Luxembourg: 'Tomorrow' Ranks High with Fans
Written by Marc Calleja BaylissAlongside Sweden, Luxembourg is the second most successful country in the history of the Eurovision Song Contest but consecutive disappointing results achieved in 1992 and 1993 respectively saw to their withdrawal. The support between smaller countries has always been evident and in the two aforementioned years, Malta gave the tiny duchy ten points on both occasions. It seems that our long lasting friendship is still appreciated by the rather strong fanbase as the OGAE members have voted Malta's entry Tomorrow performed by Gianluca in second place just behind Denmark whose entry is entitled Only Teardrops and set to be sung by Emmelie de Forest.
Marion Welter, representative at the 1992 Eurovision Song Contest on behalf of Luxembourg was also part of the team of reviewers on escflashmalta.com last year seeing to the entries that competed in the second semi-final. As has already been noted by several online blogs and forums alike, Denmark is the outright favourite with the fans whilst San Marino's entry entitled Crisalide (Vola) is currently in second place overall. At this point in time, there are around nine countries who are yet to pick up any points with some having obtained votes from one country, as has been the case with Malta who has never really done well in OGAE voting along the years.
- 1 point - Greece
- 2 points - Hungary
- 3 points - San Marino
- 4 points - Moldova
- 5 points - Norway
- 6 points - Sweden
- 7 points - Netherlands
- 8 points - Germany
- 10 points - Malta
- 12 points - Denmark
Radio International: Emmelie Amongst Interviewees
Written by Juergen BoernigThe Eurovision In Concert held a couple of weeks back within The Netherlands is known to be the premier dress rehearsal for the competing countires at the Eurovision Song Contest and the team of Radio International had the pleasure of speaking to all of the artists present, amongst them Gianluca who will represent Malta with the song Tomorrow co-written by Dean Muscat and Boris Cezek. We would like to invite you to the weekly Ultimate Eurovision Experience. Apart from the means of FM Radio in the Netherlands on FM 106.8 and the audio stream from the studio via www.radiointernational.tv and on Digital Cable 781 & Cable 8.1Mhz in the Netherlands, the show will also be web-televised via the Radio International TV Channel from the studio and linking up the many international Eurovision fans and friends and play your requests and read your messages out on air. The simulcast will be from 2000 – 2300 hours CET when fans can join in and chat amongst each other via the Chat Room and request their favourite Eurovision entry.
Denmark is the outright favourite in this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with Emmelie de Forest and her entry Only Teardrops co-written by Lise Cable, Julia Fabrin Jakobsen and Thomas Stengaard. As a matter of fact, there is always a favourite which does well, along with another who will fall flat when it comes to the live performance. This is yet to be seen. In the meantime, Emmelie who is an extremely nice individual speaks to team of Radio International about competing in such a major showcase, her ancestral background and what she makes of the current situation in the polls, bookmakers and fan clubs. Moving onto another entry competing in the first semi-final, there is Zlata Ognevich who will be representing Ukraine with the song Gravity and according to the bookmakers, this currently ranks second behind Denmark. Zlata who has slight difficulty to speak in English is nevertheless a great performer and she speaks to Radio International and escflashmalta.com about her upcoming surprises, without revealing too much.
Apart from focusing on the first semi-final, it is always important to note that there is a second show and one which also includes a number of great songs including some fan favourites in the form of Greece whose entry Alcohol is Free performed by Koza Mostra featuring Agathonas has been setting the dancefloors alight. The team who have a great spirit speak about the song, the meaning behind it and what their expectations in Sweden during the Eurovision Song Contest are, especially considering that Greece has a reputation to uphold. One final interview from this semi-final is with PeR from Latvia whose entry bears the name Here We Go. It will be the opening act of the show but has not been receiving a lot of promotion as of late whilst somewhat destined to be another disappointment for the Baltic nation. The duo are great fun though and this adds to the spectacle of the Eurovision Song Contest.
