Every weekday, between now and the contest in May, the team from wiwibloggs will round up the latest titbits from the world of Eurovision 2021. We trawl through Instagram, Twitter and elsewhere so that y’all don’t have to. In today’s Daily Digest James Newman takes us behind-the-scenes of “Embers”, Natalia Gordienko and Roxen meet and we talk to The Roop. But first…
Eurovision news: 14 April
Efendi releases slow version of “Mata Hari”
Azerbaijan’s Eurovision 2021 superstar has unveiled a new interpretation of her song “Mata Hari”. Dubbed the “slow version”, the new mix is simpler in instrumentation and gives a more serious feel to Efendi’s otherwise upbeat and dance-worthy track for Rotterdam. The accompanying music video set at the Azeri coast sees Efendi sat alone at a white upright piano. She’s surrounded by fog for an ominous and eerie effect. (Oliver A)
Twenty-five confirmed artists for the #ESPreParty and rising
The #ESPreParty lineup keeps getting bigger. After the last wave of announcements, four new acts join the fiesta. The newly confirmed guests include Iceland’s Daði & Gagnamagnið, United Kingdom’s James Newman, Lithuania’s The Roop and Estonia’s Uku Suviste. That’s a total of twenty-five stars so far – already breaking the #ESPreParty participation number record. The event is set for April 24 and will take place online on Youtube. (Jordi)
[ÚLTIMA HORA]¡La PrePartyES bate su récord de participación sumando a Daði Freyr, James Newman, The Roop y Uku Suviste!
Ya son 25 los representantes de Eurovisión 2021 que se unen a la única preparty. Y aún se sumará alguno más! ?
Cartel provisional ?? https://t.co/otjifCAvhu pic.twitter.com/eWqnZpwqQJ
— Eurovision-Spain.com | PrePartyES (@eurospaincom) April 14, 2021
“Birth of a New Age” passes one million streams on Spotify
The Netherlands’ Jeangu Macrooy is celebrating a musical milestone. His Eurovision 2021 entry “Birth of a New Age” reached over a million streams on Spotify. On Instagram, the singer writes: “Today #BirthOfANewAge hit 1.000.000 streams on @spotifynl! THANK YOU… or as one would say in Surinamese: GRANTANGI! 😌❤️”. (Renske)
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Manizha celebrates positivity in Instagram post
Russia’s Manizha has gone through a lot, but she was born to stand up for herself. In her latest Instagram post, the “Russian Woman” singer writes: “I was born to be me.”, showing herself in unedited pictures without make-up. (Renske)
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Jendrik swears by his ukulele
Germany’s Jendrik does not go anywhere without his shiny ukulele, his favourite instrument on the planet. In an Instagram post, the German Eurovision 2021 singer has again declared his love for his instrument. He writes: “OH HOLY UKULELE HOW YOU SHINE SO BRIIIIGHTLY #idontfeelhate”. (Renske)
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The Roop will release an album after Eurovision
Last year, after Eurovision was cancelled, The Roop knew they had to look to the future. “We told ourselves we had to move on because we’re not one-hit wonders,” Vaidotas says. And move on they did. They managed to write an entire album, which they’ll release after ESC. As for their Eurovision 2021 song, they were determined NOT to copy “On Fire”. In October 2020, Vaidotas dreamed up the melody line for “Discoteque.” “I was in the woods in a wooden house, alone, and I remember that I sang to myself, ‘It is OK to dance alone.’ I thought, ‘That’s a good idea.'” After meeting up with his bandmates the song was done in a week. Mantas says “it was organic and natural and that’s a very good sign.” (William)
Natalia Gordienko meets Roxen in Romania
The COVID-19 pandemic has meant that artists are embarking on far less international promotional trips this year. However, fresh from her adventures in Russia, Moldova’s Natalia Gordienko travelled to Romania for an appearance on TVR’s Cu capu-n zori morning show. While in the TV studios she met with Romania’s own Roxen. The two posed for selfies and shared the love on Natalia’s Instagram stories.
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James Newman shares “Embers” behind-the-scenes video
Yesterday he was in the kitchen with Rylan. Today the UK’s James Newman was taking fans behind the scenes of his “Embers” music video shoot. “Behind the scenes of the music video for #Embers, it was such an amazing experience filming it 🧡x”, he writes.
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Elena Tsagrinou throws herself into rehearsals
Cyprus’ Eurovision 2021 singer Elena Tsagrinou has been throwing herself into rehearsals — so much so that she often cries on set. She recently told us what “El Diablo” means to her and about her character’s struggle to break free. She also shouts out to her stage director Marvin Dietmann and her vocal coach, songwriter and backing vocalist Laurell Barker. “This is the most important thing for me to have my vocal coach,” she says. “For two months she’s with me every week, like three times a week. We are together, connected.” (William)
Fyr & Flamme nominated for “New Name of the Year”
Fyr & Flamme have been nominated in the “New Name Of The Year” category at the annual Zulu awards, a bash organised by the Danish network TV2 Zulu. It celebrates all aspects of the entertainment industry. The winners are determined by the public and online voting is currently open.
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What do you think of the slow “Mata Hari”? Did you vote for Fyr & Flamme yet? Let us know in the comments.
I really like Efendi’s new slow version of “Mata Hari ” she is really talented and more importantly she’s a really nice person.
But not a singer…
So nice to read a positive comment here for once!
I have no idea why the comments section here is so toxic recently but it’s just sad to see…
I, for example, really liked Mata Hari’s slow version
People have forgotten how to enjoy music even when there’s a competition
And I strongly believe The Roop are going to win the televote in the final this year
Toxic people are everywhere. Don’t pay attention to them and stay positive.
He was holding the camera though.
Efendi seems like a big flop.
Why the official Eurovision channel uploaded that Mata Hari (Slow version), doesn’t this make it a bit unfair when some countries get more exposure than others?
They uploaded versions for France , Portugal and Albania too !
If more countries send them other versions I think they will be uploaded too !
Totally agree. I think one official video is enough, no teasers or such. How someone who is just an average viewer will know now which one she will sing?
Lol
The slow version of Mata Hari underlines the lack of lyrical content this song has.
Manizha is hot! She should dress like that at Eurovision.
I don’t get why people think Mata Hari is a sure qualifier. It’s so repetitive and we haven’t seen it live.
Well Azerbaijan just like most of the countries, it is not a certain qualifier. We don’t even know how juries will respond too (because they also judge the lyrics)
the slow version of mata hari made me realize how bad the lyrics really are-
Why people are commenting sad twerking under it ? I don’t understand
then you have no soul…
Am I the only one who feels like Natalia is dying inside while taking that picture with Roxen?? It just looks like she’s not enjoying herself that much lol
Whoa, judging by the dislikes, I guess that I really am the only one…
Some random lyrics….. Thunder and lightening , it’s getting exciting …….. YOU ARE THE ONLY ONE……soem random lyrics
Mata Hari slow version sounds good but i can’t focus on the track because lyrics don’t match to a slow version.. Music video looks cool by the way
i like the slower version of mata hari better even though the original is also in my top ten.