Le Electro-Vision for Baku 2012- Belarus & Hungary!

Electro pop has not been perfect for Eurovision in the past for some reason!
One example of this is the fantastic 'Comme ci, comme ca' from Evridiki for Cyprus back in 2007.
This tune finished in 15th place in the semi final- so Eurovision was not ready for the Electro 
pop generation back then.
In fact we can even go back to 1980 when synth pop was fresh and very different Electro pop Telex had become the french answer to Kraftwerk in germany. Today they are considered a pioneer of Electro music, yet at Den Haag in Netherlands in April 1980 they sang for Belgium last in that years running order. They looked and sounded perfect for a top place in the contest- with a caughty tune called 'Euro-vision' yet when the votes came in from the european juries they finished 17th with only 14 points! only the portugese jury voted for this new
synth sound giving belguim 10 points. 


In Baku for Eurovision 2012- we have two countries once again taking the brave step to send to Eurovision Song Contest a top national Electro band.
With two groups  LiteSound & Compact Disco-

Is over in Hungary the band Compact Disco- are not retro in anyway very 2012 with their sound. 
A huge band from Budapest formed back in 2009 & enjoyed a huge dance hit in UK/Europe with the hit          'I'm in love'
This year's entry is refreshing after last year's very popular Katy Wolf entry for Hungary in 2011 with 'What about my Dreams' that borrowed 
largely from the 90's sound of Celine Dion and such. 'Sound of our hearts' the new song could almost be a 
David Guetta track from his last album. With the right performance from the band at Baku this band could put Hungary 
in the Top 10. 

Next is Belarus, a new eastern european country that in the past 8 years have only qualified for the Eurovision final twice Koldun in 2007 and in Oslo with Three +2 singing 'Butterflies' So they really want to get back into the final -For this reason they selected a electro-Rock song that actually finished 2nd in their National Final in 2012. So this new three piece Litesound got the european break they had been hoping for with a good tune 
called 'We are the Heros'- This tune seems to be almost a flashback to the Italian pop-sound of Eiffel 65 
of the late 90's as Litesound have an italian born singer Jacopo Massa.


I hope both these countries bring some Electro- sounds to Eurovision at Baku

Exclusive Interview with Eurovision Winner/Legend Linda Martin (1992)

- Linda Martin, Jedward n' Chilly Willy no-less doing Panto

We simply luv an indepth Eurovision Interviews when they pop up-and thanks to the wonderful Garrett Mulhall for his detailed interview

for Eurovision Ireland- well done- & Many Thanks

Engelbert Humperdinck's song 'Love will set you Free' released today

First impression- rather great classic tune- just shame about the dull video!

The Semi-Final list for Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Buc-ku (with SDF brit-accent)

Just last night broatcaster Eén from Belgium selected the song for thier Eurovision artist in Baku -Iris the song is 'Would you'

This now completes the selections for both Eurovision 2012 Semi- Finals. In each semi final there is 18 songs battling it out

for 10 slots in the Eurovision Grand Final on 26th May 2012.

Here is all the song in no particular order- as the running

order is yet to be drawn-

Semi-final 1

Albania: Rona Nishliu – "Suus".


Belgium: Iris – "Would You" .


Cyprus: Ivi Adamou – "La La Love".

Denmark: Soluna Samay – "Should've Known Better".

Finland: Pernilla Karlsson – "När jag blundar".


Greece: Eleftheria Eleftheriou – "Aphrodisiac".


Iceland: Gréta Salóme & Jónsi – "Mundu Eftir Mér".


Ireland: Jedward – "Waterline".


Israel: Izabo – "Time".


Latvia: Anmary – "Beautiful Song".


Moldova: Pasha Parfeny – "Lăutar".


Montenegro: Rambo – " Euro-Neuro".


Romania: Mandinga – "Zaleilah".


Russia: Buranovskie Babushki – "Party for Everybody".


San Marino: Valentina Monetta - "?????".


Switzerland: Sinplus – " Unbreakable".


Hungary: Compact Disco – "Sound Of Our Hearts".


Austria: Trackshittaz – "Woki Mit Deim Popo".

Semi-final 2


Bosnia & Hertegovina: Maya Sar – "Korake ti znam".


Bulgaria: Sofi Marinova – "Love Unlimited".


Estonia: Ott Lepland – "Kuula".


Georgia: Anri Jokhadze – "I'm A Joker".


Croatia: Nina Badrić – "Nebo".


Lithuania: Donny Montell – "Love Is Blind".


Macadonia: Kaliopi – "Crno E Belo".


