Mysteries of the EuroVerse

GUESTS: Aiko (Czechia 2024 - 22:10), EyeCue (Macedonia 2018- 36:59), Leon Neyfakh (Slow Burn, Fiasco - 48:10)

This is our first of three bonus episodes as we prepare for our big launch of season 2! After a few updates, we deep dive into the debate over Israel's score this year, and claims that the results were political-- attempting to clarify what it is when we talk about when we talk about "political voting" at Eurovision.

Then we have TWO Eurovision interviews: Aiko, who represented Czechia this year with Pedestal, and EyeCue who represented Macedonia in 2018 with the song Lost and Found.

Finally, we sit down with podcaster and journalist extraordinaire, Leon Neyfakh (Slow Burn, Fiasco), for a game about political voting at Eurovision that we're calling "Tops and Bottoms: Just Enjoy the Music Edition"

Tops and Bottoms: Just Enjoy The Music Edition

Maria Serifovic, Molitva (Serbia 2007) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FSueQN1QvV4

Andy Abraham, Even If (UK 2008) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lV7kgSvKPXk

TuralTuranX, Tell Me More (Azerbaijan 2023) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5dvsr-L3HgY

Ell and Nikki, Running Scared (Azerbaijan 2011) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_0tlQUW5X0U

Ruslana, Wild Dances (Ukraine 2004) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=10XR67NQcAc

Bardo, One Step Further (UK 1982) - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AFYZy-8sMJI

Immediately after we recorded our last episode, things went wild. We’ll be back next week with more analysis, but we wanted to give you an up-to-the-minute update as we’ve had one artist disqualified and several others begin to openly protest from the Eurovision stage or not show up at all. Going into tonight, it’s unclear what will happen but we wanted you to have all the information we do as you watch.

In this episode we report LIVE from Malmö, Sweden! As controversy swirls around Israel’s participation in the contest and Eurovision tries to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ABBA’s win with a contest more geared toward high spectacle and chart topping pop songs than ever, we’re bringing you a super-sized episode!

First we talk to Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest who won the contest last time Malmö, Sweden hosted, with her hit song “Only Teardrops.” She reflects on how the contest, and the city of Malmo have changed in the past decade— and talks to us about what it’s like to cross-over from the world of Eurovision to the contemporary pop charts.

Then we speak to this year’s contestants from Azerbaijan, Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov, whose song Ozunle Apar combines two Eurovision staples: a contemporary pop songwriting, mixed with a national folk tradition.

We then sit down with the EBU Deputy Director General, Jean Philip de Tender and try to get him to articulate the principles on which Eurovision makes decisions about what countries are allowed to remain in the Eurovision coalition, as well as getting him to speak to the heightened security situation on the ground.

Next up is Gåte, a Norwegian folk-metal band whose song was in danger of disqualifying on a technicality - their lyric text, based on a 1000 year-old medieval ballad, was thought to possibly violate Eurovision’s rule that songs must be “original.” After a rewrite, and a stunning performance in the Semi-Final, Gate is on their way to compete in the final TONIGHT.

We wrap up our episode with Nemo, who’s song The Code is one of the favorites to win Eurovision 2024. Another one of the favorites, Angelina Mango of Italy, then drops by to receive our award for NYC’s Best Eurovision Song of 2024.

SONGS:

Emmelie de Forest Segment:

Only Teardrops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59E7T0H-Us

Rainmaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNdrYzZ55gI Drunk

Tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EarZE6V28tA Never

Give Up on You, Lucie Jones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl1GYTg4GmA

Rabbit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwvNi2SoIfE

Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov Segment

Ozunle Apar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhN9r8TH2Hw

Fahree: Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ouCoavhq1c

Apardi Uzalqlara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YejL-n9sH3o

Ilkin Dovlatov:

Insalar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36o6ljxKy7Q

Geceler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXQkOFiquv8

Gåte Segment

Ulveham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UycoKAz1Jm8

Horpa (Acoustic Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3FwBYV_LiA

Nemo Segment

This Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-b82ZfJHdw

The Code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDvM14Kwg

Since we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Sweden's takeover of Eurovision and global pop, in advance of them hosting this year's contest.

Dr. Alban, Hello Afrika, One Love (26:30), Deborah Ann Woll, (HBO's True Blood, Netflix's Daredevil, (37:13)

This week, we're talking about the Swedish domination of pop music. How  this tiny country took over one of the world's largest entertainment industries is a story with a ton of twists and turns-- and, of course, Eurovision is at the center of it. First we deep dive into that history and try to figure out what it is about Sweden that has made it such a pop power house.

Then we talk to EuroDance star Dr. Alban, who has sold over 16 million records worldwide, and who was part of the original group of artists at Cheiron studios-- the hit factory that launched Ace of Base, The Backstreet Boys, 'NYSNC, and Britney Spears.

Finally, we sit down with Deborah Ann Woll, star of True Blood and Daredevil, for a game we're calling "Victory is Oh, So Swede," where we try to figure out what gives those Swedish Eurovision songs their extra edge.

VICTORY IS OH, SO SWEDE:

Empty Room, Sanna Nielsen, 2008- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SjQFiFXH2IU

Ring Ring, ABBA, 1973- https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TL0EoXdpOqg

Charlotte Nilssen, Tusen och en natt, 1999 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMtcHdzr1c8

Charlotte Nilssen, Take Me To Your Heaven, 1999 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u0xypjODpY4

Mans Zelmerlow, Hope and Glory, 2009 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HBifUBqFkwA

Carola, Fangad Av En Stormvin, 1991 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4Ml6pJqc_bw

Herreys, Diggy-Loo Diggy-Ley, 1984 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ls2Lq07iWPM

Loreen, My Heart is Refusing Me, 2011 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UjrVoonz4WE

Loreen, Euphoria, 2012 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80

Loreen, Tattoo, 2023 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Vul5zgC5Yvg

Since we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Israel's participation in Eurovision.

Guests:

Paul Jordan (Dr. Eurovision), Dave Keating (Brussels Based EU Reporter), and Elias Jahshan (This Arab is Queer) featured in the Deep Dive - 1:37

Zack Beauchamp (Senior Foreign Policy Correspondent, Vox.com) - 27:24

Professor Shibley Telhami (Brookings Institute, Council of Foreign Relations) - 45:47

This week, we're talking about the controversy surrounding Israel's participation in Eurovision. First we talk about the history of countries being sanctioned by Eurovision, and try to get at the fundamental questions of values that underlie the debate over whether Israel should participate. We turn to Eurovision expert Dr. Paul Jordan, EU expert Dave Keating, and editor of "This Arab is Queer," Elias Jahshan for context.

Daniela Ruah (21:12), Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker (36:25)

This week we’re talking about hosting Eurovision. First we deep dive into the ways in which countries have used hosting Eurovision to communicate narratives about their nation’s culture and politics to the wider world. Then we talk to NCIS LA star and Host of Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon, Daniela Ruah. Finally, we sit down with stars of stage and screen, Dylan Baker (Happiness, Dream Scenario) and Becky Ann Baker (Girls, Freaks and Geeks) to explore the acts chosen to represent Eurovision host countries in a game we’re calling “Eurovision Tops and Bottoms: I Can Host Edition”

SONGS FEATURED IN EUROVISION TOPS AND BOTTOMS

Greenjolly, Razom Nas Bahato, Ukraine 2005 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5u6J_mbhLU

Anastasia Prikhodko, Mamo, Russia 2009 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxZGknFxE58

Tajči, Hajde Da Ludujemo, Yugoslavia 1990 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPXBLCwaL4

Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugic, Oro, Serbia 2008 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NMkyDSEb0

Salomé, Vivo cantando, Spain, Eurovision 1969 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQgb7QdZIv0

Cláudia Pascoal, O Jardim, Portugal 2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHjGbADMcOI

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Hera Bjork, Iceland (19:59), Marina Satti, Greece (35:57)

2024 Songs Discussed:

Gåte, Ulveham, Norway - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UipzszlJwRQ

Marina Satti, Zari, Greece - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTSTnLWGUPs

Marcus and Martinus, Unforgettable, Sweden - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yekc8t0rJqA

Kaleen, We Will Rave, Austria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqda15G4T-4

Hera Björk, Scared of Heights, Iceland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OouUsCZ3xkM

Nebulossa, Zorra, Spain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSZqlQZ0_us

Raiven, Veronika, Slovenia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWcSsi7SliI

Aiko, Pedestal, Czechia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTcX6NlAqA

Alyona, Alyona and Jerry Heil, Teresa and Maria, Ukraine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_8cNbF8FLI

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Iolanda, Portugal (23:06), Sarah Bonnici, Malta (38:02)

Performances: Magnus Riise Performs “Before the Party is Over” (Mustii, Belgium, 2024)

This is our third of four live episodes of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes! 

This week, we looked at songs from Belgium, Ireland, Georgia, Israel, Latvia, Albania, Denmark, Portugal, Malta and Italy, with Broadway playwright Douglas Lyons (Chicken and Biscuits, Apple TV’s Fraggle Rock). 

We're also featuring two interviews with Eurovision 2024 performers! Iolanda (Portugal, Grito), and Sarah Bonnici (Malta, Loop).

Finally, we finish things off with a performance of Mustii’s Before The Party is Over, performed by Mysteries of the EuroVerse Co-Host Magnus Riise. And, of course, the results of who won our “Third Heat”

We've got one more event at THE SPOT in Hell's Kitchen (599 10th Avenue) at 8pm on Thursday April18th— THE GRAND FINAL. Come by, celebrate the music, and make sure your voice is heard!

“Satellite” Singers (Lena, Germany, 2010): Shira Bouskila, Liam Joshua Munn, Emily Durand Charlotte Topp, Maddie LaFerr, Maria Reed, Tessa Amy Knips, Cole Duffy, Tess Miller Kiesz, Margaret Warrington

SONGS FROM THE NIGHT:

Mustii, Before The Party's Over - Belgium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCe9zrWEFNc

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Tali (Luxembourg) 20:37, Natalia Barbu (Moldova) 38:45.