Mysteries of the EuroVerse

EP 20: EuroVerse LIVE - Heat 3

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Iolanda, Portugal (23:06), Sarah Bonnici, Malta (38:02)
 
 
Performances: Magnus Riise Performs “Before the Party is Over” (Mustii, Belgium, 2024)
 
 
This is our third 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 Belgium, Ireland, Georgia, Israel, Latvia, Albania, Denmark, Portugal, Malta and Italy, with Broadway playwright Douglas Lyons (Chicken and Biscuits, Apple TV’s Fraggle Rock). 
 
We're also featuring two interviews with Eurovision 2024 performers! Iolanda (Portugal, Grito), and Sarah Bonnici (Malta, Loop).
 
Finally, we finish things off with a performance of Mustii’s Before The Party is Over, performed by Mysteries of the EuroVerse Co-Host Magnus Riise. And, of course, the results of who won our “Third Heat”
 
We've got one more event at THE SPOT in Hell's Kitchen (599 10th Avenue) at 8pm on Thursday April18th— THE GRAND FINAL. Come by, celebrate the music, and make sure your voice is heard!
 
“Satellite” Singers (Lena, Germany, 2010): Shira Bouskila, Liam Joshua Munn, Emily Durand Charlotte Topp, Maddie LaFerr, Maria Reed, Tessa Amy Knips, Cole Duffy, Tess Miller Kiesz, Margaret Warrington
 
SONGS FROM THE NIGHT:
 
Mustii, Before The Party's Over - Belgium: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WCe9zrWEFNc
 
Bambie Thug, Doomsday Blues - Ireland: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZGRXRrlIspY
 
 
Nutsa Buzaladze, Firefighter- Georgia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=blMwY8Jabyk
 
 
Eden Golan, Hurricane- Israel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lJYn09tuPw4
 
 
Dons, Hollow - Latvia: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8TIji6Ac8b4
 
 
Besa, Titan - Albania: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nrjFhjpm7D8
 
 
Saba, Sand - Denmark: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=3pCtdFnv9eQ
 
 
Iolanda, Grito - Portugal: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K5wDGhcDSpQ
 
 
Sarah Bonnici, Loop - Malta: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l6eS60n4wg8
 
 
Angelina Mango, La Noia - Italy: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OKzWskcTTA8
 
 

EP 19: EuroVerse LIVE - HEAT 2

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Tali (Luxembourg) 20:37, Natalia Barbu (Moldova) 38:45.
 
 
Performances: Ali Ewoldt Performs "Zero Gravity" Kate Miller Heidke (48:57), Magnus Riise Performs "The Tower" Luna (Eurovision 2024 Cover) (52:19)
 
 
This is our second 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 Poland, Croatia, France, Cyprus, Moldova, Serbia, Armenia, Switzerland, and Luxembourg, with Broadway star Ali Ewoldt (Les Miserables, Phantom of the Opera). 
 
 
At the end of the episode, you'll find out who made it out of our "2nd Heat." We're also featuring two interviews with Eurovision 2024 performers! Tali (Luxembourg), and Natalia Barbu (Moldova). You'll also hear a cover of Luna's Tower by Mysteries of the EuroVerse Co-Host Magnus Riise, and a cover of Eurovision classic Kate Miller Heidke's "Zero Gravity"!
 
 
We've got two more events at THE SPOT in Hell's Kitchen (599 10th Avenue) at 8pm on Thursday April 11th and 18th. Come by, celebrate the music, and make sure your voice is heard!
 
Only Teardrops Singers: Nichole Conrad, Maddie LaFerr, Charlotte Topp, Maria Reed, Emily Durand, Noa Miranda, Myea Patterson, Tess Miller Kiesz.
 
 
Poland, Luna, The Tower: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IhvDkF9XZx0
 
Croatia, Baby Lasagna, Rim Tim Tagi Dim: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EBsgTJQFl9k
 
France, Slimane, Mon Amour: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tfoOop2HXxQ
 
Cyprus, Silia Kapsis, Liar: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8q5QozrtEPA
 
Moldova, Natalia Barbu, In The Middle: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Jom9sNL5whs
 
Serbia, Teya Dora, Ramonda: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=lWzPO6nPpwU
 
Armenia, Ladaniva, Jako: https://www.youtube.com/watch?app=desktop&v=_6xfmW0Fc40
 
Switzerland, Nemo, The Code: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kiGDvM14Kwg
 
Luxembourg, Tali, Fighter: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HV3sORfrREE

EP 18: EuroVerse LIVE - HEAT 1

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

Ep 17: Eurovision 2024 - Big Themes, Hot Trends, Hot Takes

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
 
 
 
 
 

EP 16: The Swedish Takeover of Global Pop

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
 

EP 15: Israel at 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 14: Eurovision Behind The Iron Curtain (The Intervision Song Contest)

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 ISCKarel 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
 
 
 
 

EP 13: Eurovision Icons (Featuring Eurovision Icons!)

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

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
 

EP 11: Spectacle and Technological Innovation at Eurovision

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