All posts by Roy van der Merwe

Artist announcement

ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT – CROATIA 2017

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Artist thoughts from Zagreb Eurofriend (Designed by Carolina Añazgo Leo):

“Zagreb here to be a hero! Things are getting shape in Eurovision lately! And Jacques was chosen to represent my country in the upcoming Song Contest in Kyiv! I can count the days to let that happen!
About Jacques… what could say about him? He’s a talented artist and was on my (now defunct) national final Dora. He tried so hard in all those years, and i guess it’s time to get a chance to shine in the esc stage and be a hero in recent history!

This story of a hero is just getting started! And I promise is going to be epic, just like me when I save the day and help others to write their own heroic stories and make their mark!” – By Zagreb Eurofriend

Official announcement: http://hrtprikazuje.hrt.hr/…/jacques-houdek-predstavlja-rep…
Croatia page at ESCKAZ: http://www.esckaz.com/2017/cro.htm

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Artist announcement

ANNOUNCEMENT – CROATIAN EUROVISION 2017 ARTIST

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The Croatian broadcaster HRT has announced that Jacques Houdek will represent the country in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest. Houdek’s song for Kyiv will be unveiled soon.

JACQUES HOUDEK was born in Zagreb and is 35 years old. He has been singing professionally since 2002 and has previously entered the Croatian national selection, Dora, several times. He is well-known as a judge on The Voice of Croatia, the competition that last year’s Croatian entrant, Nina Kraljic, won in 2015.

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Immediately after the announcement Jacques, whose birth name is Zeljko, expressed his joy at being chosen to sing for Croatia.

Croatia’s song for 2017 will be unveiled at a later date.

Thanks to ESCKaz for this information

Pre parties

PRE PARTIES – GOOD OR BAD THING?

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After a few quiet days, we are back to our series of questions without right or wrong answers. Pre-parties are special annual preview events held in various countries once the songs and artists of each year’s Eurovision Song Contest are confirmed. This is often done in conjunction with the various branches of the OGAE network and other sponsors. It is an opportunity for fans to meet their favorite artists and watch them perform their entries in a live, intimate setting. Is this a good thing or a bad thing? And is there too many or would you even want a few more like bringing the artists almost at your doorstep?

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Artist announcement

ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT – THE CZECH REPUBLIC

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Artist thoughts from Prague Eurofriend (Designed by Carolina Añazgo Leo):

“How are you? Which translates to greetings, everyfriend! I’m Prague! And it’s nice to see there’s a new Eurostar in town. Her name is Martina Bárta and besides singing, she’s great playing the waldhorn, which translates as the instrument also known as french horn.
You know what? She’s a jazz singer. Which translates to she has a powerful singing voice!

Last year, everything went great for my country in Eurovision. Which translates to i qualified to the grand final for my first time ever and starting to understand it! This year, i’m doing my best for my friends and my land i represent, which translates to Are you ready to see Martina in the grand final in Kyiv?”- By Prague Eurofriend

Official Facebook Announcement:https://www.facebook.com/ESCCzechRepublic/photos/a.153822871778285.1073741828.148581865635719/175603646266874/?type=3&theater
Czech Republic page at ESCKAZ: http://esckaz.com/2017/cze.htm

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Poland 2017

ISABELL OTREBUS – POLISH 2017 EUROVISION SELECTION

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Isabell Otrebus will compete in the Polish Eurovision selections with a Fredrik Kempe song

Isabell Otrebus is a 19 years old singer and was born and raised in Stockholm by Polish emigrants. She speaks fluent Polish and Swedish and started to play piano at the age of six. She then went on to study music in school. Finally, Isabelle graduated a Diploma of Music at the well-known Rytmus Music high school in Stockholm in 2016.

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During high school she participated in Poland Got Talent (Mam Talent) at the age of 16 where she qualified for the semi finals. Isabell did also several concerts in Sweden during that period and one of them was in front of the Swedish King Carl XVI Gustaf where she backed up Sanna Nielsen with her Eurovision hit “Undo” – written by Fredrik Kempe (Celine Dion, Il Divo, Måns Zelmerlöw) and David Kreuger (Westlife, Britney Spears).

But it was a few years later when Fredrik and David where scanning Youtube for new female singers when they suddenly found Isabell. A friend of David send him a link to her Poland Got Talent performance and David phoned her up straight away. Next day in the studio she completely blew them away.

– It’s one of the best voices I’ve heard for years. She did a test on “Titanium” by David Guetta in one take and when I heard her I knew we’ve found a new star, David Kreuger says.

Isabell Otrebus is competing the Polish pre-selections for Eurovision this Saturday, 18th February, with “Voiceless”. It’s written by Fredrik Kempe and David Kreuger.

– The song is about bringing light to those in darkness, a home for the homeless and a voice to the voiceless, says Isabell Otrebus.

The single will be available on Spotify and iTunes on Friday.

Thank you to ROBERT SKOWRONSKI of Warner music for this

Lyrics

NOTHING EVER KNOCKED US OVER

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Here are the lyrics to Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over which will be performed by In Fusion in the Norwegian selection in March.

 

(Music&Lyrics: N. Arn, G. Eurén, D. Attlerud, K. Eurén, C. Kallin)

Stay forever young
Like a hero in a faded fantasy
Together on the run
We were living on the edge of gravity
We opened every door
Till the dream we always had was in our hands
And If we had a doubt
It was buried in a cave in Nowhereland

‘Cause we were young, and had the power
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
Just pick a goal and we would go there

‘Cause we were tight and strong together
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
We were the ones who’ll live forever

Looking at the moon
And eventually we knew we’d take it down
Explorin’ every sin
After seven we just headed way beyond

‘Cause we were young, and had the power
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
Just pick a goal and we would go there

‘Cause we were tight and strong together
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
We were the ones who’ll live forever

Like a hero in a faded fantasy
Oh oh oh we were living on the edge of gravity
We were the ones
Nothing ever knocked us over
Nothing ever knocked us over

‘Cause we were young, and had the power
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
Just pick a goal and we would go there

‘Cause we were tight and strong together
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
We were the ones who’ll live forever

Artist announcement

ARTIST ANNOUNCEMENT – ISRAEL

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Artist Announcement by Tel Aviv Eurofriend (Designed by Carolina Añazgo Leo):

“Shalom Everyfriend! Tel Aviv calling! It’s nice to see everyfriend’s doing great choosing their Eurostars. And i always say to them “Don’t get your head stuck in the clouds! The top of the scoreboard is the limit!.”
And guess what? It’s my turn to find out who’ll represent my country in the upcoming Esc in Kyiv! I’m esc-cited about that i can finally meet the person for this year.

I want to see every single friend in Eurovision Land have the chance of hosting an Eurovision Event… Yes! that’s my dream and i know there’s so many places to visit in Europe!”- By Tel Aviv Eurofriend

The Next star for Eurovision 2017 Grand Final 20:00 CET
Official Link 01 (Israel Only): http://reshet.tv/live/
Official Link 02: http://www.isramedia.net/…/%D7%A2%D7%A8%D7%95%D7%A5-2-%D7%A…
Unofficial link: http://www.isra.tv/channel2/
Israel Page at ESCKAZ: http://www.esckaz.com/2017/isr.htm

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