Female Artists

🇵🇹 In memoriam: Sara Tavares

The sad news came to us that today, 19th November 2023, Portuguese singer Sara Tavares passed away. Sara represented Portugal in the 1994 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Chamar a musica”. Sara Tavares was a multifaceted artist whose music blended her Cape Verdean roots with world music influences. She was born on February 1, 1978, in Lisbon, Portugal. Raised in a multilingual environment, her exposure to diverse cultures and musical traditions at an early age shaped her eclectic musical style. Sara’s talent was first recognized when she won two significant Portuguese music contests, including the televised Chuva de Estrelas, at the age of 16. This early success laid the foundation for her musical career. In the same year, she won Festival Da Canção, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. She reached an 8th place in the international final in Dublin, one of the higher scores for Portugal. Her debut album, “Sara Tavares & Shout,” released in 1996, showcased her unique blend of African, Portuguese, and world rhythms, establishing her as a promising new voice in world music. Tavares’ artistry is characterized by soulful melodies, rich harmonies, and a blend of languages, predominantly Portuguese and Cape Verdean Creole, which she seamlessly weaves into her songs. Following her debut, Tavares took a brief hiatus to refine her sound and direction. She reemerged with “Mi Ma Bô” in 1999, an album that further solidified her unique musical identity, combining traditional African sounds with contemporary influences. Tavares’ renewed breakthrough came with her 2006 album “Balancê,” which earned critical acclaim and expanded her international audience. It showcased her matured songwriting and a deeper exploration of her African roots, featuring hits like “Bom Feeling” and “Balancê.” Her subsequent album, “Xinti,” released in 2009, continued this trajectory, delving deeper into the exploration of her identity and heritage. The album was a critical success, praised for its introspective lyrics and rich, multi-layered compositions. Beyond music, Tavares is known for her activism and advocacy for cultural diversity and inclusion. She has been a vocal advocate for the African diaspora’s culture, using her music as a bridge between different cultures and generations. Sara Tavares suffered of a brain tumor and passed away at age 45.

Iris

About Quick Facts NameLaura van den Bruel Born19 January 1995 Nationality🇧🇪 Belgian National SelectionEen Song Voor Iris In Eurovision2012 Baku SongWould You (2012) Biography Laura Van den Bruel, also known by her stage name Airis and as Iris, is a Belgian singer and designer. She wasborn on January 19, 1995, in Morkhoven, Belgium. Her career, spanning from 2010 to the present, showcases her versatility across genres like pop and country. Laura had her first and biggest hit, “Wonderful” in 2011. In 2012 she released her first album, “Seventeen”. Gaining prominence in 2012, she represented Belgium at the Eurovision Song Contest held in Baku, Azerbaijan, where she performed under the name Iris. Unfortunately, she did not advance to the Grand Final. Laura’s journey in the music industry is characterized by continuous evolution. After Eurovision, she explored various musical styles, further developing her artistic identity. She scored several hits, like “Welcome to my world” (2012), “Tomorrow I’ll be OK” (2013) and “Lost For One Day” (2014). Her songs “Heartbreaker” and “I’ll Stand By You” were no big successes. After this, she decided to change her career and followed a study in order to be a graphic designer. Although she still performs every now and then, she is currently also working as a graphic designer in Herentals. She is working at Ferem Design Studio. Under her own name, she released a song called “Avalon” in 2021. Entries Would You Country🇧🇪 Belgium Year2012 LanguageEnglish LyricsNina SampermansJean Bosco SafariWalter Mannaerts MusicNina SampermansJean Bosco SafariWalter Mannaerts BackingsBillie BenteinJoke VinckeJana De Valck Results Semi Points: 16Position: 17Running order: 8 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/7Z_5s5gnrCM?si=CmTu6Ozc3eiUau65

Silia Kapsis

EBU/Alma Bengtsson

🇨🇾 It’s Silia Kapsis for Cyprus

photo: EBU/CyBC Finally confirmed, after weeks of rumours: Silia Kapsis will represent Cyprus! That is what Cypriot broadcaster CyBC announced today. Silia Kapsis was, just like this year’s contestant, Andrew Lambrou, born and raised in Australia. To be more precise: in Sydney. Silia has served as the main vocalist for the Australian Youth Performing Arts Company (AYPAC) and has frequently headlined numerous prestigious global events. Beyond the spotlight, her passion for pop music grew stronger. In 2022, she unveiled her maiden track, “Who Am I?”, a song she penned and set to music when she was just 12. Her subsequent tracks, “No Boys Allowed” and “Disco Dancer”, were released in March and May of 2023, respectively, with another song anticipated before the close of 2024. Silia has collaborated with globally acclaimed choreographers. She was chosen to be part of the ImmaBeast Dance Company in Los Angeles, shared the dance floor with Stephen tWitch Boss on The Jennifer Hudson Show, and was spotlighted in a dance documentary by Taboo of the Black-Eyed Peas. But Silia’s talents don’t stop at singing and dancing. She made her on-screen debut playing Zoe in the short film Pearly Gates. Furthermore, she’s been involved in several TV ventures with Nickelodeon, and regularly presents on Nick News. A song and a title have not been announced yet, so….. to be continued! “Disco Dancer” is not Silia’s Eurovision song.

