Road To Malmö

🇵🇱 Road to Malmö: Poland

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: Poland. Luna Luna, the stage persona of Aleksandra Katarzyna Wielgomas, born August 28, 1999, in Warsaw, is a distinguished Polish singer, songwriter, and composer. Beginning her musical journey with violin lessons, she later attended a high school focused on law and political sciences before pursuing artes liberales at the University of Warsaw. Luna’s early career was marked by her participation in the Artos children’s choir and performances at the Grand Theatre, laying the foundation for her artistic path. Her collaboration with the Kayax record label in 2018 through the “My Name is New” project led to her debut single “Na wzgórzach niepokoju,” propelling her into the spotlight at significant events like the Night of Museums and Pol’n’Rock Festival. 2020 saw Luna adopting her stage name and venturing into a new musical direction with Michał “Fox” Król, exploring cosmic sounds in her work, as highlighted in singles like “Serca przemokną” and “Mniej,” incorporating space sounds from NASA. Luna’s “Zgaś” further established her presence in the Polish music scene, embodying her “cosmic pop” style influenced by the cosmos, nature, and poetry, drawing inspiration from icons like Nick Cave and Björk. In 2024, Luna was chosen to represent Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest with “The Tower,” bringing her unique sound to an international audience. Beyond her music, Luna engages in theatre and promotes music equality, notably as an ambassador for the Equal Spotify campaign, becoming the first Polish woman to be featured on Times Square for this initiative. Her career reflects a blend of cosmic fascination, poetic expression, and advocacy for equality in the music industry. Polish language It is already 5 years ago that a song, partially in Polish, participated in the Eurovision Song Contest. The Polish language, a Slavic tongue, serves as Poland’s linguistic core. It intertwines with the nation’s rich history and culture. Known for its complex sounds and unique diacritical marks like ł (łaciaty), ś (śliski), and ń (koń), it challenges non-native speakers. Its pronunciation and consonant clusters are notably difficult. Its vocabulary is a tapestry of Slavic roots with layers of Latin, German, and English influences. It reflects centuries of cultural interactions. Beyond Poland’s borders, vibrant Polish-speaking communities flourish worldwide, preserving and enriching this beautiful language. Polish not only connects millions to their heritage but also to a deeply storied past and a dynamic present. Poland in the Eurovision Song Contest Poland debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 1994. With a second place for Edyta Górniak’s “To nie ja”, they secured a record. The song is still the best scoring song ever for Poland. Only two times after that, the Polish entry reached the top-10. In 2003 with Ich Troje’s “Keine Grenzen – Żadnych granic” (7th) and in 2016 with Michał Szpak’s “Color of my life” (8th). Last year, Blanka reached the final easily, but in the final itself reached a 19th place. Luna hopes to be the 4th artist reaching the top-10. The Bookmakers Poland is currently no. 32 in the betting odds. That means it’s gonna be a tough job for Luna to reach the final. However, things such as staging and live performance can change everything and make Poland one of the more succesful contenders. The song This is the song:

