Yesterday the Armenian broadcaster, AMPTV, announced Gor Sujyan was going to represent the country in Malmo but now Gor would like his band to compete with him!
He said he was surprised by the offer from AMPTV and has not discussed ESC with the rest of "The Dorians" yet...
Honestly, I did not expect that. I was not even that interested in this year’s contest, I was busy with our band, we have a plan to release new album, perform in the United States of America etc. But I could not reject the offer. I am very glad.
It's also no secret that Gor Sujyan wants a rock song for ESC, weather it is with his band or alone - but he can't say for sure which type of song it will be! Would you like him to perform alone or with hos band in Malmo? Personally, I hope he goes alone...
Here is the song "The Dorians" sent in for Eurovision 2012...
Slovenia has decided to use an internal selection for Eurovision 2013 - good call!
A special committee will decide who will have the honour - rumours are suggesting Nuša Derenda will make a comeback after 12 years. EMA will not be used thanks to the current financial situation in the country, and I bet Eva Boto's 16th place didn't help...
I'm looking forward to seeing what the Slovenians have to offer! Could they copy their neighbours, and go for something traditional? We will know the answer 15th February, as that's the date they will present their effort - this is also the same day as the Austrian NF!
Nuša Derenda was the Slovenian representative in 2001...
I am so happy! The Armenian broadcaster has confirmed that they will send Gor Sujyan to Sweden!
AMPTV will hold a national final on 2nd March which will select the Armenian song, like they did with Emmy in 2011! Gor Sujyan is the lead singer of "The Dorians" - they was highly speculated to represent the country in Baku, before AMPTV pulled out. Isn't this shaping out to be an awesome year? He has a beautiful voice and with the right song... Could he win Eurovision for the Armenians? He can offer so much to the contest and I'm expecting something amazing! For me, his is on par with Anouk and El Sueno de Morfeo!
Enjoy one of his songs... <3 Great choice Armenia!
Most broadcasters have publicly announced how they will select their entry for the 2013 contest... But it seems that Channel 1 in Russia is still undecided.
We don't know if they will opt for an internal selection or for a national final! This will be announced in due course, according to ESCToday. In December, the Russian broadcaster called for artists willing to participate to apply here!
Russia isn't the only country which is undecided about their selection format, Bulgaria and Slovenia are also yet to release any information. Will Russia go for a big name this year?
Dima Bilan tried to represent the Russians last year, will he return? Time will tell...
Amandine Bourgeois will have the honour to represent France in Malmo, according to Le Parisien! Yesterday the French broadcaster announced they have selected their representative and will announce who it is soon...
She rose to fame when she won ‘Nouvelle Star’ back in 2008! I must admit, I'm not surprised by this decision as I knew France were going to select someone who isn't established... She has also released two albums but failed to reach to masses with them - it seems no-one knows her in France! The French newspaper informed that ESC could be “seen as an opportunity to relaunch her career”. France3 are due to confirm this news later this week!
UPDATE - THIS HAS BEEN CONFIRMED!
Here is one of her songs... Bonne Chance France! ^^
The Armenian broadcaster, AMPTV, has decided to hold a national final to select their 2013 entry! Even though it seemed the country was going internal, they have now decided to hold a televised selection where viewers can vote for their favourite!
This is because several artists are willing to represent Armenia, including Sirusho! The Head of Armenian Delegation, Gohar Gasparyan, told eurovision.tv...
Earlier AMPTV announced an internal selection, but as we continue
getting numerous letters and songs we decided to give an opportunity for
as many singers/authors as possible to perform live and be selected by
the viewers and professional jury ensuring healthy competition.
The final will be held 2nd March - same day as Hungary, Estonia and Moldova will select their song for Malmo! Sirusho was in talks with AMPTV, so I hope she will participate... ^^
Four names are currently in the running to represent Greece in Malmo, including Aggeliki Iliadi, but will she withdraw? Maybe...
Aggeliki spoke to Star Channel and told them she is yet to find the right song and still may withdraw from the selection. It's also no secret she wants to sing in Greek, which I think would be amazing! I don't know how ERT will feel about her singing in Greek though...
I would love too see her in Malmo - she is one of my favourite Greek artists but this selection does look pretty strong this year! She stated...
“Some might not like me but it’s a national final and not an internal selection, therefore people decide".
A final decision is expected in a few days! Here is what we could expect if she decides to participate... ^^
The grand final will be held 19th of 21st February!
Heilsarmee won the right to represent Switzerland a few weeks ago but they couldn't 't celebrate for long...
The reason being is because they are breaking the EBU rules so they will have to change their uniform and name, as they are promoting the Salvation Army. The song itself doesn't break any rules - it's thought they will just change their name and wear something different in Malmo.
Maybe Carrousel will represent Switzerland (as they came second!), if they don't come to an agreement - this would be awesome but I think Heilsarmee will come to an agreement! We should know their final decision very soon!
Last week, the Austrian broadcaster released the competing songs which will fight for the ticket to Malmo! What a weird yet wonderful bunch!
5 acts are in the running! You can listen to the songs here! My favourite is defiantly Back to Fantasy - it's an awesome song, I love it! It would be amazing if Austria selected it - I also wouldn't be too disappointed with Natália Kelly or Yela either! The Austrian hopefuls won't just be required to sing their possible ESC entry but also an Eurovision classic! Here is the line-up...
Falco Luneau- “Rise above the Night” / “What’s Another Year” (Johnny Logan, 1980)
Natália Kelly- “Shine” / “Ne partez pas sans moi” (Céline Dion, 1988)
The Bandaloop- “Back to Fantasy” / “Waterloo” (ABBA, 1974)
Elija- “Give Me a Sign” / “Euphoria” (Loreen, 2012)
Yela- “Feel Like Home” / “Love Shine a Light” (Katrina & The Waves, 1997)
Austria will select their entry 15th February! I will sure be watching! I just hope they can do better than this, but that's not a hard task... ^^
When the German line-up was revealed, we all thought Cascada had it in the bag but after Glorious was released and the other songs - Cascada may not be the runaway winners after all...
They're not popular in Germany:
Cascada have a massive following all over Europe and are extremely popular but not in Germany - the Germans think that they are too anonymous! They don't think they will represent "the German sound" - they have a massive international fan base but not a German one, it seems... Germans feel they need to stand out - so I can't see Germany voting for Glorious.
Previous "big names" have failed in the German selection:
A few years ago Scooter participated in the German national selection, and failed, and also The Weather Girls participated in 2002. Two massive names in Germany and the world! But nether Get Up and Jigga Jigga made Eurovision - Why? Because the Germans don't tend to opt for big names like the rest of Europe would.
Strong line-up:
Personally I think Glorious is the best song in the German selection but it seems I'm in the minority... The standard is very high in Germany this year and the majority of songs are great! I believe Mobilée, Mia Diekow and Saint Lu could all be great German representations! They certainly will have to stand out if they want to win...
Germany will select their entry 14th February and 12 songs are in the running! ^^ Enjoy Glorious... Will it win? Time will tell...
Hungary has some awesome songs this year! MTV have released all the competing songs for A Dal online!
My immediate favourites are Fatima Mohammd, Gigi Radics and Veca Janicsak - I think they could all achieve a respectable place for Hungary. Of-course there are some awful songs (like in any selection) but overall the standard is pretty good, not as good as Iceland or Finland though!
I'm very pleased with Hungary this year... Which song would you like to represent Hungary in Malmo?
Hungary will select their entry 2nd March, watch a recap here... ^^
I am completely shocked... NOT! It seems that the Belorussian representative Alyona Lanskaya will change her song.
Alyona won the Belorussian national final with Rhythm of love gaining full votes from the jury and televote. What kind of song will she sing? That is yet to be decided. No date has been set for when the song will be released but it's likely for February.
Belarus changed their song from their original choice in 2010, 2011, 2012,,, and now 2013! I like Rhythm of love but she can properly do much better anyway!
The first 3 finalists have been selected in Norway! After a rather boring show, yes I did watch it unfortunately, it was decided Gromth feat. Emil Solli-Tangen, Datarock and Vidar Busk would make the final!
My favourite by far is Gromth feat. Emil Solli-Tangen - it's a great song and I wouldn't mind seeing it winning! Emil Solli- Tangen has an amazing voice, it's a very strong song indeed!
The other two songs were OK but nothing special, in my honest opinion! Are you pleased with the results? The majority of the people I know are not... :( LOL! The second semi final will be held next week - I hope the line-up will be better!
Watch Gromth feat. Emil Solli-Tangen here... I wish them the best of luck! ^^
Don't we all love national finals? I do! In this special series sharing my thoughts on some tracks which could make Malmo! So far 5 countries have selected their entry - Belgium, Albania, Ukraine, Lithuania and Switzerland! Belarus will change their song, no surprise but it seems this year they will keep Alyona!
Today I look at songs from Finland, Iceland, Malta, Latvia and Germany! ^^
Germany: Cascada - Glorious!
Cascada would be a perfect German representation - their song is modern, catchy and would rock Malmo! I really hope she will win the German national final, which will be held 14th February! It would be awesome! I'm looking forward to seeing the stage presentation... And I know she has good vocals so I'm not worried about that! I hear she is one of the favourites... Will she make it? Here's hoping!
Iceland: Magni Ásgeirsson - Ekki líta undan
The immediate favourites to win Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins are Yohanna and Brigitta, and they have good songs, but I love Ekki líta undan! Magni has tried to represent Iceland before and is now trying his luck - the song is the best I've heard from him and he has a beautiful voice! Iceland rarely sends rock, apart from 2007, so I don't know of the Icelanders will go for this - especially with Brigitta and Yohanna in the selection. If Magni wasn't to win, I wouldn't be too upset if Yohanna made it... ^^
Latvia: Fox Lima - Tirpini!
This is wonderful! It's very similar to the Belgian entry from 2003, which came 2nd remember! This is clearly my favourite, along with Samanta Tina, and I hope one of them will represent Latvia this year! Tirpiniis a very special song, if you ask me, some people will "get it" and others won't... I'm so exited for Latvia this year! They can seriously do well in Malmo with this... Please send this Latvia! <3
Malta: Raquela - Keep Believing
Raquela has competed in the Maltese selection over and over again, and now she returns this year! This isn't her normal style of music... I thought she would be singing a ballad, especially after the title was known, but she delivers an awesome electro-pop song! It's very strange... It takes a few listens to appreciate it - I would be happy if Malta decides to send this but my heart is with Claudia Faniello... <3
Finland: Arion - Lost!
Finland has an amazing bunch of songs this year... Diaranda, Mikeal and Arion! I was not too impressed with the live performance - I hope they have been working on it and will improve it for next week, I'm sure they will! Considering they are so young, it's great! I hope Finland will choose the best song...
Apparently, the UK representative has been decided and the song has even been recorded but it's not going to be Girls Aloud...
The groups PR agency answered Digital Spy's on Twitter confirm that the band will not fly the British flag in Malmo. Every year the UK is normally very late deciding their artist but this year they seem to be ready for ESC - hopefully the UK can finally do well in Eurovision!
Scott Mills announced he will get to listen to the song next week however there is no word of when the song will be released publicly.
There are strong rumours it will be Kimberly Walsh (one fifth of Girls Aloud) and she will be singing Fredrik Kempe song! No word from the BBC, as per... Tonight she will give an interview to Jonathan Ross - would you like to see her in Malmo?
Nina Badric has released a new single, and joined forces with fellow musician Mirza Šoljanin!
Her new track is entitled Duše su se srele which means Souls are being met. It's a wonderful song and the video s very nice too, it's received over 500 likes on Youtubealready and it's only been online since yesterday! Nina Badric commented on the video saying...
"Dearest, thank you love. We are glad that you like the song. # Love"
A few days ago I found out that Nina wanted Klapa to represent Croatia in Eurovision and her wishes came true - take a look here! Another beautiful song from her - she really has an fantastic voice... <3 Enjoy Duše su se srelehere...
