Norway 2019: KEiiNO

Photo: NRK

The winner of MGP 2019 is the song "Spirit in the sky" by KEiiNO:

When I heard this song for the first time I knew right away it was very eurovisiony but I really liked it. I can see it doing well like Denmark last year but there are some things they need to improve, 1. I think the performance could be more epic in a mysterious kind of way not a Saara Aalto way and 2. I'm not a joik expert but his solo part (not the chorus) sounded kinda pitchy so he needs to work harder on his vocals.

Alexandra Rotan (KEiiNO): Eurovision is an arena for creative people - NOT an arena for political decisions to be made.

The northern lights are guiding us towards a new interview, this time I got the chance to ask some questions to one of my favorite acts in MGP 2019. Here are Alexandra's answers:
Name: Alexandra Rotan
Birthday: 29.06.1996
Height: 170cm
Favorite color: Red or black
Favorite food: TACO!!!! 
Where are you right now? In my sofa, relaxing after a looong day
What’s your strangest talent? I love doing impressions of different singers. For example Shakira!!! 
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A scary sleep-mask.
What are you really good at? Being happy and I love thinking I rock at cooking food aswell. 
What are you really bad at? Keeping my closet clean and nice. I’m so lazy!!!
Childhood idol: Celine Dion for sure!!
Childhood memory: Hiding under the table when Santa Claus walked towards our house on Christmas Eve, and the sound of grandpas slippers
Celebrity crush: The young Leonardo DiCaprio or Chris Hemsworth!!!! Can’t decide.
What were you afraid of when you were a child? The dark, and being under water. 
Tell me something no one knows about you: I hate doing my make up, and I’m suuuuuuper allergic to animals!!! 
What would you do if you were invisible? Steal candy from the store and go on a plane to somewhere warm. 
Favorite movie: Titanic of course!!!
Favorite TV series: The Blacklist, Pretty Little Liars, You, 24, Designated Survivor, etc etc etc.. 
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Anne Hathaway!! 
What would the title of that movie be? Clumsy me 
What is your guilty pleasure? Popcorn!!!!
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Wishing I was a girl 
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Norwegian artist? Emotions by Astrid S or any song by Sigrid!! 
Can you teach me some interesting words in Norwegian? Hei, jeg er verdens kuleste person!!!!! 

Hello Alexandra, Welcome back to MGP!
Thank you, it feels good to be back!!! 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I would say that I’m versatile - I love doing any genre! I also love being on stage, that’s what I love the most!! 

You participated in MGP last year, what did you learn from that experience?
I got a lot of stage experience, I got to meet a lot of new people in the industry, I got to work with a rapper for the first time, and this year I know exactly what I can ask for from the production team in NRK ;-) ;-) 

You are back this year with KEiiNO. How did it all begin?
It all started with Tom Hugo and his husband wanting to write a song inspired by historical struggles to be accepted for who you are, regardless of ethnicity, gender and orientation. They included an amazing rapper and songwriter from the northern part of Norway, and created Spirit In The Sky. They asked me if I wanted to join them - of course I wanted to!! So together we made some changes, and ended up with what we have now.

Describe the song with 4 words:
Power, historical, dance, flames!!!

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
Hihihi... it’s a secret ;-)

What do you like about Eurovision?
I LOVE that everyone gets to be themselves, anyone is accepted, everyone gets to express their stories through their music for the entire Europe!!!  And I love the glitter, glam, party and the happiness that Eurovision is all about!!!! LOVE LOVE LOVE!! 

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
I dislike that some people have a really political view on the contest. ESC is an arena for creative people - NOT an arena for political decisions to be made. ESC should be all about the music!!! Let’s appreciate each other for that!! 

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Northern lights: Blue, green, spirits, sky, dancing
Alan Walker: Me on stage with him on Eska Music Awards in Poland a couple of years ago!! 
Nightmare: Clowns...
Flowers: My grandmas garden! (or kitchen table) 
Stage: MGP 2019 and ESC 2019!!!!
Dreams: Representing Norway in ESC 2019 with KEIINO!!!!!!!!!!

What are your plans for 2019?
Visiting European countries performing with KEiiNO! Releasing more music, have live performances, go on vacations, watch great movies, being happy! 

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thank you for interviewing me! On behalf of KEiiNO I just wanted to say thank you for all your support! We can’t wait to show you our live show on the 2nd of March! See ya! 

Thanks to Alexandra for the interview, cannot wait to see KEiiNO's performance!