The final nation in the spotlight for this evenings' programme will be Amandine Bourgeois who will be representing France with L'Enfer et Moi. She has received great comments since her performance at the Eurovision in Concert and could surprise. There will also be a number of new releases played throughout the three hours, including Żarbun by Chiara which has already racked up more then 80,000 views in less than a week. In the meantime, there will also be a number of cover versions as recorded throughout the year, a feature which will be returning at the hands of David Mann. All of the latest news is also covered during the weekly broadcast noting resources from escflashmalta.com and escXtra where Luke Fisher, the Editor makes a weekly round-up. A spotlight on the Eurovision Song Contest will be switched on metaphorically of course by Dermot Manning as he chooses a topic for the week. Follow the show through the official website and also send your requests through the contact link which is found on the aforementioned website.
Source: Team of Radio International
Italy: Official Video for 'Pronto a Correre' Published
Written by Marc Calleja BaylissEarlier this year, Marco Mengoni swooped to Sanremo victory with his song L'Essenziale co-written alongside Francesco De Benedittis and Roberto Casalino. During the final night of the aforementioned national showcase, he was also selected as the next representative for Italy before confirming just a couple of weeks later that he is set to perform the same track and in his native Italian rather than creating a bi-lingual version. His profile in Italy is currently at it's peak and the release of his album #PRONTOACORRERE signifies this heading straight to number #1 in it's first week whilst L'Essenziale had been number #1 for more than eight consecutive weeks.
Sony Music Italy which represents Marco Mengoni is going ahead with the promotion of his sophomore studio album and thus releasing the second single entitled Pronto a Correre. The single co-written by Mark Owen from the globally renowned group, Take That is an uptempo song and clearly shows the vocals skills attributed to Mengoni. In recent weeks, Marco Mengoni has been doing several press in his native Italy where he has been promoting his participation in the Eurovision Song Contest somewhat trying to garner a strong audience for RAI DUE who will be showing the international showcase. The official video accompanying the song was released officially yesterday and could see Mengoni singing within a studio and running alongside people whilst clad in a traditional suit. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.
Source: Sony Music Italy
Estonia: Stage Outfit for Team Revealed
Written by Marc Calleja BaylissBirgit Õigemeel with the song Et Uus Saaks Alguse co-written between Mihkel Mattisen and Silva Soro was selected to represent Estonia in this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest following a public and jury vote which just managed to get her into the super-final. With 51.1% of the tele-vote, she was announced as the winner over Grete Paia and her entry Päästke noored hinged co-written with renowned songwriter Sven Lõhmus. Unfortunately, betting odds have not been so favourable with the nation currently found in twenty-second place despite achieving a sixth place finish with the song Kuula performed by Ott Lepland at the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest.
In bright and colourful spring fashion, Birgit has been doing a lot of national promotion prior to jetting off for the Eurovision Song Contest but nevertheless, due to her blooming pregnancy, her stylists have decided to go with a chic look on stage as witnessed in the photograph above. As a matter of fact, designer Antonio Baltman has worked worked on a visually stunning black and white short dress matched with black shoes whilst her three male backing vocalists will be in dashing grey suits and white shirts to complement. Et Uus Saaks Alguse will be performed in slot number #2 within the first semi-final whilst Birgit is currently at number #29 in the Estonian iTunes Singles Chart. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news as soon as it becomes available.
Source: Ilkar.blogspot.com, ERR
Malta: Airport Impressions Plan Sophomore Album
Written by Marc Calleja BaylissIn 2007, four male musicians in the form of Errol Sammut, Johann Schembri, Chris Curmi and Steve Farrugia came together to create the alternative male band known as Airport Impressions. Jagged House Studios, represented by Howard Keith knew that there was something special and thus a professional relationship began, one which culminated in the release of a number of successful singles such as Beside You and Wake Up. Nevertheless, the tracks only got better and in 2008, with the release of Borderline, it seemed that the star was set to shine and not for a short period but for a lengthy stretch. Airport Impressions continues to work hard and in 2010, put out their debut album entitled Minutes of a Lifetime which won rave reviews from critics and practically all possible awards.
