Serbia - Luke Black - Samo Mi Se Spava

24 - 30 pts / 10 - 37 pts in semi 1

Serbia's preselection Pesma za Euroviziju 2023 was won by Luke Black with the song Samo Mi Se Spava (Само ми се спава, I'm only sleepy).

The song was released on February 2 and is sung in a mix of English and Serbian.

Two remixes were released on April 21, see versions below.

A 5 track promo cds has been issued.

1 - Same me se spava

2 - karaoke

3 - acoustic

4 - Shurk remix

5 - TEEN remix

Thanks Torsten!

The below picture is nicked from e-bay where you can already spend a small fortune for it. Or wait a bit....

The acoustic version got a digital release on June 16.

Chainsaws In Paradise

Luke's album was released on May 24, 2024 and includes a different version of Samo Mi Se Spava.

The outro is different from the known version and it has the Game Over Bitch uncensored.

It is listed as 'Eurovision Version' but it's not.

The album is available on CD (here's Luke's shop) and is out through Amuseio AB, a Swedish indie label.

Thanks Marek!

Luke Black (Luka Ivanović, Лука Ивановић) wrote the song himself with Majed Kfoury.

He has been active since 2014 and released a number of singles and EP's through Universal and later self released.

remixes

Versions:

Samo Mi Se Spava - single version

- digital 2-2

Samo Mi Se Spava - TEEN remix

Samo Mi Se Spava - Shurk remix

- remixes digital releases 21-4

Samo Mi Se Spava - acoustic

- promo cds, digital 16-6

Samo Mi Se Spava - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album

Charts

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 50

Links and sources:

Luke Back Website,  FB, Insta, Shop
Pesma za Evroviziju 2023 at ESC History

At the 2021 jury final I was sitting so close to Hurricane that I could look straight into their cellphones. Gotta love' em. And Konstrakta was something else. In a marvelous way of course.

Czechia - Vesna - My Sister's Crown

10 - 129 pts / 4 - 110 pts in semi 1

The Czech Republic, the gouvernement prefers Czechia nowadays but the EBU still uses Czech Republic. 

Update: Eurovision.tv now switched to Czechia.

Anyway, they were in Liverpool with My Sister's Crown by Vesna.

They won the ESCZ competition for which the public had a whole week to vote.

The song is written by Patricie Kaňok Fuxová, Tanita Yankovova and Kateryna Vatchenko. The recorded version has parts in Czech, English, Ukrainian and Bulgarian.

My Sister's Crown was released on January 30.

The digital release of the acoustic version was on May 5 although it had been shared through video sites before that.

Ej Sestro

An alternate version was released on November 23*. This version has a different mix of languages: Czech, English and Bulgarian. (No Ukrainian)

It was released as a digital track subtitled "My Sister's Crown CZ [Bonus track]"

* It is dated 23-11 but I have a suspicion it was released much later than that.

Remix

A remix by Robert Burian and Phil Phauler has a release date of February 2nd but I'm pretty sure it was released later on the regulars like Spotify

Muzika Slavica CD

On November 21 Vesna released their album Muzika Slavica. The album includes the Eurovision hit and the acoustic version.

It's available on CD here at Vesna's website but it doesn't seem to work outside Czechia. (Even though it says so)

The band, originally a fourpiece, now has the line up (at ESCZ 2023) Patricie Fuxová, Bára Šůstková, Olesya Ochepovská. Markéta Vedralová. Tereza Čepková and Tanita Yankovová. 

Original member Kateryna Vatchenko Vatchenko features on the acoustic version.

All songs from the five-song Czech selection have been released as digital singles.

Versions
My Sister's Crown - single version
- digital 30-1, CD Muzika Slavica
My Sister's Crown - acoustic
- digital 5-5, CD Muzika Slavica

Ej sestro - alternate language mix

- digital 23-11*

My Sister's Crown (Remix)

- digital 2-2-24*

My Sister's Crown - karaoke
- On the official karaoke album (digital)

My Sister's Crown (Metal cover)

- by LYON_sound, uses original version. digital 25-6-2025

Charts:

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 86, -

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 21, -

Links and sources:
Vesna Website, FB, Insta

The Czech final at ESC History

ČT Official Eurovision FB pages

Remember DOMI, Lake Malawi (who just released a great new album) and Mikolas Josef who still has the best result for the country.

