April 2, 2024

🇸🇪 Road to Malmö: Sweden

photo: PhotoAnnaR, Wikimedia Commons 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: Sweden. Marcus & Martinus Marcus and Martinus Gunnarsen, the Norwegian identical twins behind the dance-pop duo M&M, have been captivating audiences since their 2012 debut. Hailing from Elverum, Norway, they were born on February 21, 2002, and swiftly rose to fame after winning Melodi Grand Prix Junior with “To dråper vann.” Their first album, “Hei,” and its hit singles, including “Elektrisk,” dominated the Norwegian charts. By 2016, the twins had expanded their reach, collaborating with Madcon on “Girls,” securing chart-topping success in Norway and Sweden, and releasing “Together,” their English-language album. They shone at the Nobel Peace Prize Concert and continued to release chartbusters like “Like It Like It” and “First Kiss.” Their creative momentum continued with the album “Moments,” and singles like “Invited.” After a stint of new music, including “Belinda” with Alex Rose and “Feel” with Bruno Martini, they won Sweden’s “Masked Singer” in 2022. In 2023, they nearly captured Melodifestivalen with “Air,” and in 2024, they triumphed, earning the honor to represent Sweden at Eurovision with “Unforgettable,” marking a new pinnacle in their vibrant career. Melodifestivalen Already in the sixties, the name of the Swedish national final was Melodifestivalen. The past over 20 years, it has been a national final with 4 or 5 semifinals. It has become the most popular national final all over Europe. But who remembers Abba, not winning it in 1973 with “Ring Ring”, but winning it a year later with “Waterloo”? The rest is history. This year, many stars from Sweden took part in it, as every year. However, none of them participated in the Eurovision Song Contest before. Jury and televoter agreed with eachother: Marcus and Martinus were the winners for both. Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Swedish entry came in 1958, but it all really started exactly 50 years ago. In 1974, ABBA won the Eurovision Song Contest with “Waterloo”, and changed Eurovision completely… forever! Ten years later, Herrey’s won with “Diggy-loo, diggy-ley”. Carola was the one who did the job in 1991 with “Fångad av en stormvind”. But since 1999, the chain of victories never ended: Charlotte Nilsson with “Take me to your heaven” in 1999, Loreen with “Euphoria” in 2012, Måns Zelmerlöw with “Heroes” in 2015 and Loreen again last year, with “Tattoo”. Sweden is one of two countries holding the record of most victories. photo: EBU/Chloe Hashemi The Bookmakers An 8th victory for Sweden is not likely. Currently, Marcus and Martinus hold the 10th place to win in the betting odds. What will really happen…. we’ll see! The song And this is the song:

🇲🇩 Road to Malmö: Moldova

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: Moldova. Natalia Barbu Natalia Barbu, born on August 22, 1979, in Bălți, then part of the Moldavian SSR, USSR, has firmly established herself as a versatile artist in the Moldovan music scene. Daughter of esteemed musician Ana Barbu, Natalia has blended rock and pop genres with her heritage of folk and stage music. Her early collaborations with Trigon on jazz-folk projects set a creative foundation, which evolved as she penned the lyrics for most of her songs. A pivotal moment came in 2006 with a contract from Cat Music Records (Sony Music) in Romania, marking her entry into a wider European market. Her single “Îngerul meu” soared to No. 1 in the Romanian Top 100, cementing her popularity. In 2007, her Eurovision entry “Fight” achieved a commendable 10th place finish. Embracing change, her 2012 single “I Said It’s Sad” showcased a major style evolution, topping Moldova’s Airplay charts. Esquire’s “sexiest woman alive” title in 2015 further celebrated her appeal. Returning to Eurovision in 2024 with “In the Middle,” Natalia Barbu continues to be a prominent figure in Moldova’s cultural tapestry. Etapa națională The national final in Moldova is called Etapa națională. Usually, the contest starts with an audition round, broadcast live on Moldovan television. 32 songs were submitted this year. However, two (a.o. Aliona Moon) withdrew before the contest and one was disqualified. Eleven songs headed to the final, which was won by Natalia Barbu. It was not an easy match: Natalia received the most votes of the jury, while Valeria Pasha won the televote. The rule in Etapa națională is that, in case of a tie, the jury winner goes to Eurovision. Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Moldovan entry for the Eurovision Song Contest was “Boonika bate doba” by Zdob şi Zdub in 2005. It was the first of 3 entries by this band in total, and reached a 6th place. The best scoring entry so far for the country was “Hey mamma” by Sunstroke Project in 2017. They were 3rd. Also Sunstroke Project took part before, in 2010. With “Run away” they became famous: the sax player and his solo became the ‘epic sax guy’. The Bookmakers Currently the betting odds for Moldova are not too positive: a 36th place for Natalia Barbu. But we all know that everything still can change until the very moment of the voting. The song And this is the song: