We haven’t heard much from Bulgaria about how their internal selection process works this year. But now broadcaster BNT has released a video explaining what representative VICTORIA has been up to in recent weeks. Two songwriting camps took place. One in Sofia and one in London. Up to five songs will go on to the internal selection, where specific target audiences help Bulgaria decide.
Bulgaria certainly knows how to build hype concerning their entry. In recent years, teasers and hints have played an important role in their Eurovision involvement. After their one-year hiatus, Bulgaria is back and has now published the first insight in the current hunt for the perfect entry.
The ten-minute video focusses on VICTORIA and her close involvement in choosing a suitable song. She is only 22 years old and writing songs together with established artists is a new situation for her. However, it is important for her to be involved in the writing of potential songs to evolve as an artist.
According to one of the most experienced Eurovision composers, she does a very good job throwing herself into it. Borislav Milanov sees an openminded artist in VICTORIA, who also knows what fits her and what to avoid. “She loves experimenting, but definitely she knows what she doesn’t like and doesn’t want. She doesn’t want to sound mediocre and very commercial.”
And even Borislav Milanov can learn something from the talent. Her involvement makes him think outside of the box and opens new doors in the creative process. Finding the balance between the experience of a music producer and the view of the artist is the key to creating something magical.
How Bulgaria’s Eurovision selection works
Two songwriting camps took place. One in Bulgaria’s capital Sofia and one in London. The camp in Sofia saw the involvement of Symphonix International, the team of producers who have been involved in numerous Eurovision entries in recent years. The camp in London was organized by the record label Ostereo. During both camps, VICTORIA worked together with handpicked producers, writers and composers.
VICTORIA and her team are now discussing which songs have the potential for Eurovision. Genoveva Christova from the Ligna Studios in Sofia explains that they’re working with focus groups. “Focus groups are from all over Europe — these are Eurovision fans and music lovers, which we should win over for Bulgaria.”
While the songs seem to be very diverse genre-wise, one word is mentioned quite often: emotional. The bond between an artist and a song is closer if they write it. VICTORIA’s lyrics seem to be very personal and emotional.
Composers in Bulgaria’s selection
- Borislav Milanov: composer and producer. Has been involved in many Eurovision entries, including all Bulgarian songs since 2016, Austria 2018 and Malta 2019.
- Cornelia Wiebols: Swedish artist, producer and composer
- Martin Masarov: Swedish producer with roots in Bulgaria
- Sanne Österberg: Swedish composer and music producer
- Paul Whalley: Producer who has worked with Sigala, Lost Frequencies and Nicole Scherzinger
- Joel Tavares: Portuguese songwriter and producer
- Billen Ted: Two British producers
- Nick Bradly: British songwriter and producer
The song will be released in early March. No specific date has been given yet. She has already confirmed her performance at Eurovision in Concert in Amsterdam. VICTORIA seems very happy with the process and no song will be wasted. Songs that won’t be her Eurovision entry could still end up on her album, which she would love to produce.
What do you think? Are you excited for VICTORIA’s song? Tell us in the comments below!
Surely if you want to sound less commercial, more organic, isn’t it best to just write it yourself? Otherwise you risk ending up having a very polished sound and that’s not the point..
That’s true, but how many delegations would allow it? Sadly, there’s still this notion that a country can only be successful if it has a known producer or songwriter behind. I’m not against bringing experienced people to the table, but I think it should be done after the song was already written, to polish it. It seems it was what they did with “Arcade”, by the way.
Eh at least it’s not Barker, G:son or dREam tEAm
Indeed!
“avoiding a commercial sound” yet setting up a songwriting camp with eight ppl including borislav milanov? lmfao, bulgaria’s comical pretentiousness is at it again.
So Salvador Sobral of her…
This overhype of VICTORIA is making me sick already there is not even a song yet…
Looks like it’s Bulgaria is what Cesar Sampson (Austria 2018) is coming back for. 🙂
At least she is/they are trying her/their best. Which is more than you can say about some other countries.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-v2943yKW2A
Non commercial sound and songwriting camps in the same sentence? I mean, it’s possible but unlikely…
To be honest, songwriting camps with just one artist will lead to a more organic effort, because you’re not creating a song that has to be sung by several people, and thus has to be more generic to fit more singers.
That sounds quite promising…
I’m happy she decides to take a step on the NON commercial direction, that’s absolutely awesome
BUUUUT gurl, half your producers are swedish and they’ve produces mostly radio friendly pop…
I don’t want to hype you but your entry might not be as indie as you might argue.
Still it doesn’t mean they can’t produce alternative or indie music. I feel like Victoria would ultimately lean to a more alternative-pop genre which she is more comfortable with, while the help of Swedish producers will elevate the song with a more polished sound.
I never said the couldn’t, but evidence is telling that they will most likely go for a more commercial pop sound, rather than an indie one. I’d give you they’d elevate the song most likely, and the end result would be more fitted for mello than it would be to a more alternative selection like Festival da cancao
I’m still excited by Victoria the artist but this process…what do they say about too many cooks?
Too many cooks… (searches Google) … is a surreal dark comedy. No, that’s not it…
Too many cooks… spoil the broth! 🙂
Yeah, but even if there are a lot of cooks, she’s the head chef
I love that reference and the video. 🙂
It worked for Germany in 2018. 🙂
Also, Billen Ted? Nice one. (or should I say, excellent).
The moment Cesar Sampson said he was working on a country’s entry that was neither Austria’s nor Germany’s, I almost shouted out loud “IT’S BULGARIA! You KNOW it’s Bulgaria!” And sure enough! I think it bodes very well for her. If Bulgaria don’t want to win this thing, they aren’t doing a very good job, since Victoria looks incredibly promising. What a season we’ve got brewing! Rotterdam is gonna be a tough one.
Bulgaria does one thing that differentiates them from competition: They dont just buy songs from swedish writers (Hello malta and azerbaijan), they try to have authentic entries that match with the personality of the singer. Arcade, apart from a great song fits greatly Duncan and his voice. Thats the key to sucess in my humble opinion
no shade but if she doesnt want to sound too commercial what Borislav milanov is doing in the camp?
Hey, being too harsh now, don’t you? Yes, we can say Bobi’s work often sounded commercial-ish but he’s the ‘best/most modern/most competitive’ Bulgarian producer known to BNT (and the media) now so why not use his talent? Nevertheless, in the video Bobi admitted that working with Vicky is a different story than his previous entries: previously BNT often selected the artist and pair them with a song, but this year Vicky really want it to be hers and she got really involved in the songwriting process. I feel it could be the differentiating point of his previous ones versus this… Read more »
I have a good feeling about this one. Things like “She doesn’t want to sound mediocre and very commercial” and “VICTORIA’s lyrics seem to be very personal” sound like music to my ears, I hope it’s all true.
More original the better. Good luck
I’m kind of pumped for this. I thought Victoria would be going for something commercial, so I was kinda disappointed, but if she’s avoiding that I’m excited to see what she could bring to the table, whether it be moody or avant-garde or whatever. You go, Bulgaria.