XCLUSIVE! New Music and who will be representing Greece at Eurovision 2014?

This week in Xclusive! 

Greece Decides!

Its official Freaky Fortune and rapper Risky Kid will be representing Greece at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Copenhagen. The collaborative team of performers proved victorious at the national final in Athens against competition from the likes of Kostas Martakis, Krystallia and Mark Angelo featuring Josephine. The winning song “Rise Up” is a youthful dance/pop track with a touch of Greek instrumentation before the club beat kicks in, and the catchy marching band trumpet riff which creates the signature stamp of the song. Greece will be participating in the 2nd semi- final heat of Eurovision on the 8^th May with hopes of making it to the grand final on the 10^th May 2014. 

New Music

Popular Greek artists Ilias Kampakakis, Onirama and Konstantinos Argiros are all back this month with new music to excite the aural senses! After the chart topping success of “Paliopragmata”, rising star Kampakakis returns with a follow up single “Roda”. A self penned ditty that will get you dancing and singing along. Another number one for Ilias is surely just around the corner…  

Meanwhile Greek band Onirama treats fans to neebie single “Metaxi” – upbeat pop/rock with catchy riffs and hues of country; a quirky little number certain to build on the bands growing success.If “Deuteri Fora”is anything to go by, unlucky in love, Argiros is not taking well to heartbreak and is neither in a very forgiving mood. Dramatic, emotive and powerful – who says guys can’t be divas when it comes to love? A trio of evocative, stirring and invigorating songs with driving rhythms and all beautifully melodic in their own way, perfect for spring!

That’s all for now ~ more music & entertainment news next week!

Until next time x Mwah

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Catch all the above promos and the latest music Xclusives on Katerina’s Live DJ Show: ‘Young & Connected ~ Scandalous! Two hours of unadulterated Modern Greek hits; 1st for new music, celebrity gossip, chart news, interviews and of course listener’s special requests and dedications! Not to mention a few surprises along the way! Live on LGR 103.3fm and online at www.lgr.co.uk on Tuesdays 8-10pm. SCANDALOUS!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: via email: katsmusiq@gmail.com   / Facebook: Kat Neocleous 

Published in The Parikiaki Newspaper - 20th March 2014 

Xclusive! Eurovision Song Contest 2014

This week in Xclusive! With the Eurovision Song Contest for 2014 a mere two months away, here is the lowdown on the Greek and British representatives vying for songtastic victory in Copenhagen this year! 

 Greece are preparing to choose their representative for this years Eurovision extravaganza! The televised National Final will be taking place on Tuesday 11^th March in Athens, at the Gazi Music Hall and the night’s events will be hosted once again by singing star Despina Vandi and actor/screenwriter Giorgos Kapooutzidis. 

Four acts will fight it out for that one golden ticket to Copenhagen: Krystallia, Freaky Fortune featuring Risky Kid, Mark Angelo featuring Josephine and the firm favourite to win Kostas Martakis.

 

 The songs had yet to be unveiled at time of press, but rumours have certainly been circulating! Speculation at the moment is that Kostas will be performing a Balkan rock song penned by Elias Kozas (lead singer of Koza Mostra who represented Greece at the contest last year). Krystallia (former lead singer of dance/pop group Otherview) is opting for a big ballad. If you’re more of a good time, ‘strap on you’re dancing shoes’ music lover Mark Angelo and Josephine should have it covered  with rumours of an dancey, up-tempo pop tune on the cards, while Freaky Fortune get grittier with a self penned dance/hip-hop song which they will perform alongside Risky Kid.

 

 As well as the hopeful competitors, a host of Greece’s biggest stars both past and present will be appearing on the special TV show which will also mark Greece’s 40th anniversary in the Eurovision Song Contest! Performances will include duets, and honour previous Eurovision successes from the likes of Kalomira Sarantis “My Secret Combination” (2008) with Claydee, Kati Garbi “Ellada Chora Tou Fotos” (1993) with group VEGAS and Sophia Vossou’s iconic “Anixi” (1991) with popular singer Demy.

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 The UK is ahead of game, and have already confirmed their representative for this years contest. Molly Smitten-Downes will be flying the UK flag with her self-penned song “Children of the Universe”; an anthemic, uplifting track which was specifically written with live performance in mind. Originally from Leicestershire, Molly was discovered through BBC Introducing… and invited to compose and perform a song especially for the competition. 

An active performer for over ten years Smitten-Downes has become widely recognised within the music industry and live music scene. No stranger to competition Molly won the accolade of Best Urban/Pop Act at Live and Unsigned’ (2012) as well as Best Song at the ‘Best of British Unsigned Music Awards’ (2013). Talking about the prospect of her involvement in the biggest annual European music contest Molly revealed “I'm so excited for everyone to hear Children of the Universe. I'm so happy with it. To represent the United Kingdom in such a huge competition, not only as a singer and performer but as a songwriter is an unbelievable honour. I hope I can do us proud”.

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 As announced in October 2013, unfortunately Cyprus will not be competing at the forthcoming Eurovision Song Contest. Cypriot broadcaster RIK, decided to withdraw their place in this year’s contest due to the financial restrictions and budget cuts implemented on the broadcaster due to the economic crisis affecting Cyprus.

That’s all for now ~ more music and entertainment XCLUSIVES coming soon…

Until next time x Mwah

***********************************************************

Catch all the latest music Xclusives on Katerina’s Live DJ Show: ‘Young & Connected ~ Scandalous! Two hours of unadulterated Modern Greek hits; 1st for new music, celebrity gossip, chart news, interviews and of course listener’s special requests and dedications! Not to mention a few surprises along the way! Live on LGR 103.3fm and online at www.lgr.co.uk on Tuesdays 8-10pm. SCANDALOUS!

If you would like your CD or event featured or reviewed in Xclusive! Contact Katerina: via email: katsmusiq@gmail.com   / Facebook: Kat Neocleous

Published in The Parikiaki Newspaper - 6th March 2014