🇺🇦 Road to Malmö: Ukraine

photo: UA:PBC 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: Ukraine. Alyona Alyona Aliona Olehivna Savranenko, known professionally as Alyona Alyona, is a groundbreaking Ukrainian rapper and songwriter, born on June 14, 1991, in Kapitanivka, Novomyrhorod Raion, Kirovohrad Oblast. With a background in education, holding two bachelor’s degrees and experience as a kindergarten teacher, she transitioned from teaching to pursue music full-time. Gaining attention with her debut video for “Rybky” in October 2018, Alyona Alyona’s career quickly ascended. Her first album, “Pushka,” released in April 2019, showcased her storytelling prowess and unique approach to rap, earning her acclaim as “Ukraine’s most unlikely rap star” by Vogue. Alyona Alyona’s impact extended internationally with her signing to Def Jam Polska in 2020 and winning the Public Choice Award at the Music Moves Europe Talent Awards in 2021. Jerry Heil Yana Oleksandrivna Shemayeva, known as Jerry Heil, is a versatile Ukrainian singer, songwriter, and YouTuber, born on October 21, 1995, in Vasylkiv, near Kyiv. Her musical journey was shaped by her studies at the R. Glier Kyiv Institute of Music and the Kyiv Conservatory. Adopting the stage name Jerry Heil at 15, she launched a YouTube channel in 2012, covering songs and sharing vlogs, which caught the attention of notable musicians, including Sviatoslav Vakarchuk from Okean Elzy. Signing with Vidlik Records in 2017, Heil’s debut EP, “De miy dim,” marked her professional entry into music. Her career further blossomed with hits like “Okhrana, otmyena,” leading to her debut album “Ya, Yana.” Heil’s distinctiveness continued with her engagement in Vidbir, notably winning Vidbir 2024 alongside Alyona Alyona with “Teresa & Maria” for Eurovision 2024. Fluent in multiple languages and a committed vegan, Heil’s personal and artistic choices are closely intertwined, reflecting her unique identity and values in the music industry. Vidbir Vidbir is the name of the Ukrainian national selection. The contest this year contained 11 entries. One of them was added in a late stadium as a wildcard, as a winner of an online election. One former Eurovision participant was among the contestants: Mélovin. The singer presented the song “Dreamer” and was the runner up of the contest. Following the completion of the performances, the Diia app (an app especially for the Ukrainian diaspora) experienced a malfunction, which caused the voting period to be prolonged and resulted in the postponement of the results announcement to February 4. Ukraine in the Eurovision Song Contest In 2003, Ukraine debuted in the contest. Already one year later, the country had its first victory: Ruslana won the contest with “Wild dances”. Ukraine won again in 2016 with Jamala‘s “1944” and in 2022 with Kalush Orchestra and “Stefania”. Ukraine never failed to reach the Grand Final, reaching the top-3 on no less than 6 occasions. photo: EBU The Bookmakers It looks like Ukraine is gonna be succesful: in the betting odds Ukraine is currently the 3rd country in chances to win the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest. The song This is the song:

🇬🇧 Road to Malmö: United Kingdom

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: the United Kingdom. Olly Alexander Olly Alexander, born on July 15, 1990, in Harrogate, North Yorkshire, England, has emerged as a leading voice in contemporary pop culture, celebrated for his musical talent, acting skills, and advocacy for LGBTQ+ rights. As the charismatic frontman of Years & Years, Olly has guided the band to international success with hits that blend infectious melodies with deeply personal and socially conscious lyrics. His commitment to exploring and expressing queer themes through music has earned him a dedicated following and critical acclaim. Apart from music, Olly has made significant strides in acting. His compelling portrayal of a young man navigating the AIDS crisis in the 1980s in the critically acclaimed series “It’s a Sin” has been lauded for its emotional depth and authenticity. This role underscored his versatility as an artist and an advocate, using his platform to highlight important issues. In a career-defining move, Olly Alexander will represent the United Kingdom at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “Dizzy.” It’s a Sin “It’s a Sin” is a powerful British television drama series that premiered in 2021, created by Russell T Davies. Set during the 1980s and early 1990s in London, the series explores the lives of a group of gay men and their friends as they navigate the joy, freedom, and heartbreak of their youth amidst the emerging AIDS crisis. Through a compelling narrative and rich character development, “It’s a Sin” captures the ignorance, stigma, and fear surrounding AIDS at the time, while also celebrating love, friendship, and the resilience of the LGBTQ+ community. The series has been critically acclaimed for its emotional depth, historical accuracy, and the performances of its cast, including a standout role by Olly Alexander. It’s a poignant reminder of a tragic period in history, offering both a tribute to those lost and a message of hope and solidarity. United Kingdom in the Eurovision Song Contest It was in 1957 when the United Kingdom debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest. The song “All” by Patricia Bredin was, with 1:52, one of the shortest Eurovision songs ever. The United Kingdom won no less than 5 times: in 1967, Sandie Shaw brought the UK their first victory. Only two years later, it was Lulu who won. In 1976, “Save your kisses for me” by the Brotherhood of Man reached a first place, while Bucks Fizz did the job in 1981 with “Making Your Mind Up”. The last victory so far was for Katrina & The Waves back in 1997 with “Love Shine A Light”. The United Kingdom reached no less than 16 second places, the last time in 2022 with Sam Ryder‘s “Spaceman”. The Bookmakers The United Kingdom is one of the six countries, placed directly in the final. Currently, they predict a 10th place for the UK, which would be one of the better scores in the last few years. This is the song:

