Tag: Eurovision

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Electric Fields Strong Eurovision Chance With “One Milkali (One Blood)”

I’ve held off for as long as I could. As a Eurovision tragic, I always try to wait for the competition to hear the songs. I want them all to be fresh for me. But I caved. I couldn’t help but listen to “One Milkali (One Blood)”, our entry this year from the one and only Electric Fields. I am properly on board. It’s a disco dance banger, but it’s also got a powerful message about connection with the world around us. And how exciting to hear a didge and some native language in our entry! Talk about representation.

“We are buzzed with euphoria at our chance to share this music with the world,” the duo said. “Our music comes from the deepest place in both of us and Eurovision is the most exciting opportunity to bring together our cultures and share the joy of our global connection.”

Make sure you don’t miss Electric Fields doing our country proud when SBS airs the Eurovision Song Contest from May 8 to 12.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Paulini’s Eurovision Hopeful is an Absolute Banger

I try my best to avoid the potential Eurovision tracks before the Australia Decides show, but Paulini’s effort keeps creeping into my inbox. So in spite of myself, I listened. I don’t know what she’s up against yet, but her song “We Are One” is definitely a track we could be proud to send to Turin.

This song has everything you want in a Eurovision number. It’s incredibly danceable. Paulini gives a powerhouse vocal performance. And the lyrics from Rick Price and John Capek, which celebrate our similarities, are ideal for the world stage.

“The world is hurting so it’s time to bust out with a little hope, unity and joy. There’s no better way to do that than with big sounds, and some big notes,” Paulini confirmed.

“I’m tired of being the person of colour, Australian’s are tired of lockdowns due to the pandemic, and the world is tired of being divided by religion and fear. It’s time to remind everyone that we are all humans standing on the same Earth, breathing the same air. Now is the time to come together, because we are one. I’m calling for unity from the top of my vocal range to remind the world, we are more than black or white, we are more than gay or straight, we are more than Muslim or Christian — we are people first.”

Amen! I’m ready to send Paulini to Italy now, but she’ll have to face off against the rest of the Aussie talent on the Gold Coast on February 26. Make sure to watch live on SBS to have your say!

Image used with permission from Ambition Entertainment

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Montaigne Off to Eurovision

We’ve had time for the glitter to settle on the news that Montaigne will head to Rotterdam in May to represent the nation in Eurovision with her song “Don’t Break Me.” It’s been a polarising decision, with many online comments I’ve read bemoaning the choice, insisting Casey Donovan or Vanessa Amorosi were worthier picks.

Of course, the very best art is often polarising. If everyone loves what you do, you’re probably not pushing the boundaries. I personally advocated for Montaigne years ago, when she first burst onto the scene, insisting her artistry and sense of theatre would be perfect for the big stage. However, when it came to watching the Australia Decides show, it was Casey Donovan and Didirri that stole my heart. However, that doesn’t mean I think Montaigne was the wrong choice. After all, Electric Fields was my favourite act in last year’s event, yet when it came time for the big show I felt Kate’s act was the strongest. It was the first time I could cheer wholeheartedly for my country rather than feeling someone else was doing Eurovision better. So I trust this process works.

Having said that, I would have liked to see more transparency in the voting process. When it comes to Eurovision, it’s all very clear. The top pick from the public gets the douze points, all the juries vote in a similar fashion, and we get our result. However, from where I sat, the numbers assigned to each act seemed arbitrary. Could the people’s choice, Casey, have ever represented us if the jury didn’t agree? I’m not sure, and I think that needs to be clarified.

When all is said and done though, I think it’s time to get behind our winner, even if it wasn’t our personal pick. I’ve listened to “Don’t Break Me” again this morning and it’s a fab song. With the full budget behind it, I think it’ll be spectacular. Montaigne might even win Eurovision for us.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Ella Hooper, Tania Doko, and Alfie Arcuri Announced as Final Eurovision Hopefuls

I can’t be the only one excited that Australia now competes in Eurovision. There’s an extra buzz this year with the announcement we’ll go the route of some of the most successful countries and find our representative through a song contest. Today Ella Hooper, Tania Doko, and Alfie Arcuri were announced as the final hopefuls, joining Kate Miller-Heidke, Electric Fields, Sheppard, Aydan, Courtney Act, Mark Vincent, and Leea Nanos on the Gold Coast next month. While I would have liked to see more rock and a little less pop in the offerings, it’s a relatively diverse field considering what we usually deliver. Courtney Act is my sentimental favourite, but I can’t wait to see whether any of the other acts deliver a performance that convinces me to change my vote!

After preview shows on February 8, the big Australia Decides event screens live on SBS on February 9. It’s the perfect taster for the Eurovision extravaganza in Tel Aviv in May. Who will we send? Have your say next month!

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Jessica Mauboy Got Love, But Not a Eurovision Winner

When Jessica Mauboy’s Eurovision entry “We Got Love” hit my inbox, I initially resisted. I take my Eurovison seriously and I typically prefer to hear the songs for the first time in the Eurovision arena. That way my ears are fresh and familiarity doesn’t make me biased.

But curiousity got the better of me, and I figure if I’ve had a listen I might as well share my thoughts. It’s a good song. It’s incredibly catchy, and its positive lyrics are the kind of thing Eurovision eats up. But is it a winning song? That I’m not so sure about.

It’s quite predictable. People will enjoy it, no doubt, but in my opinion it doesn’t have enough quirk to separate it from so many other good Eurovision songs. I think of recent past winners and they typically had something that set what they did apart. This feels like it’s what Eurovision wanted five years ago, but not now. Jess has charisma in spades, but she’ll need to rely on more than charm to get this one over the line.

Anything can happen when we hit Lisbon, but I’m not expecting victory here.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Conchita @ Sydney Opera House, Sydney – 3 March 2016

I fell fast for Conchita when she graced the Eurovision stage in Copenhagen in 2014. I had never seen anything like her. Looking beyond the beard, she performed with such poise and passion. I was entranced. When she gave her victory speech and uttered those immortal words, “We are unstoppable” I applauded loudly from my lounge room. Her victory seemed to stand for something bigger. While “Rise Like a Phoenix” was undoubtedly the song of the competition, her win went beyond the ballad, indicating an acceptance of diversity and difference so timely as the world fought for marriage equality.

Unlike so many Eurovision winners, Conchita has refused to fade away. She’s visited Australia several times since her big win, but last Thursday was her first full-length concert in Sydney. And didn’t she do it in style. Backed by the Sydney Symphony Orchestra, on the stage of the Opera House’s concert hall, supported by some of the best talents in the land, this show was so deserving of the diva.

Conchita started the night paying tribute to one of her greatest inspirations, Dame Shirley Bassey. “Where Do I Begin?” was such a fitting introduction to the night, easing us into the performance before Trevor Ashley, appearing as Ms Bassey herself, joined Conchita for a stunning cover of “Diamonds are Forever.” Never one to hog the limelight, Conchita graciously stepped aside to give “Shirley” her moment on “Goldfinger.” Dame Shirley’s shoes are big ones to fill, but Trevor’s vocals and mannerisms were spot on.

The night continued in much the same vein, with Conchita treating us to some of her favourite covers and tracks from her own album, interspersed with anecdotes about her journey and life after Eurovision. She was joined every now and again by our homegrown acts. Courtney Act seems like she’s only gotten stronger since Australian Idol. She joined Conchita for “River Deep, Mountain High” because going solo with an emotional performance of Joni Mitchell’s “Both Sides Now.”

Paul Capsis showed why he’s one of Australia’s most acclaimed cabaret performers, joining Conchita for a breathtaking cover of “Bang Bang (My Baby Shot Me Down).” The enthusiasm with which he performed Nina Simone’s “Feeling Good” was something to behold.

On paper Guy Sebastian might have seemed a little out of place, a fairly vanilla addition on such a fabulously colourful night. However, reprising his breakout Australian Idol performance of “Climb Every Mountain” with Conchita was sublime. “Tonight Again,” the song he sang at Eurovision, was the perfect solo song for this crowd.

And of course there was Dami Im, Australia’s newest Eurovision star announced on the night. Her incredible version of “Waterloo” should have left no doubt in the audience’s minds that she’s the right woman for the job.

There were so many stars, but none shone brighter than Conchita. She anchored the evening beautifully, performing with such elegance and style. She has so much charisma and one of the best voices I’ve heard. I was feeling a little fatigue after so many concerts close together, but as I rose to my feet and confetti rained down while Conchita waved goodbye, I was on cloud nine. What a way to end such a busy concert period.

Image source: own photos

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Guy Sebastian Fifth in Eurovision

I’m sitting here bleary eyed and bursting with pride following this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. I’m an unashamed Eurovision tragic, and I’ve been up at 4:55 am three times this week (just enough time to grab a piece of paper to take notes to remember who to vote for and a Coke to wake up). This was the big one though, Guy Sebastian’s appearance, the first time Australia has competed and voted in the competition’s 60 year history.

Other singers got pitchy as the nerves caught up with them, but not Guy. A consumate professional, he truly did Australia proud with “Tonight Again,” a song that had me grooving around the loungeroom. But of course, a great song and performance is no guarantee of Eurovision success. There was a part of me before the event that worried that there might be some backlash from people who thought Guy and Australia had no place in Europe’s contest. I feared we might end up getting no points at all. Instead we got 196, including two douze points (that’s the maximum of 12 for those playing at home). Thanks Sweden and Austria! That put us in fifth place, behind the winner Sweden, Russia, Italy, and Belgium.

Fifth is more than credible in a field of 27, especially considering some of my favourites Lithuania and Cyprus were number 18 and 22 respectively. It’s not enough to see us back next year, but more than enough for us to hold our heads high. Personally I’ve had so much fun voting and even getting up early for it. It was amazing to feel part of a contest that’s been one of my year’s highlights for more than two decades.

Thank you Austria for including us in the celebrations. And thank you Guy for doing this country proud.

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Let the Eurovision Countdown Begin!

I didn’t post about this yesterday because I was too busy processing it. But if you haven’t already heard the news, Australia will compete for the very first time in the Eurovision Song Contest this year. It’s a gesture of goodwill to celebrate the 60th anniversary but one that’s sent me into a tailspin.

I have been a Eurovision tragic for as long as I can remember. I watch every night of coverage, cook European foods over the weekend to celebrate, and blast the hits from the competition at any time of year. On the day of the finale I take a strict media sabbatical – no Internet, no radio, no live TV – to avoid spoilers.

This year I won’t need to. To coincide with our inclusion, SBS will screen the finale live on the Sunday morning. Australia can also vote, although as any Eurovision tragic knows we’re voting for everyone but ourselves. We apparently won’t be eligible to host the next one, although if we pull off the world’s biggest upset the SBS will have a hand in organising it.

I’m also keen to see who we’ll be sending to represent us. Since the event happens in May I assume it’s too late to run a national song contest as other nations do. Jessica Mauboy did us proud last year, but I think we need someone fresh. I’ve seen online campaigns for everyone from TISM to David Campbell to Em Rusciano. I’m open to anything. Should we go theatrical and choose Dami Im, Anthony Callea, or Sia, or perhaps we should buck that trend as The Netherlands did fielding The Common Linnets last year (I told you I was a Eurovision tragic). I’ve heard people suggesting Dan Sultan, Jimmy Barnes, and Gotye, which all have merits. We’ve also got to find someone who’s willing to really embrace everything that Eurovision is.

We might not really be part of Europe, but I think it’s awesome that our nation’s longtime support of the competition is being rewarded. I haven’t been this excited since Aussies penned that song for Greece’s Sakis Rouvas in 2009. Let the countdown begin!

Image source: Wikimedia

Posted on by Lauren Katulka

Aussie Songwriters Pen Greece Eurovision Song

I have a confession to make: I am a massive Eurovision fan. The more flamboyant the dress and the cheesier the lyrics, the more I applaud. Ordinarily I latch onto whatever country uses more pyrotechnics, but this year is going to be different. This year Australia has a country to get behind.

Aussie songwriters Craig Porteils and Cameron Giles-Webb have penned “This is Our Night” for Greece. Cameron is the president of Gusto Music, while Craig has written tracks for Cher, Billy Idol, Human Nature, and Wendy Matthews. Their up-tempo dance track will be performed by pretty boy Sakis Rouvas in the second semi-final, held on May 14 in Moscow. And hopefully we’ll see him do it all again in the final on May 16!

Aussies can cheer on Sakis from their lounge rooms with full coverage from SBS.

Image source: PR Photos