In recent months, the group has been relatively quiet in the public eye with their last known appearances coming about at the end of summer of 2012 including concerts in Sweden, the country which just happens to be hosting this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Errol Sammut on the other hand has also been busy co-writing with Claudia Faniello in recent months having been the composer behind the song When It's Time which finished in seventh place during this years' edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest prior to making it on 89.7 Bay, where it peaked at number #2 on the local charts. In the past couple of days, the group have been gearing up for an announcement on their Official Page on Facebook and finally, the wait is over with a sophomore album in the works. with the correct statement saying 'Proud to announce that we are officially back in the studio today to record our second album!' Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.
Source: Official Facebook Page
Ireland: 'Only Love Survives' is already a Hit
Written by Marc Calleja BaylissOnly Love Survives, co-written by Wez Devine and Ryan Dolan, the latter of which will also be providing the vocals will be representing Ireland in the first semi-final of this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. It seems that whatever the outcome of the competition, the track is destined to be a hit in the host country, Sweden noting that the track has already peaked at number #33 prior to the commencement of the rehearsals. Ireland have a stunning record in the annual music event noting that they have managed to finish at the top on a record seven occasions, the last of which was back in 1996 when Eimear Quinn had performed The Voice.
Ryan Dolan and his entry Only Love Survives were selected to compete in the Irish Eurosong competition by mentor, Stuart O'Connor who is known to many inside the entertainment circles as a celebrity choreographer. He has already garnered experience at the Eurovision Song Contest having helped set the tone of the performance that Jedward gave last year as they performed the track Waterline which included an energetic routine accompanied by a waterfall. iTunes, the digital platform for music, movies and books amongst other things has been very much involved in the sales of the entries competing in this years' showcase whilst preview shows have given the required push in a number of countries. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news as soon as it becomes available.
Source: esctracker.com
France: Amandine Bourgeois Attends OGAE Meeting
Written by Patrick StroukIn this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest, France will be represented by Amandine Bourgeois, who in turn will be performing the track L'Enfer Et Moi composed by David Salkin to the lyrics of Boris Bergman. Despite the fact that the song and the artist fit extremely well together, it was the broadcaster that brought them together in an internal selection which features several music professionals. It seems that there were a number of possible choices but ultimately decided on this combination, which has also meant a return to the spotlight for Amandine Bourgeois who just signed a new record deal with Warner Music France. During most of the day, the French performer was attending the OGAE France meeting where the fans of the competition voted their top ten entries in this years' edition.
Earlier this evening, the editorial team of escflashmalta.com was proud to bring you the votes of OGAE Malta whose maximum points went to Denmark, followed by San Marino and it seems that the fans in France have a similar wavelength when looking at the points as seen below. Once more, it seems that Malta managed a mid-table position as it has missed out on yet another top ten position. Emmelie de Forest will be representing Drnmark with the song Only Teardrops whilst Valentina Monetta will do the honours on behalf of San Marino as she performs the track Crisalide (Vola). It is important to denote that these points reflect a portion of the actual votes which will be encountered in May owing to both the general public and the professional jury.
- 1 point: Ireland
- 2 points: Russia
- 3 points: Finland
- 4 points: Sweden
- 5 points: Ukraine
- 6 points: Germany
- 7 points: Norway
- 8 points: Switzerland
- 10 points: San Marino
- 12 points: Denmark
France will be competing in this years' edition of the Eurovision Song Contest for the fifty-sixth time noting that they have emerged victorious on five occasions, the last of which being back in 1977 when Marie Myriam swooped up the win with her entry L'Oiseau et L'Enfant. In recent years, internal selections have taken precedence and in the 2011 edition of the international spectacle, France was the favourite with the track Sognu which could only muster up eighty two (82) points to finish in fifteenth place. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news about France in this years' spectacle.
