Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Latvia's Supernova returns as usual as their national selection for the Eurovision song contest 2025 in Basel. A total of 20 songs have been selected out of the 96 submitted for the semi-final on February 1 and  ten of them will be voted for the final a week later. There will be 50-50 televote-jury vote.  Among the artists we have two Eurovision veterans, Justs (2016) and Citi Zēni (2022). There are also a few regular Supernova participants trying once again, leading them of course Markus Riva - this is his 10th time since 2014 without a win (he has missed only 2021 and 2024 selections).  Below is my usual first listening ranking stars. Somehow "Definition of mediocre nothingness" pops into mind while listening. Meaning none is really, really bad but none isn't anything special either with very few exceptions. Then again songs tend to get better with further listenings... The Ludvig seems to be the one to beat I suppose.  Greta sadly had to withdraw last minute due i...

  Latvian Justs is back with another goodie, Are you there . Electric beats and his voice mixed with a video full of skaters, models, empty industrial spaces.... Nice effort! Australian Guy Sebastian is back big time, and Bloodstone is his latest from his new album Conscious featuring lovely gospely undertones. Great beat and great vocals again.  Eurovision runner up Ukrainian Ani Lorak and Eurovision interval act Emin from Azerbaijan are hitting the Russian charts with  Prostit'sya (Проститься) that comes with a beautifully shot bath tub video. The song itself is a very typical Russian radio charts song that could be sung by any of the big names. But it's a very pleasant one masterfully performed by the stars.  Slovakian (and Czechian) superstar Kristina has released Sympatie (from Tri želania/Three wishes film soundtrack) continuing her endless string of hits. Slovakian tv, wake up and send her off to Eurovision again!

Sergey did Rome  Il Volo did Venice Lena is still in LA Ruslana has a holiday after working all summer Demy still enjoys late summer sun Måns did Gdansk, Poland So did Alma, visiting Michal Michal is also joining the Loreen/Conchita look-a-likes Juri and Elina, the Tallinn toilet selfie Sanna is promising a new single this week  Norma John are also working on new music   ... as is Emma. ... and Justs is shooting a new video And Nina joins the stars with autumn color photos. How was your week?

Eurovision veteran boys have been busy releasing new songs this summer/fall. Pasha Parfeny has dropped his first names and go only as Parfeny now and sings about Eve's wardrobe in Haine Evei while dropping his. Add apples and snake and the storyboard is ready. Justs is dark and mysterious in Have it all . All fashion telephone box is the main feature. What else do you need when you have it all; song, voice & looks?   Amir 's On dirait video brings back the summer's sun that here in Finland is already missing and memories of this Eurovision season. Feel good song in every sense. Vaidas Baumila offers us something in English this time. He is apparently dreaming Panama as doesn't seem so sunny and warm in the seas of Lithuania.... 

Australia has taken the lead on iTunes charting in 19 countries after last night beating Russia to second with 18 countries. Latvia, Ukraine and Sweden follow while it is still looking very modest for the other favorites Malta, France, Italy and Armenia. Check out the rest after the jump. 

Better camera angles. Less color and more black and white lights. The rest is pretty much as perfect as it has always been, Justs knows what is doing. Aminata has also arrived in town. This is strong opener for the second semifinal, and the impact is strong when you hear this for the first or the second time. One to remember. Pretty sure qualifier and who knows ending up Aminata high come Saturday?

The third day kicked off to the heartbeats of Justs and Latvia. One of the early season favorites to win and he didn't disappoint. Simple and strong, basicly the same performance as in the national final earlier this year, just updated and a bit polished. He's alone filling the stage, wearing his familiar leather jacket and t-shirt. Blue, green and red in the backdrop with white vertical lights on both sides of him. As icing on the cake a close up of his face when he exhales the long breath in the end of the song. There's also a beautiful shot in the bridge where he turns his back to the audience and we can see whole Globen behind him. He's got an unique voice, he has energy and no need for extra gimmicks. Latvia rocks! Perfect for their Independance day today! In the Meet & Greet he was happy with everything. He felt even completely at ease at that huge stage even if he's been more like a street artist so far. And no, he's not stressed. And then he per...

