If you’re a 90s kid, you’d know The Rasmus (and still listen to the compilation CDs they’re on). One of Finland‘s biggest exports are finally bringing their brand of pop-rock to the Eurovision stage with a banger to start Semi Final 2 rolling.

Michael caught up with Lauri and Eero to chat about the big event.

🐨 What’s the Australian connection?

⏳ How has The Rasmus changed over the last 20 years?

🎸 Who was involved in creating Jezebel?

You can see The Rasmus perform in Semi Final 2 on SBS:

* Live on Friday 13 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Saturday 14 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

Watch the full interview via Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0b4XS3xOsRSmOVHrBUmLsn?si=nLTcmV7wQDiNdUHxM-eBnQ

Being the favourite to win Eurovision hasn’t affected Cornelia Jakobs, who took some time out of her day to chat with Michael.

While she’s hoping to bring the trophy home to Sweden, a performance on the JOY rooftop might just be the icing on the cake (with a delightful cup of tea).

💆 How does performing help Cornelia stay calm?

💸 Has Cornelia struck it rich?

🦘 What does Cornelia think about the Australian music scene?

You can see Cornelia Jakobs perform in Semi Final 2 on SBS:

* Live on Friday 13 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Saturday 14 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

See the whole interview via Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3RNCD42dg0HkmErQOXtJYp?si=0CF3o330RACFGO1aNgc_Lg

The rockers we never knew we needed are here to spice things up a bit with a song for the times. Michael popped north of Turin to catch up with three members of Intelligent Music Project – Stoyan, Slavin and Bisser – who are ready to represent Bulgaria with Intention.

They’re also ready to be the soundtrack for Triple M’s AFL coverage.

🤓 What has Stoyan noticed after three attempts at Eurovision?

🌨️ Why is this song needed now?

🎸 What’s different about this rock group?

You can see Intelligent Music Project perform in Semi Final 1 on SBS:

* Live on Wednesday 11 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Friday 13 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

Watch the video via Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/4JIxwoiTB34qP16aHcH3VH?si=M1oWnF7PQ_KL_yJ7bfe04g

Austria has delivered the club banger that we’ve all been wanting. It’s all thanks to superstar producer LUM!X, aka Luca Michlmayr, and newcomer Pia Maria.

Michael caught up with the duo to chat about the Eurovision experience and the ideas behind Halo.

💬 What advice has Gabry Ponte given the pair?

📞 How did Pia Maria react to being chosen to sing?

💿 When might we see them perform?

You can see LUM!X and Pia Maria perform in Semi Final 1 on SBS:

* Live on Wednesday 11 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Friday 13 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

See the whole interview via Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1aPdvDQ5C20BNlljbierei?si=A99CgYcxSe-NSnmULhAwEg

They might be young, but LPS is a talented lot. Filip, Gašper, Mark, Zala and Žiga are fresh from high school and representing Slovenia at Eurovision.

The group caught up with Michael to talk about their song Disko.

🍕 What’s their favourite pizza?

🎼 Where does the variety of musical styles come from?

🏫 How did they escape school to get to Turin?

You can see LPS perform in Semi Final 1 on SBS:

* Live on Wednesday 11 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Friday 13 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

See the full interview video via Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/7EXZei4x2slOdCggtkFvQd?si=GnvEtonFRC6fK8kJhdzDgg

Just before setting off for Turin, Michael caught up with the man who has been charged with getting the UK back on the left hand side of the Eurovision scoreboard.

Sam Ryder is hoping to take you to space with his entry and he’s pretty excited about it.

🧑‍🚀 Where did the song come from?

📱 Why is Sam a fan of TikTok?

🛴 What really happened with the scooter in Spain?

You can see Sam Ryder perform in the Eurovision Grand Final on SBS:

* Live on Sunday 15 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Sunday 15 May 7:30pm (AEST)

Watch the video via Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/3IieGsFYODU29FNEZzfJXu?si=XwiZifNmRKWxXemw0l1MXA

It’s always good to cry, but Marius Bear is making a point of it. Representing Switzerland in Eurovision for 2022, Marius caught up with Michael to talk emotion, the army and some surprising connections.

😢 How emotional does Marius get?

⏰ Why was the army good for him?

🇦🇺 What does Marius miss about Australia?

You can see Marius Bear perform in Eurovision Semi Final 1 on SBS:

* Live on Wednesday 11 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Friday 13 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

Check out the vod on Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/1fvFWJd07K2JhYtxT3JeEW?si=6_pkSWPRRqmv9Xg6m8IdMg

Sigga, Beta and Elín are the sisters who are hoping to take the Eurovision crown for Iceland.

Michael called in from his Turin studio to say hello to Systur (and brother Eythor) ahead of their Semi Final 1 performance.

🏳️‍⚧️ Why is Systur so passionate about trans rights?

📺 What’s the connection to Neighbours?

🎭 What do they think of Sheldon Riley?

You can see Systur perform in Semi Final 1 on SBS:

* Live on Wednesday 11 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Friday 13 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts

https://open.spotify.com/episode/6hVikaTTyvrDjrim9a7o9E?si=qSpNApqaQ4y44sPhR7-EhQ

Always be prepared when visiting Turin’s parks. You never know who you might bump into… including wolves!

Michael caught up with Subwoolfer, representing Norway in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.

🧑‍🚀 Where’s DJ Astronaut?

🍑🍆 Who’s the peach and who’s the eggplant?

👯 How good are wolves at the Nutbush?

You can see Subwoolfer perform in Semi Final 1 on SBS:

* Live on Wednesday 11 May at 5am (AEST)

* Prime time on Friday 13 May at 8:30pm (AEST)

See the full video podcast exclusively on Spotify Podcasts:

https://open.spotify.com/episode/0nt7H689JAvhzbABnIUWrN?si=4n8P-HxpQbm1bAbcjuU-dA

We’re inching closer and closer to the festival that is Eurovision and to celebrate, we’ve fired up the satellites.

With Io looking after the technology in Melbourne, Liam completing his duties in Estonia and Michael enjoying the Turin sun, the team help you through the first half of the second Eurovision Semi Final.

You can enjoy #TheSoundofBeauty on SBS, with the live show beaming across the country at 5am AEST on Friday 13 May and the prime time extravaganza at 7:30pm AEST on Saturday 14 May.

What’s wrong with Liam this year?

Who should Mama Ru be careful of?

What do we think of Sheldon’s chances?

Get beautiful with us

📲 Follow JOYEurovision across the socials: linktr.ee/joy_eurovision

💿 Love the music? Get your hands on the album.

🗳️ Vote for your pick of this half right now

Playlist

🇫🇮 The Rasmus – Jezebel

🇮🇱 Michael Ben-David 🏳️‍🌈 – I.M

🇷🇸 Konstrakta – In Corpore Sano

🇦🇿 Nadir Rustamli – Fade To Black

🇬🇪 Circus Mircus – Lock Me In

🇲🇹 Emma Muscat – I Am What I Am

🇸🇲 Achille Lauro – Stripper

🇦🇺 Sheldon Riley 🏳️‍🌈 – Not The Same

🇨🇾 Andromache – Ela