🇮🇪 Road to Malmö: Ireland

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: Ireland. Bambie Thug Bambie Ray Robinson, known artistically as Bambie Thug, is an innovative Irish singer born in 1994. Breaking into the music scene, Robinson released their debut EP, “Cathexis,” on 12 October 2023, prefaced by singles “Careless” and “Last Summer (I Know What You Did).” Their music, deeply inspired by musical theatre, serves as a protective yet expressive medium, especially through tough mental health phases. Robinson’s unique sound, described as “ouija-pop” or “hyperpunk avant electro-pop,” reflects their critique of drug addiction’s glamorization in the industry and their ambition to model positive behavior. On 11 January 2024, they were chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Doomsday Blue,” winning both jury and public favor in Eurosong 2024. Living in East London and hailing from a diverse family background, Robinson identifies as non-binary and actively contributes to LGBTQ+ visibility in music. Their journey also includes overcoming personal battles with drug addiction, underpinning their advocacy for health and representation. Eurosong In the past, the Irish national selection was called The Irish National Song Contest. However, already for years it’s named Eurosong. The show is part of the famous Late, Late Show, hosted by Patrick Kietty. Six songs competed in the contest. And although the international jury chose boyband Next In Line for the contest, the national jury ánd the televoters chose for Bambie Thug; this was very much to the joy of the Eurofans visiting platform X. They cheered that ‘The Witch has won!’. Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 was the first year ever that Ireland contributed to the Eurovision Song Contest. “Doomsday blue” will be the 57th entry. Together with Sweden, Ireland holds the record of no less than seven victories. It all started with Dana in 1970, followed by the Johnny Logan double in 1980 and 1987; a third Logan-victory followed in 1992 with a song, sung by Linda Martin. And from that moment on it seemed like being Irish was one of the preconditions to win the contest, with Niamh Kavanagh in 1993, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan in 1994 and Eimear Quinn in 1996. Note that the Norwegian group Secret Garden, winners of 1995, had an Irish violinist: Fionualla Sherry. The last couple of years, Ireland was not so succesful, with the last four entries missing the final. Who knows, Bambie Thug will change that. The Bookmakers Ireland is currently 16th in the odds to win the contest. Although the odds for the semifinal are not published yet, Ireland is the 5th highest scoring song from the 1st semifinal. It is safe to say that the bookies predict a place in the final. The song And this is the song:

🇱🇹 Road to Malmö: Lithuania

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: Lithuania. Silvester Belt Silvestras Beltė, known as Silvester Belt, is a distinguished Lithuanian singer-songwriter born on 26 November 1997 in Kaunas. Educated at the University of Westminster, London, with a degree in Commercial Music Performance, Beltė swiftly returned to Lithuania post-graduation to delve into the electronic/pop music scene. His breakthrough came in 2017 as the victor of Lithuania’s reality show Aš – superhitas, leading to his move to Vilnius and the release of his debut single “Noise.” Beltė’s talents also extended behind the scenes in 2 Barai, a Lithuanian reality show. Despite an early exit in X Faktorius’ sixth season, his competitive spirit never waned. On 17 february 2024, Beltė was announced as Lithuania’s representative for the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with his song “Luktelk,” showcasing his ascension in the music industry. Eurovizija.lt For the first time, the name of the Lithuanian national selection was Eurovizija.lt. However, the format did not really change. 5 semifinals with 8 songs each were held. Two songs in every semifinal went through to the final. We saw some familiar names in the national selection: Andrius Pojavis (ESC 2013), Vilija (ESC 2014) and The Roop (ESC 2020 and 2021). However, only The Roop reached the final. Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest The first time Lithuania participated in the Eurovision Song Contest was in 1994. After gaining no points at all, the country quit, to return in 1999. This year marks their 24th participation. So far, Lithuania never reached the top-5. In 2006, LT United reached a 6th place with the song “We are the winners”. In later years Donny Montel (9th in 2016) and The Roop (8th in 2021) reached the top-10. Will Silvester Belt break the record and reach the top-5? Bookmakers Currently, Lithuania is on the 12th spot to win the contest. Although the betting odds for semifinal one don’t seem to be ready yet, we can safely say that Lithuania will reach their top-10 and go on to the final. That means, according to the bookmakers. The song And this is the song:

