Mysteries of the EuroVerse

Zoë Më, Voyage, Switzerland (11:47), Go-Jo, Milkshake Man, Australia (26:53), Ziferblat, Bird of Pray, Ukraine (35:21), Aurin Squire, The Good Fight, (49:59)         On this episode, we're reporting on Eurovision 2025 from Basel! First we give you updates on this year's contest directly from the press center, covering the changes to the semi-final broadcasts and Eurovision's controversial flag rul...

Rambo Amadeus (Montenegro, 2012) - 23:05, Nico Carney (Vulture, Comedian You Should Know) - 42:30         On this episode, we talk about how Eurovision can achieve its goal of expansion. First, we use the occasion of Montenegro returning to the contest to explore the ways that Eurovision can make it easier for even more countries to join.          Then we talk to iconic Montenegrin artist, Rambo A...

Wouter Hardy (Arcade)- 3:36, NYLAN (The Code, Shhhh) - 23:46, Benji Alasu (The Code, Survivor) - 41:43       This week, we're talking to the songwriters behind two Eurovision winning hits. First we sit down with Wouter Hardy, who co-wrote Duncan Laurence's Arcade - the first Eurovision song in nearly a quarter century to chart on the Billboard Hot 100. Then we turn to two writers, NYLAN and Benji...

Sissal (Hallucination, Denmark 2025) - 3:59, Shkodra Electronike (Zjerm, Albania 2025) - 22:19, Pixie Aventura (Hulu's Drag Me To Dinner) - 43:00         This is our first episode featuring interviews with Eurovision 2025 contestants! We've talked about Eurovision's dual identity as a place for both global pop and culturally specific numbers, and in this episode we talk to two acts who embody eith...

Martin Green (Director of Eurovision) - 24:37, Santino Fontana (Crazy Ex-Girlfriend, Frozen, Tootsie) - 42:08     First we deep dive into the controversy around three of Eurovision’s most provocative acts: Australia’s Milkshake Man (Go Jo), Malta’s Serving (Miriana Conte), and Finland’s Ich Komme (Erika Vikman). We discuss broader trends that have led the contest once known exclusively as a “famil...

Julien Salvia and Ludovic-Alexandre Vidal (Writers, Luxembourg 2025) - 18:23, Andrew Lippa (Big Fish, The Addams Family, Wild Party) - 34:45         This week we're talking about songwriting! In our first segment, we discuss how culture and technology have changed the collaborative model for songwriting over the years - and discuss how and why all collaborative models, even some older ones, are st...

Emilija Kokić, Riva, Rock Me, WINNER Yugoslavia 1989 (27:23), Jackie Cox (47:08)       This is the second episode in our two part series about Celine Dion! We pick up right after Celine's Eurovision victory, tracing her rise to global pop stardom, her experience of critical backlash, her health struggles and her recent comeback. As we do so, we discuss the parallels between Celine's ebb and flow o...

Marie Louise Werth, Furbaz, 1989 (21:29), Gianmarco Soresi, Comedian, (36:00)       This episode is part one of a two part series about Eurovision icon Celine Dion. We start by deep diving into some broad themes of Celine's early career and life, and discuss how she as an artist faces a lot of the same challenges and biases as the contest that made her famous. Then we talk to Marie Louise Werth wh...

Scooch, UK 2007 (24:11), Cady Huffman (43:35)       Scooch, Flying the Flag: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XT6yOIC6ihI       On this episode, we're talking about Eurovision comebacks! First we explore the history of UK artists using the Eurovision stage to relaunch their careers. Then we talk to Eurovision comeback icons Scooch, whose "Flying the Flag (For You)" remains a classic to this day. Fi...

Konstrakta - Serbia 2022 (22:33), Charles Busch - Tale of the Allergist's Wife (43:42)     In our Season 2 premiere we're tackling Eurovision and the Avant-Garde! First, we deep dive into the history of avant-garde Eurovision acts and discuss the tension between Eurovision's desire to appeal to the broadest possible audience and its elevation of some of the most aesthetically and politically innov...

Tali (Luxembourg, 2024 - 21:43), Kim Hale (ASL Interpreter, Loyal Listener - 38:59)   Our Bonus Episode 3 is all about you, the listener.     First, we go through some of the corrections and comments left on our youtube page - using the contributions of our listeners to look back on Season 1.   Then we sit down, in person, with Tali (Luxembourg, Eurovision 2024) and explore what post-Eurovision li...

GUESTS: Alesia Michele (American Eurovision YouTuber, 22:43), Joe Iconis (Be More Chill, NBC's Smash, 39:29)   This is a very special election themed episode, where we channel our anxiety about the fall of American democracy into a discussion about Eurovision and authoritarianism.     We begin with a celebration of our wins at both the Signal Awards and Davey Awards (more award announcements to co...