Malta: Kurt Calleja – "This Is The Night".


Netherlands: Joan Franka – "You And Me".


Norway: Tooji – "Stay".


Portugal: Filipa Sousa – "Vida Minha".


Serbia: Željko Joksimović – "Nije Ljubav Stvar".


Slovakia: Max Jason Mai - "Don't Close your Eyes'


Slovenia: Eva Boto – "Verjamem".


Sweden: Loreen – "Euphoria".


Turkey: Can Bonomo – "Love Me Back".


Ukraine: Gaitana – "Be My Guest".


Belarus: Litesound – "We Are The Heroes".





Italy and San Marino have new songs for Baku- What do we think?

It's not all over yet- all countries taking part in Eurovision have the next couple of weeks to arrange their final songs for the big competition in Eurovision Song Contest in May- In the past we have had a few last minute changes, coming mainly from Ukriane. Who back in mid-March 2010 ditched the song and artist selected for Oslo (Vasyl Lasarovich) and held last minute National Final- only to end up choosing a different song again from the final winner!

Over in Belarus a runner up artist and song was prefered with Litesound's 'We are all Heros' instead of the real winner in 2012 of Alyona Lanskaya with her song 'All of My Life' Certainly I think the right song was selected here in Belarus- at Eurovision 2012.

In Italy it was annoched that Nina Zilli would be the artist from San Remo Contest this year- Nina's San Remo winning tune 'Per Sempre' was the choice and a new bilingual version was due to be created for Eurovision.

Then suddenly last week it was annouched that Nina's record lable had a preference for Nina's latest release 'L'Amore e Femmina' certainly

this new tune has a boom-boom kinda Eurovision ring ring to it- so it seems to be less of a promoinal decision to change this song.

However Per Sempre' certainly would have done equally well in Baku we think- certainly Italy have got it right for the second year back in Eurovision.

Meanwhile San Marino really need to qualify at Eurovision 2012- as with their past 2 entries failed to make the final.

So no current changes in San Marino- however a strong artist called Valentina Monetta with a tune written by none other than Ralph Seigel- the songwriter who has wrote 19 past Eurovision entries for Germany Luxembourg & many more.

I was so excited by this schlager rumour and news- and La Papa Pingouin, la papa pingouin-' began ringing in my ears.

This sounded like a real qualifier already for San Marino to put them on the map- then I heard and saw the song

called- wait for it...

'Facebook'

it is far from a Eurovision winner - and rather typical of some of the more modern Ralph Seigel tunes.

Some people like this social-media pop- I am not really sure as I do luv and respect Ralph's past glories.

Will this song really get past the EBU's rules- we think not-

I hate to bring up the subject of Sweden's Lotta Enberg's Melodifestivalen winner 'Fyra Bugg & Coca-Cola' was changed to 'Boogaloo'

for advertising reasons- in Eurovision 1987 -and most certainly facebook is the Coca Cola brand of the modern times.

Does this mean we need let yet another song change for Baku 2012? I think so ---otherwize what next year

(take me to your) 'ikea-heaven''?

-Valentina models her new Baku-chair in 12 pointa-grey

Stop-press-- the EBU have annoched 19/3/2012 that 'Facebook uh oh uh' lyrics are in breach of Eurovision Song Contest rule

book The rule 1.2.2. this was the same rule enforced for Georgia's 'I don't wanna Put In' in 2009 for the political message!

Peter Boström- The Bass Mixer has added BoströmMagic to both 'Euphoria' & 'Stay' for 2012.

Peter and Tooji watch as the votes came in for their Norwegian landslide

Peter Boström together with Thomas G:Son not only have penned Loreen's 'Euphoria' for Sweden in Baku - Peter has wrote 'Stay' the winning song for Norway at Norsk Melodi Grand Prix. Stay and Euphoria both showed a record breaking amount of public votes in Norway Tooji scored well over 155,000 votes meanwhile in Sweden Loreen's televote was larger than the record held by Sweden's Carola back in Melodifestivalen 2006.

Peter started Bassflow Productions at the age of 21 since then he has made a name for himself coming up with great Mixes of songs for the likes of Roxette E-Type Ola Svensson Martin Stenmarck Carola & Charlotte Perelli- the most famous being Martin Stenmarck's 'Sjumilakliv' & Martin's follow up '100 ar fran nu'

We also like a recent release from Roxette 'Speak to Me' that had The Bassflow Remix treatment.