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

Esma Redžepova

About Quick Facts NameEsma Redžepova-Teodosievska Born08 August 1943 Deceased11 December 2016 Nationality🇲🇰 North Macedonian National SelectionInternal selection 2013Specialen Evroviziski Den 2006Jugovizija 1971 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongPred Da Se Razdeni (2013, with Lozano) Biography Early Life and Introduction to Music Born on August 8, 1943, in the heart of Skopje, North Macedonia, Esma hailed from the vibrant Romani district of Čair. The youngest in a family of six, Esma’s early years were deeply influenced by the rich tapestry of Romani culture. Her initiation into the world of music began at local events and ceremonies where, even as a child, her melodious voice made her a favorite. In a fortuitous twist of fate, 13-year-old Esma’s talent caught the attention of Stevo Teodosievski, a prominent Macedonian composer and bandleader. Seeing potential in the young songbird, Teodosievski not only mentored her in music but also adopted her, ensuring she received both formal education and intensive musical training. Embarking on a Musical Journey Under Teodosievski’s guidance, Esma’s repertoire expanded to include various genres: from Macedonian folk to Romani ballads, Turkish classics, and even modern pop. By 1961, she was ready to record her first song. “Čaje Šukarije”, with its catchy rhythm and Esma’s unique voice, became an instant success, marking the beginning of her ascendancy as the “Queen of Romani Songs”. Esma’s distinct sound stemmed from her ability to seamlessly blend traditional Romani music with other genres. This adaptability made her music universally appealing, allowing her to transcend national borders. Throughout the 60s and 70s, her fame skyrocketed, leading to performances across Europe, Asia, and even Africa. In 1971 she took part in Jugovizija, the Yugoslav national final for the Eurovision Song Contest. Her song “Malo Malo” earned a 3rd place. Career Milestones and International Acclaim Across her illustrious career, Esma recorded over 500 songs and produced multiple albums. She performed in over 40 countries and sang in multiple languages, a testament to both her versatility and the universality of her music. Her tunes resonated with a wide audience, from the Balkans to the far reaches of the Middle East and beyond. One of her most memorable moments on the international stage came in 2013 when she represented Macedonia at the Eurovision Song Contest. Alongside singer Lozano, Esma showcased her timeless appeal to a European audience, further cementing her legacy. Beyond Music: A Humanitarian at Heart While music was her first love, Esma’s heart had room for much more. She was deeply moved by the plight of her Romani community, which, despite its rich cultural heritage, often faced prejudice and social exclusion. Together with Teodosievski, who she later married, Esma embarked on numerous humanitarian projects. The couple’s most notable endeavor was their decision to foster 47 destitute children. But for Esma and Teodosievski, fostering wasn’t just about providing shelter; it was about holistic development. The children were given formal education, trained in the arts, and most importantly, taught the values of love and unity. This led to the establishment of their ensemble, where many of their foster children performed, thus ensuring the next generation carried forward the Romani musical tradition. Esma’s relentless efforts towards uplifting the Romani community didn’t go unnoticed. The community lovingly bestowed upon her the title of “Romani Mother Theresa”. Legacy Esma Redžepova’s passing on December 11, 2016, marked the end of an era. Yet, her legacy is far from forgotten. As the voice of the Romani people, she championed their cause, bringing their music and issues to the global forefront. More than just an artist, Esma was an emblem of unity, resilience, and compassion. Entries Pred Da Se Razdeni (with Lozano) Country🇲🇰 North Macedonia Year2013 LanguageMacedonianRomani LyricsMagdalena Cvetkovska MusicDarko DimitrovLazar CvetkovskiSimeon Atanasov BackingsEleonora MustafovskaNina Yaneva Results Semi Points: 28Position: 16Running order: 13 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/Vi1VYsOUCsY?si=mmMG0NSQ1sYLooy0

