Belgium 2019: Eliot

This is "Wake up", the song that will represent Belgium this year:

I heard the song yesterday and thought it was just okay but today Im feeling a bit more positive about it, it is a nice song and I hope Eliot performs it well.

Sennek: "I make timeless but still modern music"

Photo: VRT/Marie Wynants

It's time to post a new interview and Im very happy about it cause this act is one of my top favorites of this year, so I hope you all like it as much as me. Here are Senneks answers:
Name: Sennek
Birthday: the 30th of April
Height: 1,72 meters
Favorite color: black ;)
Favorite food: Japanese ramen
Where are you right now? I’m at “Het depot”, a music center in the Belgian city of Leuven
3 things that make you happy: cats, cats and red wine ;)
What’s your strangest talent? I can shake my eyes
What are you really good at? Making excuses
What are you really bad at? Saying sorry (oops)
Childhood idol: Leonardo Dicaprio
Childhood memory: playing on the street
Celebrity crush: Leonardo Dicaprio
Tell me something no one knows about you: I have no secrets!
What would you do if you were invisible? Tickle people
Favorite movie: Titanic
Favorite TV series: Friends
What is your guilty pleasure? Watching Doctor Phill at 2 pm in my pajamas
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Wiggle wiggle ;)
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Happy by Pharrell Williams
Can you teach me some interesting words in dutch? Goesting is a really cool Dutch word, but it’s hard to translate

Photo: VRT/Marie Wynants

Hey Sennek! Welcome to the Eurovision universe! How are you doing?
Good, thank you!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I would describe myself as a strong confident woman, with some drama and philosophical influences. I make timeless but still modern music.

Photo: Jean-pol Sedran

You were selected by VRT to represent Belgium in Lisbon. How did it all begin?
Well, they had been following me career for a while, apparently. I didn’t say yes to their proposal right away, because this is a big deal and I wanted to think it through. I’m very happy that I accepted and I hope to make Belgium proud.

Photo: VRT/Marie Wynants

“A matter of time” is the title of your song, and it’s written by you, Alex Callier and Maxime Tribeche. How was it to work with them?
It was the best experience of my live ever!

What’s the story behind the song?
A Matter Of Time is about being able to see beauty in things that are fleeting. The tension of watching something precious slip away and finding the beauty in that. There’s also a bit of a special anecdote; I was with Alex Callier in the studio and he had just made me some tea. But while he was getting it ready, the elegant glass teapot suddenly broke. The next day, we came up with the first words of the song: “Sometimes it feels like it’s meant to be broken”. That's why we also included the glass teapot in the video. I saw the beauty in this broken thing.

Photo: VRT/Marie Wynants

Describe the song with 4 words:
Drama, drama, tea pot, drama ;)

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
I can’t tell you yet! You’ll have to wait and see

Photo: VRT/Marie Wynants

Tell me about the official video of “A matter of time”:
The video was directed by Edouard Valette. I wanted to be closely involved in making of it, so I made a whole lot of moodboards. I want people to see my signature in it. Something understated, minimalist and emotional. I specifically asked the director to incorporate the glass teapot in the clip, since the whole story started on Alex’s kitchen counter. I didn't want a narrative clip, but one that’s based on an atmosphere. I wanted to take an artistic approach with a lot of photography and architecture.

What do you like about Eurovision?
It brings people together and celebrates music.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
So far it’s been the best experience of my life. True story!

Photo: VRT/Marie Wynants

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Live music: best thing in life
Nightmare: I like it, it’s a cheap horror movie ;)
Chicken sound: Easter eggs
Art: best thing in life after live music
Future: can’t wait
Dreams: a good sleep

What are your plans for 2018?
Working and making music

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
See you later, alligator!

Photo: Thomas Richard Mertens

Thanks to Sennek for the interview! I'll be cheering for her in May! Go Belgium!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Sennekmusic/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/sennekmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/lauragroes

Belgium 2018: Sennek

Time to listen to the Belgian entry for ESC 18, this is "A matter of time":

I really REALLY like the mood of this song, I dont know how it will do in May but this is such a good quality entry and Sennek is amazing! GO BELGIUM!

