Welcome to our series of posts – “The Looker” where we will share our wish list of artists participating in Eurovision.
This is the second year in a row that we are running the project.
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)
Chapter 1 (Belgium, Israel, The Netherlands) can be found here
Chapter 2 (Denmark, Iceland, North Macedonia) can be found here
Chapter 3 (Finland, Norway, Sweden) can be found here
Chapter 4 (Austria, Germany, Switzerland) can be found here
Chapter 5 (Albania, Bulgaria, Cyprus, Greece) can be found here
Chapter 6 (Armenia, Azerbaijan, Georgia) can be found here
Chapter 7 (Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania) can be found here
Chapter 8 (France, Portugal, Spain) can be found here
Chapter 9 (Australia, Ireland, United Kingdom) can be found here
Chapter 10 (Croatia, Montenegro, Serbia) can be found here
Chapter 11 (Moldova, Romania, Ukraine) can be found here
Previous Wishes: Annalisa, Levante, Matteo Faustini
#1. Gaudiano
Luca Gaudiano (simply known as Gaudiano) is a 30 year-old Italian singer-songwriter.
He started releasing original music in 2020.
At the end of 2020, he submitted a song to “Sanremo Giovani 2020“.
Gaudiano was announced as one of the finalists and got a spot in the “Festival Di Sanremo 2021“.
With his original song “Polvere da sparo” (Eng: Gunpowder) he won the newcomer category.
In 2022, he released his debut album “L’lultimo fiore” (Eng: The last flower).
Let’s listen to 3 of his songs:
In 2021, he released the song “Rimani” (Eng: stay):
In 2022, he released the song “100 Kg Di Piume” (Eng: 100 Kg of Feathers):
In 2022, he released the song “L’lultimo fiore” (Eng: The last flower):
Gaudiano has a great presence, alongside a raspy but clear voice with wide range.
He is one of the kind of artists that always comes with something new that will keep you listening.
#2. Arisa
Rosalba Pippa (better known by her stage name Arisa) is a 40 year-old Italian singer and actress.
Her stage name is an acronym for her family members: A for Antonio (her father), R for Rosalba (herself), I for Isabella (her sister), S for Sabrina (her sister) and A for Assunta (her mother).
She rose to prominence in 2009, when she took part in “Festival Di Sanremo 2009“, in the newcomer category. she won in this category and was awarded the “Mia Martini Critics Award“.
Then, she performed the song “Sincerità” (Eng: sincerity).
The same year she released her debut album, which carried the same name, it peaked in number 5th in the Italian charts.
In 2010, she released her 2nd album, “Malamorenò“.
In 2012, she returned to the “Festival Di Sanremo”. This time she performed the song “La Notte” and ended in 2nd place. Later on, the song topped the Italian charts.
In 2012, she released her 3rd album, “Amami” (Eng: Love me) which peaked in number 6th in the Italian charts.
In 2014, she released her 4th album, “Se Vedo Te” (Eng: If I See You). The album peaked in number 3rd in the Italian charts.
In 2014, she competed once again in “Festival Di Sanremo” with the “Controvento” (Eng: Against the wind). Arisa won the festival, but unfortunately it had been decided in advance that “Sanremo 2014” wouldn’t be used to select the artist and the song for Eurovision 2014.
In 2015, she was one of the hosts of the festival.
In 2016, she released her 5th album, “Guardando il cielo” (Eng: Looking at the sky).
She competed in “Festival Di Sanremo 2016” with the theme song of the album, and ended in 10th place.
In 2019, she competed in the festival with the song “Me siento Bene” (Eng: I feel good) and ended in 8th place.
The same year, she released her 6ht album, “Una nuova Rosalba in città” (Eng: A new Rosalba in town).
In 2021, she competed once again in “Festival Di Sanremo” with the song “Potevi fare di più” (Eng: You could have done more). She finished in 8th place.
In 2021, she released her 7h album “Ero romantica” (Eng: I was romantic).
Let’s listen to 3 of her songs:
In 2021, she released the song “Potevi fare di più” (Eng: You could have done more)
In 2021, she released the song “Altalene” (Eng: Swings):
In July 2022, she released the Spannish song “Tu mi perdición” (Eng: You’re my downfall):
Arisa has become one of the symbols of Italian music in recent years.
Each one of her songs has a different flavour, and it is tasty each time independently.
She has competed multiple times in the “Festival Di Sanreno” and it can tell us how important she is in the Italian music industry and also that she can be a great candidate for Eurovision.
