Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

The air has really changed in Italy. Not only is the media picking up big time that Emma is representing them in Eurovision 2014 and today the official news were given in the RAI2's TV-News Tg2 confirming also La mia cittá as the entry. The news report was headlined "Emma wants to win in Europe" and started with Emma singing Gigliola Cinquetti's winning song Non ho l'età 50 years ago in Copenhagen and she continued: "I'm very happy that I have been chosen internally by RAI without passing Sanremo as it usually has been. It gives me more strenght and I hope to represent my country Italy the best possible way!" The the reporter and Emma tell her musical story in short biography since she was nine years old and perfromed in public for the first time. Here (in Italian of course). This blogger would like to publicly thank RAI's Head of delegation Nicola Caligiore and his team for a great step by step work done in Eurovision and Italy the past f...

I can't help thinking of the Belgian entry RendezVous by Pas De Deux in 1983 when watching MIAU 's God/Drug . A similarly repetitive choreography (in a good way!) and song, some crazy girls with movements you can't ignore. Also both songs are clearly not everyone's cup of tea. The Belgian girls didn't impress the uptight juries 31 years ago: 13 points and 18th place. Originality and innovation weren't really hot those days. And I remember the Belgians weren't so pleased of them representing them either, most of them anyways. Yet, it's a song that is still remembered today! I don't remember what happened to Pas De Deux afterwards but  MIAU has just signed a recording deal and released a video for their entry that you can see here .

This Saturday the semifinal will take place and six more acts will join the final line up while two has to leave the race. We are still in Peacock Theater in Helsinki before moving to Barona Arena in Espoo for the grand final next week. In this semifinal there's only televote and as we have not really had a chance to see how they go so far as only the jury vote has been made public it's going to a very interesting evening. All still have a chance and there could be major surprises. In the final there will be again 50-50 televote-jury vote. The running order is below. The voting i open and you can vote here . If you don't want to spend your money on voting, vote in my poll instead --> MadCraft - Shinig bright Hukka ja Mama - Selja Lauri Mikkola - Going down Jasmin Michaela - Kertakäyttösydän Dennis Fagerström - My little honey bee MIAU - God/Drug Mikko Pohjola - Sängyn reunalla Clarissa feat. Josh Standing - Top of the world Hukka ja Mama have been ...

Wonderf ul Copenhagen has released a video showing where exactly the Fan Mile, Eurovision Village and all the fun will be in Copenhagen in May when Eurovision song contest 2014 will take place and it looks pretty fabulous. This blogger is extra thrilled to see it goes just by my hotel in Nyhavn and it seems I will have a very, very short walk to the ferry that takes us to the Eurovision island.... How fab is that?! Here .

Estonian songs are also online now and once again there's a bit everything for everyone. EDM, folk, ballads, rock... but nothing like Winny Puh to mix it up and in general the mix of songs is less surprising as the few previous years. Or should I say boring? With the first quick listening I kinda liked Maiken, Nion, MiaMee, Traffic, Wilhelm.... fans will propably go for Tanja. The one I was waiting for the most to hear or Sandra is not yet there! The Estonian semifinals will be on February 14 and 21 and the final on March 1, 2014. ERR wil upload the performance videos of each artists in coming days and some of them are already there.... Semifinal 1 - February 14, 2014 Tanja - Amazing   The Titles - Flames   Wilhelm - Resignal   State of Zoe - Solina   Nimmerschmidt - Sandra   VÖÖRAD - Maailm on hull   Super Hot CosmOs Blues Band - Maybe-Maybe   August Hunt - Kus on EXIT? Kõrsikud - Tule ja jää Lenna - Supernoova     ...

The rumours of the past few weeks seem to become reality in an interview by Fiorello where Emma Marrone herself seems to confirm her participation for Eurovision song contest 2014 in Copenhagen. So, no need to wait for Sanremo but RAI has opted for an internal choice. And with this brings out the big guns and is really going for it. Beware, Italy in to win! Emma is about to take over the Spanish speaking market along with Marco Mengoni in 2014 and Eurovision is a good starting point.... After all in Italy she's already got it all being the most sold female artist of the 2013, has won Amici and Sanremo... but yet big part of Italian Eurovision fans don't seem happy at all. Should I remind you about Eurovision 1998-2010 when you did not take part? Should I? Be happy you have someone, and not just no one but one of the biggest names in the country right now! And name another country that sends two years in a row its most popular artists at the moment when Marrone follows Men...