Australia - Voyager - Promise

9 - 151 pts / 1 - 190 pts in semi 2

Last year's Australia Decides runner up Voyager sang for Australia in Liverpool. Their song Promise was internally selected and revealed (and released) on February 21.

In Liverpool Voyager won the 2nd Semi final.

The House remix was released on April 22. (digital)

The Electric Strings version was released on May 19. It's an instrumental with strings, electric even.

On June 30 another remix by musician/producer Neurotech (a.k.a. NeuroWulf) was released. 

See versions below for all the mixes.

Vinyl singles (black and transparent magenta) (were pre-orderable from 17-3) are out now (from 28-4). Limited to 300 each.

The sleeves have the same number SOM698EP but the sticker on the outer platsic sleeve reads:

Transparent Magenta: Season Of Mist SOM 698EPCP

Black vinyl: Season Of Mist SOM 398EP2

Both singles include Dreamer on the b-side. That was their 2022 Australia Decides entry that finished second behind Sheldon Riley

Test pressing vinyls were also made, 10 copies according to Season Of Mist.

On April 21 Voyager released a (loud) cover version of the Cyprus entry by fellow Australian Andrew Lambrou.

Fearless In Love

On July 14 Voyager release theri new album Fearless In Love.

!!! There are several editions on vinyl but initially only the CD version includes Promise. it seems an odd decision but here's what Voyager let's us know:

"PLEASE NOTE - Due to the song not existing at the time of production, ‘Promise’ does not feature on this first run of vinyl, making the limited edition "Promise/Dreamer" vinyl the perfect companion to this item".

The album also includes the follow up singles Prince Of Fire and Ultraviolet. Full tracklist at the end of this page.

Shop here at Season Of Mist.

Update: The vinyl album has been re-issued in Europe in a limited edition in October. This edition on black vinyl does include Promise and is available here

Eurovision Departure

In 2022 Voyager ended second place in Australia Decides behind Sheldon Riley. Their song Dreamer was released as a digital single and also as a remix. 

It will also be on the Promise vinyl single editions.

In 2020 they sent in Runaway from their 2019 album Colours In The Sun but that didn't make it to Australia's final 10.

The band formed in 1999 but only singer Daniel (Danny) Estrin is one of the founding members. Voyager are now Estrin (vocals, Keytar), Simone Dow (Guitars), Scott Kay (Guitars), Ashley Doodkorte (Drums) and Alex Canion (Bass).

pre-release image

Make you own remix
Check out the Promise Producer Pack, 41 tracks separating all the recording tracks of Promise at Bandcamp.
If you're an accomplished (or less so) knob twiddler you can make your own remix and send it to the Voyagers. (More details here at Facebook)

Versions:
Promise - single version
- digital 21-2, forthcoming 7"inch vinyls
Promise - instrumental (no backing vocals)
- digital 23-3
Promise - House remix

- digital 22-4

Promise - Electric string version (instrumental)

- digital 19-5

Promise - Neurotech remix

- digital 30-6

Promise - karaoke
- On the official karaoke album (digital)
Promise Producer Pack
- digital at bandcamp

Charts:

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 47

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 79

Links and sources:
Voyager: Website, FB, Insta,  Shop

Australia's Eurovision history is short, Remember Dami Im, Guy Sebastian or Montaigne? And I'm sure you remember this:

Fearless In Love tracklist - CD/Digital and European re-issue LP
1 - The Best Intentions
2 - Prince of Fire
3 - Ultraviolet (featuring Sean Harmanis)
4 - Dreamer
5 - The Lamenting
6 - Submarine
7 - Promise (not on the vinyl editions)
8 - Twisted
9 - Daydream
10 - Listen
11 - Gren (Fearless in Love)

 

Ukraine - TVORCHI - Heart Of Steel

6 - 243 pts, not in semi

The first entry to be revealed for Liverpool was Heart Of Steel by TVORCHI.
The duo secured their ticket to Liverpool by winning the Ukrainian Vidbir final on December 17 (2022).

TVORCHI are Andrii Hutsuliak and Jimoh Augustus Kehinde and they, like all other hip artists, write their bandname in capitals.

The duo have been working together since 2017 and tried for Eurovision in 2020 with Bonfire, ending 4th in Vidbir. (and there was no Eurovision anyway)

new version image

Heart Of Steel written by the duo themselves, was released as a digital single on December 9.

An revamped version has a part in Ukrainian and added violins. It was released as a digital single on March 9.

A remix was released on April 22. (see comments)

2024

For the Ukrainian National selection for 2024 (Vidbir) a new version with orchestra was recorded.

It was released as a digital track on 4-2-2024

Once upon a time in Kyiv

Versions

Heart Of Steel - ESC version

- digital 9-3

Heart Of Steel - single version

- digital single 9-12-2022

Heart Of Steel - remix

- digital 22-4

Heart Of Steel - karaoke (of ESC version)

- digital 9-3, also on the official karaoke album (digital)

Heart Of Steel - sped up version

- digital 2-6

Heart Of Steel - Orchestral version

- digital 4-2, 2024

Charts:

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 65

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 37

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 95

Links and sources:

TVORCHI: FB, Insta

Vidbir 2023 at ESC History

Remember: Stefania, Shum, 1944

Latvia - Sudden Lights - Aijā

digital single image

11 - 34 pts in semi 1

Sudden Lights have won the 2023 edition of the Latvian Supernova contest with their self penned song Aijā. (more or less translates as rockabye).

The digital single was released on January 27.

A remix by Makree was released on March 3.

The [Ex] Da Bass remix was released on March 15.

The Leon Somov remix was released on March 31.

The MarkMate remix was released on April 7.

The acoustic version was released on April 28

Two live versions are released on the digital album Zaļais teātris (Live) out December 18. This album also includes 2018 Supernova entry Just Fine.

A different Live LP version with less tracks and only one Aijā is available here

Sudden Lights are Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis, Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis and Kārlis Vārtiņš. The band formed in 2012 and have released three albums so far.
They already tried in Supernova 2018 with Just Fine and ended 2nd.

[Ex] Da Bass mix

Versions:

Aijā - single version

- digital 27-1

Aijā - Makree remix

- digital 3-3

Aijā - [Ex] Da Bass remix

- digital 15-3

Aijā - Leon Somov remix

- digital 31-3

Aijā - MarkMate remix

- digital 7-4

Aijā - Acoustic

- digital 28-4

Aijā (live)

Aijā (live acoustic)

- both live versions on digital album Zaļais teātris (Live) 18-12

- One version on the LP version (probably the regular live version)

Aijā - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

A slightly different mix was used in the Supernova preview video (see comments)

A few links about the mixers:
[Ex] Da Bass also remixed the Latvian entries by Aminata, Justs, Triana Park and LauraRizotto 
Makree also remixed Aminata and Justs 
Leon Somov also remixed Run With The Lions (Lithuania 2019).

Links and sources:
Sudden Lights Website, FB, Shop

Supernova at ESC History
Supernova website and history (in Latvian)

Remember Aminata, Justs Sirmais and personal favorite Triana Park.

Cyprus - Andrew Lambrou - Break A Broken Heart

12 - 126 pts / 7 - 94 pts in semi 2

Andrew's Australian adventure 2022

Andrew Lambrou (Άντριου Λάμπρου) will represent Cyprus in Liverpool

His song, Break A Broken Heart, was released on March 2.

The song is written by Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Jimmy Jansson, Thomas Stengaard and Marcus Winther-John.

The sped-up version was released on April 21.

A live version was released on the digital album Panik Concert 2023 (Various artists, October 22). Duetting with Klavdia (Κλαυδία Παπαδοπούλου)

Fellow country mates Voyager released a coverversion of Break A Broken Heart on April 21.