In addition, we are waiting too long for Italy to send a woman to Eurovision.
Previous Wishes: Aidan, Maxine Pace, I Am Willow
#1. Oxygyn
Oxygyn is a Maltese Indie pop band that was formed in 2015.
The band consists of siblings Katia Abela (vocals) and Kurt Abela (vocals), alongside Zack (guitars) and Funky Monkey (production).
They haven’t released a debut album, but they have already impressed the audience with several singles and live concerts.
Let’s listen to 3 of their songs:
In 2019, they released the song “Blindfold”:
In 2021, they released the song “Mercy“:
In 2022, they released the song “Comastose“:
In 2022, they participated in the national music festival “Muzika Muzika 2022″ with their original song “Purgatorju” (Eng: Hell / Purgatory):
We used to get power ballads and country-pop songs from Malta at Eurovision.
But what if the country changes direction? I think sending a song from the Indie – Alternative genre would be a great contribution.
Oxygyn has a distinctive sound that can shine at Eurovision.
#2. The New Victorians
“The New Victorians” is a duo of sisters Philippa and Bettina.
Bettina learned piano as a child, and Philippa was taught guitar by her mother.
The duo formed in 2011.
The sisters competed in an international song writing competition, judged by American Idol winner Kris Allen, Evanescence guitarist and songwriter David Hodges.
They won the young artists category.
Thereafter, they returned to Malta and started working with local producers.
In 2015, they released their debut album, “Seeker Seeker”.
In 2020, they released a live album – VII (“Sette”).
Their latest album, “Thick Skin” was released in 2022.
Over the years, the duo have won several awards and were also involved in the musical theatre scene where they produced songs and wrote original shows.
Let’s listen to 3 of their songs:
In 2020, they released the song “Second to None”:
In 2021, they released the song “Would You Stay?”:
In 2022, they released the song “Running In Circles“:
The new Victorians have an international quality that can’t be ignored.
Through the years, they proved that making new songs isn’t really a challenge for them.
I believe they can take Malta to a decent and honourable achievement at Eurovision.
Previous Wishes: Irol, Samuele Bersani, Delayers
#1. Sara Jane Ghiotti
Sara Jane Ghiotti is a singer, composer and arranger from San Marino.
Sara has a background in classical music.
She graduated with praise for the arrangement and direction of the Jazz Orchestra at the Rossini Conservatory in Pesaro.
Her debut album “In mancanza d’aria” (Eng: In the absence of air) was released in 2018.
The album was released with the support of AlfaMusic, Egea distribuito, Rome.
In 2018, she collaborated with the English singer Joss Stone on her music vlog “Total World Tour“.
Over the years, Sara Jane has performed and participated in various music festivals:
- Bansko Jazz Festival (Bulgaria, 2019)
- Ferrara Jazz club (Italia, 2019)
- Jerash Festival of Culture and Arts (Giordania, 2016),
- Crossroads Festival (2021)
- Artusi Jazz Festival (2016)
In 2022, she released her 2nd album “Non siamo tutti eroi” (Eng: We are not all heroes)
In 2022, she released the song “Qualcuno tornerà” (Eng: Someone Will Comeback):
In 2022, she released the song “Non siamo tutti eroi” (Eng: We are not all heroes):
In 2022, she performed as a special tribute to the poetics of Piero Ciampi:
Sara Jane Ghiotti is a talented singer and artist who deserves worldwide recognition.
She combines classical music with a modern point of view.
In addition, she mostly performs in Italian language, something I’d like to get from San Marino at Eurovision.
#2. Lo Strego
Nicolas Burioni, better known as Lo Strego, is a rapper and singer from San Marino.
He rose to fame after participating in the 16th season of “Amici di Maria De Filippi” (Italian music reality show) that was held in 2016.
In 2018, he released his debut album “Benemerito artista del popolo” (Eng: Meritorious artist of the people).
In 2018, he was also one of the 5 jury members in San Marino at Eurovision.
In 2017, he released the song “La Popstar” (Eng: The popstar):
In 2017, he released the song “Il Dj” (Eng: The DJ):
In 2018,he releaed the song “L’Alchimista” (Eng: The alchemist):
Lo Strego is a local artist that usually performs in Italy.
When I think about San Marino at Eurovision, this is the kind of artist I would like to get, instead of a random person from any foreign and far country.
What do you think about the recommended artists?
Stay tuned for more recommendations to come, next time we will travel to other countries