Facebook: alexandrarotan / keiinomusic
Instagram: alexandrarotan / keiinomusic
Twitter: keiino

Norway 2018: Alexander Rybak

Rybak is back back back back again and this is the song he will sing in Lisbon: "That's how you write a song"

I love Rybak and even if my first reaction to the song was "WTF is this?", it grew on me very fast and  he is such a brilliant performer! Im glad he won MGP! (Cant see this doing well in ESC though)

JOWST: "I wanted to participate again so I made a song and submitted it"

Photo: Aakermann Photography

It's sunday and we have a new MGP interview! He won last year with "Grab the moment" and this year he's back as a composer. Here are JOWST's answers:
Name: Joakim With Steen
Birthday: 26 June
Height: 183 cm
Favorite color: Orange
Favorite food: Food with a lot of colour and herbs
What’s your strangest talent? I am good at cooking
What are you really good at? Producing music
What are you really bad at? Waiting
Childhood idol: Ricky Martin and Bon Jovi
Childhood memory: Bikes in the street with friends
Celebrity crush: Megan Fox
What would you do if you were invisible? Travel a lot
Favorite movie: Fight Club
Favorite TV series: Breaking bad and Dexter
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Boogie Wonderland
Can you teach me some interesting words in Norwegian? Fy Faen.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Performing Producer

What do you remember the most from last year’s Eurovision experience?
All the lovely people 

Let’s talk about MGP 2018. How did it all begin?
I wanted to participate again so I made a song and submitted it.

“Talk to the hand” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
- too long - you should ask Jonas McDonnell the writer. 

If you were in charge of the staging for TTTH, how would you do it?
A little Michael Jackson inspired on the dance, and a little Dave Mathews Band inspired band. And use the hand for what its worth. 

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition (MGP 18)? Any favorite?
Yes. And I like all of them actually. Just in different ways. The Charla K song is probably the genre and production I like the most. But my favourite is Walmann. FS.

What do you like about Eurovision?
All the lovely people. The fans and all their engagement on Instagram and Social Media in general.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
What is there not to like?

Photo: Aakermann Photography

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Aleksander Walmann: Perfect vocals 
Nightmare: Witch 
Fast food: Sushi
Clowns: My painting on the wall
Stage: Kiev

Thanks to Joakim for the interview!

Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jowstmusic/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/jowstmusic

NICOLINE: “Light me up” is about not wanting the party to end

Photo: Julia Marie Naglestad/NRK

TGIF! Are you all up for a new MGP interview? Let's not waste any time! Here are Nicoline's answers:

Name: NICOLINE
Birthday: 9th of April
Height: 175 cm
Favorite color: Sky blue
Favorite food: Spicy Asian food
Where are you right now? Backstage at a singing job.
3 things that make you happy: Smiling people, Baby Animals, Games
What’s your strangest talent? I can clap my hands really loud.. And I can make my nostril really big..
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A Globus… Not really that strange is it?
What are you really good at? Perform on stage.
What are you really bad at? Cooking food..
Childhood idol: Britney Spears
Childhood memory: When I managed to persuade mum to let me get a rabbit.
Celebrity crush: Aaron Carter
Tell me something no one knows about you: IF there is something no one knows about me, I will definitely not tell the internet ;)
What would you do if you were invisible? What would I NOT do..
Favorite movie: Oh, that’s hard! “The Intern” always makes me happy!
Favorite TV series: Game of Thrones
What is your guilty pleasure? Paradise Hotel. I’m embarrassed to say it out loud.
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Have sex with a girl…
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: On my Way – Phil Collins
Can you teach me some interesting words in Norwegian? “Luremus” = Someone (mainly girls) who attracts, flirts or seduces someone, but when the other person tries to make a move, they reject the person.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland (Logo: Flammier.com)

Hello Nicoline! How are you doing?
I’m doing really good, thank you ;)

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I’m an energetic live artist with my own charisma on stage.

Photo: Cato Ingebrigtsen

You were part of the Norwegian backing singers for Eurovision in 2013 and 2016, how was that experience and what do you remember the most from them?
That was a lot of fun and I remember all the amazing people I got to know. It is two weeks of FUN!

You are one of the participants of MGP 2018. How did it all begin?
I met my producer (Johan Larson) in his studio to make some new songs, and he played me some old song sketches. One of these sketches became “light me up”.

“Light me up” is the title of your song, and it’s written by you, Johan Larsson and
Emilie Adams. How was it to work with them?
I loved working with them and me and Johan already have several songs ready for release.

