Belarus: TEO takes "Cheesecake" to Copenhagen!

TEO has won the Belorussian national final with a song entitled "Cheesecake" and will therefore represent Belarus in Copenhagen, this May. I didn't watch the show although I have caught up with the performance and I'm kinda underwhelmed...

I can see it's appeal though - but I'm not a fan, but maybe it'll grow on my by May. He reminds me of Robin Thicke actually. The winner was determined by a jury and televote although there was a tie between TEO and Max Lorens & DiDyuLya. But the jury choose TEO to represent the country in Copenhagen... a good choice? We'll see! "Cheesecake" was written by TEO and he has already said that he doesn't plan on changing the song. Although he will have to change the lyrics somewhat as they mention “Google Maps” on several occasions. Remember the Facebook song? Uh-oh! Nuteki came 5th, although in fairness, the lead singers vocals were rather painful to listen to at times. That scuppered his changes, in my opinion!

Enjoy "Cheesecake":

Israel: Mei Finegold internally selected?

One of Israel's biggest newspapers, Israel HaYom, has reported that Mei Finegold will represent Israel in Copenhagen!

Mei took part in ‘Kokhav Nolad 7′ (Israel's version of American Idol) a few years ago, where she finished a very respectable 3rd. It is not official and hopefully IBA will announce their 2014 representative soon. I do like the sound of her - she has a very good voice and would make a decent choice. Maybe we could be hearing some rock from Israel this year.

If she is chosen to fly the Israeli flag, her Eurovision song would be selected through a national final in March. Enjoy one of her finest covers here!

Update - it appears that IBA have selected her for Eurovision, although she needs consent from her record label first and therefore it is not official, yet...

Romania: Demo version of "Miracle" leaked!

A demo version of "Miracle" has leaked online this morning, the song Paula and Ovi are hoping to represent Romania with. Ovi has been quick to respond and has said that this isn't the official version, and that the official version will be released very soon...

Someone called "Older Tom" uploaded it to YouTube, and Ovi asked him to take the video down due to violation rules although "Older Tom" simply ignored this request and instead deleted his comment!!! I hope TVR won't penalise them because of the leak... Listen here.

Belarus: National final to be held tonight!

They have strippers and they have cheesecake! Tonight Belarus will choose their representative for Copenhagen. It's a rather poor line-up, although there are a few decent songs. Nuteki seem to be the main favourites and I really hope they will win. Their song is fantastic!

The show will kick off at 19:30 CET. Here is the running order for tonight's show:

1. Natalia Tamelo – Not What I’ve Been Looking For
2. Nuteki – Fly Away
3. Artsem Mikhalenka – Rapsodiya #1
4. Matvei Cooper & DUX – Strippers
5. TEO – Cheesecake
6. Daria – Starlight
7. Elena Siniavskaya – Via Lattea
8. Alina Moshchenko – Angel Crying
9. Janette – You Will Be Here
10. Anastasia Malashkevich – Runaway
11. Switter Boys feat. Kate&Volga Karol – Vechnaya lyubov
12. NAPOLI – Stay With Me
13. Max Lorens & DiDyuLya – Now You’re Gone
14. Tasha Odi – Empty Universe

Alyona Lanskaya, Polina Smolova and Gunesh will perform as special guest.

Romania: National final on 1st March!

A few acts have already announced their interest in representing Romania - such as Paula & Ovi, Krystal Mills & Mircea Cioclei and Ştefan Stan. I have also heard a sneaky rumour that Alexandra Stan is also interested in competing...

It has now been confirmed that Romania will select their entrant through a national final on 1st March. Interested participants have until 14th February to register, then after a professional jury will listen to all the songs - the final 12 acts will be revealed on 20th February. This blogger hopes to see Electric Fence give it another go! :-)

Copenhagen 2014: 36 countries officially confirmed... for now!

Slovenia are still deciding whether to participate or not, they will announce their plans next Friday, but for now we can be certain that at-least 36 nations will be represented in Copenhagen.

