Welcome to our new series of posts – “The Looker” where we will share our wish list of artists participating in Eurovision.
But before we start, let us remark that our recommendations will not necessarily come true (as for example some countries select their artists by reality shows)
This is the 2nd post in the series and it will concentrate on 3 countries: Denmark, Iceland, North Macedonia (for the previous post, click here)
#1. Agnes Obel
Agnes Caroline Thaarup Obel is a 40-year-old Danish singer-songwriter. Her music can be described as a combination of Indie-pop, folk and classical.
She started her music career at a young age. First of all, she learned to play the piano, and afterwards moved to guitar playing as well. In 2010, she released her first album “Philharmonics“.
She has written, produced, mixed and recorded all the songs by herself.
In the same year, she won plenty of awards: Best Album of the Year, Best Pop Release of the Year, Best Debut Artist of the Year, Best Female Artist of the Year, and Best Songwriter of the Year.
The album was a huge success in several countries: It received 6 platinum in Denmark, a Platimun in Belgium and France, gold in The Netherlands. The album peaked at the following chart positions:
Denamrk (1), Belgium (1), France (8), The Netherlands (8), Switzerland (58).
In 2013, she released her second album “Aventine“. The album achieved gold in Denmark, gold in Belgium, and platinum in France. The album reached the top 40 in 9 different countires: Denmark, Belgium, France, Ireland, The Netherlands, Switzerland, Norway, Germany and the United Kingdom.
In 2016, she released her 3rd album “Citizen of Glass“, which was a world-wide success as well.
In 2020, she released another album “Myopia“. The album was successful in Denmark, France, Belgium, Germany, The Netherlands and more.
Let’s mention 3 of her songs:
“Riverside” (was released in 2010 and achieved more than 36 million views):
“Familiar” (was released in 2016):
“Broken Sleep” (released in 2020, included on her last album):
Agnes is a talented musician who has guaranteed world-wide recognition. She knows the secret of pouring classical motivs into Indie pop and folk. The final product is tight, professional and based on tons of quality.
#2. Christopher
Christopher Lund Nissen is a 29-years-old Pop Danish singer.
So far, he released 5 albums: “Colours” (2012), “Told You So” (2014) , “Closer” (2016), “Under The Surface” (2019), “My Blood” (2021). All his albums reached the top 20 in Danish chart: places 4, 2, 1, 5, 20 respectively.
In 2012, he won the award New Artist (New Ideas/New Thinker) of the Year in the Danish music award.
His first single was released in 2011, and until now he has released more than 30 singles.
Christopher said he was inspired by Michael Jackson, Justin Timberlake, Bumo Mars, John Mayer and more.
In 2018, he released the song “Irony“:
In 2020, he released the song “Leap of Faith“:
In 2021, he released the song “Fall So Hard“:
Christopher is a main-stream pop singer who always brings good quality pop songs. I believe he can do well at the contest.
#3. MØ
Karen Marie Aagaard Ørsted Andersen better known as MØ. She is 32 yeard old Danish singer, song-writer and producer. She started her music career in 2006 (when she was only 18). In the first 2 years she released side projects with songs like: “Garbage King”, “Polly Get Your Gun”, “A Piece of Music to F*ck to” and “The Rarities”. mot of them under the name The Edmunds.
In 2007, MØ and Josefine Struckmann Pedersen formed the duo MOR. They released 2 albums: “Fisse I Dit Fjæs” (Eng: “Pussy in Your Face”) and “Vanvidstimer” (Eng: “Madness Hours”). The duo disband in 2012.
MØ signed a recoreding contract with Sony Music in 2012. Afterwards, she released 2 EPs and 2 albums:
- “Bikini Daze” in 2013 (EP that picked 11th in the US)
- “No Mythologies To Follow” (Debut album) in 2014 – It gained success in the following countries: Denmark, Belgium, France, Ireland, The UK and the US.
- “When I Was Young” in 2017 (2nd EP) that peaked 8th position in the Danish charts.
- “Forever Neverland” in 2018 (Second album) – It gained success in the following countries: Denamrk, Belgium, The Netherlands
During her carrer, the singer has won 17 awards like: Album of the year, Composer of t he year, Best Danish soloist, Best Danish sonngwriter, Best Danish female artist, Best Danish hit and more.
Let’s dig in 3 of her songs:
In 2018, she released the song “Imaginary Friend“:
In 2019, the singer released the song “Beautiful Wreck“:
In May 2021, she released the song “Live To Survive”:
MØ has a dintinctive identity in the music scene. Her music style leans on several genres: synth-pop, Indie-Pop, electonic and electropop. She is alread a familiar voice and name in Europe. So why won’t us give her a chance?
#1. Elísabet Ormslev
Elísabet Ormslev is 28 years old Icelandic singer. Her main genres are pop, soul and electopop.
In 2015, she participated in “The Voice of Icelnad” and was eliminated in the semi-finals.
Her coach was Svala (who represented the conutry at Eurovision 2017 with “Paper“).
In the blind audition she performed the song “It‘s A Man World“.
Elísabet might be a familiar name for Eurovision fans. She has participated in the national selection for Eurovision (“Söngvakeppnin“).
In 2016, she performed “Á ný” (Eng: Again) that was written by Greta Salóme (who represented the country in 2016 adn 2012):
She ended in the 6th place in the grand final.
In 2020, she returned the national final with the song “Elta þig” / “Haunting” that was composed by Elísabet Ormslev and Zoe Ruth Erwin, while the lyrics were writtev by Daði Freyr:
She was eliminated in the semi-finals.
In 2017, she released the song “Moving On“:
In 2019, she released the song “Heart Beats“
In 2019, she released the song “Sugar“:
(The song reached Top 10 peak on Iceland’s largest redio syndicate) :
Elísabet Ormslev has irresistable stage presence with excellent vocal abilities and internatioal sound. I am sure she can do it and at least win “Söngvakeppnin” .
#2. Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir
Hildur Kristín Stefánsdóttir (better known as Hildur) is 27 years old Icelandic singer songwriter.
Her genre can be described as pop rock with electronic influences.
In 2017, she participated in “Söngvakeppnin 2017″ (The national selection for Iceland at Eurovision 2017) where she performed the song “Bammbaramm“:
In 2019 she released plently of music:
- The alternative electo album “Do It“
- The EP “Intuition”
- The EP “Heart To Heart”
The song “Black Halo” (included in her album “Do It“) :
In 2020, she released the single “New Mistakes“:
In May 2021, she released the song “From The Start“:
Hildur is a versatile artist that will become a hot name in the electro scene, as well as in Pop music. She has the potential to bring another unexpectable song for Iceland. I’m sure that sending her to Eurovision will be a wise choice.
#3. KALEO
KALEO is an Icelandic blues rock band that was formed in 2012. The band’s members are: lead vocalist and guitarist Jökull Júlíusson, drummer David Antonsson, bassist Daniel Kristjansson, lead guitarist Rubin Pollock, and harmonicist Þorleifur Gaukur Davíðsson.
So far, the band has released 3 albums: “Kaleo” (2013), “A/B” (2016), “Surface Sounds” (2021) and 14 singles.
Their second album was a huge success around the world, as it peaked at the top positions as follows: Australia (29), Belgium Flanders (21), Belgium Wallonia (31), Canada (2), France (28), Germany (9), Hungary (19), Switzerlands (6), the UK (27) and the US (16).
Their third album was a huge success in the same countries as well.
In 2016, they released the song “Way Down We Go” which later on became one of their favorites:
In 2020, they released the song “Break My Baby“:
In 2021, they released the song “Hey Gringo”:
Iceland hasn’t won Eurovision yet, but I think the well known band KALEO can make Iceland win or at least get another top 10 result. They have a strong fan base that will support them for sure, as well as having quality radio friendly sound.
#1. Victoria Loba
Victoria Loba is a 32-years old North Macedonian singer. She was born in Russia, and moved to North Macedonia together with her family at the age of 8.
Victoria started her musical career as a child. When she was 15 years old, she represented North Macedonia (as part of a duo with Marija Arsovska) at the Junior Eurovision 2003 with “Ti ne me poznavaš” (Eng: “You don’t recognise me”). They ended up in 12th place.
From 2008 to 2010, she was the lead singer of the group “Tumbao Salsa Band” that perfoms Portuguese, Brazilian and Cuban music.
Since 2011, she has been working on her solo career. In 2011, she participated in the Orhid festival (one of the national festivals in the country) and won 2nd in the pop night and 3rd place in the international evening.
In 2013, she released the song “Summer Love” (together with Iwayo & Gosh). The song became a hit.
In 2014, she won the award for Best performance with the song “Samo moj“:
In November 2014, she participated in the national final for Eurovision 2015 (“Skopje Fest 2014“) with the song “Edna еdinstvena”. She ended up in the 7th place:
In 2018, she released the song “Heroj“:
In 2019, she released the song “Vozdiska“
In 2019, she dropped the electro-pop song “Gonna Be OK“:
Viktoria is an artist that everyone would love to work with. She has charisma, she is experienced as a singer and knows how to fit in several genres.
#2. Cyrillic
Cyrillic is a North Macedonian electronic duo. The duo consists of 2 brothers: Andrej Ivanoski & Bojan Ivanoski. They started colloabroting in 2014. They create their music only by themselves: starting from writing, composing and ending in mixing and more.
Their single “Break My Heart” appeared on the Music Week Chart in the UK with a peak to no. 7, and also was featured in the Hot New Dance Spotify playlist.
In 2019, they released the song “Break My Heart” :
In 2020, they released the song “Keep Fighting”:
During their careers, they also featured other artists. One of the most successful is “Sevda” where they hosted the singer Natasa Malinkova:
#3. Kanita Suma
In addition, she has also participated in “Kënga Magjike” in 2 different occasions: 2014 + 2018.
In 2019, she released the duet “Jale” together with the singer YAAR
In May 2021, she dropped a song in the Albanian language – “Mos m’harro” (Eng: Don’t forget me)
In June 2021, she released the duet (featuring Deeperise) “Follow You” :
Kanita combines ethnic motives together with contemporary pop music. Her music is accessible and can easily be liked by Eurovision fans, especially those who appreciate ethnic pop or Balkan music.
Stay tuned for more recommendations to come, next time we will travel to other countries.