🇷🇸 Road to Malmö: Serbia

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: Serbia. Teya Dora Teodora Pavlovska, known professionally as Teya Dora, was born on May 1, 1992, in Bor, Serbia. Balancing her academic endeavors in Belgrade with a musical education specializing in piano at the “Dr. Vojislav Vučković” Music School, she furthered her studies at Berklee College of Music. There, she focused on vocal studies alongside Charlie Puth and contributed backing vocals for American Grammy winners like Patti Austin and Valerie Simpson. After Berklee, she moved to New York, engaging in English songwriting for ARKTKT Publishing. Her Serbian music industry debut came with “Nema limita” for Nikolija in 2018, leading to numerous songwriting contributions for artists like Nataša Bekvalac. As a solo artist, her release “Da na meni je” in July 2019 marked the start of her vocal career, followed by her notable work “Džanum” for the “South Wind” series sequel, which achieved viral success on TikTok and significant streaming numbers on Spotify. By 2024, Teya Dora’s innovative musical contributions and unique blend of genres propelled her to represent Serbia at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Ramonda”, highlighting her as a significant figure in the Serbian music scene. Pesma Za Evroviziju The Serbian national final for the Eurovision Song Contest is called Pesma Za Evroviziju. The name exists since 2022. Before that, the national final was named Beovizija. This year the contest contained two semifinals with 14 songs each. The final consisted of 16 songs. A familiar name in the contest was the one of Konstrakta, who had a song and act being a close follow up of the 2022 song “In corpore sana”. Konstrakta reached a 4th place. Teya Dora was the no. 1 in both televote and jury vote. Serbia in the Eurovision Song Contest Serbian artists have taken part in the Eurovision Song Contest in the past when Serbia was a part of Yugoslavia, and later Serbia and Montenegro. Serbia’s debut as an independent country was in 2007, when Maria Šerifović sang “Molitva” and won the contest. It was the only time Serbia won so far, but Željko Joksimović reached a 3rd place in 2012. Konstrakta was 5th in 2022. Last year, Luke Black reached the final but ended up in 24th place. photo: Indrek Galetin, Wikimedia Commons The bookmakers Currently, Serbia is in 18th place in the odds to win the Eurovision Song Contest. Although the odds for semifinal 1 are not ready, we can safely say that Serbia might reach the final. What they will do there depends on a lot of things. The song And this is the song:

🇨🇾 Road to Malmö: Cyprus

photo: EBU/CyBC 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: Cyprus. Silia Kapsis Silia Kapsis is a dynamic and talented Cypriot-Australian singer, dancer, and actress, chosen to represent Cyprus at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with her song “Liar”. Born on December 5, 2006, in Sydney, Australia, Kapsis has been making waves in the entertainment industry from a young age. Before her Eurovision selection, she was known for being the lead singer for the Australian Youth Performing Arts Company (AYPAC) and for performing at numerous high-profile events around the world. Her journey into music saw her releasing singles like “Who Am I?”, which she wrote and composed at the age of 12, followed by “No Boys Allowed” and “Disco Dancer” in 2023, showcasing her evolving musical style. Kapsis’s artistic talents extend beyond singing. She was selected for the ImmaBeast Dance Company in Los Angeles, has appeared on “The Jennifer Hudson Show”, and was featured in a dance documentary produced by Taboo from the Black-Eyed Peas. Her acting skills were highlighted in her role as Zoe in the short film “Pearly Gates”, and she has worked on various projects for Nickelodeon, including being a regular host on “Nick News”. Australians for Cyprus? Silia Kapsis is internally selected for the Eurovision Song Contest. Although born in Australia, she has Cypriot roots. That brings us to last year’s Cypriot participant: Andrew Lambrou. Andrew was also born and raced in Australia, but has Cypriot roots. For Cyprus, he reached a 12th place in the 2023 contest with the song “Break a broken heart”. Does that mean we have to look at Australia to know the 2025 Cypriot participant? photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett Cyprus in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Cypriot song in the Eurovision Song Contest was “Monica”, from the group Island in 1981. Anna Vissi (1982), Chara & Andreas Constantinou (1997) and Lisa Andreas (2004) reached a 5th place. The best score ever came, however, from Eleni Foureira, whose “Fuego” reached a 2nd place in the 2018 contest and was even one of the hot favourites to win the competition. Eleni is still one of the more popular Eurovision participants. photo: EBU/Andres Putting The bookmakers Currently, Cyprus has a 24th place in the betting odds. Although the odds for the semifinals are not published yet, we can say from the winners’ list that Cyprus would get through as a 10th finalist. But who knows what will happen on the night of the 1st semifinal itself. The song And this is the song: