Cyprus: The new Eurovision season is about to begin | Vote for the artist you want to see in Rotterdam!

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The well-known Eurovision Season officially starts on September 1st. Greece may have already chosen to send Stefania at Eurovision 2021, but things in Cyprus are still fluid.

On June 1, RIK confirmed with a simple announcement, that Sandro will not represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2021. Aphrodite’s Island will be represented by a well-known artist in Greece and Cyprus or by a Cypriot origin singer.

RIK’s decision not to be represented at Eurovision 2021 by Sandro, who was selected for this year ‘s canceled competition, made all the Greek and Cypriot artists who wish to participate in Eurovision, turning their eyes to Cyprus.

According to many local reports, a lot of well or less established artists, expressed their desire, the previous months, to represent Cyprus in next year’s Eurovision Song Contest. Let’s take a look at them:

Ivi Adamou

She represented Cyprus in Eurovision Song Contest 2012, with La la love. She achieved a 16th place, but her song was a huge hit in both Greece and Cyprus. Her name was among the favourites to represent the island last year too, but the fact she had just given birth, prevented her from saying yes.

Vangelis Kakouriotis

A lot of eurofans would love to see him on Eurovision stage. His name has been rumoured for Eurovision the last three years. Last year in MAD VMA he even sang with Luca Hanni!

Ian Stratis

One more singer that was among those who were candidates to represent Cyprus last year. He was too close, but RIK finally choose Sandro.

Giorgos Papadopoulos

Giorgos Papadopoulos revealed in EurovisionFun that would represent his country in Eurovision, but most probably as a composer and not as a singer.

Charis Savva

Charris Savva represented Cyprus in Junior Eurovision 2008. She is 22 years old now, making her first music steps in the Greek music industry.

Despina Savva

She is only 15 years old but she managed to impress all the judges in The Voice of Australia that took part.

Katerina Stikoudi

With a big career in TV and music, Katerina is one of the hottest names this year for representing Cyprus in the next contest,

Elena Tsagkrinou

Elena was one of the artists that were rumoured back in 2019 for Greece. She is ready now to represent Cyprus as she said in a recent interview.

Melina Makri

Melina became famous through her participation in the group Vegas. She now has her solo career.

Leea Nanos

Leea lives in Australia but from Greek origin. In 2019 she took part in the Australian national final.

Iasonas Mandilas

One more young artist who expresses his wish to represent Cyprus in Eurovision so strongly.

Loukas Yiorkas

Loukas represented Greece in Eurovision 2011, achieving a respectful seventh place. He said that he would take part again in the contest, with a song simillar to his previous one.

Marilena Animando

One of the fresh names in the Greek pop music scene.

Malou Kiriakopoulou

Malou became famous after her participation in Greek Idol. This year it’s the first time she expressed her interesting for the contest.

Konnie Metaxa & Tasos Xiarcho

They won Just the Two of US, some months ago.

Irini Papadopoulou

Irini tried to represent Greece this year with a song composed by Doron Meladie.

Melisses

Maybe the most famous Greek band the last years. They participated in the Greek national final for Eurovision 2010.

Vote in our poll!

Below you can vote in our poll for the artist you wish to see representing Cyprus, in the next year’s Eurovision Song Contest!

Last year in the same poll YOU voted Stefania as the best choice to represent Greece in the contest!

Tell us your vote in the comments below

Greece: Listen to the song that Leea Nanos submitted to ERT for Eurovision 2020!

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Leea Nanos, the Greek-origin artist from Australia, who in 2019 at Australia Decides claimed the representation of her country of residence in the Eurovision contest, revealed in her statements today the song she submitted this year in the closed selection of ERT for Eurovision 2020! Read more

Cyprus: Listen to “Running”, Sandro’s song for Eurovision 2020

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The Cypriot entry for Eurovision 2020 has been launched recently. “Running” with which Sandro will compete in the Cypriot colors at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, which will take place on May 12, 14 and 16 in Rotterdam, is already on Panik Records Youtube.

The symbolisms of the song

As you read in our article yesterday, “Running”, is a pop dance song that, in conjunction with Sandro’s special tone, “captivates” from the first listen! RIK’s team believes in both the song and Sandro’s ability to convey the message on Ahoy stage.

