Mysteries of the EuroVerse

BONUS EP 2: Election Special - Authoritarianism at Eurovision

GUESTS: Alesia Michele (American Eurovision YouTuber, 22:43), Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, NBC's Smash, 39:29)
 
This is a very special election themed episode, where we channel our anxiety about the fall of American democracy into a discussion about Eurovision and authoritarianism.
 
 
We begin with a celebration of our wins at both the Signal Awards and Davey Awards (more award announcements to come), before diving into our main topic. We use two stories about Eurovision's interaction with Authoritarian regimes to get at the unique relationship authoritarians have to music. Trump looms large over this segment.
 
 
Then we interview preeminent American Eurovision YouTuber Alesia Michelle to talk about the state of Eurovision in the aftermath of last year's controversy.
 
 
Finally, we talk to Broadway composer Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, Bloodsong of Love, NBC's Smash), for a game about how Eurovision songs have been used in the political sphere that we're calling "Bounce or Backlash: Fear and Loathing At Eurovision"
 
 
Bounce or Backlash: Fear and Loathing At Eurovision
 
 
Dum Tek Tek, Hadise, Turkey 2009: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzKgojZqO5Y
 
 
Everyway That I Can, Sertab Erener, Turkey 2003: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j0_QrKnqd5E
 
 
ABBA, Waterloo, Sweden 1974: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4XJBNJ2wq0Y
 
 
Mahmood, Soldi, Italy 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=22lISUXgSUw
 
 
Galasy ZMesta, I'll Teach You, 2021: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kPPOi0OjspU
 
 
Bilal Hassani, Roi, France 2019: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VydsMYa9lyI
 

ANNOUNCEMENT: Vote for Us! We're a Signal Award Finalist!

Hello EuroVerse-rs! We have a very special announcement! Mysteries of the EuroVerse has been named a Finalist for the prestigious Signal Awards (alongside podcasts we love like Las Culturistas).
 
 
We're in the Indie Podcast Category - and are also up for a Listeners Choice Award. This is where we need your help. We'd so appreciate it if you clicked the link below, signed-in with your gmail and voted for us. Voting closes on October 17th. This will introduce us to new audiences and help us continue to get awesome guests as we ready Season 2!
 
 
https://vote.signalaward.com/PublicVoting#/2024/shows/craft/best-indie-podcast

BONUS EP 1: Political Voting at Eurovision

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

EP 24: Eurovision 2024 on the Brink and What To Do About It (feat Eurovision Winners and Chart Toppers)

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. 
 
 

EMERGENCY UPDATE: Backstage Fights, Missed Performances, and the Crack-up of Eurovision 2024

Immediately after we recorded our last episode, things went wild. We’ll be back next week with more analysis, but we wanted to give you an up-to-the-minute update as we’ve had one artist disqualified and several others begin to openly protest from the Eurovision stage or not show up at all. Going into tonight, it’s unclear what will happen but we wanted you to have all the information we do as you watch.

EP 23: Eurovision 2024 - Tensions Rise in Malmö

In this episode we report LIVE from Malmö, Sweden! As controversy swirls around Israel’s participation in the contest and Eurovision tries to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ABBA’s win with a contest more geared toward high spectacle and chart topping pop songs than ever, we’re bringing you a super-sized episode!
 
First we talk to Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest who won the contest last time Malmö, Sweden hosted, with her hit song “Only Teardrops.” She reflects on how the contest, and the city of Malmo have changed in the past decade— and talks to us about what it’s like to cross-over from the world of Eurovision to the contemporary pop charts.
 
Then we speak to this year’s contestants from Azerbaijan, Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov, whose song Ozunle Apar combines two Eurovision staples: a contemporary pop songwriting, mixed with a national folk tradition.
 
We then sit down with the EBU Deputy Director General, Jean Philip de Tender and try to get him to articulate the principles on which Eurovision makes decisions about what countries are allowed to remain in the Eurovision coalition, as well as getting him to speak to the heightened security situation on the ground.
 
Next up is Gåte, a Norwegian folk-metal band whose song was in danger of disqualifying on a technicality - their lyric text, based on a 1000 year-old medieval ballad, was thought to possibly violate Eurovision’s rule that songs must be “original.” After a rewrite, and a stunning performance in the Semi-Final, Gate is on their way to compete in the final TONIGHT.
 
We wrap up our episode with Nemo, who’s song The Code is one of the favorites to win Eurovision 2024. Another one of the favorites, Angelina Mango of Italy, then drops by to receive our award for NYC’s Best Eurovision Song of 2024.
 