Lambrou participated in the Australian selection for Eurovision 2022 with the song Electrify and finished 7th.

Break A Broken Heart is his fifth single.

The writers: 

For Thomas Stengaard it's his 2nd entry for Cyprus after the fab El Diablo (2021) and his 7th Eurovision entry overall, including a winner. 

Thörnfeld co-wrote Tusse's Voices (Sweden 2021), the aforementioned El Diablo and Adrenalina (San Marino 2021) plus many Swedish Melodifestivalen songs.

Jimmy Jansson co-wrote 33 Melodifestivalen songs but no Eurovision entry, but that could change....

Marcus Winther-John co-wrote the very last entry for Andorra.

Jansson & Thörnfeld are also co-responisble for this year's Swedish entry.

Versions:

Break A Broken Heart - single version

- digital 2-3

Break A Broken Heart - karaoke

- On the official karaoke album (digital)

Break A Broken Heart - sped up

- digital 21-4

Break A Broken Heart (live) - With Klavdia

- digital album Panik Concert 2023 (22-10)

Charts

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 42, -

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 92, -

Links and sources:

Andrew Lambrou FB, Insta

Israel - Noa Kirel - Unicorn

3 - 362 pts / 3 - 127 pts in semi 1

One of the earliest announcements for Liverpool was Noa Kirel (נועה קירל) who went on to sing for Israel.

Her song Unicorn was revealed on March 8, here's the video. 

A remix was released on March 20 and another one on May 12 (see versions below)

The song is written by Doron Medalie, May Sfadia, Yinon Yahel and Noa Kirel herself.

Unicorn is sung in English with two lines in Hebrew added for good measure.

Hope Version

On November 19 a ballad version of the song: Unicorn, the HOPE version was released as a digital track.

AVOID: A cdsingle including unofficial remixes is spotted but I'm pretty sure it's not official.

AVOID: A cdsingle (they even call it promo) with remixes available on e-bay is not official and has low audio quality mostly unofficial versions.

It appears to come from the same source as the similar counterfeits of Sweden, U.K. and Norway.

digital single image, remixed

Israel first met her when she appeared in a Toddlers & Tiaras style show Pushers about parent “supporting” their kids to make it big. And she did, via kids TV, make up commercials and a live theatre she signed a record deal and ended up causing a commotion at the EMA awards.

Noa has been releasing songs since she was 14. Since 2017 several of her songs, in Hebrew as well as English,  have charted in various Israeli charts.

Her 15 minutes of international fame started when she wore an outfit at the EMA awards (2022) with Kanye's (or Ye, or Yesus or whatever his name is nowadays) face all over it to make a statement against his antisemitism. Not everyone got it so she had some explaining to do. Let's hope she can make it past those 15 minutes with her Eurovision adventure.

Songwriters

Doron Medalie is a seasoned Eurovision composer. He wrote or co-wrote the Israeli entries of 2015, 2016, 2018 winner Toy and 2020 never happened entry Feker Libi.

Yinon Yahel co-wrote the 2015 entry Golden Boy (with Medalie).

Noa Kirel's single is Gone.

Tel Aviv is a special place for the Dutchies

Versions:

Unicorn - single version

- digital 8-3

Unicorn - Sagi Kariv & Itay Galo remix

- digital 20-3

Unicorn - Rotem Mansano remix

- digital 12-5

Unicorn - Hope version

- digital 19-10

Unicorn - karaoke (= instrumental, just some vocal effects)

- On the official karaoke album

Oddly Deezer has a version which appears to be taken from the video off Eurovision.tv, including the heartbeats at the start.

Sagi Kariv also provided remixes for Hovi Star and Netta.

Charts:

Swedish top 100 (Topplistan): 27, 68

Ireland top 100 (IRMA): 37

Finland top 50 (IFPI): 10, 25

Netherlands top 100: 74

U.K. top 100 (OCC): 45

Norway top 40 (VG Lista): 30

Switzerland top 100 (Hitprade.ch): 46

Austria top 75: 43

Links and sources:
Noa Kirel Website, FB, Insta, Shop