Greece

After the Eurovision Fame: Vicky Leandros

Vicky Leandros participated in the Eurovision Song Contest 2 times; in 1967 she represented Luxembourg with “L’amour est blue” and finished in fourth place. The song, however, became a worldwide hit, and was covered by many. In 1972 she was again asked to represent Luxembourg. She won the festival that year with “Après Toi” and gained worldwide fame. Early life and Career Vicky was born as Vasiliki Papathansasiou in Paleokastritsa (Corfu, Greece) on August 23. According to her own statement, she was born in 1952, but many biographies have mentioned birth year as 1949. In 1958, the Papathanasiou family moved to West Germany. After her parents’ divorce in 1961, her mother returned to Greece, and Vicky grew up with her father, who himself had a successful career as Leo Leandros. With his support, she built a career in Greece and Germany, initially under the name Vicky. Her first single was released in 1965: “Messer, Gabel, Schere, Licht” and became an instant hit in Germany. Until 1967 she had already scored several hits in this country, as well as in Canada and Greece. After the Eurovision Fame After winning the Eurovision Song Contest, Vicky was very successful in many countries, such as France, Greece, United Kingdom, Spain, Italy, Germany, the Netherlands, Belgium, Japan and Canada. She scored many hits worldwide, in different languages. In 2000 she released her first album of her own compositions. 2005 was a jubilee year for Vicky; She was on stage for 30 years and celebrated this with a double CD with her greatest hits and some new tracks. Actually, it was her 40th anniversary as an artist, but she withdrew from publicity for about 10 years from 1982, in order to be able to pay more attention to her husband and 3 children. During that period, however, new albums were released. In 2006 Vicky participated in the preselections for Eurosong in Germany, with the song “Don’t Break My Heart”. In this way, she hoped to represent her country in Athens. However, she had to leave the victory to the Texas Lightning. Throughout her impressive career, she has sold over 55 million albums. Political career On 15 October 2006 Vicky Leandros was elected town counselor of the Greek harbour town of Piraeus on the Pasok list. Her task concerned the Cultural and International development of Piraeus. She was also Deputy Mayor of Piraeus. It was announced in June 2008 that Leandros decided to leave her position in Greek politics with immediate effect. She stated, that she had underestimated the work load and time needed to fulfill her political obligations. Also it became impossible to combine those duties with her singing career. In August 2022, a few days after her 70th (or 73rd) birthday, she announced her retirement with a farewell tour in Austria and Germany, which will take place until the end of 2024.

Malmö Messages: And we are complete!

photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett With the ten finalists from the 2nd semifinal, we are complete. All the finalists are known. The 10 countries getting through to the Grand Final tonight are: Latvia Austria Netherlands Norway Israel Greece Estonia Switzerland Georgia Armenia

