March 31, 2024

🇩🇪 Road to Malmö: Germany

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Germany. Isaak Isaak Guderian, a gifted German singer and musical actor born in 1996 in Minden and raised in Costedt, has etched a remarkable path in the music industry, stemming from a musical household that laid the foundation for his early interest in guitar and piano. Embarking on his musical journey with street performances at just twelve, Guderian’s talent became evident when his rendition of Oasis’s “Wonderwall” on the X Factor TV show won the hearts of many at fifteen. Transitioning to a solo career by eighteen, he navigated through performances at various events until the pandemic shifted his course temporarily towards reliance on unemployment benefits. Another moment in 2021 saw Guderian clinching victory in the Show your Talent online contest, catapulting him into streaming success and garnering accolades from international stars like Pink. With hits like “Water to the Seed” and “Impact” amassing over a million streams each, and the chart-topping collaboration “Baby Steps” with DJ David Puentez, his career reached new heights. Guderian’s triumph in the German Eurovision selection for 2024 with “Always On The Run” further solidified his status as a notable talent. Residing in Valdorf with his wife Loreen and their two sons, Isaak Guderian continues to captivate and inspire with his musical prowess. Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale Prior to the German final Eurovision Song Contest – Das Deutsche Finale a talent show was held: Ich Will Zum ESC! Coached by Conchita Wurst and Rea Garvey, 15 talents competed for a ticket to the final. The show was won by Floryan. He was one of the 9 competitors in the final. Another contestant was returning artist Max Mutzke, who previously represented Germany in the 2004 Eurovision final. Marie Reim, the daughter of famous schlager singer Matthias Reim, was also part of the competition. But in the end, it was Isaak who won. Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest The only country participating in ALL the Eurovision Song Contests is Germany. Only in 1996, Leon did not reach the final with his “Planet of Blue”, as the song did not survive an audio final. A lot of times, Germany was close to winning. Only two times it really happened: in 1982 with Nicole‘s “Ein bißchen Frieden” and in 2010 with Lena‘s “Sattelite”. The last couple of years, Germany seems to have lost it, with very low scores. The Bookmakers Currently, the bookmakers predict a 29th place in the odds. Germany is automatically placed in the final, but the score is not too promising. However, we don’t know as staging and performance can also lift a song. Let’s wait and see. The song And this is the song:

🇮🇸 Road to Malmö: Iceland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Iceland. Hera Björk Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir, an Icelandic powerhouse vocalist born on March 29, 1972. With a career kickstarting in childhood, Hera was already a familiar face in commercials and had recorded songs before turning twelve. Her musical journey gained momentum when she clinched a victory in a singing competition at sixteen. Hera’s debut in 1999 showcased her versatile talent, which spans across various albums that include traditional Icelandic tunes and international hits. Noteworthy albums from her early years include “Litla Hryllingsbúðin,” “Ilmur af Jólum / The Scent of Christmas,” and “Disneylögin.” Hera’s knack for collaboration and her solo ventures underscored her growing artistic maturity, evident in her prolific period from 2003 to 2009 with albums like “Í faðmi þínum” and “Við gefum von.” Her 2010 Eurovision entry, “Je ne sais quoi,” catapulted her to European fame, while her victory at the 2013 Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile with “Because You Can” solidified her international acclaim. Hera continued to engage her fans with releases such as “Ilmur af jólum 2” and made a notable return to Söngvakeppnin in 2019, securing fourth place with “Moving on.” Beyond her international exploits, Hera Björk remains a stalwart in Iceland’s music scene, admired for her dynamic range and ability to traverse genres effortlessly. In 2024, Hera Björk was chosen to represent Iceland at the Eurovision Song Contest for a second time with the song “Scared of Heights”. Söngvakeppnin Söngvakeppnin is the Icelandic national final ever since Iceland first took part in the Eurovision Song Contest, back in 1986. The past few years, it contains two semifinals with 5 songs each. Two songs from each semifinal, ánd a wildcard, go through to the final. The favourite to win the contest this year was Palestinian Bashar Murad, who lives in East Jerusalem. Murad and Björk were the two contestants reaching the superfinal. Hera Björk won. However, there was some controversy as the voting app RÚV Stjörnur experienced a glitch during the superfinal. Icelandic broadcaster RÚV recognized this but stated that Björk’s victory was beyond doubt. Bashar Murad Iceland in the Eurovision Song Contest In 1986, Iceland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest, reaching the 16th place with Icy and their “Gledibankinn”. “Scared of Heights” will be the 36th Icelandic entry. Iceland never won the contest yet. However, there was a 2nd place for the island twice: in 1999 with Selma and het “All out of luck”, ten years later with Yohanna’s “Is it true?”. The Bookmakers Currently, the bookmakers give a 20th place for Hera Björk. That means, she would reach the final just like she did when she first participated in 2010. The Song This is the song: