For the first time since 2004, Greece’s state broadcaster has decided to select its representative(s) internally. And they’re doing it without the help of MAD TV, following three years of the not-so-successful national final Eurosong – a MAD show. Rumours that big-name artists like Eleni Foureira and Mariza Rizou would sing for the country have already been debunked, leaving us to wait for some details to emerge about the artist and song. Well that moment has finally arrived as ERT’s boss Mr. Dionisis Tsaknis has sounded off…
Tsaknis has been running the Eurovision song selection himself — because apparently running the national broadcaster doesn’t keep him busy — and it seems that he has come up with an interesting number. Here is what he said to Newsit:
The song has strong ethnic and Balkan sounds, but not in a traditional way. It’s an exciting song in Greek, bringing the country’s own identity to the contest. The lyrics will refer to the refugee crisis and the financial difficulties we are facing, but the song is really happy and upbeat.
The artists that will perform the song in Stockholm are not well known, but they’re talented musicians. It is expected that they will carry out Greece’s representation in a very professional way.
Paint us happy. Going by Mr. Tsaknis’ words, the song could turn out to be really exciting. It depicts the reality in Greece, but in an upbeat, potentially optimistic way. Wait, didn’t that happen before?
Yep, in 2013. And the result was sixth place!
What do you think? Is does this song description sound like a winner? Tell us in the comments below!
A country could be banned sending a song with political message.. isn’t it? But, anyway we’ll bring back our civilization :/
Great. I love modern laïka and I hope they can send a charismatic performer like Kalomira!
If Greece qualifies to final with Sleepin Pillow would be excellent. What they sing is like nothing that is normally heard on ESC stage. On their site says they perform in concerts in disguise. Quite intriguing too.
@ mocosuburbian/Mar
About the greek language lyrics, I think there is a great misunderstanding. I read the ERT president’s interview and he never says anything about greek lyrics. He only talks about greek sound. The band that is rumoured to go have only released records in english. Check out the link I posted below. You can listen to all three albums they released and watch one music video.
Greece needs a nice change in its Eurovision entry. Hopefully this will bring Greece back into the top 10.
Balkan Sounds? That’s usually reserved for the more “crude” Ex-Yu countries farther north from Greece. Most people wouldn’t consider Greece a Balkan country, since it’s so different.
But great that they acknowledge it, and great that Greece is trying something new. Could be great.
Just bring back Paparizou in a peachy summer dress and bring that ouzo….. I never liked their male efforts except Sakis in 2004.
I need a Helena, Kalomira, Mando, Elfitheria and last but not least ANNA VISSI.
Greek! It’s completely in Greek! this is really great
Upbeat? Ethnic? In greek? This man must live inside my head because that’s everything I could ask for. Hopefully the finished product will live up to the description.
We’ll be missing out on hearing spanish, portuguese and probably french this year, but at least Greece will deliver.
I’m just excited about having an upbeat song, I’m hoping there won’t be as many ballads this year as there were last year, so far so good!
”Strong ethnic and Balkan sounds”
Really??? Sounds very interesting. We never sent something like this before.
(*palmface*)
Yay! Way to go, Greece! Finally an uptempo number that’s not in English, and is more ethno-pop! It may be a “hot mess”, but we need a change from the mainstream anglicized songs emerging from the national finals! Thank you, Greece! 😀
about time! greeve completely sold out balkan music. its clearly a tactical move considering how all the balkans are competing this year
This is the band rumoured for Greece. They are called Sleepin Pillow and they are a six-man band from Thessaloniki. They do psychedelic rock mixed with eastern instruments. They have released three albums so far and they are all in english.
You can check their site here:
http://www.sleepinpillow.com
jeez, can’t greece just submit a shallow song about peace or love instead like everyone else? nobody wants to rsvp to another greek pity party. it’ll be such a buzzkill. 🙁
I enjoy a good hot mess, and if it is a greek one I’m totally on board LOL
Color me excited too! I know references to the refugee and financial crises + happy upbeat Balkan folk sounds like a hot mess on paper, but I trust that the lyrics could find a nice, “Only Love Survives” style balance between referencing Greece’s sea of troubles while also focusing on trying to escape them and enjoy life. Also, Greek is such a beautiful language, and I’m glad to see Greece returning to it.
@ Leaf
Expect something like this. Portugal 2011:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bEPCC3_COLs
Except perhaps with less self-satire and more self-righteous, pompous preaching.
An upbeat number about the Global refugee crisis and the Greek economy possibly being similar to “Shake it” and “Aphrodisiac”.
I feel it has a strong potential to be a HOT MESS.
There is nothing upbeat about these 2 situations.
A song in greek and up tempo ? YAS I’m in
@ Ct Greek
Well, happy sounds atleast, not really an happy subject. But I get what you mean.
That’s great. But please, nothing too old fart-ish!!!
As long as it’s not a repeat of last year’s horrific anti-EU song.
I am hoping something like De me skeftesai
@ DenizNL
And I am telling you that I’m greek. I know who Tsaknis is, what he represents, what kind of circles he was moving in, what kind of music he played as an artist. I know very well what to expect from him.
Of course he is going to say nice things about it; after all it’s his own personal choice of a completely unknown artist. Do you expect him to say that it is going to be a useless piece of propaganda garbage? Of course not.
Bring the culture! I’m just happy it won’t be in English
In Greek ?? YAAAAY that’s awesome !
@Ct Greece
Dude didn’t you read the article?
It clearly said that Tsaknis said it was going to be happy and upbeat and wiwibloggs later repeated it.
Two things worry me: 1- “not in a traditional way” – I really hope this isn’t some sort of experimental or punk type song. If he means like Belgium or Latvia’s ultra modern entries last year blended with greek elements then fair enough, if not could be a mess. 2. “not well known ” – I’m all for giving new talent a chance and so on but not through an internal selection- I don’t think that’s the purpose to it. I’m still optimistic though and I’m pleased it’s in Greek. I just hope we’re more on the “watch my dance”… Read more »
It sounds really interesting! Let’ s see.
Very exciting, I can’t wait to hear it. Especially since it is in Greek!
@ deniznl
A song about the refugees ordered by a communist party apparatchik and veteran of the “entechno” music scene which is notorious for its joyless pretensions? You think it’s going to be happy? Think again.
Except that Koza Mostra were picked by the public (in a contest organised by MAD). They were not chosen because they were chums of a communist party resident artist which now happens to be ERT president.
This has the ideological obsessions of the current leftist government written all over it. I fear Greece is going down the Portugal 2011 route.
An upbeat happy song in Greek? Looks like Greece will be my first! I am so happy that it is a Greek song!