The second semifinal

photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett The hosts Petra Mede and Malin Åkerman open the show with their own version of “Tattoo.” Malta In the Maltese act by Sarah Bonnici, there is a lot of movement and dancing. Later during the act, she is blindfolded, as are her dancers. Despite so much movement, Sarah manages to sing remarkably well. Albania Besa wears a turquoise gown with gemstones. The stage also includes several dancers, which might make it look a bit messy. However, many dancers are projected onto LED screens. Besa’s voice sounds a bit sharp here and there. Greece First, we see her purple boots, then the whole Marina Satti. She is also flanked by four dancers, but it looks much more organized. Greece has chosen a sophisticated entry not meant for casual listeners. A lot happens during this entry. Marina continues to sing well. Switzerland Nemo takes the viewer into his story with the song “The Code,” managing to crack the (binary) code. Their clothing says it all. Nemo has so far managed to enhance their narrative through fashion statements. Nemo jumps, skips, shows himself to be a balancing artist… and continues to sing crystal clear. We do not know if this is a winner, but we definitely respect their skills. Czechia You would expect Aiko to be standing on a pedestal during her performance. That’s not the case, but we find that the ceiling (one of the cubes) is very low. Aiko has four… Her nipples are no longer visible. Pay particular attention to the high note that Aiko effortlessly hits. Aiko surprises! During the first semifinal, Nicole (from Hugo) received a tribute, and in this semifinal, Jahn Teigen (ESC 1978, 1982, 1983) is honored. We are treated to a journey through Eurovision history with several participants who did not finish very high. France Slimane, dressed in white, starts singing while lying down, then sits up. Everything is shot in close-up, which makes the song even more intimate. Slimane pulls out all the stops in terms of his singing ability. The song has its distinct fans, but others are completely on the opposite end of the spectrum. Austria It’s interesting to put someone on stage who has held various other roles at the contest. Singing is clearly not Kaleen’s strongest suit. Regardless of how enjoyable the song may be found, the singing is forgotten in Austria. However, the act looks absolutely tight, and Kaleen knows very well what she is doing in terms of dance. Denmark It seems like you only see a singer sprinkling some sand and singing her song. However, we also see a second Saba in the background… A hologram, as it turns out, because at one point she disintegrates into sand. Occasionally, Saba tends to sing too loud, which makes the whole thing seem a bit shouty. Armenia Cheerfulness all over, garnished with typical Armenian sounds. Singer Jaklin Baghdasarian of Ladaniva plays a leading role throughout the act. The other band members and backing band stand behind her, but at one point, the flutist also comes forward. We see all sorts of things in the background: trumpets, chickens, and the artists themselves. Latvia Looking at his Instagram account, he is very cheerful and humorous: the Latvian Dons. But seeing him standing there in his sleeveless leather outfit amid a circle, and hearing his very serious ballad, we notice little of that. There is nothing wrong with this song, but that might also be the problem. Spain Both the singer and the dancers are dressed in black. The singing isn’t fantastic, but Nebulossa certainly knows how to throw a party in the hall. And of course, halfway through the act, the dancers strip off their clothes and continue dancing with bare chests and buttocks. At the end, a keyhole appears behind the singer Mery. The Spaniards really throw a party. San Marino We stick with the Spanish language, as San Marino sends the Spanish group Megara. Singer Kenzy Loevett is briefly flanked by two dancers in scary Easter bunny suits. Everything is pink and black in this act. It’s all rock, and the group tries to match the scariness of Bambie Thug, but it remains rather tame for a horror show. Georgia Nutsa Buzaladze is dressed in gold and stands in a circle of fire, which at one moment looks like a sun, the next a burning hoop. Nutsa is flanked by four dancers, and gives her all in terms of singing, but that doesn’t necessarily mean it’s good. For Georgia, it’s definitely not a done deal. Belgium We had already seen photos of Mustii amid a circle of microphones, but he starts alone on stage. He then stands on a rotating platform. Later, he goes into this circle. Mustii is dressed in white. The singing we hear here is very cautious, with Mustii consciously staying below the high notes. He did not, as we previously reported, take his shirt off. But towards the end, we see the whole hall going wild with the Belgian entry! Estonia 5miinust and Puuluup are having a party on stage. The title of the song is, as previously mentioned, the longest ever. Whether the party really come across with all the “hey hey hey” is still a question. Possibly a finalist position for Estonia, but that is by no means certain. Italy Angelina Mango starts lying down, with roses projected under her. She has a sort of henna-like print depicted. This print also continues with the dancers. There are so many prints all over. There are so many details that you occasionally don’t see Angelina and her dancers at all. The singing is fine where it concerns Angelina. She ends a cappella. That takes skilsl, and Angelina has them. Italy will finish high, but perhaps not win. Israel The Israeli entry is the only ballad in this latter stage of the second semifinal. Just before she starts singing, Eden Golan leans back in a circle with lights. Five dancers flank her,

