This week our Australian Eurovision fan of the week is Andy from Canberra aka @pacodylan on Twitter. Read our full Q&A with him on all things Eurovision below.
What is your name and where are you from?
My name’s Andy and I live in Canberra, Australia with my husband and our dog, Paco (hence my Twitter handle, @pacodylan). Although I was born here, I grew up on the Central Coast of New South Wales and lived much of my adult life in Melbourne (as well as stints in the Czech Republic and Argentina). Tell us something interesting about you?
After eight years of dedicated viewing from afar, this year I’m finally going to Eurovision for the first time. I cannot wait! On to Eurovision itself – when did you first get into the contest?
I had been to friends’ Eurovision parties a bunch of times but the first time I actually *paid attention* was Oslo 2010, when Lena won with ‘Satellite’. I still listen to my favourites from that year (for the record: ‘Playing with Fire’ by Paula Seling and Ovi, and ‘Run Away’ by Sunstroke Project).
A great year to get into it - how good was Playing with Fire? Run Away.... not so much but fun. ~ Aussievision
Do you have a favourite Eurovision year? Why is it your fav?
Vienna 2015. Honestly, I would have been happy if any of the top 8 had won. They were all quality songs that I still have on high rotation. Also, Conchita was a professional host - a bearded drag queen consoling Polina when she was crying after being booed by the crowd over Russia’s homophobic laws is literally the epitome of ‘building bridges’!
So much quality that year and of course a special year with Australia competing for the first time. Which Eurovision song: Is your favourite?
Does everyone say ‘Euphoria’ (Loreen)? Because I’m going to say it too. Is overrated?
I feel terrible saying this as I’m very happy to be heading to Lisbon this year, but I never got ‘Amar Pelos Dois’... Sorry Salvador, music *is* fireworks!
You should feel terrible it was amazing. But no, fair enough, everyone has their taste and this wasn't going to be everyone's cup of tea. Perhaps you'll change your mind when you see it live i Lisbon. Was robbed?
The patriot in me wants to say Dami Im, of course… but following ‘Eurovision rules’ (no voting for one’s own country), I have to say Barei - Say Yay! (from the same year). I don’t necessarily think it should’ve won, but it deserved so much better than 22nd place. It’s a total banger!
Great song but that staging (or lack of)? Had the best live performance?
On vocals alone - Il Volo ‘Grande Amore’, Aminata’s ‘Love Injected’ or Polina Gagarina’s ‘A Million Voices’. All three still give me goosebumps.
On sheer novelty you can’t go past ‘We are Slavic’ (Poland 2014) or ‘Dancing Lasha Tumbai’ (Ukraine 2007). Did you last play?
My playlist is wall-to-wall 2018 songs at the moment. On right now - ‘Stones’ by Zibbz. Switzerland deserve to qualify, it’s a great track. Is your guilty pleasure?
Anything from Sunstroke Project.
2017 > 2010 Any other interesting honourable mentions?
Honourable mentions to the Eurovision artists who I’ve since followed and loved the rest of their music - Loreen, Aminata, Laura Tesoro, Lena, Sergey Lazarev, O’G3NE, and Emmelie de Forest. Out of the songs released so far this what are your favourites?
Oh gosh, this year is proving to be excellent; so much variety! My top four has been a battle between Cyprus (love an ethno-dance pop drop), Israel (can’t wait to see what Netta does with the vocal looper on stage), FYR Macedonia (hooked on first listen - plus I love an underdog!), and Finland (BANGER!). Don’t make me choose between them - it’s like choosing your favourite child! Why should Australia be in Eurovision?
Our historical interest (being an immigration nation) is the reason that most resonates with me. But what I’d love to see is, once Eurovision Asia is (finally) up and running, that the winning country attends Eurovision the following year, and vice versa (Eurovision’s winner performs in Eurovision Asia). Building cross-cultural connections is the reason was invented in the first place! If that eventuated, I’d say it’d be suitable for Australia to have to ‘earn’ its place by winning Eurovision Asia!
Nice idea actually! Are you happy with the choice of Jessica this year for us and her song 'We Got Love'?
Having followed Jess since her ‘Idol’ days, I firmly believe she is an excellent ambassador for Australia with a killer voice. She’s the embodiment of the Aussie spirit - friendly, down to earth, and able to have a laugh. Plus, representation counts - a child of an indigenous Australian and an Indonesian on the world stage is a pretty powerful thing. The song suits her perfectly and I think we can be very proud if it does well amongst some tough competition. And finally favourite Australian song – Sea of Flags, Tonight Again, Sound of Silence or Don’t Come Easy?
It has to be Sound of Silence. Anything else you'd like to share?
Te vejo em Lisboa!
*google translates* Yes see you there!! Cheers and thanks for your time!