Belgium is also giving us names today. The both leading ladies of Eurovision 2003 runner up Urban Trad are taking part; Veronica Codesal who replaced Soetkin Collier when the scandal of her links to some extremist broke out. Then we have Nelson Morais of the 2008 selection and Petra from 1993, 1999 and 2006 selections taking part again. Other names include Udo, Silvy de Bie, 2Fabiola and several names from various talent shows: Andrei, Maureen, Manuel Axeela, Yass, Eva Jacobs, White Bird and Jonas Cole . Then there's Arne Vanhaecke & The Fuckuleles , a duo Viola Furleo & Kristof van den Berg h and a couple of more names. Stay tuned for the full list and song titles.

It seems true, Ruth Lorenzo is taking part in the Spanish Eurovision selection along with four other names: Raúl, Jorge González, La Dama and Brequette . Apparently Ruth was asked also by BBC after her X factor adventures in Britain but opted for her native Spain. Raúl and Jorge both have already national final experience while La Dama and Brequette are newcomers in this. Stay tuned for song titles and more.... Raúl - Seguir sin ti Ruth Lorenzo - Dancing in the rain La Dama - La estrella Fugaz Brequette - Mas/Run Jorge González - Auque se acabe el mundo

I just have to share this with you. The UMK 2014 cd was out last Friday. Today I thought I would go and buy it after work. Easier said than don!  First I went to a big department store that usually has a good selection of cds and carries UMK, Eurovision and Melodifestivalen cds generally. Well, the sales person looked like she never heard of Uuden musiikin kilpailu and after searching in the computer came to the conclusion they don't have it. "Yet", she said, so there's hope! But I wanted it now and not next month, so on to the next store... Ok, next is another store that has the biggest music departments in Helsinki. I look throught the new cds but no UMK 2014 cds in sight so I walk to the counter and ask for it. The teenager sales person looks me like he has no idea what I am talking about and turns to his computer and goes: "Can you spell it for me, letter by letter? " and I am like "WTF?!?". I say it doesn't matter and walk away.... ...

So, here it is - the allocation draw. Italy had apparently asked earlier that they would be able to broadcast and vote in the first semifinal but that was no longer. The reason for the request was The Voice but its date has been moved to Wednesday instead of orriginally planned Thursday. Only Germany had then requested to vote and braodcast the second semifina. That means also there's no help for San Marino that was drawn into the first semifinal and it's second half. It would have been interesting see how they'd vote for a Sammarinese entry. But the news from Italy tell that for the first time RAI will broadcast both semifinals! Mamma mia! Finland was drawn to the second semifinal and its second half, theorically very good. Only that the countries that tend to vote for us are all in the first semifinal; Sweden, Iceland, Estonia... Oh well, we will see! Sweden was allocated already beforehand to the first semifinal and Norway to the second to secure the fans eno...

After several internally selected artists it seems Spain is going to let the people choose their entrant. Some names have been confirmed and then unconfirmed, withdrawn and thrown in again. Roser is out, Ruth Lorenzo still a mystery but it seems that two previous Eurovision wannabes are giving it another go. First is Raúl Fuentes . His career started with the Spanish national selection 2000 and was the runner up with fan favorite Sueño su boca . Since then he has released six studio albums and a couple of compilations. His latest video from last year is Sálvame . He has sold nearly 1,5 million albums so far.   The other one is Jorge González . He has tried his luck with Eurovision already three times between 2008 and 2010, but only in 2009 he got into the live final on TV with Si yo vengo a enamorarte , while Celos and Amada mia didn't make the cut. With both singers we could get some real Spanish flavored music and rhythms that have been missing from Eurovision way too long.....

What a surprise, but maybe a deserved one. Hanna Sky - who I actually saw in a local bus the other day :-) - has really trasformed her uninspired and dark number into colorful anthem of hope and it made the difference. I'm a bit surprised MadCraft was so close to dropping out but was it only because of the judges remains to be seen as we don't know the televotes. But Mikko was only four points behind Hanna in jury votes so it seems also televoters fell for Hanna... Now the two songs that made the final so far are completely different. This is going to be very interesting and anything can still happen. Lat year the mechanism was a bit different when two songs went to the final diretly from the elimination grounds so there were already four of them, now only two..... MAKEA's campaign in social medias didn't work as they didn't attract enough televoters to overcome the last place with judges..... Tomi: MAKEA 4, Madcraft 5, Clarissa 6, Lauri 7, Mikko 8 and Hann...