Malmö Messages: outfit changes and odds changes

We are once again following the rehearsals. The countries performing in the second semi-final are now rehearsing again, but not all of them. Because at the end of the afternoon and the beginning of the evening, we will see and hear the big 5 and Sweden. Malta: We talked about a swimsuit in Sarah Bonnici’s previous rehearsal. She still sings her song ‘Loop’ in a swimsuit, but now she has covered her arms and upper legs with silver. She hardly touches the ground, as she is continually lifted. There is hardly any betting on Malta: the island ranks last in the odds. Albania: Besa is wearing a very different outfit than in the previous rehearsal: a dark suit adorned with gemstones. They seem to reflect the colors of the rainbow. Three dancers flank her, along with two backing vocalists! Albania still presents some live music, apart from the singer. It does little to help Albania. Titan is given a 31st place in the odds. Greece: Marina Satti is one of the bigger names in Greece. Dance also predominates here, as far as we can assess. We can trust in it that Marina Satti can put on a dazzling show. Greece seems to be becoming a sub-top contender with an 8th place from the bookmakers, but maybe there’s even more in store for Marina & co. Switzerland: Nemo has lost their first place in the bookmakers’ rankings today. Their singing talent could not be the reason, as was evident during Eurovision in Concert in April, when we heard ‘The Code’ live. In the new photos, Nemo is still wearing the feather suit and performing their balancing acts on the revolving platform. There are also new photos where Nemo is wearing exactly the same suit that Céline Dion wore when she won Eurovision. Czech Republic: The Czech song deals with a pedestal, but here in Malmö she is not standing on one. However, we see a lot of flames around Aiko. That’s a good thing, because both she and her dancers are dressed entirely in black. And this while the act is about the very last stage of grief: acceptance. Currently, the Czech Republic shares a 31st place with Albania among the bookmakers.

Malmö messages: a bunch of dancers and a singer dressed in fur

Today, the favorite Switzerland takes the stage. Will Nemo live up to their role? We will see. For Malta, Sarah Bonnici will perform. She will sing “Loop” while incorporating dance moves she showcased during the national final. Sarah wears a silver swimsuit, and four dancers lift, place, and dance around her. The graphics display various colors. The dance break has been changed somewhat (so there is one!) and the act naturally ends with fireworks. photo: EBU/Sarah-Louise Bennett Albania is represented by Besa, who sings “Titan” in English. She is accompanied by two backing vocalists and three dancers. More dancers are visible on the LED screens. Besa wears a blue bodysuit with white sleeves. The lighting alternates between red and blue. photo: EBU/Corinne Cumming Marina Satti will sing “Zari” for Greece. She wears a purple skirt and black boots, accompanied by four dancers in the act. During the act, she will showcase some street dance. The dancers, three men and one woman, somewhat resemble Marina’s personal gang. There are many close-ups according to eurovision.tv. They also report that the act is based on the same idea as the music video. photo: EBU/Sarah-Louise Bennett The favorite in the betting odds is Nemo, who sings “The Code” for Switzerland. According to eurovision.tv, Nemo doesn’t disappoint in their act. However, we decide for ourselves whether we are disappointed or not. So far, we have no reason to be. Nemo wears fur, though we’re unsure if it’s real or fake. It’s pink and white, and even their boots match. Nemo stands on a platform with a diameter of about two to three meters, which moves. This allows them to climb on it, jump off, and dance on it. photo: EBU/Corinne Cumming in collaboration with Eurovision Artists