Peter Bostrom debuted in Melodifestivalen 2003 with DeBuzz

and a tune 'Stop Look & Listen' a great tune that did not qualify that year. Then Peter was not seen for a long while at Melodifesivalen until 2009

to bring us Marie Serneholt's 'Disconnect Me' from the semi final 1- that year- More success songwriting credits came later in 2010 when he co-wrote 'Manboy' 'headlines for Alcarar - then last year both 'In The Club' for Danny as well as Sanne Nielsen's 'I'm In Love'

OMG- Look what has happened in Russia! Engelbert has a few Party gatecrashers!

The Russian National Final took place last night. The evening was filled with past contestants even Ani Lorak

sang 'Shady Lady' as well- Yet the stars of the evening and winners of a ticket to Baku are the folk band of 'Russian Grandmothers' their new tune for 2012 is called 'Party for Everyone' this song even fort off the main competion of Dima Bilan dueting with Yulia from Tatu, they finished runner up in the National final.

So for a moment -Engelbert for a whole 3 minutes in fact looked set to break the record of the oldest Eurovision contestants (as he will be 76 years old by May 2012) now with the russian grannies that record is smashed again- as they may well have a collective age of 552! by gatecrashing Engel' baby's Party !

Plus actually not a bad little russian ditti

check out

'Party for Everybody'

Listen' to Ott Lepland- he has been selected in Eesti Laul for Estonia 2012

It was just now been Grand Final/or Eesti Laul time over in Estonia,

I find very often Estonia's selection of a rather high standard -they take Eurovision rather seriously and it tends to appeal to a growing number of up-coming Alternative music from this small Baltic country. This year we had a very interesting entry from none other than Tenfold Rabbit!

called 'Oblivion' I liked this track however he reminded me alot of Malcolm Lincoln (of Estonia in Eurovision 2010) Another stand-out finalist for me was Birgit Oigemeel feat. Violina with 'You're not alone' she has a great voice- Yet this track seemed to have been an Estonia entry better suited for 1999 than here in 2012.

In the end after a fast-forward jury vote that took all of 35 secs! a Super-final was found between Lenna and Ott Lepland, both are very established top artists in Estonia- Leena was a lead singer from Vanilla Ninja (Switzerland 2005). Leena wrote alot of tracks for the all girl rock band from their 'Love is War' album a good example is the song 'Pray'. So while Leena was no stranger to Eurovision and previous Estonian National finals - Ott Lepland just had the best song- a emotion ballad called 'Kuula' (Listen) I think once again Estonia make a great choice with this aritst and song that should stand-out in Baku 2012.

check out Ott's Live winning performance of 'Kuula'

United Kingdom- the wait is over- it's Engelbert Humperdinck !

It was late on 1st March 2012 when it was finally released the News -of the United Kingdom's artist for Eurovision 2012 in Baku-

With some twitter gossip before hand the truth was released-

None other than Engelbert Humperdinck!

At 75 year old this Brit now lives over in L.A. America. He will certainly rank as one of artists who waited a very long time to come onto the Eurovision stage- To Engelbert's credit he is very well known in most of Europe- in fact a 'David Hasselhorf of the 1960's & 70's before 'Baywatch' was even thought up .

Until yesterday I would have asked - the question how Engelbert about 35 years ago he had not sang at Eurovision for Monaco or Luxembourg with perhapes some bi-lingual french ballad of the 70's.

In fact there is a Song for Europe connection from way back in 1971 - a song selected for Clodagh Rogers to sing that year called 'Another time Another Place' was placed = 5th place by eight regional juries from around the UK ( out of 6 songs in the contest) Engelbert took this Eurovis' rejected song and made it his very own! (apart from being a Clodagh Rogers B-side) 'Another time Another place' became one of his biggest hits for him in UK & Europe- at home it made No:13 in the charts.

More famous in fact was Engelbert's No: 1's 'Release Me' &

'The Last Waltz' from 1967.

Engelbert was last seen in the UK Top 20 - the year after 'Another Place, Another Time' with his next single reaching No:14 in 1972- it was called 'Too beatutiful to Last'

However last this British crooner certainly has lasted- as his 2000 album release 'At his very Best' made No: 5 in the album chart. Yet for Eurovision Song Contest 2012- in another time another place, we could have this old familiar face- certainly!

but not in Baku this year not the best idea...what do u think?

Even The Guardian in UK is having their say- read more

The Return of Dima Bilan- confirmed to have an entry at Russia's National Final

RTR the Russian national broadcaster has revealed just who will be in the Russian Natinal Final shortly to be held

7th March 2012-Each year since Dima's win at Eurovision Song Contest back in 2008- he has been rumoured

to be back! so the story that Dima would perform a duet with Julia Volkova from band Tatu. It had a big question mark over if it would happen.

