Today our Aussie fan of the week is none other than Mark Perkins aka @MarkPerkinsVO and one half of Wind Machine Podcast.
Mark was very supportive and encouraging of us when first starting Aussievision and it was about time we found out more about his Eurovision background from him. Here's his full Q&A with us below:
What is your name and where are you from? Mark from Melbourne, Australia
Tell us something interesting about you? I have degrees in history and archaeology which have come in handy - see next question haha.
You co-run Wind Machine Podcast, tell us a little about that. About 3 years ago, my partner Danie and I wanted to make a podcast but weren’t sure what to focus on. While watching the 2016 contest we thought about doing something about Eurovision. Rather than talk about just about the artists and music we thought we’d look at the countries behind them; sort of a way for us to learn about them and give others an introduction as well. I think it has helped inspire some fans to look deeper at the contest. 😉 In 2019; we begin our next phase of the podcast by looking specifically at a particular contest starting with the 2002 Eurovision Song Contest.
It certainly brings up some incredibly interesting things about each nation, we have learnt a great deal since listening! ~ Aussievision
On to Eurovision itself – when did you first get into the contest? First time I really knew about it was around 2003-2004 but it wasn’t until the 2007 contest that I really got into it. Thanks Teapacks.
Do you have a favourite Eurovision year? Why is it your fav? 2014 has so many bangers so for me it’s this year just over 2016.
GREAT year, definitely up there as one of our favourites and actually the first one we saw together (we were team Sanna).
Which Eurovision song:
Is your favourite? No Prejudice by Pollaponk
WOW favourite of all time! Fun song, Lots of colour :P
Is overrated? At the risk of receiving A LOT of shade I’d have to say Fuego by Eleni Foureira. Yes she performed exceptionally well but I’m just not a fan of the song.
She didn't get your pelican fly-fly-flyin? Well obviously we will have to agree to disagree here!
Was robbed? Without a doubt - Dami Im’s Sound of Silence. Not because of any bias but I truly believe her performance was flawless. That and I’m not a fan of 1944.
Well we do agree on this one!
Had the best live performance? Again, it’s Dami I’m.
Did you last play? Congratulations by Silvia Night. Only because I needed it for the intro for our most recent podcast episode. Eek!
Is your guilty pleasure? I Didn’t Know by Serhat.
Ha not a bad guilty pleasure to have. The fact this beat fan favourite Greta Salome does make us chuckle.
Any other interesting honourable mentions? Push the Button by Teapacks Woke Mit Demi Popo by Trackshittaz
You have... errr... very interesting taste :P
Should Australia be in Eurovision - why or why not? Sure. We have such a massive fan base and SBS has associate membership with the EBU. I wouldn’t be too upset if we no longer participated though.
What do you think of Australia having a national final? A fantastic idea. Absolutely looking forward to attending. Will be amazing!
Out of the seven artists announced so far (for Australia) decides who are you most excited about? Kate Miller Heidke. She has a very interesting sound.
What other national finals are you most looking forward to?
Hmm, this is the first year I’m actually following National Finals (l know right!) so I’m just gonna say Eesti Laul cause I love me a bit of Estonia.
Well that's a fine choice and welcome to the crazy world of national finals. You won't (or probably will) regret it!
Any prediction of what we might see in Tel Aviv this year? Heaps of Fuego clones. We will definitely see one of the best parties Eurovision has ever seen. Tel Aviv know how to bring it.
And finally... Tonight Again, Sound of Silence, Don’t Come Easy or We Got Love? As much as I’ve given props to Dami, I do also have a soft spot for Guy’s Tonight Again
Thanks for joining us Mark!