For high energy without added dance beats todays hit comes from the 1995 Eurovision.  Representing Croatia was the joined forces of pop band ‘Magazin’ and opera singer ‘Lidija’ on a song entitled ‘Nostalgia’.  The combined vocal and sheer enthusiasm from the artists helped this song place a very nice 6th.  The video will make you want to go away on holidays to explore some European city and hee hee next week I am, lol.  Enjoy todays hit, its a classic.

In 2006 Malta took a break from its ballad run to enter Maltese heartthrob Fabrizio Faniello into the Eurovision with dance hit, ‘I do’.

This was not Fabrizio first time entering the Eurovision having previously entered the competition in 2001 with ‘Another summer night’.

Fabrizio career was often conflicting when he found himself torn between his two passions, football and singing.  Eventually after playing football for a year in the Italian city of Turin a 16 year old Faniello decided to pursue music entering many prestigious European festivals.

In 1998 he won the Best Male Artist award at the Maltese Music Awards and the same year won the FIDOF award for the most promising young talent.  His biggest break came in 2001 when he won the Maltese song for Europe having previously entered in 1998, 1999 and 2000 placing 2^nd in two of those years.

With ‘Another summer night’ he represented his country in Copenhagen and placed a very respectable 9^th.  His debut album, ‘While I’m dreaming’ followed and went to number 1 in the Maltese charts becoming the most sold album of any Maltese artist to date, the album also consequently went on to become a hit in Germany and Denmark.

In 2004 he again received the award for Best Male Artist at the Maltese music awards.  His second album ‘When we danced’ went straight to number one in Malta and was released in over 30 countries peaking high in the Swedish, Finnish, Belgium and German charts. 

Fabrizio in 2005 was invited to participate with other Eurovision stars in celebrating the 50^th jubilee of the ESC in a concert called, ‘Congratulations’.

As mentioned in 2006 he again represented his country but for some reason that I can’t fathom, the song ‘I do’ received a paltry 1 point.  (Shame on us Ireland, smaller islands should help each other out). 

The dismal result I’m sure was a blow to Fabrizio but in 2007 he released a hits album which again went to the number one spot in Malta.  Then he took a well deserved rest.

Skip forward two years and we finally get to hear a new single from the Maltese hunk.  Just released, ‘I no can do’ will be sure to set the stage for the bright future ahead of singer Fabrizio Faniello.  We wish him well on his journey and if he ever by the rarest of chances did get to read this, what Euro-fans want is a duet with Chiara Siracusa.

Sandra has graced us with her presence again this time the only Belgium winner has rehashed the video to her winning song from 1985. Not Bad Sandra, not bad at all

Fridrik from Euroband fame has released a single, it’s the official theme to 2010 Reykjavik Pride. Is it catchy, yes yes it is.

Earlier the Netherlands announced their entrant for next years Eurovision competition, 3JS.

They are a trio of Dutch singers January Dulles, Jaap Kwakman and Jaap de Witte formed in 2007. They have had 3 albums to date and have had a good bit of success in their native Netherlands with 2 of their albums going gold and the third only released a few months ago. Their songs are described as Dutch pop with a dash of Irish folk. This is the third time that they have been asked to represent The Netherlands, in 2009 and 2010 previously but they refused at those points, I wonder what changed for them this time?

Unlike last year the public will have a say in the song again, there will be 50% televote and 50% jury vote in the Dutch national final, the song at the moment will likely be in Dutch as well.

You can find out more about 3JS at their website http://www.3js.nl/index/.

From the country that brought us Kylie and Danni MInogue , Russel Crowe and Dame Enda the search has begun to find Australia’s first representative for the Asia-Pacific Our Sound competition. Could this be the new Melodifestivalen? (lord knows after this years debacle Lithuania had a more interesting final)

Pretty much the same rules apply, song can be no more than 3 minutes, it cannot have been previously released, the entrant has to be over 18. Only citizens and permanent residents of Australia are eligible to participate in the contests. Exceptions will need the written approval of the contest organisers.

The entry will be reviewed by a jury comprising representatives of Asiavision, the music industry and the Australian Public. The jury will select a shortlist of about 3 to 10 of the most outstanding songs submitted. The backing track does not need to be live but you do need to make a video of some sorts. I’m thinking they are going for a Web Joker in Melodifestivalen or the first round of web voting in Spain feature. Entries must be in before August 28th.

Australia will have the opportunity to vote for their favourite song from this shortlist over a two week voting period in September. The winner of this vote will represent Australia at Our Sound 2010 in Mumbai this November – so if your song is shortlisted, then this will be your opportunity to campaign directly to the public for their support!

Some other details on the actual competition have emerged as well.  The voting system is the same as the Eurovision, 1-8 points then 10 and 12.

2 new twists however are that the act cannot be more than 5 people opposed to 6 in Eurovision and people can vote for their own country this time round. Should be interesting, imagine if they brought that over to the Eurovision. “Greece gives 12 points to Greece and 10 points to Cyprus!”, completely fair

Its been a while since we updated you on the countries that have confirmed that they will be taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Germany next May.

Big Four

Of the Big Four (France, Germany, Spain, and the UK), Germany, (Host), Spain and the United Kingdom have all confirmed their participation in next years Eurovision.

Automatic Finalist

As Germany is guaranteed a place in the Final as part of the Big Four, the next highest placing country from this years Eurovision will be automatically in the final. Next year that means Turkey will be in the Final and they have confirmed their participation. It will be interesting how this works out for Turkey.

The Rest

The following countries have also confirmed their participation:

• Albania
• Armenia
• Azerbaijan
• Belgium
• Cyprus
• Denmark
• Estonia
• Finland
• Greece
• Iceland
• Macedonia
• Malta
• Netherlands
• Norway
• Portugal
• Romania
• Serbia
• Sweden
• Switzerland
• Ukraine
• Russia

That makes it as 25 countries confirmed for next years edition.

Undecideds

As mentioned last month Hungary may be returning to the contest this year. Due to Germany’s win Austria is thinking about a return to the contest, Austria last appeared in 2007.

San Marino, who’s last appearance was also their début in 2009 is also thinking about re-entering.

Israel may withdraw this year as the Israeli Independence day is on May 9th.

Monaco is a doubtful return.

Débuts

Lichtenstein is still on course to makes its Début at next years contest.

Keep us updated on any countries you think will enter!

The Host Broadcaster (NDR) and the EBU have confirmed that the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 will take place on the 10th, 12th and 14th of May.

A decision on the host city and the venue will be announced after the summer.

The meeting took place at NDR’s headquarters in Hamburg which is in a good position to be next years host city.

NDR have also confirmed that Lena will be representing Germany at next years edition. She will be joining Lys Assia and Corry Brokken as the only artists who attempted to defend their titles.

Source: Eurovision.tv

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