It's time to kick out one again. Who will follow Lili Lambert out, and who will join Softengine already in the final? Anne Lainto and Ile Uusivuori are hosting the show live from Helsinki's Peacock Theater in Linnamäki amusement park from 8pm CET. The guest star tonight is Musta Barbaari . You can watch it live here . The backstage UMK+ will start already 7.30pm CET online.  Join me tonight for the live blogging experience. Once again I will translate what the judges say, comment and gossip. Stay tuned! (Meanwhile why not voting your favorites in my pol ->) 20.35 Here we go again. The backstage is interviewing Aija Puurtinen and they talk about her band. Next is Cristal Snow! He is there for Mikko Pohjola, his future ex-husband to be - only that Mikko doesn't know it yet! Then we have two bloggers who also seem to be in favor for Mikko. And you can add this blogger to that list, too. They think Hanna Sky is in danger - or she could be the dark horse tonight. ...

Tonight it's time for the second elimination in UMK 2014. Just like last week six acts will take the Peacock theater's stage and one is sent home, one directly to the final and the other four still have another chance to convince televoters and the jurors. The show starts at 8pm CET on YLE2.  Online the UMK+ kicks off 7.30pm CET with interviews and backstage. As always I will be here live blogging for you so join me tonight! The voting has been open all week and you can still vote here . Listen to the songs here or click the links below for the demo performances. MAKEA - Painovoima Lauri Mikkola - Going down Clarissa feat Josh Standing - On top of the world Mikko Pohjola - Sängyn reunalla - video Madcraft - Shining bright - video Hanna Sky - Hope

Good news today from Slovenia, they're in. The extended time given by EBU worked and they are in making it 37 in Copenhagen. This year sees Slovenia's 20th entry. Let's celebrate it with one of my Slovenia favorites, Anžej Dežan 's Plan B (that turned into Mr Nobody for Eurovision though...)

Not quite often song lyrics cause strong reactions, especially in Eurovision. Mikko Pohjola's Sängyn reunalla , a story about unfaithful people and feelings it causes in the people involved is however one. Many of you non Finnish speakers have wondered what it really says after the UMK judge Toni Wirtanen said he was feeling uncomfortable and would like walk to the stage and kick Mikko's ass adding he surely wouldn't like to be the man who's footprints depressions are in the bedroom carpet...  Here are the lyrics liberally translated by yours truly. What do you think?   Makuuhuoneessa kuvat kehyksissä käännettyinä pöydällä Ikkunalaudalla vanhat oppikirjat pitää kukkaa pystyssä Älä huolehdi sä sanot ja työnnät itses kiinni kylkeeni Lähelle päästänkin mutta tää on tilapäistä, sä et jää mun viereeni Kuinka tämän saamme loppumaan? Se ois helpompaa jos kiinni jäätäisiin Luokses palaan aina uudestaan enkä sänkys ...

Malta will have it's national selection once again for 2012 and it will take place on Friday 7th and Saturday 8th of February at the Malta Fairs and Convention Centre in Ta’ Qal. As usual many familiar names among the artists and songwriters including even two previous winners Fabrizio Faniello (ESC 2001 and 2006 ) and Mirian Christine ( ESC 1996 ). The 20 in semifinal become 14 for the final. I have listened the songs a couple of times and here's my wild guess for the ones that will stay in semifinal: Andreana Debattista, Corazon, Amber, Ryan Paul Abela, Pamela and Deborah C . They just didn't pull any strings in me that would indicate Eurovision success or that I'd would particlarly want to listen them over and over again.  I don't have a clear favorite either, the live performance will be crucial me thinks. A the moment my favorites are (in no particular order) De Bee, Romina Mamo, Chris Grech, Miriam Christine, Wayne William, Firelight, Christabelle, Davi...

Two years ago Mad Show Boys participated in the Latvian national selection with Music thief that combined catchy song and some crazy humour bringing on  stage Marilyn Manson, Pet Shop Boys, Elton John, Beatles and even Lordi and I'm not going to even count the references in the song lyrics and the arrangement. There's a thin line of being funny or ridiculous but I liked it and thought it was besides catchy also rather brilliant. They had stolen with grace. They came third. Now they are back with I need a soul-twin that has the same recipe: very catchy and lyrics filled with references to famous couples in the history, faitytales, TV, show biz.... You name it! And one again it's one of the best songs in offering in Dziesma 2014 among all those plastic EDM's written Eurovision in mind. Or what do you think? Listen all songs here .

The UMK 2014 CD including all the 12 selection songs has been released today. Get yours here or here .