Hello EuroVerse-rs! We have a very special announcement! Mysteries of the EuroVerse has been named a Finalist for the prestigious Signal Awards (alongside podcasts we love like Las Culturistas).     We're in the Indie Podcast Category - and are also up for a Listeners Choice Award. This is where we need your help. We'd so appreciate it if you clicked the link below, signed-in with your gmail and v...

GUESTS: Aiko (Czechia 2024 - 22:10), EyeCue (Macedonia 2018- 36:59), Leon Neyfakh (Slow Burn, Fiasco - 48:10)   This is our first of three bonus episodes as we prepare for our big launch of season 2! After a few updates, we deep dive into the debate over Israel's score this year, and claims that the results were political-- attempting to clarify what it is when we talk about when we talk about "po...

Andreas Magnusson (Host, FalastinVision) - 6:55, Stig Karlsen (Head of Norway's Eurovision Delegation) - 13:57, Karin Karlsen (Head Organizer Eurovision 2024 for the City of Malmo) - 20:23     Bashar Murad (Wild West, Söngvakeppnin 2024) - 30:03, Tymoffi Muzychuck (Kalush Orchestra - Eurovision Winner 2022) - 47:20, Rosa Linn (Snap, Eurovision 2022, over one billion spotify streams) - 57:43     We...

Immediately after we recorded our last episode, things went wild. We’ll be back next week with more analysis, but we wanted to give you an up-to-the-minute update as we’ve had one artist disqualified and several others begin to openly protest from the Eurovision stage or not show up at all. Going into tonight, it’s unclear what will happen but we wanted you to have all the information we do as you...

In this episode we report LIVE from Malmö, Sweden! As controversy swirls around Israel’s participation in the contest and Eurovision tries to celebrate the 50th Anniversary of ABBA’s win with a contest more geared toward high spectacle and chart topping pop songs than ever, we’re bringing you a super-sized episode!   First we talk to Eurovision winner Emmelie de Forest who won the contest last tim...

Since we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Sweden's takeover of Eurovision and global pop, in advance of them hosting this year's contest.   Dr. Alban, Hello Afrika, One Lo...

Since we're reporting on the ground from Malmo, our regularly scheduled episode will come out at the end of the week to coincide with Eurovision 2024! Until then we'd love to share two previous episodes we think set this year's contest up well. This is our episode about Israel's participation in Eurovision.   Guests: Paul Jordan (Dr. Eurovision), Dave Keating (Brussels Based EU Reporter), and Elia...

Daniela Ruah (21:12), Dylan Baker and Becky Ann Baker (36:25) This week we’re talking about hosting Eurovision. First we deep dive into the ways in which countries have used hosting Eurovision to communicate narratives about their nation’s culture and politics to the wider world. Then we talk to NCIS LA star and Host of Eurovision 2018 in Lisbon, Daniela Ruah. Finally, we sit down with stars of st...

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Hera Bjork, Iceland (19:59), Marina Satti, Greece (35:57) Performances: Liam Oh (Sam Ryder, Spaceman, UK 2022) - 44:58, Magnus Riise “Ulveham/Unforgettable” (Gåte, Norway 2024, Marcus and Martinus, Sweden, 2024) - 49:41   This is our final live episode of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- the one where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR vot...

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Iolanda, Portugal (23:06), Sarah Bonnici, Malta (38:02)     Performances: Magnus Riise Performs “Before the Party is Over” (Mustii, Belgium, 2024)     This is our third of four live episodes of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes!      This week, we looked at songs from Belgium, Ireland, Georgia,...

Interviews with Eurovision 2024 Contestants: Tali (Luxembourg) 20:37, Natalia Barbu (Moldova) 38:45.     Performances: Ali Ewoldt Performs "Zero Gravity" Kate Miller Heidke (48:57), Magnus Riise Performs "The Tower" Luna (Eurovision 2024 Cover) (52:19)     This is our second of four live episodes of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes. This...

Silvester Belt, Lithuania 2024 (23:43)   This is our first of four live episodes of Mysteries of the EuroVerse -- where we crown Best Eurovision song of 2024 based on YOUR votes. This week we looked at songs from the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Finland, Australia, Estonia, San Marino, Azerbaijan and Lithuania, with Mysteries of the EuroVerse favorite, stunt queen Izzy Uncut. At the end of the ep...

Windows95man (23:14), Flamy Grant (35:34)   This week we're looking at Eurovision 2024 through the lens of the big themes we've talked about in our first season. We talk about Eurovision's relationship to America and contemporary pop, we examine the contest's move away from English language dominance, we dive into the updates on juries and voting, and, finally, we cover this year's biggest controv...