Mysteries of the EuroVerse – Details, episodes & analysis

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

Andreas Magnusson (Host, FalastinVision) - 6:55, Stig Karlsen (Head of Norway's Eurovision Delegation) - 13:57, Karin Karlsen (Head Organizer Eurovision 2024 for the City of Malmo) - 20:23     Bashar Murad (Wild West, Söngvakeppnin 2024) - 30:03, Tymoffi Muzychuck (Kalush Orchestra - Eurovision Winner 2022) - 47:20, Rosa Linn (Snap, Eurovision 2022, over one billion spotify streams) - 57:43     We have a SUPER SIZED episode for our season finale, as we bring in a bunch of different voices to help us figure out what happened this year, and what the organization should do next.      We begin by talking about the controversy over Israel's participation, consulting with Karin Karlsson, who organized Eurovision 2024 for the City of Malmo, Stig Karlsen, who runs Norway's Eurovision delegation, and Andreas Magnusson, the host FalastinVision - the alternative, protest version of Eurovision, centered on Palestinian artists.     Then we have three incredibly exciting guests, who represent the three overarching themes of Eurovision 2024:      Rosa Linn, whose viral song Snap has over one billion streams, is one of only three Eurovision songs since 1976 to chart on the Billboard Hot 100, is THE artist to talk to when it comes to Eurovision's push for chart dominance.      Tymofii Muzychuk who, as a member of Kalush Orchestra, won Eurovision 2022 for Ukraine, very much represents the best of what can happen when Eurovision and politics collide -- Kalush's victory became symbolic of Ukrainians' heroic resistance.      Finally, Bashar Murad, a queer Palestinian artist who almost represented Iceland in Eurovision this year, is a reminder of who's not on stage at Eurovision.     

Silvester Belt, Lithuania 2024 (23:43)   This is our first 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 the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Australia, Estonia, San Marino, Azerbaijan and Lithuania, with Mysteries of the EuroVerse favorite, stunt queen Izzy Uncut. At the end of the episode, you'll find out who made it out of our "1st Heat."   We're also featuring an interview with Silvester Belt himself, who is representing Lithuania at Eurovision this year with the hit song Luktelk. You'll also hear a live cover of Euphoria from The Mysteries of the EuroVocalists Choir, under the music direction of Alex Ngo!   We've got three more events at THE SPOT in Hell's Kitchen (599 10th Avenue) at 8pm on Thursday April 4th, 11th and 18th. Come by, celebrate the music, and make sure your voice is heard!  

THE SONGS

UK - Olly Alexander, Dizzy - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lLNUj7kvn2w

The Netherlands - Joost, Europapa - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gT2wY0DjYGo

Germany - Isaak, Always on the Run - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=twhq3S4YHdQ

Finland - Windows95man, No Rules - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1NS1vEhSg

Australia - Electric Fields, One Blood - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tJ2IaHxCvdw

Estonia - 5miinust, Puuluup, We Don't Know Anything About These Drugs - https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=htPAhtVgKsI&

San Marino - Megara, 11:11 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gXcDmbtDQTs

Azerbaijan - Fahree feat Ilkin Dovlatov, Take Me With You - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NNhAk4rVgNc

Lithuania - Silvester Belt, Luktelk - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OrL668EQRu0

Windows95man (23:14), Flamy Grant (35:34)   This week we're looking at Eurovision 2024 through the lens of the big themes we've talked about in our first season. We talk about Eurovision's relationship to America and contemporary pop, we examine the contest's move away from English language dominance, we dive into the updates on juries and voting, and, finally, we cover this year's biggest controversies.   Then we talk to our first Eurovision 2024 contestant, Finland's Windows95man-- a performance artist who shot to viral fame when a photo of him dressed as the character he created was retweeted by John Cena.   Finally, we sit down with Flamy Grant, a Christian drag queen who shot to #1 on the iTunes Christian Charts after being attacked on twitter by a right wing pastor. Flamy tries to figure out which controversial numbers succeeded at Eurovision in a game we're calling "Topping The Right with Flamy Grant"   Windows95man, No Rules, Finland 2024: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tf1NS1vEhSg   Flamy Grant, Good Day: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DiXscOjacIM     TOPPING THE RIGHT WITH FLAMY GRANT   Joan Manuel Serrat, La La La, 1968: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=se24_GEA8vc   Gigliola Cincetti, Si, Italy 1974: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7HnHFAJg7I   Concita Wurst, Rise Like a Phoenix, Austria 2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SaolVEJEjV4   Elena Tsagrinou, El Diablo, Cyprus 2021 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mk4amZlPa4g   Hadise, Dum Tek Tek, Turkey 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Nx6iVCaix0   Mahmood, Soldi, Italy 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=tEwvUu1dBTs        

 

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

 

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.

Then, we turn to two experts for further context concerning the war in Gaza and where the conflict stands. Zack Beauchamp is a senior Foreign Policy Correspondent at Vox, and Shibley Telhami holds the Anwar Sadat Professorship for Peace and Development at University of Maryland, a senior non-resident fellow at Brookings, and has authored, co-authored and edited several books, including the One State Reality. He has advised every American president from George H.W. Bush to Barack Obama.   Deep Dive Videos:   Bashar Murad, Wild West, https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Moqt2hnlEM   Eden Golan, Hurricane: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJYn09tuPw4   Books by our Guests:   Zack Beauchamp, The Reactionary Spirit: How America's Most Insidious Political Tradition Swept the World  https://www.amazon.com/gp/product/154170441X?tag=hacboogrosit-20   Shibley Telhami, Nathan Brown, Michael Barnett, Marc Lynch, The One State Reality, https://www.amazon.com/One-State-Reality-Israel-Palestine/dp/1501768409/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=&sr=   Elias Jahshan, This Arab is Queer, https://www.amazon.com/This-Arab-Queer-Anthology-Writers/dp/086356478X   Dr. Paul Jordan, The Modern Fairytale https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/33429      

 

Episode 14: Eurovision Behind The Iron Curtain

  25:00 Dr. Dean Vuletic (Historian, “Intervision: Popular Music and Politics in Eastern Europe”)   40:28 Chris Molanphy (Chart Expert, Host of Slate's Hit Parade, Author, "Old Town Road")    This week we're talking about the Intervision Song Contest - the Eurovision equivalent organized by communist governments during the cold war. Putin has been making noises about restarting the ISC, but as we talk about, he fundamentally misunderstands the original festival. Intervision was a liberalizing force, run by reformers working to open their countries to the rest of the world. We discuss what Intervision is and why it's so often misremembered.   Then we talk to a true Eurovision and Intervision expert, Dean Vuletic, a historian specializing in Eastern Europe, whose work has focused on the history of Intervision.   Finally, we sit down with Chris Molanphy, the host of Slate's Hit Parade, and author of Old Town Road. Chris is an expert on the American pop charts, and brings his knowledge of American music trends to analyzing songs in the ISC -- as we try to figure out how different the songs coming out of the Eastern Bloc were from their contemporaneous Western equivalents. It's a game we're calling Intervision Tops and Bottoms, Or How I Learned to Stop Worrying and Love the ISC.   Marta Kubicova, A Prayer for Marta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8IzKWTcK1po   Helena Vondráčková, Painted Jug: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=c-kcwGpItzQ&embeds_referring_euri=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.plotek.pl%2F&feature=emb_imp_woyt

Intervision Tops and Bottoms, Or How I Learned to Stopped Worrying and Love The ISC Karel Gott, 1965,  Tam, Kam Chodí Vítr Spát (Where The Wind Goes To Sleep) - Czechoslovakia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5CZLrd69eds

Kati Kovac, 1977, Elegy - Hungary: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BephMNnWFFA

Farah Maria, 1977 El Recuerdo De Aquel Largo Viaje - Cuba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4UorQpuOB5I

Czerwone Gitary, Nie Spoczniemy, 1977 - Poland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0IWb1K75nAY

Tahmina Niyazova, Zangi Telefon, 2008 - Tajikistan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zVDv4XNWmHw

 

   

 

Linda Martin (Winner, Ireland 1992), Elisabeth Andreasson (Winner, Norway 1985), Senhit (Grand Final feat Flo Rida, 2021), Barrett Foa (NCIS: LA, The Residence - Netflix)   On this episode, we explore what it takes to be a Eurovision Icon and what separates Eurovision icons from pop icons-- diving into how the aesthetics, music and politics of Eurovision affect the stars who get elevated.    More importantly, we talk to three (!!) Eurovision icons: Linda Martin, who is one of only five performers to place both #1 and #2 at Eurovision, Elisabeth Andreasson (aka Bettan), who shares that distinction with Linda Martin-- and who has competed in Eurovision four times, and Senhit, who was selected to represent San Marino at three separate Eurovisions.   Finally we talk to Barrett Foa, who came back to NCIS: LA for 12 seasons about what it's like to be an icon within a particular fandom. We then play a game where he tries to identify what makes a Eurovision icon. It's a game we're calling Eurovision Tops and Bottoms, Icon or I Can't!   SONGS FROM DEEP DIVE   Cliff Richard, Move It: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k5mIq3yF6Nc Cliff Richard, Congratulations: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_xJcE9tnY6E Zdob si Zdub, Boonika Bate Toba: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mVhtWfC7RF4 Loreen, Euphoria: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80 Dima Bilan, Believe: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-72s4WzUcKI Tommy Seebach, Under the Stars in the Sky: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0HOHvMXYOwA   Special credit to Christian Fahrenbach, who introduced Charlie to the list of artists who had competed over three separate decades.   SONGS FROM GUESTS   Linda Martin, Why Me?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zyicQLmQq4 Bobbysocks, La Det Swinge: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDN2xut6IBw Senhit, Adrenalina feat Flo Rida: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRAN7AzEKak   TOPS AND BOTTOMS: Icon or I Can't   Malcolm Lincoln -Siren: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yFbVAQjESzE -Bye: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=R9EW385MtKY   Elisabeth Andreasson - La Det Swinge (Bobbysocks): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDN2xut6IBw - I Evighet: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=L3tthxma94o   Kati Wolf -What About My Dreams?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IuGUz1ExflY - Ne Engedj El!: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Tb0snaRL_zE   Senhit - Stand By: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CYR9twFdeYc - Adrenalina: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eRAN7AzEKak   Linda Martin - Terminal 3: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fDN2xut6IBw - Why Me?: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-zyicQLmQq4

