Just in time for the reveal of Eurovision 2019’s theme “Dare to Dream,” Max and special guest Katy Shea dig deep into the Eurovision brand. Join us as we discuss the Eurovision logo, the yearly themes and slogans, and how host countries use the contest to show the world what they’re all about.

Shownotes:

• 2004 Logo vs 2014 Logo – https://www.underconsideration.com/brandnew/archives/new_logo_for_eurovision_song_contest_by_storytegic.php
• Scroll through the Song Contest logos throughout the years – http://logos.wikia.com/wiki/Eurovision_Song_Contest_1956

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Join Alix, Max, and special guest Nicole Johnson as we talk about diversity at Eurovision and whether or not the image Eurovision paints of a tolerant, multiethnic and diverse Europe is truly reflective of the reality. We also dish on Mikolas Josef’s new single, “Me Gusta,” and our favorite Moldovans’ guest appearance on Jack Whitehall’s Travels with My Father.

Listen to “Me Gusta” here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=drnjz_u8_dM

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Ireland has won Eurovision seven times, more than any other country, and won four times in five years from 1992-1996. They’re also the only country that has won three times in a row and the only country to have won twice with the same artist (Johnny Logan, 1980 and 1987). Even Riverdance first premiered at Eurovision as the interval act at the 1994 contest in Dublin! Yet, Ireland’s luck seems to have dried out. They haven’t reached the Top 5 since 1997, and have failed to qualify for the final seven times since the semifinals were introduced 14 years ago. Join Max, Alix, and our special guest, Liam Mullins, as they dissect why Ireland stopped being good at Eurovision, whether or not things might be looking up for the emerald isle after 2018, and why the hell they decided to send a turkey that one time.

Songs featured:
Donna and Joe – “Love?” (2005) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=J9CHcqe7xro
Dustin the Turkey – “Irlande Douze Pointe” (2008) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ps3kxGo_gro
Ryan O’Shaughnessy – “Together” (2018) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xYBtf4ZMfjw
Mickey Joe Harte – “We’ve Got the World” (2003) – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NZ9jfwOcmro

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Ever wonder what former Eurovision winners are up to? Well we wanted to find out too, but our research left us underwhelmed. So instead of catching up on what past victors have been doing since their big wins, Alix and Max discuss why winning the Eurovision Song Contest doesn’t necessarily lead to widespread international fame, why ABBA is the exception and not the rule, and why Netta might be the one to break the mold.*

*As of posting, “Toy” is #6 on the Billboard Dance Club Songs chart and #29 on the Billboard Hot Dance/Electronic Songs chart. If you didn’t get a chance to see Netta perform on the Today show, you can watch it here: https://bit.ly/2MUyyBm

And as promised, here are some of our favorite new tracks from past Eurovision winners:

Dima Bilan (Russia, 2008) – “Derzhi” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j_LrXZbOAWQ
Måns Zelmerlöw (Sweden 2015) – “Happyland” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7SWYCBhj7sE
Jamala (Ukraine, 2016) – “Krila” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9W3zXLpf09A
Alexander Rybak (Norway, 2009) – “Kotik” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KxxEcOWdZsg
Loreen (Sweden 2012) – “Statements” – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bdil9UO80Yo
Salvador Sobral (Portugal 2017) – “Mano a Mano” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mTyaEaFzL9U

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Alix and Max are back this week to discuss some of the latest Eurovision news and our big topic of the week: languages! After a short history of languages at Eurovision, we try and figure out if not singing in English puts an entry at a disadvantage in the contest.

And in case you’re interested, here’s ABBA singing their Eurovision-winning “Waterloo” in their native Swedish: www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUUhu6Fi9ds

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

This week, Max and Alix try to unpack the ever-changing, often controversial voting system and try and decide if bloc voting actually has an effect on who wins Eurovision every year. Also, we introduce a new segment where we bring you the latest news from the Eurovision world!

Further reading:

“Partisanship at Eurovision is becoming more Blatant,” The Economist – econ.st/2MT22jj

Alexander V. Mantzaris, Samuel R. Rein and Alexander D. Hopkins, “Examining Collusion and Voting Biases Between Countries During the Eurovision Song Contest Since 1957” – jasss.soc.surrey.ac.uk/21/1/1.html

Siobhan Palmer and Ashley Kirk, “A guide to political voting: Who votes for whom at Eurovision?” The Telegraph –bit.ly/2MUyyBm

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More

Welcome to season 1.5 of Star Spangled Eurovision, where we’ll be digging deep into Eurovision-related topics while we wait for the 2019 song contest to kick into gear.

This week, Max is joined by special guests Brent McDonnell and Sarah Unbehaun to talk about Eurovision in the context of greater European History and how the song contest has reflected major events and shifts in Europe since its first edition in 1956. Listen in as we discuss Eurovision during the beginnings of European integration, the fall of the Berlin Wall, the migrant crisis, and everything in between!

Songs we talk about:
ABBA – “Waterloo” (Sweden) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=3FsVeMz1F5c
Paulo de Carvalho – “E Depois de Adeus” (Portugal) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=89LBNSX_vig
Gigliola Cinquetti – “Si” (Italy) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=EWrtN6LBJtk
Tuto Cutegno – “Insieme: 1992” (Italy) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=0b5whZydVZc
Ketil Stokkan – “Brandenburger Tor” (Norway) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=6IoRGn6rN40
Beat – “Fri?” (Finland) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=wMQxvqZWOn0
Jamala – 1944 (Ukraine) – “www.youtube.com/watch?v=VCG2rw4ZXTY”
Madame Monsieur – “Mercy” (France) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=dHb-gWC-WTc
Ermal Meta & Fabrizio Moro – “Non Mi Avete Fatto Niente” (Italy) – www.youtube.com/watch?v=zguJGdoPPnw

Podcast: Play in new window | Download

Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Spotify | TuneIn | RSS | More