Drums

Stoyan Yankoulov

About Quick Facts NameStoyan Yankoulov Born10 September 1966 Nationality🇧🇬 Bulgarian National SelectionInternal selection 2022Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2013”Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2007” In Eurovision2022 Turin2013 Malmö2007 Helsinki SongIntention (2022, Intelligent Music Project)Samo Shiampioni (2013, with Elitsa Todorova)Water (2007, with Elitsa Todorova) Biography Stoyan Yankulov was born on September 10, 1966, in the town of Elin Pelin, Sofia region. At the age of eight, he began piano lessons. At the same time, he showed interest in percussion instruments. From an early age, he was already the basis of musical groups as a drummer. In Sofia, he graduated from the “Lyubomir Pipkov” music school, and then the “Pancho Vladigerov” State Music Academy specializing in percussion instruments. He was admitted to the Big Band of the Bulgarian National Radio. Yankulov plays with rock and jazz groups, folklore ensembles, jazz-rock, and fusion groups. He has performed in Bulgaria, Finland, Belgium, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Italy, the Czech Republic, Turkey, the USA, Canada, Japan, and Russia. Stoyan Yankulov has presented Bulgarian cultural heritage in front of the presidents of Bulgaria, Greece, Armenia, Hungary, His Highness Prince Albert, the King and Queen of Sweden, Koichiro Matsuura – UNESCO, and OSCE ministers. He participated in projects with Bobby McFerrin, Okay Temiz, Cornel Horvat, Carlo Ritzo, Arabel Karayan, Enver Izmailov, as well as with Theodosii Spassov, Ivo Papazov, Milcho Leviev, Simeon Shterev, Yildiz Ibrahimova, Anatoli Vapirov, and Petar Ralchev. In a duet with Elitsa Todorova, Yankulov ranked an impressive 5th place in the Eurovision Song Contest’s final in 2007 in Finland. Together with the Wladigeroff Brothers, Stoyan gave a jazz concert in April 2011 in Montreal, Canada. In 2013, he and Elitsa Todorova were again chosen to represent Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest. Out of three songs, the song “Kisnet” was chosen. However, due to a copyright issue with the composer of the song, it was withdrawn and replaced by “Samo Shiampioni”. Unfortunately, Elitsa and Stoyan didn’t manage to reach the final. In December, Yankoulov performed at the Bulgarian festival MoMental. In 2014, Stoyan teamed up with the fusion Jazz Band Zone C for a couple of performances and recordings. In October of the same year he worked together with the Classic FM Orchestra and a month later with the Black Sea Quartet. Stoyan Yankoulov also joined the Intelligent Music Project. At the end of 2021 it was announced that Intelligent Music Project would participate in the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin. The band sang the song “Intention”. Unfortunately, the group did not make it to the final. Entries Intention (Intelligent Music Project) Country🇧🇬 Bulgaria Year2022 LanguageEnglish LyricsMilen VrabevskiMD MusicMilen VrabevskiMD Backings– Results Semi Points: 29Position: 16Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/EwZTI5AoTg4?si=ZTNgdNfyl9Q1C2Zw Samo Shiampioni (with Elitsa Todorova) Country🇧🇬 Bulgaria Year2013 LanguageBulgarian LyricsElitsa TodorovaChristian Talev MusicElitsa TodorovaChristian Talev BackingsDesislava GeorgievaBilyana SokolovaBiserka Danova-PilarskaVenci Venc’ Results Semi Points: 45Position: 12Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Cb46Mhy_mCI?si=W7vdlU5LmBd16nD1 Water (with Elitsa Todorova) Country🇧🇬 Bulgaria Year2007 LanguageBulgarian LyricsElitsa Todorova MusicElitsa TodorovaStoyan Yankoulov Backings– Results Semi Points: 146Position: 6Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: 157Position: 5Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/CVO3mEj8Udo?si=AbtLJDRFxjrfHVDo

Elitsa Todorova

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameElitsa Todorova Born02 September 1977 Nationality🇧🇬 Bulgarian National SelectionBŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2013”Bŭlgarskata pesen v „Evroviziya 2007” In Eurovision2013 Malmö 2007 Helsinki SongSamo Shiampioni (2013, with Stoyan Yankoulov)Water (2007, with Stoyan Yankoulov) Biography Elitsa Todorova is a Bulgarian folk singer, percussionist, music producer, and inventor. She was born in Varna, Bulgaria, on September 2nd 1977. As a child, she spent 7 years with her parents in Africa. She graduated from the Dobri Hristov Music School in Varna with a specialty in Percussion instruments. She then completed her studies at the Filip Kutev Music School in Kotel with a specialty in folk singing. Later, she graduated from the Pancho Vladigerov State Music Academy in Sofia, specializing in percussion instruments. She is a soloist of the Varna Ensemble and the choir Cosmic Voices from Bulgaria. In 2003, together with her partner Stoyan Yankoulov, considered one of the most innovative Bulgarian percussionists, they started the Drumboy project. Among the instruments she plays are the tarambuka, drum set, maracas, claves, pendaris, shepherd bells, streamers, lustra, and guiro. Todorova uses traditional percussion instruments in an unconventional way, blending authentic folklore with jazz, drum and bass, classical, and ethnic music with a lot of improvisation. In 2005, she received the Golden Phenomenon award for exceptional achievements in the field of vocal and instrumental art and the presentation of Bulgarian culture worldwide. In February 2007, Elitsa Todorova and Stoyan Yankoulov won the right to represent Bulgaria at the Eurovision 2007 with their song “Water”. They qualified for the competition’s final, and osecured fifth place in the final ranking. In 2008, the BNT team and Lili Ivanova invited Elitsa and Stoyan to remake Ivanova’s song “Panairi” with Elitsa’s folkloric voice, bagpipes, and percussion instruments. In 2009, she created the “Stihia” (Element) comic along with Daniel Atanasov, dedicated to the elements of water, earth, fire, wind. Its premiere presentation was in concerts in Tokyo, Japan, accompanied by the environmental campaign “Keep the Earth clean”! Together with 2,000 Bulgarians in national costumes, she represented Bulgarian culture at the World Cultural Music Festival at the Olympic Stadium in Berlin in 2011. In her performance, she introduced a unique drum patented in her name – “Cosmic Tree from Bulgaria”. In 2012, Elitsa Todorova created an instrument called “Bulgaria’s Olympic Drum”. She has performed in 40 countries, showcasing Bulgarian folklore and culture. Along with Stoyan Yankoulov, they have performed for notable figures such as Princess Victoria, the King and Queen of Sweden, Pope John Paul II, Prince Albert II of Monaco, presidents of all Balkan countries, Dmitry Medvedev and Todor Zhivkov. On May 24, 2011, at the UN headquarters, the singer participated in a joint concert with soloists from all Slavic countries. In 2013, she and Stoyan Yankoulov were again chosen to represent Bulgaria in the Eurovision Song Contest. Out of three songs, the song “Kisnet” was chosen. However, due to a copyright issue with the composer of the song, it was withdrawn and replaced by “Samo Shiampioni”. Unfortunately, Elitsa and Stoyan didn’t manage to reach the final. From 2013 to 2017, she participated in a trio consisting of Elitsa Todorova (voice and percussion), Martin and Kristian Pishtolski (drums and voice) on tours in Bulgaria and Europe. In 2017, Elitsa sang and played with 101 bagpipes at the first international Devin festival and at the “Bells” monument. She has worked for many years with the daughter of the world-renowned conductor Herbert von Karajan. In 2021, she released her illustrated biography book “With Rhythm and Love”. In 2022 she re-released the album “Water” with new versions of the songs. She also released a new single, “Sharena gayda”, in duet with Nancy Ivaylova. She also was awarded the Dostoyna Varnenka (Preserve the Woman) Award 2022. She also did masterclasses and shows with children, to make them familiar with traditional music. In 2023 her musical album “Svetlina” was released. Meanwhile, Elitsa was a member of the jury of the dance competition “Be A Star”. Entries Samo Shiampioni (& Stoyan Yankoulov) Country🇧🇬 Bulgaria Year2013 LanguageBulgarian LyricsElitsa TodorovaChristian Talev MusicElitsa TodorovaChristian Talev BackingsDesislava GeorgievaBilyana SokolovaBiserka Danova-PilarskaVenci Venc’ Results Semi Points: 45Position: 12Running order: 7 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Cb46Mhy_mCI?si=PoUjkIYNE20STVas Water (& Stoyan Yankoulov) Country🇧🇬 Bulgaria Year2007 LanguageBulgarian LyricsElitsa Todorova MusicElitsa TodorovaStoyan Yankoulov Backings– Results Semi Points: 146Position: 6Running order: 1 Results Finals Points: 157Position: 5Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/CVO3mEj8Udo?si=R7avcgiYzk_gH9bk