SONGS:
Emmelie de Forest Segment:
 
Only Teardrops: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k59E7T0H-Us
 
Rainmaker: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fNdrYzZ55gI Drunk
 
Tonight: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EarZE6V28tA Never
 
Give Up on You, Lucie Jones: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Fl1GYTg4GmA
 
Rabbit: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IwvNi2SoIfE
 
Fahree and Ilkin Dovlatov Segment
 
Ozunle Apar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QhN9r8TH2Hw
 
Fahree: Dance: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0ouCoavhq1c
 
Apardi Uzalqlara: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YejL-n9sH3o
 
Ilkin Dovlatov:
 
Insalar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=36o6ljxKy7Q
 
Geceler: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KXQkOFiquv8
 
Gåte Segment
 
Ulveham: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UycoKAz1Jm8
 
Horpa (Acoustic Version): https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l3FwBYV_LiA
 
Nemo Segment
 
This Body: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=c-b82ZfJHdw
 
The Code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDvM14Kwg
 
 

BEST OF: The Swedish Takeover of Global Pop

Since we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Sweden's takeover of Eurovision and global pop, in advance of them hosting this year's contest.
 
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
 

BEST OF: Israel at Eurovision

Since we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Israel's participation in Eurovision.
 
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
 
 
 
 

EP 22: Hosting Eurovision

Daniela Ruah (21:12), Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker (36:25)
This week we’re talking about hosting Eurovision. First we deep dive into the ways in which countries have used hosting Eurovision to communicate narratives about their nation’s culture and politics to the wider world. Then we talk to NCIS LA star and Host of Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon, Daniela Ruah. Finally, we sit down with stars of stage and screen, Dylan Baker (Happiness, Dream Scenario) and Becky Ann Baker (Girls, Freaks and Geeks) to explore the acts chosen to represent Eurovision host countries in a game we’re calling “Eurovision Tops and Bottoms: I Can Host Edition”
 
SONGS FEATURED IN EUROVISION TOPS AND BOTTOMS
 
Greenjolly, Razom Nas Bahato, Ukraine 2005 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=N5u6J_mbhLU
 
 
Anastasia Prikhodko, Mamo, Russia 2009 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vxZGknFxE58
 
 
Tajči, Hajde Da Ludujemo, Yugoslavia 1990 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ksPXBLCwaL4
 
 
Jelena Tomašević feat. Bora Dugic, Oro, Serbia 2008 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d3NMkyDSEb0
 
 
Salomé, Vivo cantando, Spain, Eurovision 1969 -https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQgb7QdZIv0
 
 
Cláudia Pascoal, O Jardim, Portugal 2018 - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mHjGbADMcOI

EP 21: EuroVerse LIVE - Heat 4/Final

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Hera Bjork, Iceland (19:59), Marina Satti, Greece (35:57)
Performances: Liam Oh (Sam Ryder, Spaceman, UK 2022) - 44:58, Magnus Riise “Ulveham/Unforgettable” (Gåte, Norway 2024, Marcus and Martinus, Sweden, 2024) - 49:41
 
This is our final live episode of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- the one where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes!
This week, we looked at songs from , with two special guests. TV Showrunner Karen DiConcetto (SKAM Austin, Recovery Road), who was also part of a pop duo with three top ten UK singles (Daphne and Celeste), and Liam Oh will be starring in Norman Lear's last show (Netflix, TBA).
 
We're also featuring two interviews with Eurovision 2024 performers! Hera Bjork (Iceland, Scared of Heights), and Marina Satti (Zari).
 
We finish things off with our results and two very special performances of Eurovision songs -- Liam Oh sings Sam Ryder's "Spaceman" (UK 2022) and Mysteries of the EuroVerse Co-Host Magnus Riise presents a very special Norwegian mash-up,  “Ulveham/Unforgettable” (Gåte, Norway 2024, Marcus and Martinus, Sweden, 2024).
 
“Tattoo/Waterloo” Singers (ABBA 1974 and Loreen 2023, Sweden): Emily Durand, Charlotte Topp, Noa Miranda, Sophie Stromberg, Lake Wilburn, Luana Psaros, Nichole Conrad, Erica Walker, Maria Reed, Margaret Warrington, Nichole Conrad, Andrew Brooks, Nichole Conrad, Tessa Miller Kiesz.
 
2024 Songs Discussed:
 
 
Gåte, Ulveham, Norway - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UipzszlJwRQ
 
Marina Satti, Zari, Greece - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTSTnLWGUPs
 
Marcus and Martinus, Unforgettable, Sweden - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yekc8t0rJqA
 
Kaleen, We Will Rave, Austria - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Kqda15G4T-4
 
Hera Björk, Scared of Heights, Iceland - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OouUsCZ3xkM
 
Nebulossa, Zorra, Spain - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zSZqlQZ0_us
 
Raiven, Veronika, Slovenia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uWcSsi7SliI
 
Aiko, Pedestal, Czechia - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_iTcX6NlAqA
 
Alyona, Alyona and Jerry Heil, Teresa and Maria, Ukraine - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k_8cNbF8FLI