🇬🇷 Road to Malmö: Greece

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: Greece. Marina Satti Marina Satti, a dynamic Greek singer with a rich multicultural background, was born in Athens to a Sudanese father and a Greek mother from Heraklion, Crete. Although Athens was her birthplace, Marina was raised in Heraklion and spent her childhood summers in Sudan, immersing herself in a blend of cultures from an early age. Her passion for music began early, starting with classical piano before expanding to vocal training in high school. Despite initially pursuing architecture, Marina’s heart belonged to music. Her dedication led her to achieve degrees in lyrical monody and advanced classical studies, and she even explored jazz at the prestigious Berklee College of Music on a scholarship. Marina’s career is as diverse as her background. She performed with the European Jazz Orchestra, collaborated with Bobby McFerrin, and founded Fonés, an all-female a cappella group, delving into traditional polyphonic songs. Her singles, like “Koupes” and “Mantissa,” have gained international acclaim, with millions of views and recognition in top music charts. In 2017, she initiated cultural events leading to the creation of the choir Chόres, blending traditional songs with archaeological settings. Her debut album “YENNA” led to a successful European tour, and in 2023, Marina was chosen to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. Greek artists with another background Since 2020, all the Greek artists have roots or a background in another country. Stefania (2020 and 2021) has Greek parents, but is born and raced in Utrecht, the Netherlands. Amanda Tenfjord (2022) had a Norwegian mother and a Greek father. And last year, Viktor Vernicos represented Greece: he had a Danish father and a Greek mother. And as you could read above, Marina Satti has a Sudanese father and a Greek mother. Victor Vernicos, EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest The very first Greek entry was “Krassi, thalassa ke t’agori mou” in 1974, sung by the famous Marinella. She only reached an 11th place. It was the group Pascalis, Marianna, Robert & Bessy who managed to reach the top-5 with “Mathéma solfege”. It took a long time before that record was broken. Greek-Swedish duo Antique did the job in 2001 with the song “Die for you”: they became 3rd. Helena Paparizou of Antique finally managed to win the contest in 2005 with “My number one”.Greek entries often do well in the contest. Last year however, Greece didn’t make it to the final. There are high hopes for Marina Satti to do better. Helena Paparizou The Bookmakers Greece currently is 4th to reach the final, and 8th to win the overall contest. Can we safely say that Greece is likely to do well in the contest this year. I guess so!

Stereo Mike

About Quick Facts NameMihalis Exarchos Born04 July 1978 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek🇬🇧 British National SelectionEllinikós Telikós 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWatch My Dance (& Loucas Yiorkas, 2011) Biography Mihalis Exarchos, widely known by his stage name Stereo Mike, was born in 1978 in Piraeus, Greece. His heritage is a blend of Greek from his father’s side and Croatian from his mother, who hails from Rijeka. At 18, Exarchos ventured to the UK to pursue higher education in music, attending Leeds Metropolitan and the University of Westminster. There, he earned a Bachelor’s degree in Music Technology and a Master’s degree in Sound Production. During his academic years, Exarchos honed his skills as a sound producer at Vault Recording Studios in Hackney, London. His work there involved collaborations with notable British hip hop artists such as Klashnekoff, Bury Crew, Skinnyman, Taskforce, Iceberg Slimm, Mike GLC, and JMC. His career took a significant turn when he joined AMG Records, leading to his first recording contract under the name ‘Stereo Mike’ with Mo’ Money Recording$. His debut album, “Satirical Nomads,” released by Mo’ Money Recording$ and licensed to Universal Music Greece, featured impactful singles like the anti-racism anthem “O Allos Babis” and the remix “I Polis.” Apart from his recording career, he also took up a post-graduate lecturing position at the University of Westminster in London, sharing his expertise in music production. Stereo Mike’s impact in the music scene was further recognized when he was nominated for the Mad Video Music Awards in 2005 and 2008, in categories including “Best Hip-Hop Video Clip” and “Video Clip of the Year.” His second album, titled “XLI3H” (leet speak for the Greek word “Εξέλιξη,” meaning “evolution”), marked another milestone in his career and was signed with Minos EMI. Concurrently, he engaged in research work towards a PhD in music. A significant highlight in Stereo Mike’s career was becoming the first MTV EMA Award winner in the “Best Greek Act” category following MTV’s regional launch in Greece in 2008. His recognition expanded to a nomination for Europe’s Favourite Act in the same year. In 2011, Stereo Mike teamed up with Loucas Yiorkas to represent Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest in Germany. Their performance of “Watch My Dance” earned them a respectable seventh place, scoring 120 points and further cementing Stereo Mike’s status as a prominent figure in the Greek hip-hop scene. Right after the Eurovision Song Contest, the single “Apla zoi” was released, followed by “Boro”, a single chosen by fans via Facebook. As a part of the project Schizm he released the single “Akoma” with Constantine. In 2012 Stereo Mike released a new single, “Opou me pai mousiki”. He collaborated with Despina Olympiou in the song “To neo tragoudi tis”. In October 2012 he signed with Imiz Biz Entertainment. In March 2013 Stereo Mike got the opportunity to perform at the festival SXSW in Austin, Texas. There was a documentary made about this journey. In November of the same year he teamed up with Mindtrap and Irène for the track “Tonight and Forever”. In 2014 he featured in D-Light’s “Anthrope xypna”. He produced the song “Dream Big” for Hellena, which became an international hit. He was also member of her band. He also released a solo single, “Akoma edo”. In 2015 the contract Stereo Mike had with EMI ended. However, Mike kept on performing and recording. He did his producing work in his home studio. In 2016 he started the Hip Hop Time Machine; a doctorate research – passion music project of Stereo Mike. His aim? To apply vintage production techniques to contemporary Hip-Hop in pursuit of ‘sample-based’ impact and authenticity: producing multiple records within a record. In the same year, Mike also performed with the band LaKlikaria and their song “GoogleDatShit”. In 2019, Stereo Mike went on tour with Asympt Man, as a bass player now. They performed in the USA. In December of that year, he contributed to the Innovation in Music conference in London. In 2020 he made a Cambridge Scholar Publishing: Interpreting the Synthesizer – Meaning Through Sonics. Mike contributed to the (digital) book Analyzing Recorded Music – Collected Perspectives On Popular Music Tracks and released his own book Reimagining Sample-based Hip Hop in July 2023. It came along with the dual album “KATALH3H (Beats Deluxe)”. Entries Watch My Dance (& Loucas Yiorkas) Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2011 LanguageEnglishGreek LyricsEleana Vrachali MusicGiannis Christodoulopoulos DancersPavlos ManogiannakisManos DavariasGiannis SaikinMichalis Spiridis Results Semi Points: 133Position: 1Running order: 19 Results Finals Points: 120Position: 7Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/qVdMs2-dwGE?si=WsCasxfLtbBQ4cFj

Loucas Yiorkas

About Quick Facts NameLoucas Yiorkas Born18 October 1986 Nationality🇨🇾 Cypriot National SelectionEllinikós Telikós 2011 In Eurovision2011 Düsseldorf SongWatch My Dance (& Stereo Mike, 2011) Biography Born on October 18, 1986, in Aradippou, Cyprus, Loukas Yiorkas began his journey in a small town, fostering a passion for music that would soon define his career. Balancing his artistic pursuits, Yiorkas also delved into academic studies, choosing to study Biology at the University of Patras, demonstrating his multifaceted talents. Yiorkas’ ascent to fame began with his participation in the Greek version of “The X Factor”. It led him to victory in the first season of the show in 2009. This win was not just a milestone in his career but also a stepping stone towards greater musical endeavors. Following his success on “The X Factor,” Yiorkas quickly capitalized on his newfound fame. In September 2009, he released his first EP titled “Mazi,” which was warmly received and attained gold certification. Yiorkas’ discography showcases his evolving musical style, marked by a blend of contemporary and traditional Greek elements. His notable singles include “Tha Peso, Tha Sikotho” (2010), the Eurovision entry “Watch My Dance” featuring Stereo Mike (2011), and a series of hits like “Gia Proti Fora” (2011), “Ematha” (2012), and “Eklapsa” (2013). Each year brought new singles, expanding his musical repertoire and reinforcing his position in the Greek music scene. His recent works include “Mona Liza” and “Pame Ap’ Tin Arxi” (2020), “Mou Eleipses Poly” and “Gia Tin Ellada” (2021), and “An M’ Agapas” (2022). A highlight of Yiorkas’ career was representing Greece in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany. Teaming up with Stereo Mike, they performed “Watch My Dance,” securing a commendable seventh place with 120 points. Entries Watch My Dance (featuring Stereo Mike) Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2011 LanguageEnglishGreek LyricsEleana Vrachali MusicGiannis Christodoulopoulos DancersPavlos ManogiannakisManos DavariasGiannis SaikinMichalis Spiridis Results Semi Points: 133Position: 1 Running order: 19 Results Finals Points: 120Position: 7Running order: 9 https://youtu.be/qVdMs2-dwGE?si=HWoglNlZBholMeao

