Monthly Archives: February 2012
Slovenia has decided: it’s Eva Boto!
Since their return to the Eurovision Final last year with Maja Keuc’s “No One”, Slovenia seems to have taken a renewed interest in Eurovision. This year, national broadcaster RTV Slovenia set up an open casting call, “Misija Evrovizija”, in order to find their star for Azerbaijan. Ongoing since way back in October, we finally have a result: sixteen-year-old Eva Boto will sing “Verjamem” in Baku:
The Netherlands have decided: it’s Joan Franka!
This past Sunday, the Netherlands held their first open National Final in years, where six performers (most of whom were alums of “The Voice”) competed for the right to represent their country in Baku and hopefully bring the Dutch back into the Finals for the first time since 2004. After three head-to-head duels and a superfinal, one song stood above the rest: Joan Franka’s “You and Me”.
Finland has decided: it’s Pernilla Karlsson!
After a long, sometimes confusing National Final process, Finland has picked the winner of this year’s “Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu”. A six-song final and three-song superfinal were held, and the winner was finally crowned: 21-year-old Pernilla Karlsson, with her heartfelt ballad, “När jag blundar”: Read the rest of this entry
Austria has decided: it’s the Trackshittaz!
Austra held their National Final, “Österreich rockt den Song Contest”, this Friday, and ten songs fought it out for the right to represent the country in Baku this May. Acts ranged from pop to rock to ballads to jazz, but, of course, only one could win out.
After a two-song Superfinal, Mühlviertel-based party-rap group Trackshittaz won the night with their ode to bootyshaking, “Woki mit deim Popo”: Read the rest of this entry
Ireland has decided: Jedward returns!
In a win that surprised basically nobody, the dynamic duo of John and Edward Grimes, better known to the world as Jedward, won both the public televote as well as the regional juries to take a second consecutive victory in Ireland, making them the first act from that nation to perform in back-to-back Eurovisions. Mentored by 1992 ESC-winner Linda Martin, here’s their winning song, “Waterline”: Read the rest of this entry
A Switch in Belarus: Litesound to Baku
It’s just not Eurovision without a bit of drama from Belarus, is it? Back on Valentine’s Day, a five-song National Final, “Eurofest”, was held, with Alyona Lanskaya being declared the winner with “All My Life”. However, earlier today, a press conference was held, stating that due to allegations of vote-fixing and corruption, the results of “Eurofest” have been nullified in favor of the runners-up, popular Minsk-based band Litesound. Read the rest of this entry
“Love Me Back”, says Can Bonomo
Back in early January, after much speculation, it was decided that Izmir-born indie-rocker Can Bonomo would be representing Turkey in Baku this year. We finally have some insight into what Bonomo will be bringing to the table (or, in this case, to the arena); he unveiled “Love Me Back”, an eastern-infused song that somehow blends pop, folk, sea shanties, and maybe just a hint of klezmer…
Israel: Izabo’s “Time” leaked?
Someone, grab some duct tape and a few towels…it looks like Israel’s leaking! Earlier this month, Israeli broadcaster IBA announced that they would be forgoing its traditional national selection format, “Kdam”, in favor of an internal selection. The ethno-indie-rock act Izabo was chosen, and their song’s title, “Time”, was released, but no further details were given. It appears, however, that a demo version of the song has been spotted on YouTube!
Weekend Semifinal Round-Up
This weekend marked the start of the semifinals for Estonia’s Eestilaul, as well as the third heats in Sweden and Lithuania, and the continuation of the Finnish selection process. Furthermore, we’ve gotten more clarification on the songs that Spain will be choosing from for Pastora Soler. Let’s take a look at what happened this weekend: Read the rest of this entry
Georgia has decided: it’s Anri Jokhadze!
On Sunday, Georgian broadcaster GPB held their National Final, determining who would have the honor of representing their nation in neighboring Azerbaijan this spring. Would it be another Sopho? Would they rock out like Eldrine, or choose a moving ballad, like “Shine“? Read the rest of this entry
The ESC Insider 