Or rather, her manager Brando, who's been releasing all sort of one liners in Twitter, in Danish mostly, the past few weeks. Or what do you think of "Hej til alle" and "Her kommer vi" that would translate to "Hi to everyone" and "Here we come". Meanwhile RAI hasn't confirmed nor informed in any way if Sanremo will serve once again in the selection process for the Eurovision like the past three years. Emma Marrone was already asked to do the honors in 2012 but Nina Zilli went to Baku instead as she turned down the offer claiming she wanted to concentrate on domestic market. Now, after Marco Mengoni's success it seems she may have had a change of heart and got her wondering Why not? Late last year she confirmed she's aiming for the international market in 2014. Anyways, if Emma follows Mengoni's footsteps the other Italian artists would have two good example of very big names doing it, and it would totally turn the tables. I...

RTP has announced it will stage Festival da Canção again. It will be a two nights affair in March. The first night ten songs will be performed, by invited composers who can propose the artists but the last word is RTP's of that choice. The televoters cut the ten to five for the final night a week later. The voting will be going on all week and of course also during the final live show. Once again only televote will decide who will be the Portuguese artist that brings the country back to Eurovision after the break. Will it be finally Rui Andrade ? Whoever it is, will be Portugal's 47th entrant since 1964, marking also the 50th anniversary without a win.....

The biography in Luca Barbarossa's official website writes that in 1988 he participated in the Eurovision song contest in Dublin with Ti scrivo , that was actually Vivo , a song released too early for the contest. Because of that he was disqualified two months after Eurovision with a letter.   Now, that Ti scrivo wasn't a new song is no secret or news but that he has been disqualified is. Have anyone of you heard of this before? Vivo was originally the B-side of his Sanremo single L'Amore rubato . To discover this bit in his biography is Federico Stufi of OGAE Italy. The other Eurovision experts in Italy seem equally uninformed of this fact (if it is a fact, of course!). Emanuele Lombardini of EurofestivalNew s says he has been trying to interview Barbarossa for months but the man has always refused with "I have no time". Let's wait for further developments and clarification.... Italy came 12th in Eurovision 1988 with 52 points. Btw, is this also t...

The allocation draw will take place next Monday, January 20, 2014 in Copenhagen City Hall. Some countries have asked for special treatment and therefor Italy will vote in the first semifinal, Germany in the second. Sweden will be in the first semifinal while Norway and Israel in the second. As usual the rest of the countries will be divided in pots and they will first be sorted out in the first or the second semifinal, then in the first or the second half of the show - this of course also for Sweden and Norway. Slovenia , in case they will participate, will be in the pot one. This year again the producers of the show will decide the actual running order based on the first/second half draw of each semifinal, and the final. Here are the pots: POT 1: Albania, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro, Switzerland, (Slovenia) POT 2: Estonia, Finland, Iceland, Latvia, Lithuania POT 3: Azerbaijan, Belarus, Georgia, Russia, Ukraine POT 4: Armenia, Belgium, Greece, Ireland, the Netherlands...

The selection process Eurovizijos in Lithuania has been going on for weeks with eliminations and now we have the final eight left, when Kristina Radžiukynaitė was eliminated last Saturday following Aistė Pilvelytė the week before. These eight now have 16 songs to sing, listen here . There are some good demos, but hard to tell how they will sound like after the final production and the result of this mix & match operation?! Matching the songs can be a nightmare, what if no one wants to sing a certain song and say, five singers all want another? Good luck LRT! The singers are Martynas Kavaliauskas , Mia , Monika Linkytė , Vilija Matačiūnaitė , Vaidas Baumila , Ieva Zasimauskaitė, VIG Roses and Justinas Lapatinskas . So we have four ladies, one lady duo and three guys who are not afraid to show some skin.... Kinda refreshing after all these half naked ladies we always see in national selections here and there ;-p  (From left Justinas, Vaidas, Martynas)

Andràs Kállay-Saunders is after a revenge with Running in the Hungarian national selection A Dal . The video has far more serious theme than running for Eurovision victory though: child abuse, based on a true story that makes it even more touching. Last year he was the jury's favourite (and later #1 hit) with My baby but ByeAlex won over the televoters and went to Malmö instead. His first attempt in 2012 with I love you finished in semifinal but later become a #2 hit. Now we will see if he's third time lucky. He's also about to release his debut album Delivery Boy . András (29) is a son of an Hungarian model and American soul singer. He was born in New York and lived in the States until 2011 when he decided to spend some time in Hungary to stay near his grandmother. While there, he spotted an add for reality talent show Megasztár . The rest is history as they say. He got in and eventually came 4th. Since then he has been scoring hits like Csak Veled (#7), Tonight ...