Marina Satti

© EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameMarina Satti Born26 December 1986 Nationality🇬🇷 Greek National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongZari (2024) Biography Marina Satti is a Greek singer. She was born to a Sudanese Arab father and a Greek mother from Heraklion, Crete, in Athens. Alhtough born in Athens, she was raced in Heraklion. Marina spent her childhood summers in Sudan. From a young age, Marina was immersed in music, beginning with classical piano and later adding vocal training during her high school years. She initially pursued architecture at the National Technical University of Athens but didn’t complete her degree. In 2008, under the tutelage of baritone Panos Dimas, Marina achieved her first degree in lyrical monody, earning honors and a first prize. The following year, she received a second degree in advanced classical studies and explored jazz at the Nakas Conservatory. Her musical journey further expanded in 2010 at the Berklee College of Music, where she studied jazz composition and contemporary writing and production on a scholarship, learning from esteemed teachers like Jamie Haddad and Danilo Pérez. Satti’s career took a diverse path. She was a member of the European Jazz Orchestra and performed with the World Jazz Nonet at the John F. Kennedy Center in Washington. She collaborated with Bobby McFerrin in the a cappella group The Singing Tribe. In 2016, she founded Fonés, a female a cappella group focusing on traditional polyphonic songs, performing at prestigious venues like the Ancient Theatre of Epidaurus and the Athens Concert Hall. Her single “Koupes” achieved over 24 million YouTube views and featured on the Buddha Bar 20 Years Anniversary album by Ravin & Bob Sinclar. Her 2017 single “Mantissa” gained international recognition, appearing in the European Union’s Official Top 100 and Bulgaria’s Top 40, and was dubbed “song of the summer” by Global Citizen. NPR’s Joanna Kakissis praised it as a generation-inspiring summer hit. In 2017, Satti initiated a series of cultural events, leading to the formation of the choir Chόres, comprising 150 women, presenting traditional songs in archaeological sites. In 2018, she and Fonés showcased “YALLA!” featuring world music and Eastern Mediterranean traditional music, touring internationally. Her debut album “YENNA,” released in May 2022, was followed by a successful four-month European tour. In October 2023, she was announced as Greece’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024. In the Grand Final on May 11 she reached the 11th place for Greece. Entries Zari Country🇬🇷 Greece Year2024 LanguageGreek LyricsMarina SattiOgeManolis ‘Solmeister’ SolidakisVlospa MusicGino ‘the Ghost’ BorriJay Lewitt StolarJordan Richard PalmerKonstantin Plamenov BeshkovMarina SattiNick KodonasOge BackingsErasmia Markidi DancersHüso ÇetintasIrini DamianidouVassilis KaragiannisYasin AO Results Semi Points: 86Position: 5Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: 126Position: 11Running order: 12 https://youtu.be/ENb4LCeq9Lc?si=06o5Gby9Fscbu7H5

🇬🇷 Marina Satti will represent Greece in Malmö

Today the Greek broadcaster ERT has announced that singer songwriter Marina Satti will represent Greece at the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. However her song will be revealed at a later date as submissions for songs for her to sing opens on October 25th. It seems like Greece has a streak with choosing half Greek/half international artists, as Marina is half Sudanese. She grew up in Greece, but got her musical degree in the USA where she was studying jazz. She even participated in the Euroradio Jazz Orchestra. Satti’s most popular song right now is “TUCUTUM” which has gone viral, after releasing her fisrt album Yenna last year.