The videos keep coming, and now it's Latvia's turn. Justs releases a dark and a bit violent and dangerous looking video for his entry, that fits the song very well though. 

Four strong male artists in this one, all of them favorites for the win. LATVIA - JUSTS - HEARTBEAT ((Aminata Savadogo) Last year's Aminata wrote Justs Sirmais a song that became one of the favorites to win it all in Stockholm, even before he won the national final in Latvia. Blogilkar : I really liked this when I heard it for the first time, but it has lost a bit of its appeal since. However, it's the first hearing that counts and Latvia should do very well this year. It's quite similar to their entry last year, Aminata all over it it but sung by Justs it makes it very different though. He's easy on the eye, has a great voice and the song is quite original. More of a play with sounds and production than melody but it works. 8,5 Jack:  Aminata is Latvia's savour! She achieves one of their best ever results in Vienna and is set to do very well with Heartbeat, sung by the beautiful Justs. Riga 2017? 9 Peter:  Good opening, catches attention, a solid ...

And while we are it, here's another 7th heaven club remix. This time from Latvia's Justs and his Heartbeat . This makes your heart beat like there's no tomorrow.....

Latvia's Riga kicks off the major Eurovision promo events this year. Spikeri Concert hall in Riga has ten of this year's artists on stage with special guests from Sweden: the Eurovision 1984 winners The Herreys, and Schlagerfeber quartet made of four experienced Melodifestivalen and Eurovision backing singers belting out some hits.  This event is rapidly growing; two years ago when it was organized for the first time there were ony 3 artists, last year 8 and now 10.  This year's artists are: Belarus - Ivan Bosnia & Herzegovina - Dalal & Deen feat. Ana Rucner and Jala Bulgaria - Poli Genova Estonia -Jüri Pootsmann Israel - Hovi Star Latvia - Justs Malta - Ira Losco Serbia - Sanja Vučić ZAA Spain - Barei Switzerland - Rykka

All as predicted, Justs (20.720 votes) won in the end even if second placed Catalepsia (18.914) was causing some heartbeats by getting too close during the voting.....MyRadiantU (6.651) third and Marta Ritova (5.041) with her solar panels on stage fourth.

Also Latvia's Supernova comes finally to an end. Four songs remaining. Justs is the big favorite and for once I agree with the masses. It's great, and I wasn't even a huge Amianata fan! I also like MyRadiantU and the other two are just for extra flavour here. It's Justs or nothing. Latvians would be fools to send anyone else.  Justs - Heartbeat Catalepsia - Damnation MyRadiantU - We will be stars Marta Ritova - Not from this world

After two heats the 20 songs became eight, and tonight the eight become four for next weeks' final. Once again the televoters will send two songs to the final, and then the jury will pick up too from the raimaining ones. In the final there will be only televoting/internet voting. Pretty good selection this year but one shines high above the others: Justs. He's just perfect and sings the song live even better than in studio. Something we can't say sadly of Markus Riva. My second favorite is MyRadiantU. As long as these three make the final I'm happy. And Justs wins in the end. Update: A lot of drama here, too. First Samanta Tina withdraws after her performance and in the end hot favorite Markus Riva fails to qualify. Tbh he wasn't that good this year. Sad but true. The finalist are Justs and Catalepsia thanks to the televotes, MyRadiantU and Marta Ritova thanks to judges. Winning will be even easier for Justs now. And I'm happy MyRadiantU made it, too :-)...

Latvia kicks off its Supernova tonight. In the first heat these acts are fighting for the four places in the semifinal. Several familiar names among the acts once again, from ElektroFolk to Ivo, Sabine and fan favorite Samanta Tina. Last year's Aminata has written Justs' song Heartbeat , that is maybe the most interesting one here...... Paula Dukure – Look In The Mirror ElektroFolk – Miracle Drums Rūta Dūduma – Being A Friend Ivo Grīsniņš-Grīslis – We Are The Light  (qualified/jury) Sabīne Berezina – My Inspiration Edvards Grieze – New Day Marta Grigale – Choices  (qualified/jury) Catalepsia – Damnation  (qualified/televote) Samanta Tīna – We Live For Love Justs Sirmais – Heartbeat  (qualified/televote) Madara Grēgere – You And I