In the Spotlights

In the spotlight: Nemo

Tonight the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 26 countries compete for the win. One of them is Nemo, representing Switzerland But who is Nemo? Let’s give them a spotlight. Nemo Mettler was born on August 3, 1999 in Biel, Switzerland. They started taking violin lessons at the age of 3. Piano and drum lessons were added later. The name “Nemo” was chosen because of the Latin meaning “nobody”. The underlying idea was: “If you are no one, you can become anything.” Career At the age of thirteen, Nemo played their first theater role in the musical “Ich war noch niemals in New York” (I have never been to New York). This musical was about the Austrian Eurovision winner of 1966; Udo Jurgens. At the age of fifteen, Nemo stepped onto the stage of Switzerland’s got talent, after which their career slowly took off. Their digital debut album “Clownfish” was released in 2015. In 2016, Nemo became famous overnight with an appearance on SRF Virus (#Cypher), which went viral on social media. They then released two EPs, sending seven songs straight onto the official Swiss Singles Chart. subtiteling available In 2020, Nemo began writing and producing for other artists, and also released songs in English during that period. In their music, Nemo addresses themes such as gender identity, mental health and finding your place in this world. The Song In “The Code”, Nemo describes the search for themselves, and chose to do so in a jubilant and funny manner, rather than using sadness. They submitted this song to the Swiss broadcaster SRF.A panel of at least 240 international members of the public jury and a 30-strong international jury of experts from 20 countries selected the entry for the country from 472 entries. Switzerland and the Eurovision Song Contest Switzerland hosted the first Eurovision Song Contest in 1956, a contest that they also won with Lys Assia. It wasn’t until 1988 that Switzerland would win the contest again with Celine Dion. In 2021 Switzerland finished 3rd with Gjon’s Tears. This was Switzerland’s first top three result since 1993. Will Nemo win the contest, and become Switzerland’s third winner? Tonight we will know.

In the spotlight: Slimane

Tomorrow, the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 26 countries compete for the win. One of them is Slimane , representing France But who is Slimane ? Let’s give him a spotlight. Slimane Nebchi was born on 13 October 1989 in Chelles, Seine-et-Marne, France. He is of Algerian descent through his grandparents, who migrated to Paris from Biskra and Ghazaouet. He attended Lycée Jehan de Chelles, and moved later to Les Lilas, a suburb of Paris. Career He started uploading covers to YouTube in 2009, and soon took part in several music competitions such as Nouvelle Star in 2009 and X Factor in 2011. In 2016, at the age of 26, he auditioned for season 5 of The Voice: la plus belle voix. All four judges turned their chairs. On 14 May 2016, he won the title with 33% of the public vote. After this win, his career took off; with 2 million albums sold, 5 Music Awards, 2 billion worldwide streams, 7 million followers on social media and a Victorie de la Musique to his name. Participation in the Eurovision Song Contest. In November 2023, was announced that he would represent France in the Eurovision Song Contest. Given his origins, quite a few people were against this. He chooses not to comment on this, and says himself: ‘Every day I “enjoy” at least one person who thinks that someone like me should not represent his country. But nowadays I can laugh about it, I think it’s so sad.’ The song The song was written in 2022 during a music tour. According to Slimane, the song to him is a “love letter to European hearts”, in line with much of Slimane’s music, which is mainly based on love. Slimane sees “Mon amour” as his first date with the viewer. And from that perspective, his final question to all of us is: “Do you love me… Or not?” What is your answer? Photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett

In the Spotlight: Angelina Mango

Tomorrow, the big final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 26 countries compete for the win. One of them is Angelina Mango, representing Italy But who is Angelina? Let’s give her a spotlight. Angelina was born on April 10, 2001 in Maratea, in the South of Italy. Angelina comes from a musical family. Her mother, Laura Valente, was the singer of Matia Bazar; she joined the band in 1990, after their Eurovision participation (1979) and after their mega hit Ti sento (1985). Her father, Giuseppe Mango (or simply Mango), was a popular singer in Italy. After the early death of her father, the family moves to Milan, her mother’s birthplace, in 2016. Together with her brother she was part of a cover band, which was the start of her musical career. Career On November 13, 2020, Mango released her debut single “Va tutto bendo” (Everything is okay). In 2022, she signed a recording contract with Sony Music. On May 12, 2023, Angelina released the EP “Voglia di vivere” (The will to live). The EP debuted at number two on the Italian charts. On October 6, 2023, she released the single “Che t’o dico a fa” (What do I tell you), which reached the second place on the Italian charts. San Remo Festival Where her father once started, just before his breakthrough in the eighties, Angelina shines this year: in San Remo, the Italian music festival of which the number one goes to the Eurovision Song Contest. She brings a tribute to Giuseppe; she sings his hit “La rondine” (The Swallow). She wins the festival, and confirms to represent Italy with the song “La noia” (Boredom). The song The song tells about the difficult time after the early death of her father, but that we must not be afraid of boredom: it must be welcomed, it is important, as are all the feelings that bring us down, deep down. There is always an upswing. Will she be able to win the festival? It is absolutely possible. Tomorrow, we will know. Photo: EBU/Alma Bengtsson

In the Spotlight: Joost Klein (dream big)

Tomorrow, the second semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest will take place in the Malmö Arena. Sixteen countries compete for a spot in the final. One of them is Joost Klein, representing the Netherlands. But who is he? Let’s give him a spotlight. Hans and Ella Klein (Joost’s parents) already had 2 children aged 15 and 14, when Joost was born on November 10, 1997 in Britsum (province of Friesland). Despite growing up in a loving family, Joost did not have an easy childhood. He was bullied for his white-blonde hair and introverted character.At the age of 12, he lost his father to a serious illness, and less than a year later he lost his mother.His life was turned upside down. Despite the loving care and support of his brother and sister, Joost has to temporarily stay with a host family.Joost finds comfort in making and posting YouTube videos. He is building his own community there, including other upcoming artists, with whom he will collaborate later. Career YouTube In 2008, Klein started a YouTube channel called “EenhoornJoost” (UnicornJoost) at the age of 10. His videos ranged from sketches to mini-docs. In 2015, his channel now had 50,000 subscribers. Later that year, he was named a YouTube talent, and his number of subscribers increased to almost 88,000.Around 2017, Klein stopped making YouTube videos and focused more and more on making music and video clips, which he did under the name Joost Klein. Music In 2016, Klein released his first album called “Homeless.” In 2017 and 2018 he was briefly signed up to musiclabel Top Notch, but Klein decided to set up his own label: Albino Records. On January 18, 2019, he released his first album on his own label: “Albino”. During the years that followed, Joost released several albums and often appeared on stage at major festivals. In between all the music, he also releases a poetry collection (Albino) in 2018. In 2022 he performs “Florida 2009” for the first time. The song is dedicated to his parents. He wrote the first part shortly after the death of his father, the second part shortly after the death of his mother. (subtitles available) The song “Europapa” was selected from more than 600 entries through an internal procedure. In December 2023, Klein was presented as the representative of the Netherlands at the Eurovision Song Contest. The committee consciously chose a different genre than had been usual for the Dutch entry, in the hope of being able to distinguish itself from the other participants. The song is both an ode to Europe and to Klein’s parents. The first person in the text is a child who travels through Europe to discover himself and to tell his story to others.The end of the song contains a message that Klein received from his father during his upbringing: “the world has no boundaries”. Eurovision in Concert In Amsterdam, last april, during the Eurovision in Concert weekend, our reporter Kal spoke with Joost. Will Joost manage to make it to the final? No doubt about that. Will he win the Eurovision Song Contest? We’ll know this Saturday.

In the spotlight: Baby Lasagna

Tomorrow is finally the day; the first semi-final of the Eurovision Song Contest takes place in the Malmö Arena. 15 countries compete for a spot in the final. One of them is Baby Lasagna, representing Croatia. But who is he? Let’s give him a spotlight. Baby Lasagna is a project, created by Marko Purišić, who was born on July 5, 1995 in Umag, Croatia. He has a younger brother named Martin, who is also a musician. Coming from a teachersfamily Marko expressed that he would have most likely become a teacher too if he had not decided to pursue a musical career instead. He did however, work as a children’s assistant in an elementary school for a year until quitting to study public relations in Zagreb. Purišić had previously also studied tourism and sound engineering. Career From 2011 to 2016 and 2018 to 2022, Purišić was as guitarist for Manntra, a Croatian rock band. They participated in Dora 2019, (The national final for the Eurovision Song Contest) securing the fourth position with the song “In the Shadows” with a total of 12 points. Following his tenure with the group, he transitioned to pursue a solo career in 2023. On 21 October 2023, Purišić released his debut single “IG Boy” under the pseudonym Baby Lasagna . Two months later, in December 2023, his second single “Don’t Hate Yourself, But Don’t Love Yourself Too Much” was released. Dora 2024 Baby Lasagna was on the B list for the National Song Contest in Croatia, and was told very last minute that there was a dropout and he could take the vacant spot. The rest is history; he came, saw and conquered convincingly. The song Rim Tim Tagi Dim serves as the third single for Baby Lasagna’s debut solo album, “Demons and Mosquitoes“. The song is to capture a national dilemma, as Croatia has been described as a country of emigration. More people are leaving the country than ever before. The song explores the mass exodus of young people leaving Croatia, and the effects it has on those leaving and those that are left behind. The title Rim Tim Tagi Dim literally means nothing. Google it (I did), you won’t find a translation. Rim Tim Tagi Dim is more of an expression of a rhythm. Eurovision in Concert In Amsterdam, last april, during the Eurovision in Concert weekend, our reporter Kal spoke with Marko. Croatia and the Eurovision Song Contest After the breakup of Yugoslavia in 1992, the various former states also continued independently of each other in the Eurovision Song Contest. Croatia made its debut in 1993, along with Bosnia and Herzegovina and Slovenia. The country has been represented at the Eurovision Song Contest almost every year since that year. Of the countries belonging to Yugoslavia, Croatia achieved the best results in the first years. Between 1995 and 2001, with one exception, the top 10 was achieved every time. The Croats achieved their best performances in 1996 and 1999, when the country finished fourth. Will Baby Lasagna manage to make it to the final? No doubt about that. Will he win the Eurovision Song Contest? We’ll know on Saturday.

In the spotlight: Loreen

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place on Saturday 13 May. One of the favorites for the win is Loreen representing Sweden. But who is Loreen ? Let’s give her a spotlight. Loreen (Lorine Zineb Noka Talhaoui), is a Swedish singer of Moroccan descent. She was born on October 16, 1983 in Åkersbergabeter, Sweden, as the eldest of six children in a liberal Muslim family. When Loreen was six years old, her parents divorced and the children moved to Västerås with their mother. Pop Idol, Melodifestivalen and Eurovision Song Contest In 2004, Loreen took part in the Swedish version of Pop Idol where she placed fourth. Together with the band Rob’n’Raz she released the single “The Snake” in 2005. Loreen in 2004 Seven years later, in 2011, Loreen took part in Melodifestivalen, the Swedish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest. She did this with the song “My Heart is Refusing Me”. She placed fourth in the semi-finals, so she did not advance directly to the final, but was allowed to participate in the second chance round. However, she still failed to do so. A year later, Loreen took another chance. With the song “Euphoria” she made it easily to the final, which she convincingly won. At the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, which was held in the Azerbaijani capital Baku, Loreen was then allowed to represent her home country Sweden. During the second semi-final on May 24, 2012, she managed to qualify for the grand final which she won two days later, on May 26, 2012, with 372 points. It marked the fifth Swedish victory in the history of the Eurovision song contest. In the weeks after her win, “Euphoria” became a big hit in many European countries. Loreen was number 1 in eleven countries. “Euphoria” eventually even became the most successful and longest recorded Eurovision hit in history in the Netherlands. Loreen’s debut album “Heal” was released on October 22, 2012. It contained eight new songs and three already released songs. The single “My Heart is Refusing Me” was also included, in a new international version. Ride, Melodifestivalen and Så mycket bättre In April 2014, Loreen went on a tour called XIV. On this tour she performed some of her new songs, including “Jupiter Drive” and “Dumpster”. The long-awaited second album “Ride” was released in 2017 but it was not very successful. That year Loreen participated again in Melodifestivalen with the song “Statements”. However, she failed to qualify for the final. In 2020, Loreen participated in the Swedish TV show “Så mycket bättre” (Swedish for ‘So much better’). This program is based on the Dutch show “Beste Zangers” (‘Best Singers’). Loreen then sang in Swedish for the first time. The success of her performances led to the announcement of a Swedish-language album that Loreen would be working on. The first single, Sötvattentårar (Swedish for ‘Freshwater Tears’), was released in March 2021. In 2021, Loreen made her acting debut in the movie “Vinterviken”. In this she plays a Moroccan mother with a teenage son. She was inspired by her own mother for this role. Return to Melodifestivalen and the Eurovision Song Contest At the beginning of 2023, Loreen took part in Melodifestivalen for the fourth time. She did this with the song “Tattoo”. Her performance in the preliminary round was disrupted by climate activists, forcing it to be shut down. Immediately afterwards she was allowed to perform her entry again and she managed to qualify for the final. On March 11th, she won the final, making her the Swedish entry for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Will she manage to win the Eurovision Song Contest, just like in 2012? We’ll know on Saturday.

In the Spotlight: Blanca Paloma

Blanca Eurovision Spain Liverpool

In the spotlight: Käärijä

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest 2023 will take place in Liverpool on Saturday 13th of May. One of the favorites for the win is Käärijä, who represents Finland. But who is Käärijä ? Let’s give him a spotlight! Käärijä (Jere Pöyhönen) is a Finnish singer, rapper and songwriter born in Helsinki on October 21, 1993.He grew up in the Ruskeasanta district of Vantaa, near the Finnish capital Helsinki. While growing up Käärijä was a hockey player. Later on, he discovered his passion for music, while learning to play the drums. Start musical career and stage name His stage name comes from a joke with his friends about gambling (kääriminen), a recurring theme in his music. In 2014, Jere was rushed into hospital, when he was diagnosed with a sudden serious illness in the colon. His condition worsened fast to the point Jere’s life was threatened due to the illness. Emergency surgery followed, after which he started to recover. However, the incident signalled a turning point in his artistic career, allowing him to focus solely on producing music. Pöyhönen self-released his music until 2017 when he signed a contract with the record label Monsp Records. He subsequently released the double single “Koppi tules” / “Nou roblem”. The following year, he released an extended play, titled “Peliä”. His debut album Fantastista was released in 2020. This album was announced in a very special way: At the beginning of 2023 he took part in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu, the Finnish preselection for the Eurovision Song Contest. The song he brought, is nothing more than a cozy song about a night out, and the drinks that are drunk, but catchy it absolutely is. Nevertheless, “Cha cha cha” convincingly won Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu. Will he also win he Eurovision Song Contest 2023? We will know on Saturday.