Poland and Portugal have officially returned - which is awesome Unfortunately, it's now confirmed that Croatia, Cyprus, Bulgaria and Serbia won't participate. Bosnia & Herzegovina, Turkey, Slovakia, Monaco and Turkey won't return and Liechtenstein won't make their debut. Here are the countries that'll defiantly participate:

• Albania (RTSH)
• Armenia (AMPTV)
• Austria (ORF)
• Azerbaijan (Ictimai TV)
• Belarus (BTRC)
• Belgium (VRT)
• Denmark (DR) 
• Estonia (ERR)
• Finland (YLE)
•  France (France 3)
• Georgia (GPB)
• Germany (NDR)
• Greece (NERIT)
• Hungary (MTV)
• Iceland (RÚV)
• Ireland (RTÉ)
• Israel (IBA)
• Italy (RAI)
• Latvia (LTV)
• Lithuania (LRT)
• FYR Macedonia (MKRTV)
• Malta (PBS)
• Moldova (TRM)
• Montenegro (RTCG)
• The Netherlands (AvroTros)
• Norway (NRK)
• Poland (TVP)
• Portugal (RTP)
• Romania (TVR)
• Russia (RTR)
• San Marino (SRMTV)
• Spain (TVE)
• Sweden (SVT)
• Switzerland (SRG SSR)
• United Kingdom (BBC) 
• Ukraine (NTU).

So far, 30 countries will participate in the semi finals. Maybe that'll be 31 if Slovenia confirms their participation too,

Poland: Edyta Górniak in talks with TVP?

Edyta Górniak, Poland's most successful representative, is reportedly in talks with TVP regarding a return to the competition. Nothing is official yet, I must stress that, but I've heard the Polish broadcaster are interested in Edyta making a return.

TVP haven't given any information or hints regarding their representative - although they have said an announcement is due in February and that the song itself will be selected internally. Edyta represented Poland 20 years ago, where she achieved a very respectable 2nd place. She is one of the best selling artists in Poland and has released 9 albums in total. I would love to see her back in Eurovision...

Hungary: Songs published!

All of the songs, that will compete in "A Dal", were officially released yesterday! There are lots of different styles here - Gigi Radics, Lilla Polyák and Joni are my immediate favourites. I also think  Kállay-Saunders has a really good song, too.

Listen to the songs here. Who would you like to see represent Hungary this year? The Hungarian selection will kick off 25th January, with the first heat. Eventually, after more heats and semi finals, the grand final will take place on 22nd February.

Latvia: Participants and running order revealed!

The competing acts in Dziesma 2014, has today been revealed by the Latvian broadcaster  - some familiar names in the mix! So we now have names to match the songs, y'all!

Samanta Tina and Niko have returned to the selection. The lead singer of PeR also returns, Ralfs Eilands, will he be representing in Latvia for the second year running? Other names I recognise are Sabine Berezina and Mad Show Boys... although for me, it's Samanta's time! Her song is brilliant. I have been listening to it since it's release. I might cry with happiness if she wins! Anyway, here is the running order for the semi finals:

Semi Final 1 – February 1st:

1. Dejo Tā - DJ Dween & Sabīne Berezina
2. Bučas – Crazy Dolls
3. I’m Happy - Tamara Rutkovska
4. Here I Am Again – Niko
5. I’ve Got - Ivo Grīsniņš Grīslis
6. Cake To Bake - Aarzemnieki
7. Just Stop - Oskars Deigelis
8. Stay – Samanta Tina
9. Going All The Way - MyRadiantU
10. I Can Breathe - Aminata Savadogo
11. I Need More - Dāvis Matskins
12. Saule Riet (Take Away) - Olga & Līgo

Semi Final 2 – February 2nd:

1. Revelation - Ralfs Eilands, Valters Pūce & Nelli Bubujanca
2. You Are The Reason - Katrine Lukins
3. I Need A Soul-Twin – Mad Show Boys
4. Lights On – Markus Riva
5. Breathe Slow - Anete Volmane
6. What If It Was - Rolands Ūdris
7. Moment and Tomorrow -  Katrīna Bindere
8. Pa Vidu Tu - Andris Kivičs
9. Pēdējā Vēstule – Dons
10. Is It Possible - Sabīne Vidriķe
11. Pressure - Sabīne Berezina

The theme of Dziesma 2014 is "Made In Latvia" - I personally think that was the reason Samanta Tina didn't win last year, because her song was written and composed by an international team...

Slovenia: Extended deadline given - decision by 17th January!

The Slovenian broadcaster has announced that they will make a decision, regarding their participation, within the next 10 days. Thus they have until 17th January to either officially confirm their presence in Copenhagen or withdraw.

Meanwhile, the official participants list will be released sometime this week and Slovenia have only been granted an expected deadline due to exceptional circumstances. This blogger is hoping for a miracle where Bulgaria/Serbia/Croatia will actually send an entry to Denmark... Unfortunately Cyprus have confirmed 100% that they won't be in Copenhagen. Rumours are surfacing saying Russia may withdraw, as their broadcaster will be concentrating on the Winter Olympics. Hopefully they are just false rumours.

FYR Macedonia: Song presentation postponed!

Tijana Dapčević has confirmed that Pobeda will be released on 22nd February. She told a local newspaper that this decision was taken so people don't get bored with the song,  as it would've been released four months prior to the contest.

The presentation was due to be held next week. Tijana wouldn't give any details regarding the track, due to a signed contract with her record label. Take a look at the full interview here.

Romania: Krystal Mills joins forces with Mircea Cioclei!

Krystal Mills, who unfortunately didn't make the cut in Switzerland, has confirmed that she will try to represent Romania. Maybe we will see Krystal in Copenhagen after-all?

Mircea, a popular Romanian musician, approached her and asked her if she would duet with him - with one of his own tracks in the Romanian selection. The Welsh singer spoke to ESC Insight and this is what she had to say:

""The song has been beautifully written and is great Duet/Ballad sound. I hope to sing it on that huge stage in Copenhagen to the millions of viewers. Lets hope the Romanians enjoy our new track!"

Romania are yet to confirm if they will hold a national final although it looks likely one will be held. Paula and Ovi have already announced their interest in representing the country - and so has Ştefan Stan, who won The Voice Romania 2011.

NuVidz: Helena Paparizou, Twin Twin, Mirna Radulović, Giorgia feat. Eros Ramazzotti!

Helena Paparizou is aiming to represent Sweden this year, as she will participate in Melodifestivalen but we won't hear her song 1st February, so for now we can enjoy her latest single entitled De Thelo Allon Iroa. Nice song... will her Melodifestivalen entry be similar to this? Hmm. Twin Twin are in the running to represent France - Je Vais Très Bien is their latest track and it's crazy! Although they have confirmed that this isn't their Eurovision attempt. Slušaj Dobro is Mirna Radulović's new song. She was part of Moje 3 - the group that represented Serbia in Malmo. I can't say that I'm a big fan of this song although I can see why it appeals to others. Finally, and I've saved the best for last, we have Giorgia feat. Eros Ramazzotti! They released Inevitabile in 2011 although I've only just discovered it! and this blogger absolutely loves it. It's such a beautiful song! Giorgia is one of my favourite Italian artists and my dream is to see her at Eurovision. Maybe one day? :-)

San Marino: Release date postponed...

Eurofestival News has reported that the Sammarinese entry for Copenhagen will be released in late February or maybe even in March. The song was initially going to be released on 14th February however this has changed...

Valentina is still recording songs for this album in Monaco and Bavaria - there are a few songs that Valentina and her team are considering sending to Copenhagen. I just hope we get to hear some jazzy from Valentina this year!

Finland: Finalized versions of UMK songs played on radio!

The finalized and remastered versions of the songs, competing in UMK, were played on a Finnish radio station today. The program was only broadcast in Finland - although you can now hear the finalized versions on Spotify.

The jury performances have also taken place and you can watch them here. This gives an idea of how the performances may look like in the national final. My friend, Ilkar at Life After Helsinki 2007 has given a full breakdown of the judges comments from these shows. My personal favourite is Clarissa ft Josh although maybe that'll chance after hearing the songs more...

Armenia: Aram MP3 selected for Copenhagen!

Last night, the Armenian broadcaster announced that Aram MP3 would represent the country in 2014. This was announced through a special New Year's Eve variety show. Many fans are disappointed - as it's not the lovely Sirusho!

Aram MP3's real name is Aram Sargsyan and the song he represents Armenia with will be revealed in February. Aram MP3 is a comedian, showman and singer - and he also hosted the Armenian version of The X Factor! Is this a good choice? I don't know... I'm keeping an open mind until I hear the song. His most noticeable songs are Shine and If I Tried.