Source: OGAE France, escflashmalta.com
Exclusive: Denmark on top with OGAE Malta
Written by Marc Calleja BaylissBetting Odds and Polls have become increasingly popular across the years but nevertheless have always had a somewhat bittersweet element when they end up being somewhat off from the final mark. Nevertheless, another poll which is highly publicised is that of the General Organisation of Eurovision Fans, also known as the OGAE. In Malta, the branch is led by Adrian Refalo and Deo Grech, the latter being a successful lyricist as well as former member of the committee which took care of the nations' representation. Today, escflashmalta.com is proud to exclusively reveal the points of the OGAE Malta.
Malta represented by Gianluca and his entry Tomorrow co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat have fared respectably thus far, always garnering a placing just outside of the top ten, being the only reason why points have not been racked up. In the meantime, the poll as conducted by the members has somewhat been accurate noting that they have managed to predict three winners from the past six years, these being none other than Euphoria performed by Loreen for Sweden in 2012, Fairytale sung by Alexander Rybak for Norway in 2009 and Moltiva performed by Marija Serifovic for Serbia in 2007 respectively. The full points are seen below.
- 1 point: Austria
- 2 points: Azerbaijan
- 3 points: Ireland
- 4 points: FYR Macedonia
- 5 points: Serbia
- 6 points: Ukraine
- 7 points: Germany
- 8 points: Norway
- 10 points: San Marino
- 12 points: Denmark
United Kingdom: Acoustic Version of 'Believe In Me'
Written by Marc Calleja BaylissSir Terry Wogan is somewhat British Royalty in the world of the Eurovision Song Contest and therefore, it comes as no surprise that Bonnie Tyler was invited to participate in his programme earlier this morning. Joined by four backing vocalists; two male and two female along with a male guitarist, she performed an acoustic version of Believe In Me, the song that she will be performing on behalf of the United Kingdom at the upcoming edition of the Eurovision Song Contest. Since leaving his commentary duties to Graham Norton, Sir Terry Wogan has continued to be a radio broadcaster, hosting the show Weekend Wogan on BBC Radio 2.
Bonnie has been doing a lot of press as of late, especially in the United Kingdom earning positive reviews of the track all over the nation in hope that she could earn more than twelve (12) points as achieved by Engelbert Humperdinck with his song Love Will Set You Free. Whilst the track itself has not really set the digital charts on fire in the United Kingdom, it has maintained it's entry and currently stands at around #387 on iTunes. The album from which it was taken entitled Rocks and Honey has had moderate success in mainland Europe including Germany and Switzerland where it peaked at number #59. We would like you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news about Bonnie Tyler and the United Kingdom in this years' Eurovision Song Contest.
Source: BBC on Twitter
Gianluca, who will be representing Malta in the upcoming edition of the Eurovision Song Contest with the track Tomorrow co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat is doing a series of promotional rounds on local television prior to leaving for the international spectacle. Ħadd Għalik has become a weekly Sunday appointment for several because it is a game-show with a difference involving particular themes and specific games. Angie Laus is the main host of the show, alongside Mario Coleiro and PJ Vassallo who aid and carry out features respectively.
In this weeks' game-show, Gianluca joins his whole family including Malta Eurovision Song Contest Finalist, Dorothy Bezzina against the team that will be accompanying him abroad including Louise Ann Bugeja Tate, Christopher Tate, Kenny D'Ugo and Gabriel Cassar noting that Samaria Bezzina is still in the United Kingdom. In the meantime, special performances on the show are expected by resident singers including three time Eurovision Song Contest representative; Chiara who has just premiered her latest single Żarbun, as well as Malta Eurovision Song Contest finalists; Eleanor Cassar and Deborah C and Azeri representative, Farid Mammadov who will perform his entry Hold Me. Tune in to Television Malta between 12:10 and 15:30 CET and let yourself be entertained. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com for all of the latest news.
Source: Where's Everybody
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