This morning Austria‘s broadcaster got in bright and early to reveal its act for Eurovision 2019. Electronic-pop singer Pænda was introduced as Austria’s act for Tel Aviv on the Ö3-Wecker radio show. She will represent Austria will a song called “Limits”.
Pænda is a Vienna-based artist originally from the Styrian region. While her music could best be described as electronic-pop, Paenda’s biography also notes that “PÆNDA is a conscious tightrope walk, right between listening experience and the force to dance.”
At Eurovision 2019, Pænda will perform the song “Limits”. ORF says the song will be released “in the next few weeks”, and describes it as sounding “very electronic, very reduced” and feeling “extremely modern and fresh.”
Pænda’s name — which can also be spelled Paenda — comes from the giant panda, as she says she resembles one when she wakes up first thing in the morning. Pænda is also known for her colourful hair, sporting a bob dyed in ever-changing tones of blue.
Musically, Pænda is an auteur. She writes all her songs, plays all the instruments and produces all her recordings.
Last year Pænda release her debut album Evolution I, which included the singles “Good Girl” and “Paper-thin”. She will follow that up with her second album, imaginatively titled Evolution II, due for release in April.
Pænda says she loves Eurovision because it shows Europe at its best and stands for cultural diversity and tolerance. Pænda cites Loreen and Alf Poier as her favourite Eurovision artists.
Pænda – “Paper-thin” (2018 single)
Austria at Eurovision
While Austria struggled at Eurovision in the early years of this decade, they made spectacular comeback in 2014. Conchita Wurst gave Austria its second Eurovision win with the now iconic “Rise Like a Phoenix”.
From 2017, ORF has internally selected its act, with decent results. In 2017, Nathan Trent placed 16th with his folky-pop song “Running on Air”. Last year, Cesár Sampson topped the jury vote with “Nobody But You” and placed third overall — giving Austria its third best ever Eurovision result.
With the Pænda having been selected using the same tried and true process, could Austria be in for another successful year?
What do you think? Are you excited to hear Pænda’s song? Tell us what you think in the comments section below!
Very happy Austria is back on track! Hope they have a good song and achieve a great result.
Last year, Cesar’s song for Austria was my favorite of all, and I am very happy that he climbed to third place. Paenda seems to me another excellent choice and a candidate to follow. (Even though I’m waiting for the song she will present at the contest.)
On the other hand, she seems to me to have enough talent to avoid getting into panties as in this clip. Seriously, did the guy who danced with her need to put on a slip? How much longer will we impose this sexist and unbearable cliche?
LOVE HER (at least based on what she’s released on spotify)
the drop in ‘Identity’… wow. how any of you can call that dated is beyond me
Really want to see Sara de blue at eurovision 🙁 Thought they possibly chose her to represent Austria this year… Pænda seems like a good choice though! c:
I just hope they did not pay more attention to being modern than being good. Waiting for the song, her voice sounds interesting
Past internally selected songs have worked for Austria, so I hope this one is good too. I like what I read.
Ok, now Austria goes for a risky choice. This can either finish in another Top 5 position or a complete meltdown. It’s all up to the song, because we know for sure we’ll have a very complex choreography
“Pænda cites Loreen and ALF POIER!!! as her favourite Eurovision artists”
She has my approval!
Totally! “Weil der Mensch zählt” has my Eurovision favourite lyircs of all time! He was brilliant, just like the cartoon animals on stage.
The other Styrian competitor. Doesn’t fill me with confidence but if she combines the weirdness of him with the scope of Loreen we could get something really good.
Last year was the year of pink (Lea, Claudia, Saska in Beovizja). Are we going to have a blue theme this year? Raiven & Saska, I’ve got a hair color suggestion for you!
And to say something about the song… I’m not particularly fond of this genre, but maybe we’ll get something with “City Lights” vibe, judging by the short description. Since 2012 Austria never disappointed me with their song, I believe they have something great prepared for us.
And Marta Ga?uszewska in Polish Krajowe Eliminacje as well.
How could I forget. And Saszan too!
And also SuRie
Really interesting, hope the song is good. I like her a lot
Super excited for this. Definitely the type of artists I want to see at Eurovision. Can’t wait for her song.
I assume she’ll write and producer her song, which is a good sign. Based on her singles, I’ll probably like this one, but I fear it can end up being less “friendly” to a general audience than Austria’s last entries, who worked so well for them.
2 great choices. I am really excited now. This is the first time ever where I am happy with 95% of what we know of the contest so far… Only San Marino is a let down. I really like all of the songs selected so far as well. That never happens 😉
How could Sir Hot let you down?
Don’t know why but the description of her song reminds me of “Rhythm inside” from Loïc.
DU DU DU DARUDE WILL REPRESENT FINLAND IN EUROVISION 2019!!!
Why would he do Eurovision though. That’s weird.
He’s going to be the DJ while some other guys he chose Sebastian i think will do the singing
GUYS SANDSTORM GUY IS JOINING EUROVISION!!
Darude? o.O
YES DARUDE!
Whoa. Take back any complaints about Finland not doing UMK properly. lol.
Am I the only one who has the impression that this year internally selected songs will be better than the ones chosen through an NF? I don’t know, just a hunch…
Sounds like a positive announcement. Like what I’ve heard so far!
Okay, Finland is begging to make number 41 on my list. The countdown on their website ended at 12, just to reveal this statement: “The UMK Press Event starts at 1PM”. Genius, really. Making a countdown for THAT statement. GFY
They can’t decide. It started now.
And they need three presenters for that announcement. An old dude, the blonde who’s always there and an obligatory queer.
It’s a dude named Darude. Not to keen on his goatee, but other than that a cute DJ.
Sebastian Rejman is the singer, I suppose.
Both dudes seem to like their leather jackets. Certainly a step up from last year’s horror.
Sandstorm guy is in!
I don’t know about “ obligatory queer” but I do know of an obligatory bigot on this forum!
I must disappoint you, dear. I despise religion.
I like her style, the sound you post sounds really nice. Just say her name didn’t make me think about a Panda, but about King Penda of Mercia, a seventh century anglo-saxon monarch.
(Yes, I’m a huge History nerd and I love anglo-saxons)
Good, us lesbians want some eye-candy too~
More seriously though, I am looking forward to her song! It should be interesting 🙂
Well, I guess Sara de Blue can wait another year as long as Pænda’s good :3
At least we got the blue hair xD
Sounds very promising! Good luck <3
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3izzEMVyKC4
you decide
I love how Austria always selects unknown artists. I hope this’ll be another great surprise!
The campaign to get WiwiChris to dye his hair blue starts right here 😉
High risk-high return situation.
Shook. Eth. So excited for the song reveal, but just from the artist reveal I’m getting my first tinges of a winner alert.
Austria has become interesting since returning. They are stepping up their game!
This could be really interesting and great!
Some serious stuff there! Thank you Austria 🙂 since the country came back in 2011, it is simply great (except in 2012… bruuuuh)
And 2015
I’m not enthusiastic about her music, but she has a great voice (at least in the audios).
Her recent track is definitely not “extremely” modern and fresh.
I would say that it’s kind of “dated” since this kind of electro music,with an instrumental part for a chorus was a trend 2-3 years ago.
Having said that Eurovision fans are not so up to date on what’s current in music so I assume no one will bother.
2-3 years ago is still modern lol?
This is why I said not “extremely” modern.
Not really, pop music spoils like milk. 2017 pop is dated already.
Eurovision fans not up to date?
Sure, which is why latin pop Fuego came second and the Me too inspired Israel won.
Not to mention why Loreen won in 2012 with the old fashioned Euphoria
Exactly,this is my point: Fuego was very dated but still fans didn’t seem to notice, “Euphoria” was also not following the trends of music in 2012 (EDM) but it still won.
Haha the fandom will be triggered by that blue hair.
Dying the hair blue was “alternative” in the 80s, not anymore, sweetheart…
Listened to her music on spotify, actually sounds really good for a solo upcoming artist. Will be interesting to see what she brings to the table. Whether or not she does well we can be sure she will bring something unique to the table.
So, no Eva Braun? Cowards.
Eva Braun’s song was too weak. I couldn’t get through that repetitive bore a single time.
Do you have a link to the Eva Braun’s song!?
https://wiwibloggs.com/2018/12/12/austria-hyane-fischers-alleged-eurovision-nomination-dismissed-as-cleverly-staged-hype/
Nothing special… blah !
Fantastic choice, very unique girl, nice vocals. Giving us an edgy vibe. Love her, and have been a fan of her since she was at German TV. I knew I was familiar with her and yeah, she was part of Popstarts 2015 here in Germany, the season wasnt very successful in Germany. But she yet managed to be my favourite. Sooooo cool!
If you wanna know what I mean here is a link: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e8ahGZbvFSw
seems like halsey and billie eilish had a baby
I hope she’s 100% Halsey and 0% Billie Eilishit then, we need talent here not tryhards
very promising choice. i guess the song will stand out. Austria got a very interesting music scene which is very strong in electronic music.
Will she be running/walking on top of a mountain like what Zoe, Nathan trent, and Cesar Sampson did? 😀
She seems the urban type, so maybe is running around snowy Vienna this time.
Uh, when I read “electronic-pop” and after going through the description of her music, I was expecting something more intriguing and edgy, in the way of Grimes or Jona lee; but after listening to her songs available, I realized this is more pop than I was expecting, not as exciting as I wished. In any case, it still sounds like a refreshing bet for Austria this year, this country is really stepping up their game.
Nice and interesting artist. Good vocals and modern compositions. May be little to niche for eurovision but I welcome non mainstream artists. Austria is proofing very well they bring quality to the contest, in contrary to for example Spain and France.
The Limits does not exist (yet)
I have a feeling that we will have a decent amount of electronic indie artists this season, starting from induction of Lake Malawi–and now PÆNDA!
I took a moment to listen to her stuff. AMAZING! Austria really is coming hard and different from the last two entries. Its also great she writes and produces her own music. I think that Austria may be the dark horse with blue hair to look out for this year.
another artist I didn’t know before and I always wonder where does ORF aways find these people. But she looks as a good choice and I’m looking forward to be part of her eurovision journey.
At the Viennese clubs or bars this Ö3 Forcher dude frequents, presumably.
Very good choice – a singer/songwriter and not a casting show alumn.
And all the Sara de Blue fans got at least their blue dyed hair 🙂
That alone already makes her the better choice.
I am digging the blue hair though!
She decided to write herself Pænda because she found out that when one googles the word Panda, you get a lot of pandas. Deep stuff. Well, hopefully the song will manage to impress.
Finland is next. I am still blind with hope that they’ll announce Mikael Saari.
So I can just call her, “Panda” right?