Eurovision 2017: And the winner is...

PORTUGAL!

YES! YES! YES! THANK YOU, EUROPE!

The grand final of the Eurovision Song Contest was very special this year, I still cant believe that Portugal won both the Juries and the televoting but thats what happens when an entry is that magical. Im so happy for all the portuguese fans, they deserve this victory so much and I cannot wait to see what Portugal is going to prepare for next year.

Luisa and Salvador gave us another beautiful moment on stage, what a lovely way to close the show.

BIG SHOUT-OUTS TO:

BLANCHE

Im so proud of her! <3 Cannot wait to get more music from her!

FRANCESCO GABBANI

DIHAJ

JOCI PÁPAI

NAVIBAND

I gotta say thanks to the escxtra team for giving me another amazing esc experience and thanks to Ukraine for those 3 good shows! Next stop: PORTUGAL!

Photos: Andres Putting

Eurovision 2017 - Semifinal 1: The Results

Hello Europe! Here are my comments about the results from the 1st Semifinal:

Let's start with a shout out to one of the countries that didnt qualify:

Finland: Norma John - Blackbird

I dont get how this brilliant act didnt qualify, Leena & Lasse did a beautiful job on stage and they will be missed on saturday. 

10. Greece: Demy - This is love

She is beautiful but this is not love but just a mediocre entry, she deserved so much better than a 2006 Cascada wannabe song.

09. Australia: Isaiah - Dont come easy

I like Isaiah but last night wasnt his night and I dont get how this qualified.

08. Poland: Kasia Mós - Flashlight

Im not a fan of this song but I liked Kasia's performance.

07. Moldova: Sunstroke project - Hey mamma!

Fun performance!

06. Sweden: Robin Bengtsson - I cant go on

I still think this whole act is too stiff.

05. Belgium: Blanche - City lights

Love the song and Blanche, but I would have liked a better staging though.

04. Armenia

Lovely staging and she is a great singer but I still dont love the song.

03. Cyprus: Hovig - Gravity

Pretty nice performance.

02. Azerbaijan: DiHaj - Skeletons

I loved every single thing about this performance! BAD BOY! Go DiHaj! 

01. Portugal: Salvador Sobral - Amar pelos dois

One word: WINNER!
This was just magical and I really hope this song made you all feel the same things I felt during those 3 minutes he was on stage. GO PORTUGAL! GO SALVADOR!

Photos: Andres Putting

Belgium 2017: Blanche

Here is the song that is going to represent Belgium this year: City lights by Blanche.

Belgium is not playing games! They are coming for another good result! OH YES! What a fantastic entry, I love it and I really hope it works well on stage. Go Blanche!

Belgium 2016: Laura Tesoro - What's the pressure

Here is the winner of Eurosong 2016, Laura with her song "What's the pressure":

I think is too early to say if this is going to do well (Bottom 15) or bad (Not qualifying) but Im not a fan of the song. She is pretty likeable but sadly thats the only good thing I can say about this entry right now.

Photos: Stijn Smulders (EBU)

THE LAST POST OF 2015

Usually my last post of the year is my top 10 with videos and pictures of some moments from Eurovision but this year I didnt feel like doing that and I also have a pretty clear top 5 so Im going to post their performances and some pictures.

Here is my top 5 of Eurovision 2015:

5.Sweden: Måns Zelmerlöw - Heroes

4.Norway: Mørland & Debrah Scarlett - A Monster Like Me

3.Estonia: Elina Born & Stig Rästa - Goodbye To Yesterday

This was probably my favorite visual performance! They did a fantastic job and I love the song.

Photo: Renee Altrov (ERR)

2.Latvia: Aminata - Love injected

 

1.Belgium: Loïc Nottet - Rhythm Inside

There is so much talent inside of this young man, I mean he is just amazing! Team Loic!

Happy new year to everyone!