Sophie Gelovani

About Quick Facts NameSopho Gelovani Born31 March 1983 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionGeorgian final 2013 In Eurovision2013 Malmö SongWaterfall (2013, with Nodi Tatishvili) Biography Sopo Gelovani (born March 21, 1983 in Tbilisi, Georgian SSR, USSR) is a Georgian pop singer. She completed her studies in Spanish at the Ilya Chavchavadze State University’s Faculty of Foreign Languages. She also graduated from the Zakaria Paliashvili State Conservatory, specializing in operatic singing. Since 2000, she has participated in numerous international competitions in countries like Moldova, Russia, Armenia, and Azerbaijan, earning many awards and recognitions. In 2005, she returned from the “Slavianski Bazaar” competition with an award. In 2008, while in Moscow, Russia, she was honored as the best female performer of romance songs. In 2009, she became involved in the community project “Jesotarita”. She gained fame in Georgia as a participant in the casting show Geostar, the Georgian version of Pop Idol. In 2010, she made it to the final and finished second overall. In 2012, she took part in an international festival in Germany, where artists from around the world performed. The festival was dedicated to campaigns against violence and racism. She released a music video for her song “Khorumi”. In December 2012, the Georgian broadcaster SSM decided that Gelovani, along with Nodi Tatishvili, should compete in the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 in Malmö. They chose the song “Waterfall” by Euphoria’s composer Thomas G:son. Gelovani and Tatishvili reached the ESC final with the song and finished in 15th place. Also in 2013, alongside Nodiko Tatishvili, she represented Georgia in the Eurovision Song Contest. They reached the final and were awarded the international press’s choice award for their song “Waterfall”. In 2014, she and Nodiko Tatishvili won the main nomination for Song of the Year for their song “Waterfall” at the Golden Wave awards ceremony organized by Radio Holding Fortuna. In 2017, she participated in the show “Dancing with the stars”. She also secured first place in the project “10+10” (representing Armenia and Ukraine). She took part in another project named “Two Stars”. Sopho and Nodi Tatishvili hosted the Georgian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest in 2017. In November of the same year she released the song “France Tango”. It was followed a month later by “ase arasdrots…”. In November 2018 her song and video “Gadamrie” were released. In 2019, Sopho won the Golden Wave award by Radio Holding Fortuna for best radio song. It was for the song “Cold hands”. A new video, “L’amour” was released in March 2020. Together with Nodi Tatishvili she recorded the song “Sad imalebi”, which was released in July 2023. Entries Waterfall (& Nodi Tatishvili) Country🇬🇪 Georgia Year2013 LanguageEnglish LyricsThomas G:son MusicThomas G:sonErik Bernholm BackingsMartin KagemarkJohanna BeijbomLisette Vares Uhlmann Results Semi Points: 63Position: 10Running order: 15 Results Finals Points: 50Position: 15Running order: 25 https://youtu.be/-n3mwx0vQDE?si=vr8e33RXumGNxa0n

🇬🇧 Blast from the Past: UK 1969

We know a lot about Eurovision and we want to share this knowledge with you! Therefore we’d like to bring you a blast from the past. Today: one of the 1969 winners, the British one. United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest The United Kingdom started participating in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957. Five times it brought them the victory. Sandie Shaw was the first one in 1967, remember “Puppet on a String”? Lulu was the 2nd one, we are talking about this victory today. In 1976, they won again, now with the group Brotherhood of Man and the song “Save your kisses for me”. Five years later, Bucks Fizz got the trophy with “Making your mind up”. The most recent one was “Love shine a light” by Katrina and the Waves in 1997. Note that no less than 16 times, the UK got the 2nd place. National Final Lulu was selected internally by the BBC to represent the United Kingdom. In order to select the song, She performed six new songs in the BBC TV Centre in London on February 22nd. Viewers had a week to vote for the songs by postcards. Are you ready for love (5,560 votes, 5th) March (38,418 votes, 2nd) Come September (11,362 votes, 3rd) I can’t go on living without you (5,087 votes, 6th) Boom bang a bang (56,476 votes, winner) Bet yer (8,306 votes, 4th) Note that “I can’t go on living without you” was written by Elton John (!!) and Bernie Taupin. One of the rejected songs was called “Try it and see“, by Andrew Lloyd Webber. It was later recorded by Rita Pavone, but it rose to fame with other lyrics. As “King Herod’s Song” it was a part of the musical Jesus Christ Superstar. Lulu Early life and 1960s Lulu was born on November 3, 1948, in Lennoxtown, Scotland. She was raised in Glasgow. Lulu’s career began in the early 1960s with her band, The Luvvers. Her breakthrough hit, “Shout,” released in 1964 when she was just 15, remains one of her most iconic songs. In 1969, she represented the UK at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Boom Bang-a-Bang,” which ended in a four-way tie for first place. Further musical career Lulu continued her musical career in the 1970s with hits like “Oh Me Oh My (I’m a Fool for You Baby)” and “The Man with the Golden Gun,” which was the theme song for the James Bond film of the same name. In the 1980s, she saw a resurgence in her career with hits like “I Could Never Miss You (More Than I Do)” and “To Sir With Love,” which also was the title track of a movie she starred in. Lulu’s relevance and appeal remained intact in the decades that followed. In the 1990s, she collaborated with Take That on a cover of “Relight My Fire,” which became a massive hit. She continued to release albums and singles in the 2000s and 2010s, exploring various genres and showcasing her versatility as a singer. Acting and television Lulu’s foray into acting was marked by her starring role in the 1967 film “To Sir, with Love” opposite Sidney Poitier. The title track, which she sang, became a No. 1 hit in the United States. Over the years, she made appearances in various TV shows and series both as an actress and as herself. She’s been a host and guest on numerous British television programs and has made appearances in radio shows and theater productions. Personal life Lulu has been married twice, first to Bee Gees member Maurice Gibb and later to hairdresser John Frieda. She has one son with Frieda. For Dutch and Belgian visitors: the most recent Eurovision Artists Magazine contains an article about Lulu. Boom Bang A Bang “Boom Bang-a-Bang” is an upbeat, bubblegum pop song. Its chorus is infectious, featuring the repetitive onomatopoeic title, which easily catches the listener’s ear and is designed for sing-alongs. The song was written by Peter Warne and Alan Moorhouse. The song won the 1969 Eurovision Song Contest, but not alone. No less than four countries gained 18 votes. The song became an international hit and reached the #1 spot in the charts in Ireland and Norway. Strangely enough not in the UK itself; the song reached the 2nd place in the UK Single Charts.Notably was also the comment in one of the British newspapers: “Of course it will become a big hit. It will be translated into Hungarian and all the dialects of Mongolia, but it remains a lousy song.”

