Slovenia members, international juries, people from radio and music business, and another four my the televoters. Hard to judge from the snippets yet properly but it seems there's no outstanding favorite - at least not for me. I'm most curious to hear in full BQL, Manuella, Mila, Nika and Tanja though.  Anabel – Pozitiva BQL – Ptica Gregor Ravnik – Zda j je cas INA SHAI – V nebo Indigo – Vesna KiNG FOO – Zive sanje Lara Kadis – Zdaj sem tu Lea Sirk – Hvala, ne! ManuElla – Glas Marina Martensson – Blizu MILA – Svoboda Nika Zorjan – Uspavanka Nuska Drasck – Ne zapusti me zdaj ORTER – Tisoc let Proper – Ukraden cvet Tanja Ribic – Ljudje

  Slovenia has published snippets of  the competing song in EMA 2018. All the song will be featured in the semifinal on February 17 where eight songs will be selected for the final. There's a jury including fans, music industry people and international panel that will pick up four, while the other four will be televoter's job. All songs will be in Slovenian but the finalist may change the languagee for the final. In final there will be 50-50 televote-expert jury.  No further comment until I hear full songs (and Sanremo is over....) Anabel - Pozitiva Nino Ošlak, Marko Golubović BQL - Ptica Maraaya, Rok Lunaček, Tina Piš Gregor Ravnik - Zdaj je čas Marko Hrvatin, Gregor Ravnik, Steffy Ina Shai - V nebo Martina Šraj, Hans Kristjan Aljas Indigo - Vesna Anja Pavlin, Anže Čuček, Maj Valerij KiNG FOO - Žive sanje Rok Golob Lara Kadis - Zdaj sem tu Lara Kadis Lea Sirk - Ne, hvala! Lea Sirk, Tomy DeClerque ManuElla - Glas Mike Eriksson...

Today's Slovenia's turn to reveal their entries for Eurovision 2018. Their EMA will have a semifinal wherefrom half the songs will qualify for the final: four by a jury, four by televoters. 50-50 jury-televote will reign in the final, too. Two previous winners in the line up. ManuElla (failed to qualify in 2016) and one of this blogger's favorite Slovenian entries, as Tanja Ribič makes a comeback! (with Zubi se,  10th in 1997). Last year's runner up BQL tries again and other familiar names include King Foo, Lea Sirk, Nika Zorjan, Ina Shai and Nuška Drašček, who all took part also last year! The songs were chosen among the 108 submissions Anabel – Pozitiva  BQL – Ptica  Gregor Ravnik – Zdaj je čas  Ina Shai – V nebo  Indigo – Vesna  King Foo – Žive sanje  Lara Kadis – Zdaj sem tu  Lea Sirk – Cirque  ManuElla – Dan Potem  Marina Martensson – Blizu  Mila – Svoboda  Nika Zorjan – Uspavanka...

Hungarian  Joci Papai  follows Origo with  Özönviz . If you loved Origo you will love this one, too. It's made with the same recipe: modern beat, gypsy violin, female dancer, catchy frase repeated so often that you go yodeling long before the song's over..... Love it Slovenian runner ups and elevote winners  BQL  have got around releasing a video for their  Heart of gold  only now. One can only wonder how they would have done in Kyiv.... Finland's runner up  Zühlke  with  Perfect villain  released  Closer  already in April but it's a great track and deserves another change.  Estonia's finest  Ott Lepland  has released  Siin me kokku saime  and here we get it all togerher: his great voice, nice summery rhythm and catchy feel good song. Perfect for lazy summer late afternoons or early evenings.....

Slovenia's finest Maraaya features the televoters favorites BQL in their latest It's compicated that oozes summer vibes. Complicated or not, I could use some beach holidays right now....

After two semifinals it's time for the final in Slovenia. I don't really have any superfavorite here, but I'm content if the winner is one of these: Nika, Omar, Raiven, BQL or Tim. Surprisingly I might like the most Omar's old fashioned ballad while Raiven would be interesting but a bit demanding maybe for European televoters? Somehow Ema isn't anymore the kitchiest, funniest national final around it used to be years ago.... In a way it's a shame. Watch here from 20.00 CET Sell Out -  Ni panike Nuška Drašček -  Flower in the snow Tim Kores -  Open fire Nika Zorjan -  Fse King Foo - Wild ride Omar Naber - On my way BQL -  Heart of gold Raiven -  Zažarim Jury votes Televotes: 12 Nuska, 24 Sell Out, 36 Nika, 48 Raiven, 60 Omar and 72 BQL Final results

Slovenia has its second semifinal tonight as just like last night first the televoters will send two songs to the final, and then the jury two additional ones from the leftovers.  Watch here 20.00 CET 1. CLEMENS – “TOK TI SEDE” (Klemen Mramor) 2. RAIVEN – “ZAŽARIM” (Jernej Kržic, Tadej Košir, Sara Briški Cirman) 3. KATAYA & DUNCAN KAMAKANA – “ARE YOU THERE” (Tim Žibrat/Tim Žibrat, Duncan Kamakana, Kataya) 4. BQL – “HEART OF GOLD” (Maraaya/Anej Piletic) 5. INA SHAI – “COLOUR ME” (Martina Šraj) 6. UNITED PANDAZ & ARSELLO FEAT. ALEX VOLASKO – “HEART TO HEART” (Gorazd Hižak (aka Arsello), Alex Volasko/Alex Volasko) 7. TIM KORES – “OPEN FIRE” (Jeff Lewis, Drew Lawrence) 8. NUŠKA DRAŠCEK – “FLOWER IN THE SNOW” (Pele Loriano, Lina Button/Lina Button, Brendan Wade)