The list of 25 finalist does include this duo, it will be the third time Dima Bilan has sung for Russia- if this song wins a place at Baku. Julia sung with Tatu for Russia way back in 2003- they are up against the likes of

Aida & Timati as well as Russian final regulars Buranovskiye Babushki (Russian grannies)

If the song is - up to the normal Bilan standard I think we will see Dima Bilan in Eurovision Song Contest 2012.

Those 'Russian Grannies'- are back again in Russia

Another long awaited annoucement is due today- from BBC -at last. Our guess- is it could turn out to be Barrowman in Baku! and it has a nice ring (ring) to it!?

just stay schlagertunned to find out!

BBC do have -a Eurovision shortlist- according to Daily Star it's Atomic Kitten for Baku!

As March 2012 is almost- here still we have no annouchment from the BBC- as to who will sing for the

United Kingdom this year- there has been no shortage of UK rumours this year.

We have heard it could even be Spice Girls or Geri Haliwell- John Barrowman has been rumoured. Then Right Said Fred! even One Direction

or The Wanted- however we know that the Brits often choose a comeback artist -like the fantastic Blue in Eurovision Song Contest 2011.

Just today a UK Newspaper tell us that BBC annouchment is due very soon and Atomic Kitten are the artist to fly

the flag for UK? Read here the news from Daily Star on Sunday Not a most reliable UK source- however at least it has created a small Euro-buzz in favour of the Kitten's The band have last been heard of re-forming back in 2008-

They have three UK number 1 singles to their credit - however they did not have the same impact as boyband Blue

of the same period of pop history.

With of course- the right song- Atomic Kitten could well be what UK needs to get back on top in Eurovision-

Whatever happens girls- its really 'doors to manual- time' this Eurovision Rumour Airbus flight

is well & truely due to land - so stand-by we all will know the truth very soon!

STOP PRESS---- The girls from Atomic Kitten have confirmed themselves on Twitter- they know

nothing about re-forming for Eurovision in the UK- So the rumours continue- Wow this is creating more

tension than a play-off in a National Final BBC! what next?

Finland have choosen a new talent Pernilla Karlsson for Baku- 2012

While a lot of attention was on the Malmo Melodifestivalen result- over in Helsinki at

Uuden Muslikin Kilpailu (Finland's National selection)they choose a new talent Pernilla Karlsson. She was by far

not the favourite to win- that was a folkband called 'Stig' Added to the fact that Pernilla's simple

tune -wrote by her brother called 'Nar Jag Blundar'is sung in swedish!

At the new style National Final- the finns opened up their on-line votes to international audiences, so just how this influenced the final result is not certain. However we think this is a fantastic tune-

the question hangs over the song- in just how it will be presented at Baku 2012?

We think it's very likely to be sung and translated into english as is mostly the case for Finland's recent Eurovision entries. There is a good chance the original swedish lyric may stay- then- this will be the second time

(Finland 'Fri' 1990- last time)

a scandinavian country has choosen to sing in a neighbour's language. Whatever happens Finland

have a worthy Eurovision finalist with this tune - in Baku.

Check out-

'När Jag Blundar'

Jedward -The twins have done the Eurovision Double honours for Ireland!

Opps I did it again! - a very fitting Britney Spears song comes to mind as up against some of the best that Ireland can offer in the Eurosong contest on the 'The Late Late Show' . Jedward did it again and are on the way to Baku 2012.

It turned out to be an even more convincing win for the Twins at the Irish national final than last year. In my option Jedward had alot tougher competition than in Eurosong 2011 as well.

In fact Andrew Mann looked stronger than expected on the night- with an irish style rock ballad 'Here I am' that convencied Juries & the public alike he was worthy of runner up. I liked this song enough to track it down on i-tunes already as well. (or maybe cus Jedward is not out yet!)

The winner in the end was of course- Jedward- and I feel they won the honour again, not just for having a large popular fan base but also coming up with the perfect follow track to last years 'Lipstick'

The Song for Ireland 2011 -is 'Waterline' it shows off even more Jed-talent! than we have seen ever before- I am sure I even prefer it

to last year's song. (see the live clip)

With this song they should surely make the final- then 8th place is a harder challenge to improve on-

Yet we know Jedward- are like a couple of power batteries they go on and on-

Just what more can they achive?