EP 12: The Spin-Offs   Riker Lynch (Glee, Dancing With The Stars, American Song Contest) John D. Carrion, Executive Director of The NYC Gay Men's Chorus   On this episode, we're talking about the numerous times that the European Broadcasting Union (or EBU) has tried to spin-off the Eurovision concept. We start by taking about the European spin-offs that were started under the EBU's network of national broadcasters, including Eurovision Young Musicians, Eurovision Young Dancers, and Junior Eurovision. We then talk about the complications of exporting the Eurovision brand under a commercial model abroad, focusing in on the American Song Contest-- hosted by Kelly Clarkson and Snoop Dogg.   We then interview American Song Contest runner-up Riker Lynch as he pulls back the curtain on the process of bringing the Eurovision concept to American audiences.   Finally, Executive Director of the NYC Gay Men's Chorus and Eurovision fan John D. Carrion stops by to play a game about the American Song Contest called Eurovision: Lost In Translation. John uses his knowledge of Eurovision to evaluate ASC numbers and analyze what it is about the Eurovision format that's so difficult to export.  

Riker Lynch, Feel The Love: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=of46fG2nl3s

 

LOST IN TRANSLATION WITH JOHN CARRION:

 

Michael Bolton, Beautiful World: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s9ES-AmDLBo

Macy Gray, Every Night: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hSz20WF2fo8

AleXa, Wonderland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8Wyjs37rHy8

Sisqo, It's Up: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JDkyzOMozVc

Jewel, The Story: https://www.facebook.com/nbc/videos/761038514913774/

Tenelle, Full Circle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=eeWlPwUl2mQ

 

German Nenov (Ukraine's Creative Director Eurovision 2023), SuRie (UK 2018), Izzy Uncut (Watch What Happens Live)

 

On this episode, we explore the technology required to make a spectacle like Eurovision happen-- and we discuss how Eurovision's identity as a technological innovator is connected to its self-identity as an institution meant to stitch Europe back together. We talk with Ukraine's Creative Director for Eurovision 2023, German Nenov, about how the show comes together.

 

Then we sit down with SuRie, the UK's 2018 Eurovision contestant. Her performance marked one of the times that the machinery of Eurovision stopped-- as a man rushed the stage nearly interrupting her performance. We talk with SuRie about how she kept the performance on track, and also what it's like for an artist to try and translate their work to the needs of the Eurovision stage.

 

Finally, New York's premiere stunt queen, Izzy Uncut, drops by to evaluate spectacle at Eurovision. We talk about some of Eurovisions most iconic moments of athleticism and surprise in a game we're calling "Cooter Smash or Cooter Pass."

 

SuRie, Storm, 2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8dmlXBBC6J8

 

Cooter Smash or Cooter Pass:

1. Svetlana Loboda, Be My Valentine (Ukraine 2009) https://youtu.be/xqclaNucp24?si=KOuXVK_rCJ4W0aB9

2. Javine, Touch My Fire (UK 2005) https://youtu.be/k8zTZkCdeyg?si=Ahm7TFfq32IStxiI

3. Tanja, Amazing (Estonia 2014) https://youtu.be/wi9Q1ufjooE?si=HcSYWRVPI8CqbTIj

4. Hadise, Dum Tek Tek (Turkey 2009) https://youtu.be/TzKgojZqO5Y?si=St3i1mEBpLv_iM4R

5. Blanka, Solo (Poland 2023) https://youtu.be/RuGQ58gN8Wg?si=yFIQQ1ZnL9WWBvfS

6. Chanel, SloMo (Spain 2022) https://youtu.be/TmRIQ-JSFuE?si=yhiChN6_Ez21qlaj