“Sandro’s philosophy is that music must be authentic, honest and aiming to reach people’s hearts. This is of course reflected in “Running”, the song that will compete in Rotterdam. “Running” is a dark story with biographies that highlight the struggle against the adversities and thunderstorms we face in life. Having been depressed himself, Sandro’s appearance on stage will signal the tunnel of darkness that we must continue to run through, under adversity or disaster, but also the strength needed to stand up and not fall”.

(RIK for Running)

That is why we see in the video clip that various natural disasters such as Australian fires etc are reflected in this.

The lyrics

“I don’t feel like talking, let me sit here alone.
The phone’s calling, I just pick it up

Very tired of running from these demons
Tired of running out of these demons, I don’t see any more
I don’t see anymore

But I keep on running, I keep on running
I keep on running away
Now I keep on running, I keep on running
I don’t wanna fall again

Drowning out my memories, from the night before
Door’s knocking, just leave me alone

Looking – losing
My energy – tripping
Anybody tow me back home

(Yeah yeah)

Standing naked
Putting on fake smiles
I don’t want to be sad anymore

I don’t wanna fall again

Not gonna fall again”

The creators of Running

The song is signed by Australian-born composer and performer Alfie Arcurie, who won first place at Australia’s “The Voice” in 2016 and participated in last year’s national Eurovision final. Other members of the synth group are German singer and songwriter Octavian, singer and music producer Sebastian Metzner Rickards, Sandro himself, and Teo Arkitekt. The artistic director is one of the leading choreographers and directors, Marvin Dietmann, who, among other things, edited Austria’s Eurovision 2014 appearance.

The director of the video clip is Alexandros Kostelidis, who is the director of the video clip of Anna Vissi “Burning Wheel” and many other important projects.

Cyprus at the Eurovision Contest

This is the 37th Cyprus participation in the competition, which is now the country with the most entries without a win. The debut was made in 1981 with Monika and an impressive sixth place. Until the end of the 90s, Cyprus was often in the top ten. But since 2004, when the semi-finals system began, and by 2014, it was able to pass the semifinals in just three cases!

This has changed drastically since 2015, with small Cyprus only qualifying. The highlight of all this good course, of course, was second place in 2018 with Eleni Foureira and “Fuego”.

Last year Cyprus was represented by Tamta with “Replay”, occupying the 13th position with 109 points in the Grand Final of Tel Aviv.

 

Cyprus: Watch Sandro’s live performance at Selecția Națională 2020

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As we reported in our previous article, Cyprus‘ representative at Eurovision 2020, Sandro, was invited to the Romanian national final – “Selecția Națională 2020″, where he performed live the “Fuego” and “Replay”, the last two Cypriot entries.

Just days before “Running” will be released, Sandro had the opportunity to introduce himself to the Romanian public. In a beautiful national final, where Romania chose the song with which Roxen will represent her country in Rotterdam, Sandro proved once again how good a performer she is.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k2f8RDSC_7I&feature=youtu.be&fbclid=IwAR2WOUV-5qtkWsB3WD-4ywuHI6Lk_HUOQFfXtzb4EbS71CktnI41nTNgBo0

In Buzau, where the Romanian national final was held, also the Moldovian representative, Natalia Gordienko, as well as the Norwegian representative,Ulrikke’s, were invited. All of them did not miss the opportunity to take a commemorative photo together with hostess Roxen.

“Running” is expected to be released no later than Friday 6 March, as Sandro is one of the guests to appear at the Melfest WKND Pre Party, the Eurovision pre party hosted by Ogae Sweden and takes place shortly after the Melodifestivalen final in March 7. At this party Sandro is expected to perform “Running” for the first time live!

Below is Sandro’s interview with Eurovision Buddies a few months ago:

 

Cyprus: Eurovision Buddies meet Sandro

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Our favorite Eurovision Buddies met Sandro during his recent visit to Athens and had a really interesting discussion with him!

The young Cyprus representative at the competition eagerly answered all of Dionysia’s questions and shed more light on his participation in Eurovision 2020.

As he revealed he is in the process of choosing the song. Among a small list of 3-4 songs he loves and believes in, along with RIK will choose the one who will sing in May at Ahoy Arena, representing the Cypriot colors.

Throughout the past, Sandro has been involved in the composition and production of songs, working with several major artists. This is a major difference with previous years where RIK had the song ready and with it approached Foureira and Tamta. This year, RIK reached out to Sandro, and then with a dynamic and productive process and with the artist’s involvement, they ended up with the song that will be Cypriot participation.