Italy's Nina Zilli goes to Baku- after the San Remo Final 2012

Nina Zilli will sing for Italy at Eurovision Song Contest in Baku -with the looks of an italian -Amy Winehouse

She was among the 10 finalists of the San Remo Song Festival this year. Nina sang 'Per Sempre' at San Remo, and non other

than Ell & Nikki made an appearence at Italy's premium song festival- to make the announcement.

Nina Zilli is a singer songwriter who began performing from the age of 13 years old. She has had big success in Italy following her entry in San Remo 2010 - this lead to a top selling album. Nina says her main influences are rock and punk sounds of 70's and she even did an excellent cover of the Supremes 1960's hit 'You can't hurry love' in italian.

This artist sounds like another excellence choice from Italy in Baku 2012 - certainly Germany, Italy and even France for the second year running

have selected very well for Eurovision. It leaves us with one question- what's happening with the other 2 'big 5' countries?

UK and Spain

as automatic qualifiers for the Eurovision Contest final each year -I hope the last 2 come up with the goods as well? Italy look set

for a top 5 placing again.

A new Euro-Star is born in Germany -Roman Lob

Roman Lob is the new Lena - who has been choosen to go to Baku in 2012- it was a close final

however Roman has been the favourite in 'Unser Star for Baku' Germany's own song selection talent contest. At just

21 and from a town called Neuwied in northern Germany- Roman looks set for a successful career in his

homeland starting with the release of the winning song and video tomorrow morning..

Winning performance of Standing Still The Video for Standing Stlll

Although not a instant pop tune, this song looks set to have some of the appeal of Italy's 'Madness of Love' in 2011.

Plus the songwriting credit is non-other than international Jazz performer Jamie Cullum with fellow brits Steve Robson and Wayne Hector- Wow ! in the UK songwriters have not been keen to take part in Eurovision apart from Boyzone's Ronan Keating (from Ireland anyhow) back in 2009

he wrote the Danish winner.

So this song credit- is a turn out for the books-- will we see Jamie Cullum in Baku as well?

At Norsk MGP in Larvik - it's all making it better!

After Denmark's MGP final last saturday which apart from the odd good tune - did nt not seem to raise the Euro pulse to high!

We now have a look at second Semi-Final happening in Norway last night- This had a three of our favourites so imagine our joy to find 2 of them qualified to go on to Spectrum-

1- Tommy Fredvang - Make it better

(Tommy has got to be Le Spunk of Norsk MGP 12)

2- Marlin - Crush

(this seems to have some elements of 2011 'Rockefeller St' in the chorus)

3- Plumpo- Ola Nordmann

-a folk-band who may well of stood in the way of Mimie Oh making the final

That's right- poor Minnie Oh will her tune 'You & I' failed to gain enough votes for the final. As norway has no seciond chance round as well in 2012- that means Minne is sadly out! her performance was said to be rather Gaga-esque however sounded to us rather more like

a Robyn tune & performance.

At least we have Tommy Fredvang & Marlin to cheer for in the Norsk MGP Final.

Hanne Sorvaag who featured in Mgp last year could this time be on to another MGP winner with 'Make it better'

Hanne wrote 'My heart is yours' with Fredirk Kempe for Didrik Soli Tangen 2010.

Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2012 - Did Denmark choose right?

Jesper gave it all at MGP 2012 finished runner-up.

Denmark has selected their entry for Baku 2012 at MGP on Saturday night. I do very often have mixed feelings with Denmark's Eurovision selection The songs often tend to be a little different & rather serious with the exception of DQ s ' Drama Queen' in 2007. You either love them (A freind from London- 2011) or hate them (Chanee & N evergreen- 2010) for 2012- the later maybe true- sorry Denmark!

This year I cannot say I am crazy about Soluna Samay's 'Should have known better'winning song. The Dansk Melodi Grand Prix 2012 had lots of promise + a wonderful show and turned out to be a two-horse race between the favorite Jesper Nohrstedt & winner Soluna. I think Jesper would have been a great choice-and it's interesting the new international juries agreed with the other song -

This was the super final result-

1- Should have known better by Soluna Samay. - 110

2- Take our hearts by Jesper Nohrstedt. - 102

3- Venter by Christian Brons & Patrick Isaksson - 88

The sofa pop-ballad from Soluna-

It's certainly interesting to see how the Danes voted against the international juries- However in Melodifestivalen 2011 the opposite happened as the televote agreed with the international votes that gave Eric Saade a lead. I guess this cannot always happen- yet for Denmark it could be risky sending this mid tempo sofa-pop tune! When they have such an ideal recent Eurovision track record to date.

This tale will continue in Baku-- good luck Denmark