Kasey Smith

© Albin Olsson About Quick Facts NameKasey Smith Born29 March 1990 Nationality🇮🇪 Irish National SelectionEurosong 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongHeartbeat (with Can-Linn, 2014) Biography Kasey Smith is an Irish singer and songwriter best known for her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014 as part of the band Can-Linn. Born on March 29, 1990, in Dublin, Ireland, Smith started her musical journey from a young age. Her first major foray into the music industry was as a member of the girl group Wonderland in 2010, which was formed under the guidance of Louis Walsh and Kian Egan of Westlife. The band had some success, releasing a top ten album in Ireland before their disbandment in 2011. After Wonderland disbanded, Smith returned to Ireland and began working on a solo career. She first attempted to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2013 with the song “Kiss Me There”, but she didn’t make it past the national finals. In 2014, Smith was chosen to represent Ireland at Eurovision as part of the band Can-Linn. They performed the song “Heartbeat”, which Smith co-wrote. However, they didn’t progress past the semi-finals. Despite her early exposure in the music industry, Smith has maintained a relatively low profile, continuing to make music and perform around Ireland. In 2019, she started performing in a resort in Dubai every Saturday evening. She did the job until COVID19 came. Entries Heartbeat (& Can-linn) Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsJonas GladnikoffRasmus PalmgrenPatrizia Helander MusicHazel KaneswaranJonas GladnikoffRasmus PalmgrenPatrizia Helander BackingsSarah May Rogers (Violin) Results Semi Points: 35Position: 12Running order: 9 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/J9zEybTMeEs

Mariko Ebralidze

About Quick Facts NameMariko Ebralidze Born1984 Nationality🇬🇪 Georgian National SelectionInternal selection 2014 In Eurovision2014 Copenhagen SongThree Minutes To Earth (with The Shin, 2014) Biography Mariko Ebralidze is a notable Georgian jazz singer who gained international attention when she was selected to represent Georgia at the 2014 Eurovision Song Contest, alongside the band “The Shin”, with the song “Three Minutes to Earth”. Ebralidze was born in Tbilisi, the capital of Georgia. She graduated from the Tbilisi State Conservatoire, where she studied piano. However, her passion for singing led her towards a career in music. She’s been performing professionally since 2008, primarily as a jazz singer. Prior to her participation in the Eurovision Song Contest, Mariko Ebralidze had been a respected figure in the Georgian jazz scene for several years. She performed with several big bands and jazz ensembles throughout Georgia and internationally, earning acclaim for her emotive performances and her smooth, sultry vocals. Despite her background in jazz, Ebralidze’s Eurovision entry with The Shin was an experimental piece combining elements of Georgian folk, jazz, and pop music. Although the song didn’t make it past the semi-finals in the contest, it highlighted Ebralidze’s versatility and ability to perform across different genres. Also in May 2014, she released a solo song, “Don’t say goodbye”. In 2017 she teamed up with the band Niutone to do some Christmas performances. She worked together with Otar Tatishvili for several songs and performances. For the Iavnana Charity Foundation, she did a performance in 2021 singing the song “Smile”. Together with Kato Chkareul she performed “Prince Ali” from the movie Aladdin. She did this performance in the childrens show Ranina. Entries Three Minutes To Earth (& The Shin) Country🇬🇪 Georgia Year2014 LanguageEnglish LyricsEugen Eliu MusicZaza Miminoshvili Backings– Results Semi Points: 15Position: 15Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/0v69AvCQJQY