What surprised you is Sandro’s admission that he attended Eurovision for the first time in 2018! He feels very happy and grateful for the honor RIK has given him for choosing him to represent Cyprus in the contest.

His favorite songs from Eurovision are Fuego and Replay of course, but also Soldi and Arcade.

It also describes the ideal stage setting. He wants to be himself in Rotterdam, authentic and to interpret from his heart.

“With my song I want people who have problems to know that they are not alone”

So what we expect based on what Sandro told us is a dynamic ballad, with an important message, but also an internal interpretation, something that Sandro has proven to know very well!

We heartily wish every success on the Cyprus delegation and Sandro because they truly deserve it!

We would like to extend special thanks to Mr. Michalis Marateftis, former Director General of RIK, as well as to Ms. Evi Papamichael, Head of the Cyprus Delegation in the contest.

Cyprus: Sandro: “The song will not be dancing, it will have a strong message”

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A few days ago, Sandro Nicolas, the representative of Cyprus at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, was found in London to record the songs that would be a candidate for choice.

In an interview on the well-known Wiwibloggs website, Sandro revealed, among other things, that the song he will be performing will not be dancing.

“I’m probably the worst dancer in the world, I don’t have it with dance. I’m not a good dancer, I wish I could, but it’s not for me. The song is not going to be a dance track, it’s going to be a heart thing, I’m a very emotional guy, I have a story to tell and I want to help people because I know there are a lot of problems out there. I know a lot of people have a lot of problems, music is about helping each other, I write music for people who are sad, they just feel that everything is not just happiness. The song has a strong message.”

As for the song selection process, Sandro said:

“We’re very close to find a song. We have 5-6 songs, and it will be very difficult to choose. I like everything, it will be a difficult decision. Each one is a unique song, you can’t compare them, so the decision will be extremely difficult”

We met and loved Sandro through his participation in The Voice Germany, where he performed Shawn Mendez’s “In My Blood” in blind auditions because it meant a lot to him. How would he describe the song he will perform in the competition?

“It’s going to be an emotional song. It will be a combination of Shawn Mendez, James Arthur and Lewis Capaldi ”

You can watch the entire interview below:

It is recalled that Sandro was recently in Athens after recording the songs, where he met Eleni Foureira and Tamta, the last two representatives of Cyprus at the Eurovision contest. In addition, he met our beloved Eurovision Buddies and gave them an exclusive interview that will be released soon.

Source/Image: Wiwibloggs/CYBC: Eurovision Cyprus

Cyprus: Sandro Nicolas’ first TV interview

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Cyprus’s representative for the upcoming Eurovision 2020 song contest, Sandro Nicolas, has been in Cyprus since Saturday, and this afternoon he made his first tv appearance, after his official announcement, at the Happy Hour show with central presenter Andreas Yortzi.

Η εικόνα ίσως περιέχει: 2 άτομα, , τα οποία χαμογελούν, άτομα κάθονται, οθόνη, πίνακας και εσωτερικός χώρος

“It is my honor to represent Cyprus… It is fantastic, it is a dream for me. […] After The Voice (Germany) I had dreams of going to Eurovision, I didn’t know, but I said that was the next step”

Asked by the presenter if he worries that the Eurovision stage is bigger than the stages shown so far, he replied that:

“Yes it makes me anxious. (laughs) Yes but for me it will be fun, it will be a great experience, and it is my honor to represent Cyprus. It’s a dream to sing to so many millions. It’s a great time for me”

But what was his reaction when he was offered to represent Cyprus?

“I was very happy that… I think Elias (Kokotos) told me that Cyprus wants me. I didn’t believe it at all. I was speechless. […] I am very happy to represent Cyprus, people have loved me since the first time I set foot here”

Η εικόνα ίσως περιέχει: 1 άτομο, χαμογελάει, κάθεται και εσωτερικός χώρος

About IEurovision and whether he likes it or not, Sandro replied:

“I’m not a big Eurovision fan, but I watch it. I really liked Eleni Foureira and Tamta. I was a big fan of “Fuego”, because it was very much played on German radios. […] Eleni did a great job, and Tamta as well. But I wasn’t so much into things about Eurovision, I loved it, but I wasn’t so much into things.

As for the song, he is not so interested in the genre of the song, but in how much it touches the audience and wants always his music to be true and sincere.

Η εικόνα ίσως περιέχει: ένα ή περισσότερα άτομα, άτομα κάθονται και εσωτερικός χώρος

What is the message which gives to Cypriot friends of the contest?