What’s the story behind the song?
It’s about not wanting the party to end.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Describe the song with 4 words:
As Johan says: Party, Party Party, (Party) or as I say: Happy, Danseable, Positive, Urban pop

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
That’s a secret :)

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition (MGP 18)? Any favorite?
I’ve heard them all. SO many good songs, but I have to say Aleksander Wallman and Charla K.

What do you like about Eurovision?
The fact that it’s just a big celebration of music.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
The reputation Eurovision have in the music industry. At least in Norway.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Sleepwalking: Sheeps
Dancing: Disco
Technology: Ipod
Nature: Trees
Stage: Me :)
Dreams: To make a living of my own music.

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

What are your plans for 2018?
Release lots of music.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
I hope I see you in Lisboa ;)

Photo: Siri Sveen Haaland

Thanks to Nicoline for the interview! All the best in MGP!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/iamnicoline/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/iam_nicoline
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/iam_nicoline/

Alejandro Fuentes: "I had never done spanish music, so I figured what the heck why not try it?"

Photo: NRK

The MGP 2018 line up was revealed yesterday and guess what? We have an interview with one of the 10 finalists (I gotta say that his song is on my top 3 right now), here are Alejandro's answers:
Name: Alejandro Fuentes
Birthday: 05.11. 1987
Height: 165cm , but 170 cm in my passport :P
Favorite color: RED
Favorite food: pizzzzaaa
Where are you right now? In my hometown Kristiansand, Norway.
3 things that make you happy: exercise, stand up comedy and music
What’s your strangest talent? Im a great barista :P well at least I think so :P
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? you don’t wanna know :P hahahah
What are you really good at? singing and performing
What are you really bad at? acting and modeling  :P
Childhood idol: ufff a lot of people here. I grew up with all the boybands...so all of them :P
Childhood memory: hanging out with my friends doing nothing...just being a child...playing...chasing girls you know the same old same old
Celebrity crush: Katheryn Winnick <3 ufffffff <3
Tell me something no one knows about you: but then everyone will know :P!!!!! hahaha...I get really shy at photoshoots :P
What would you do if you were invisible? workout at the gym naked :P
Favorite movie: ufff…a lot of great movies...can’t answer that :P
Favorite TV series: right now comedians having coffee with Jerry Seinfeld
What is your guilty pleasure? animated movies and disney movies :P
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Im not really sure….
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: QUE VA - ALEX SENSATION & OZUNA
Can you teach me some interesting words in Spanish? achuchar - to hug someone to the point that they can’t breathe

Hello Alejandro! Welcome to the Eurovision universe! How are you doing?
Fantastic!!! and very excited about joining Eurovision!! Hoping I`ll go all the way to Lisboa :)!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
A bit of a mystery...you must experience me live ;)

You are one of the participants of MGP 2018. How did it all begin?
They called me about two years ago and wanted me to join, but my wife had just had our first baby boy, so I didn’t have time...but the thought stayed in my head...and well 2 years later here I am.

“Tengo Otra” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
Well I’m gonna try to keep it short :P after we had our first baby I had a lot of time at home where I could think about what I wanted to do next with my career...I had never done spanish music, so I figured what the heck why not try it? Contacted some friends in miami and went over there to write. This was the first one that came up :)

Describe the song with 4 words:
Passion, love, sex, desire

Photo: Lisa Tatjana

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
A lot of hips ;)

What do you like about Eurovision?
I really love that the fans are so loyal <3

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
Nothing :)

Photo: Pernille Sandberg

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Chile: ahhh my birthplace and my roots
Idol: shit wasn’t I on that program?
Nightmare: ghosts and scary monsters
Sauna: ahhh my zen zone
Fangirling: WHAT THE HELL IS THAT?
Stage: WORK :P

Photo: Lisa Tatjana

What are your plans for 2018?
WIN EUROVISION !!!!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
IM RELEASING MORE MUSIC THIS YEAR IN SPANISH SO STAY TUNED :)

Thanks to Alejandro for the interview! Cannot wait to see him on the MGP stage!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/AlejandroFuentesOfficial/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/alejandrofuentesofficial/

Norway 2017: JOWST

Here is the Melodi Grand Prix 2017 winner: JOWST with the song "Grab the moment"

I'll start by saying that I didnt like this years MGP (VIVI, COME BACK! WE NEED YOU!) but I think Norway made the right choice. This is a very solid entry and I can see it qualifying tbh.

2016: National selections (2)

Here is the 2nd part of my favorite NF songs from 2016:

Kristi Popa - Ajo çfarë ndjej

Catalepsia - Damnation

NAVI - Heta ziamlia

Erna Mist & Magnus Thorlacius - Ótöluð orð

Kállay Saunders Band - Who We Are

Boris René - Put Your Love on Me

Pur:Pur  - We Do Change

Robin Bengtsson - Constellation Prize

Laila Samuels - Afterglow

Mick Pedaja - Seis

THE HARDKISS - Helpless

Mikael Saari - On It Goes

Norway 2016: Agnete

Now its time to post the winner of MGP 2016: Agnete with the song Icebreaker

I dont want to sound mean but I dont like anything about this entry and Im sure she won because of who she is. Compared to Norways great entries from the past 3 years this is too cold and calculated, I dont feel any emotion from her, she is just there singing and Im not going to deny that she is good at it but I need more than that.

Shout out to my winner: LAILA SAMUELS

And here is the best performance of the night: Mørland & Debrah!

BEAUTIFUL!

Photos: Rashid Akrim

Laila Samuels: I wrote "Afterglow" as a message to the universe that I’m fighting back

Photo: Paul Parzych

Yesterday we got the names of the 10 participants of MGP 2016 and today we got an interview with one of them (The one that will probably be my biggest favorite!) Here are the answers of LAILA SAMUELS:
Name: Laila Samuels
Birthday: June 3rd 
Height: 1.65
Favorite color: black - although it's not a color
Favorite food: potato chips
Where are you right now? - Oslo - getting ready to play at the thief music unplugged
What’s your strangest talent? - I can whistle and smile at the same time
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? - A glowing reindeer
What are you really good at? - Playing cards
What are you really bad at? -  Acting and playing golf
Childhood idol: Boy George & Prince
Childhood memory: Taking dirty dancing lessons. And writing books and songs and poems all day.
Celebrity crush: (Boy George) when I was like 6 or 7 
Tell me something no one knows about you: A secret u mean? Let’s wait till I know u a little better and I'll give u something good ;)
What would you do if you were invisible? ooohhh - I would love that. I'd sneak into some meetings... Like between Putin and Obama. Or just spend a day in Donald Trump’s house. That could be interesting. 
Favorite movie: ... I’m a total film freak.. I love "The Departed"... But I could name a hundred. 
Favorite TV series: Same…l am watching 10 series at a time. Right now I’m waiting for more episodes of Game of thrones- The affair - and Nashville. 
What is your guilty pleasure? Gambling...? hehe
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? I'd be very surprised all day.
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: I prefer melancholic music- right now I’m crazy in love with Oscar & the wolf. Amazing.
When did you start singing and writing?  As soon as I could sing and write. I wrote my first "book" when I was 6. My mom gave it to me a few years back. She’d kept it. That was sweet.
Can you teach me some interesting words in Norwegian?  If you just name drop our Ski Heroes Marit Bjørgen and Petter Nortug - you'll come a long way over here ;)

Hello Laila! Welcome to MGP! How are you?
Thank you - I’m great - so much fun to do the Eurovision! 

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am a singer songwriter- my sound is pretty organic- I play a lot just with my guitar- but my record has a lot of perc- strings and epicness too. And some nordic melody lines. 

Photo: Kim Erlandsen/NRK

You are one of the participants of MGP 2016. How did it all begin?
I knew the second I had written afterglow that I wanted to perform it on the Eurovision. So I sent it in. and waited. And was thrilled when they chose it. Can’t wait to show it to the people :) 

“Afterglow” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
I always write from the heart. I did the composition, the melodies and production with Jan Weigel and The Beatgees- then I went home - and that night the lyric just kinda wrote itself. I had gone through a lot the past 3 years and needed some changes- so I wrote this as a message to the universe that I’m fighting back. I'm sensitive, but a warrior. And it kinda marked the start of a very amazing new era. 

Describe the song with 4 words:
Epic, vulnerable, nordic , personal.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
I would love to have 1 million warriors like a game of thrones scene, but... that would be too expensive-so - I will let the song speak for itself and -it will be just me on the stage. 

What do you like about Eurovision?
The amazing unity of more than 40 countries- all getting behind this show for 1 shiny day. Putting all our differences aside and just celebrating culture.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
What’s not to like??

Photo: Jens Bredberg

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Berlin: Home
Nightmare: Fighting
Freedom: Life
UFO: weeeeellll......
Stage: Home
Dreams: Life

What are your plans for 2016?
My debut album as a solo act is gonna come out this year!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thank you for the talk-  I will do my best to entertain you all <3

Photo: Paul Parzych

Thanks to Laila for the interview, I cant wait to listen to her song!

Official website: http://www.lailasamuels.com/
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/Laila-Samuels-1870286029863939
Instagram: http://www.instagram.com/lailasamuels

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!