Suzy

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameSusana Guerra Born24 January 1980 Nationality🇵🇹 Portugal National SelectionFestival Da Canção 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongQuero Ser Tua (2014) Biography Susana Guerra, also recognized as Suzy Guerra and previously known as Susana Mota or simply Suzy, is a singer hailing from Portugal. Her stage debut happened when she was just 6 years old at Cineteatro Caras Direitas in Buarcos. She later relocated to Lisbon in her youth and joined the popular children’s group, Onda Choc. Furthermore, she was the voice behind the inaugural theme of the kid’s TV series, Uma Aventura. In the Christmas season of 1999, she teamed up with Os Anjos on a song titled “Esta Noite Branca”, included in the re-release of the album “Ficarei”. She launched her maiden solo album under the name Susana”, featuring collaborations with singer João Portugal on a song called “Vida”. This track was included in a compilation promoted by Rádio Renascença in 2001. From 2002 to 2003, Susana portrayed Sally in the musical My Fair Lady, a production by Filipe La Feria. In 2005, she ventured to Canada to explore further musical opportunities. Susana was part of the December 2009 musical, Alice e a Magia do Natal, performing alongside artists like Ricardo Soler, Helena Vieira, Bernardo Gavina, and Beatriz Costa in the Óbidos Vila Natal event. She also gave live performances alongside notable figures such as DJ Diego Miranda and DJ Rita Mendes. This opened doors for her to work with DJ Kourosh (DJ Revelation 2008) and DJ Disimmon (Miguel Simões). Together, they produced a track titled “Candyland” (written by her), which was featured in the Summer Jam 2010 compilation, credited to Kourosh Tazmini & Disimmon featuring Suzy G. In 2014, she triumphed at the RTP Festival da Canção with a song called “Quero Ser Tua”. She carried the Portuguese flag at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen, Denmark, with her song “Quero Ser tua”. Despite delivering a notable performance, she placed 11th out of the 16 entries, narrowly missing out on the qualification by a single point. She reinvented herself as Suzy Guerra and launched a new single named “Higher” in November 2021. In 2022 she performed at Eurovision Parties in Poland, Spain, the UK and Portugal. In 2023 she performed in Austria, Poland, Portugal and Spain. Entries Quero Ser Tua Country🇵🇹 Portugal Year2014 LanguagePortuguese LyricsEmanuel MusicEmanuel BackingsSara CampinaMarta MotaJefferson Negreiros (percussion) DancersRenato NobreLuís Filipe Pimenta Results Semi Points: 39Position: 11Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/fhMbHLiEjS4

Ryan Dolan

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameRyan Dolan Born22 July 1985 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongOnly Love Survives (2013) Biography Ryan Dolan (born 22 July 1985) is an Irish pop singer. He was born in Strabane in County Tyrone, Northern Ireland. Dolan’s track “Only Love Survives” clinched the top spot in Ireland’s Eurosong 2013. This victory set him on the path to represent Ireland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö, Sweden. Dolan showcased his song during the semi-final at the Malmö Arena on 14 May 2013, securing his spot in the final with a top-ten finish. However, in the climactic final on 18 May 2013, he secured the last spot, with support from only three countries totaling five points. Dolan launched his first album, “Frequency”, on 13 May 2013. His second single, “Start Again”, was released on 7 March 2014, following his public revelation about his sexuality on RTÉ Radio 1. The music video, illustrating a tragic story of a gay teenager’s suicide, garnered over a million views on YouTube. Dolan became a prominent figure within LGBT circles and performed at several pride events, such as Pride in Newry 2014 and Bristol Pride 2015. His third single, “Fall to the Floor”, released on 20 June 2014, achieved a moderate position on the Irish Recorded Music Association chart, ranking 88th. In a heartfelt interview on RTÉ Radio 1 in February 2014, Dolan opened up about his sexuality, revealing he’s gay. He reflected on his school years, describing his struggle with self-acceptance and the challenge of finding someone to confide in. In June of the same year, he released the song “Fall to the Floor” about this subject. On 20 November 2015, he unveiled his fourth single, “Uptown Downtown”. His collection of covers culminated in the album “Under the Covers, Vol.1”, which was released on 19 February 2016. The album reached the no. 1 spot in the Irish album charts a year later. In October 2020, Ryan Dolan released a new song and video, “Colours”. Entries Only Love Survives Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsWez DevineRyan Dolan MusicWez DevineRyan Dolan BackingsLeanne MooreAlison Vard MillerColm Farrel (drums)Alan McGrath (drums)Nicky Bailey (drums) Results Semi Points: 54Position: 8Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: 5Position: 26Running order: 26 https://youtu.be/4tgtyl_5x5Y?si=9y3PsOd0kmA2tlhU

Emmelie de Forest

About Quick Facts NameEmmelie Charlotte-Victoria De Forrest Born28 February 1993 Nationality🇩🇰 Danish National SelectionDansk Melodi Grand Prix 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongOnly Teardrops (2013) Biography Emmelie Charlotte-Victoria de Forest was born on 28 February 1993 in Randers, Denmark. Music ran in her veins; she claims descent from Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom. Her father is Swedish, and her mother is Danish. Emmelie began singing at a young age. At just 14, she began performing in local festivals, singing jazz classics from the 1930s and 1940s. This early exposure to music set the foundation for her future career. Emmelie de Forest’s big breakthrough came in 2013 when she represented Denmark at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Malmö, Sweden. With her song “Only Teardrops,” she managed to captivate audiences and judges alike, leading to her winning the contest. The song went on to become a major hit not only in Denmark but also across Europe. Following her Eurovision win, Emmelie released her debut album, also titled “Only Teardrops,” which featured a collection of tracks showcasing her distinct vocal style. She went on tours, performed at various concerts, and became a well-recognized name in the European music scene. On 7 February 2014, Emmelie de Forest introduced her third single, “Rainmaker,” through a video upload. She delved into its significance, providing a sneak peek of the song. This tune became the official #JoinUs anthem for the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, and de Forest showcased it live during the event’s final in Copenhagen’s B&W Hallerne. She described “Rainmaker” as a song that encapsulates the unity of a tribe invoking the rain to rejuvenate their parched land. However, she expanded its meaning, suggesting that the rainmaker could symbolize anyone or anything – emphasizing collaboration and mutual aid. Reflecting on her post-Eurovision victory, de Forest exclaimed, “Touring Europe, dropping my first album, penning numerous songs – truly, I’m living the dream!” In a September 2014 discussion with Wiwibloggs, de Forest mentioned she was in the midst of recording her sophomore album, initially set for a February 2015 launch. By 14 July, “Rainmaker” had achieved Gold status. Then, on 3 August 2014, she shared on Facebook her plans to debut her upcoming album’s first single, “Drunk Tonight,” at the Amsterdam Pride 2014. Through Instagram, she revealed glimpses of the song and its upcoming music video. The single hit the shelves on 18 August, followed by its music video release on 25 August. Emphasizing the video’s aesthetic, in which she appears in a swimsuit, de Forest aimed for a blend of “elegance and allure.” Come December 2015, de Forest departed from Universal Music Group, subsequently partnering with Swedish entity, Cosmos Music. As a lyricist, she contributed to Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2016 with “Never Alone,” performed by Anja Nissen. However, its eligibility wavered as de Forest had showcased the song earlier. Yet, the European Broadcasting Union, responsible for Eurovision’s organization, greenlit it. The song contended in the 13 February 2016 final, securing a spot in the super final and finishing second. In the UK’s national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2017, de Forest returned as a songwriter, penning “Never Give Up on You” for Lucie Jones. This song clinched the top spot and later ranked 15th at the Eurovision in Kyiv. November 2017 saw de Forest releasing “Sanctuary,” marking her first venture after her Universal exit. February 9, 2018, witnessed the unveiling of her second album, “History.” Aligning with independent label Day In Day Out Records, under Cosmos Music’s umbrella, she launched “Typical Love Song” on 8 October 2021. In November of the same year, she played a role in the short film “Text Me When You Get Home” about the ordinary fear and paranoia of being a woman walking home alone. Entries Only Teardrops Country🇩🇰 Denmark Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsLise CabbleJulia Fabrin JacobsenThomas Stengaard MusicLise CabbleJulia Fabrin JacobsenThomas Stengaard BackingsAnne MurilloHeidi DegnAnders ØhrstrømMorten Specht Larsen (drums)Jacob Bagøe Thomsen (drums) Results Semi Points: 167Position: 1Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: 281Position: 1Running order: 18 https://youtu.be/QxVWcDevKLg

Eliot Vassamillet

© EBU/Andres Putting About Quick Facts NameEliot Vassamillet Born29 December 2000 Nationality???????? Belgian National SelectionInternal selection 2019 In Eurovision2019 Tel Aviv SongWake up (2019) Biography Eliot Vassamillet, also known as just Eliot, is a Belgian singer. He was born in Mons, Wallonia. Eliot participated in the seventh season of The Voice Belgium in 2018. He chooses to join Slimane’s team. He was eliminated during the eleventh episode, the first one where he was able to perform live. On January 14, 2019, Télépro published an article which launched the rumor that Eliot had been chosen to represent Belgium in the Eurovision Song Contest. The next day, RTBF officially confirmed that Eliot Vassamillet was going to be Belgium’s representative in 2019. The song he was going to sing was called “Wake up”. Unfortunately, he did not manage to reach the final with the song. After Eurovision, it remained silent around Eliot, until he published a new song in November 2021: “Find a way”. Entries Wake Up Country???????? Belgium Year2019 LanguageEnglish LyricsPierre DumoulinEliot Vassamillet MusicPierre DumoulinEliot Vassamillet BackingsRenato BennardoJulien MichelElya LufwaMahdy Coulibaly Results Semi Points: 70Position: 13Running order: 10 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/iFB9NnjU4ns