“I promise to give my all. It is my honor to represent the Cyprus flag, and I want to do my best. The most important thing is to stay true to myself and to the world, to be authentic on stage. I’m not good at pretending otherwise. I will definitely sing a song that is sincere and will touch the heart of the world. This is the music at the end of the day. But I promise we will break!

I promise to be myself and show the world my music and give everything. I will try to sing as if this is my last day on this planet. My appearance will definitely be the most important interpretation of my life. At the end of the day, what matters is to have fun and enjoy it. It is my honor to represent this country and this world”

You can watch the entire interview below:

Source / Images: Happy Hour With Andrea Giorgios / CYBC: Eurovision Cyprus

Cyprus: It’s official!Sandro Nicolas will fly to Rotterdam

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An official announcement was made minutes ago by the Cyprus Radio Fondation (RIK) that the next representative of the country in the Eurovision song contest is none other than Sandro Nicolas.

The Cyprus Broadcasting Corporation is pleased to present Sandro, the representative of Cyprus in the upcoming 2020…

Posted by CYBC: Eurovision Cyprus on Friday, November 29, 2019

As we first informed you,  23-year-old Greek-German Sandro Nicolas will wear the Cypriot colors at the Eurovision contest after direct assignment.  The song, which will be performed by the talented artist, will be released later.

The chronicle of the choice

Sandro Nicolas was to take part in the selection of artist and songwriter to represent Germany at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest in Rotterdam.  Following a proposal from the well-known Dream Team Project Manager Elias Kokotos, RIK chose the young artist as the most appropriate to represent Cyprus (you can read more HERE).

The songs that RIK is looking at at this point in time, as well as the artist’s team as likely to represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2020 are:

-My getaway

-Falling to pieces

-Never Let You Down

The song with which Cyprus will travel and claim the coveted prize will be announced at a later stage and it is not excluded that it will be another one, as RIK is working feverishly for the best possible representation in the competition!

On Saturday 30/11, Sandro Nicolas arrives in Cyprus for his first television appearances there.

Who is Sandro Nicolas?

Sandro Nicolas was born and raised in Germany by an American father and a Greek mother.  He is now 23 years old, and in 2018 he participated in the German version of « The Voice » reaching the semifinals.  His enchanting voice made it all the way to Sochi, Russia last August to compete in the New Wave 2019, taking the highly honored 6th place among 13 entries.

Cyprus: Changes to Candidate Songs for Sandro Nicolas! EXCLUSIVE

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Cyprus is still consulting on the song that Sandro Nicolas will be asked to perform at Eurovision 2020 in May.

Change to the three candidate songs by Sandro Nicolas

RIK is in constant contact with the artist and his team to come up with the song that will represent Cyprus in Rotterdam. The aim is, of course, to continue the good presence of Cyprus in the contest, with a good artistic appearance. RIK’s  people are working feverishly for this.

So the three songs that were considered as likely were:

-Mucho Calor (dance track)
-Can’t Look Away (mid tempo)
-Never Let You Down (pop modern track)

Some artistic disagreements between the two songwriters and the artist’s team led to their withdrawal.

Two new songs to the nomination list

Of course, this didn’t bother RIK, as two new songs have already been added to the nomination list, without adding another one.

Thus, the songs that are now candidates to represent Cyprus at Eurovision 2020 are:

-My getaway
-Falling to pieces
-Never Let You Down

CyBC has not officially announced Sandro yet, though it is not expected to be delayed, after the latest details of the deal have been settled. So far the overall response from fans is more than positive!

Cyprus: This is Sandro Nicolas! (VIDEO)

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Since Wednesday night when we revealed, through EurovisionFun that Sandro Nicolas will represent Cyprus at the 65th Eurovision Song Contest, the news toured Europe, as all the websites involved in the competition hosted extensive articles.

As mentioned in the Omega TV show “Ela na deis”  (“Come to see”) and Alexander Taramount, there are three songs that the artist and Rick have ended up with. We already know the titles:

–Mucho Calor (dance track)
–Can’t Look Away (mid tempo)
–Never Let You Down (pop modern track)

Whatever the final choice of RIK will be, we are sure that talented Sandro Nicolas will take the island of Aphrodite to the contest in 2020, continuing the good tradition that Cypriot public broadcaster has built in recent years.

Below you can see a promo video of Sandro Nicolas in various live performances: