April 3, 2024

🇦🇺 Road to Malmö: Australia

photo: EBU/SBS 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: Australia. Electric Fields Electric Fields is an Australian electronic music duo, composed of the talented vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and keyboardist/producer Michael Ross. They incorporate Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, and English into their music. Their musical journey includes the release of an EP, numerous singles, and their upcoming representation of Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with their song “One Milkali (One Blood).” The duo’s origins trace back to their solo appearances on The X Factor Australia, with Fielding competing in 2011 and Ross in 2013. They united as Electric Fields in 2015, debuting with the celebrated EP “Inma” in 2016, which was lauded for its emotional resonance and cultural richness. They’ve been recognized with several awards, including Best New Talent at the 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards, and have gained prominence for their performances and collaborations, including a notable partnership with Norwegian group Keiino. Electric Fields stands out not only for their music but also for their personal stories and advocacy. Fielding, from Mimili in the APY lands, brings a rich Indigenous Australian heritage to their music and visual arts, earning significant accolades such as the Wynne Prize and Ramsay Art Prize People’s Choice prize in 2023. Ross contributes a diverse musical influence, enhancing their sound. Together, they embody a philosophy of authenticity and unity, breaking conventional boundaries and celebrating their queer identities. Their story, told in the documentary “Voice From The Desert,” highlights their journey and the transformative power of their music. Yankunytjatjara The Yankunytjatjara language is a proud testament to the rich cultural tapestry of Indigenous Australia, belonging to the Western Desert language group. Spoken by the Yankunytjatjara people, it thrives in the central desert region of Australia, particularly around Uluru and the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara (APY) Lands. Despite facing challenges from historical and modern pressures, efforts to revitalize and preserve Yankunytjatjara are robust, involving educational programs and community initiatives. Its linguistic structure, embodying the intricate relationship between the land and its people, offers invaluable insights into Indigenous knowledge, ecology, and spirituality. Yankunytjatjara not only facilitates communication but also serves as a living repository of ancestral wisdom and cultural identity. Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Australian performance in the Eurovision Song Contest was Jessica Mauboy’s guest performance in 2014. As a reward for years of broadcasting the contest, Australia was able to take part in the contest itself for the first time in 2015. Guy Sebastian debuted with “Tonight again” and reached a 5th place. A year later, Dami Im was 2nd in the contest with her song “Sound of silence”. With three more top-10 positions, up until last year with Voyager, Australia is quite a succesful country in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Bookmakers Australia is currently 27th in the betting odds to win the contest. However, fans expect a special performance during the contest itself, which might completely change the odds for Electric Fields. The song This is the song:

🇦🇿 Road to Malmö: Azerbaijan

photo: EBU 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: Azerbaijan. Fahree Fahree, an emerging Azerbaijani musician, was born into a culturally rich family in Baku, 1995. With a jazz drummer father and an esteemed actor grandfather, the arts were deeply ingrained in his upbringing. Despite a diligent academic pursuit resulting in law degrees, the 2020 pandemic rekindled his inherent musical inclination. Forsaking law for his true calling, Fahree launched his music career with the 2022 hit “Dance.” Further success came with “Apardı uzağlara,” a collaboration with Mila Miles. His track “Yollar” solidified his rising fame in February 2023. Come March 2024, Fahree’s artistic journey ascended as he was chosen to represent Azerbaijan at the Eurovision Song Contest. Ilkin Dovlatov Ilkin Dovlatov, a distinguished Azerbaijani mugham vocalist, was born into a musical family on June 16, 1990, in Baku. His talent emerged early with a debut performance at age four. Recognized by his school music teacher, Dovlatov pursued his musical aspirations, leading to his acclaim as the runner-up on The Voice of Azerbaijan in 2023, guided by mentor Ilqar Khayal. He further showcased his abilities in the Azəri Star contest. In October 2023, he joined the final contenders for Azerbaijan’s Eurovision entry, eventually teaming up with Fahree to perform “Özünlə apar” on the Eurovision stage, representing their cultural heritage with pride. Mugham Mugham is an intricate form of traditional Azerbaijani music, renowned for its rich improvisational character. It intertwines passionate singing with the complex modal structure of the “mugham” modes, often accompanied by the tar (a long-necked lute), the kamancheh (a bowed string instrument), and the daf (a type of frame drum). Rooted in the cultural intersections of the Silk Road, mugham is more than music; it’s a spiritual journey that narrates stories of love, loss, and the divine through its deeply emotional and philosophical performances. This UNESCO-recognized art form is a cornerstone of Azerbaijani culture, reflecting the nation’s soul and historic ethos. It is the third time (after 2008 and 2012) that a mugham singer can be heard at Eurovision. Seyid Sushinski Ansambl, Mugham, photo: Wikimedia Commons Azerbaijan in the Eurovision Song Contest Elnur & Samir represented Azerbaijan in the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Day after day”. It meant the debut of the country in the contest. With an 8th place, it was an immediate succes. So far the first and only victory came already in 2011, when Ell & Nikki won the contest with “Running scared”. But let’s not forget AySel & Arash (3rd in 2009), Safura (5th in 2010), Sabina Babayeva (5th in 2012) and Farid Mammadov (2nd in 2013). Last year, the twins TuralTuranX didn’t make it to the final. Ell & Nikki The Bookmakers Currently, Azerbaijan has a 30th place in the odds to win the contest. If we look at that, it might be a tough job for Azerbaijan to reach the final. However, stage performance and act might lift the country up in the ranking. The song And this is the song: