They made quite a splash with their single "Ambitions", but I somehow managed to miss the whole Donkeyboy phenomenon until I went to see them in concert in Helsinki about a year ago.
And I was pretty much blown away.
Great stage presence, great songs, great songs and I had to get their really fine album as well. I found on the net that it had recieved some catty reviews, pointing out that the final album could not live up to the promise of the fantastic single, but don't be fooled. Donkeyboy are a most impressive pop act.
Of course I want most impressive pop acts to go to Eurovision, and as Norway went face first into the ground in 2011 (when "Haba Haba" only ended third last in its semi) they could be eager to make an impression in Baku.
I'm not sure this band would see themselves on a Eurovision stage, but here's hoping.
Donkeyboy - Ambitions
Showing posts with label wish list 2012. Show all posts
Showing posts with label wish list 2012. Show all posts
Sunday, November 20, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
Tobson's Wish List: Antti Tuisku for Finland
This would be one of my biggest wishes on the list, actually. You see, I think the Eurovision Song Contest is the best pop contest there is and every country should send their best names in pop into competition.
Antti Tuisku is indeed one of the biggest names in pop in Finland. He is the biggest success to come out of the Pop Idols format domestically and after winning Tanssi tähtien kanssa (Finland's Strictly Come Dancing) he has crossed over from youth icon to a real household name.
He has a distinct look, a distinct sound and he largely divides opinions. Just like any Pop Star should. Few other Finnish pop acts could dance the rumba one week, then make a Christmas album, then go on tour for full crowds.
In many ways, he is Finland's own Kylie Minogue. And he sure knows how to work a song.
Antti Tuisku - Ei aikaa
Antti Tuiski - Juuret
Antti Tuisku - En kiellä
Since the list of contenders for next year's Finnish final is already official, I know for a fact this wish won't come true. Not for 2012, at least.
But here's hoping for the future.
Antti Tuisku is indeed one of the biggest names in pop in Finland. He is the biggest success to come out of the Pop Idols format domestically and after winning Tanssi tähtien kanssa (Finland's Strictly Come Dancing) he has crossed over from youth icon to a real household name.
He has a distinct look, a distinct sound and he largely divides opinions. Just like any Pop Star should. Few other Finnish pop acts could dance the rumba one week, then make a Christmas album, then go on tour for full crowds.
In many ways, he is Finland's own Kylie Minogue. And he sure knows how to work a song.
Antti Tuisku - Ei aikaa
Antti Tuiski - Juuret
Antti Tuisku - En kiellä
Since the list of contenders for next year's Finnish final is already official, I know for a fact this wish won't come true. Not for 2012, at least.
But here's hoping for the future.
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Tobson's Wish List: Jelena Rozga for Croatia
She had a hard act to follow - when the elegant, sophisticated and highly appreciated Danijela Martinović wanted to leave Magazin shortly after their 1995 Eurovision adventure in Dublin, young Jelena was taken in to fill her shoes.
Danijela went on to have quite a successful solo career, perhaps peaking when representing Croatia again in Birmingham in 1998.
Jelena was first entered into the Croatian national final as a solo singer in 1996, and this first try was perhaps not completely convincing. She danced sweetly but struggled to hit the higher notes and seemed not too confident on stage.
Almost ten years with Magazin turned the tables completely, and since going solo in 2006 she is leading a remarkable career in Croatia. She has won the Grand Prix of the important Split festival every year since 2008 and was the first female performer in her country to sell out a concert hall of 12,000 seats.
Given how low interest is for the once so glorious Dora - the Croatian national final - and how popular Jelena is, it wouldn't be a bad idea to select her internally to represent her country in Baku.
After two flops in succession (and not a single top ten finish since 2001) it would be about time for Croatia to make an impression again.
Jelena Rozga - Bižuterija
Danijela went on to have quite a successful solo career, perhaps peaking when representing Croatia again in Birmingham in 1998.
Jelena was first entered into the Croatian national final as a solo singer in 1996, and this first try was perhaps not completely convincing. She danced sweetly but struggled to hit the higher notes and seemed not too confident on stage.
Almost ten years with Magazin turned the tables completely, and since going solo in 2006 she is leading a remarkable career in Croatia. She has won the Grand Prix of the important Split festival every year since 2008 and was the first female performer in her country to sell out a concert hall of 12,000 seats.
Given how low interest is for the once so glorious Dora - the Croatian national final - and how popular Jelena is, it wouldn't be a bad idea to select her internally to represent her country in Baku.
After two flops in succession (and not a single top ten finish since 2001) it would be about time for Croatia to make an impression again.
Jelena Rozga - Bižuterija
Friday, October 14, 2011
Tobson's Wish List: Mika for France
Five years ago, Mika was an international pop smash with his very own mixture of styles and sounds. At some point, around hit singles as "Relax (Take It Easy" and "Grace Kelly", he was quoted as saying he'd love to go to Eurovision at some point. For his country of birth, Lebanon.
Maybe it was a joke. Maybe he thought it was safe saying so as Lebanon is quite unlikely to enter. I can't even remember what magazine asked the question, whether it is the least bit reliable.
But I think Mika would be great for Eurovision - an established pop act, whose runner-up album didn't quite affect the charts the way it was intended to.
Especially as he recently released his first ever French-languaged single, and French television has made it a thing of their own to walk their own original ways, he would be an excellent representative for France.
He is just as international and multi-cultured as French society in itself, and despite being renowned for heavy ballads, the French have always had a soft spot for bubbly pop à la chewing-gum.
The presence of Mika would surely make Baku a livelier place come May. I say go for it. I say danse! danse! danse! (And if he would bring Fanny Ardant - leading lady in this clip - to Baku, I would promise him my personal 12 points on the spot.)
Mika - Elle me dit
Maybe it was a joke. Maybe he thought it was safe saying so as Lebanon is quite unlikely to enter. I can't even remember what magazine asked the question, whether it is the least bit reliable.
But I think Mika would be great for Eurovision - an established pop act, whose runner-up album didn't quite affect the charts the way it was intended to.
Especially as he recently released his first ever French-languaged single, and French television has made it a thing of their own to walk their own original ways, he would be an excellent representative for France.
He is just as international and multi-cultured as French society in itself, and despite being renowned for heavy ballads, the French have always had a soft spot for bubbly pop à la chewing-gum.
The presence of Mika would surely make Baku a livelier place come May. I say go for it. I say danse! danse! danse! (And if he would bring Fanny Ardant - leading lady in this clip - to Baku, I would promise him my personal 12 points on the spot.)
Mika - Elle me dit
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Tobson's Wishlist: Tiziano Ferro for San Marino
There are many a "what", "perhaps" and "if" to this, but hear me out.
One big "if" is whether San Marino will be present in Baku or not. San Marino's television channel is largely owned by Italian state tv RAI, so if Italy stays in (which they said they would in Düsseldorf) then San Marino is very likely to take part as well. San Marino participating at the Junior Eurovision this year is also a good sign.
Italy seems more likely to enter a relative newcomer (from a talent show or from the newcomer category of Sanremo) than to approach an established star to do the job for them.
San Marino on the other hand, could very well use a bit of star quality in order to promote themselves and make it into the final for the first time. They would need a hit single and someone able to perform it well enough to be a real scorer.
Eurovision can be a very important PR vehicle for a small nation like San Marino, and it works best if you get to the final where the audience is way larger than in the semis.
Tiziano Ferro, on the other hand, is a big name in the latin music world but could easily enlarge his popularity into new european territories. He is working on a new album, due for release late 2011, that could sell a lot more in northern Europe with some Eurovision exposure around it.
Tiziano's new album is also his first after coming out as gay in a magazine interview last year. Maybe he would need another focus for the press, something to take a bit of spotlight away from his private life, and then Eurovision would fit him like hand in glove.
Also, he is a good performer and would be a very welcome sight in Euroland.
Tiziano Ferro - Perdono
One big "if" is whether San Marino will be present in Baku or not. San Marino's television channel is largely owned by Italian state tv RAI, so if Italy stays in (which they said they would in Düsseldorf) then San Marino is very likely to take part as well. San Marino participating at the Junior Eurovision this year is also a good sign.
Italy seems more likely to enter a relative newcomer (from a talent show or from the newcomer category of Sanremo) than to approach an established star to do the job for them.
San Marino on the other hand, could very well use a bit of star quality in order to promote themselves and make it into the final for the first time. They would need a hit single and someone able to perform it well enough to be a real scorer.
Eurovision can be a very important PR vehicle for a small nation like San Marino, and it works best if you get to the final where the audience is way larger than in the semis.
Tiziano Ferro, on the other hand, is a big name in the latin music world but could easily enlarge his popularity into new european territories. He is working on a new album, due for release late 2011, that could sell a lot more in northern Europe with some Eurovision exposure around it.
Tiziano's new album is also his first after coming out as gay in a magazine interview last year. Maybe he would need another focus for the press, something to take a bit of spotlight away from his private life, and then Eurovision would fit him like hand in glove.
Also, he is a good performer and would be a very welcome sight in Euroland.
Tiziano Ferro - Perdono
Thursday, September 15, 2011
Tobson's Wishlist: Zazie for France
The 2012 season is already starting up a bit here and a bit there, and maybe it would be a good time to start closing your eyes and wish for the things you'd like to see on stage in Baku come May.
There are so many established names that I would hope to see in the Eurovision Song Contest, so I take a deep breath and start with a big wish.
Zazie has been a steady feature on my wish list for many years already. If you are not familiar with her, she has been a big name in French showbiz for more than fifteen years, not only scoring hits of her own but also writing songs for other established acts.
After a few silent years, she released a real mammoth project last year in the shape of "Za7ie" - a total of seven mini albums with different themes and ideas, making a total of 42 new songs and seven video clips. "Za7ie" was also released as a more typical album with fourteen of the forty-two songs presented on one full-length disc.
In my humble opinion the project is a complete success, bursting full of creativity and lavish pop songs, but Zazie's regular fans have been divided and confused, not knowing what to make of the whole package. So why not confuse them a bit further by entering Eurovision?
Zazie has always had a mind very much of her own and she would probably be nuts enough to take on the challenge. And why wouldn't she want Europe-wide exposure and the chance of selling a number of copies abroad?
French music doesn't export itself like it used to, and even Patricia Kaas admitted to those three minutes in Moscow being time well spent from a publicity point of view.
Zazie also has an ear for graspable melody line and catchy choruses, and her sense of humour could assure a stage show to look out for.
Zazie - Avant l'amour (first single off Za7ie)
Zazie - Être et avoir (second single off Za7ie)
Zazie - Chanson d'amour (third single off Za7ie)
There are so many established names that I would hope to see in the Eurovision Song Contest, so I take a deep breath and start with a big wish.
Zazie has been a steady feature on my wish list for many years already. If you are not familiar with her, she has been a big name in French showbiz for more than fifteen years, not only scoring hits of her own but also writing songs for other established acts.
After a few silent years, she released a real mammoth project last year in the shape of "Za7ie" - a total of seven mini albums with different themes and ideas, making a total of 42 new songs and seven video clips. "Za7ie" was also released as a more typical album with fourteen of the forty-two songs presented on one full-length disc.
In my humble opinion the project is a complete success, bursting full of creativity and lavish pop songs, but Zazie's regular fans have been divided and confused, not knowing what to make of the whole package. So why not confuse them a bit further by entering Eurovision?
Zazie has always had a mind very much of her own and she would probably be nuts enough to take on the challenge. And why wouldn't she want Europe-wide exposure and the chance of selling a number of copies abroad?
French music doesn't export itself like it used to, and even Patricia Kaas admitted to those three minutes in Moscow being time well spent from a publicity point of view.
Zazie also has an ear for graspable melody line and catchy choruses, and her sense of humour could assure a stage show to look out for.
Zazie - Avant l'amour (first single off Za7ie)
Zazie - Être et avoir (second single off Za7ie)
Zazie - Chanson d'amour (third single off Za7ie)
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