Sergey in the UK

So its about time I did a post about the lovely Sergey Lazarev, and what better excuse than the exciting news of a UK album release. Sergey Lazarev started his career in Russia as part of a boy-band duet with Vlad Topalov called Smash!! (two exclamation marks compulsory). After splitting up in 2005, the boys went they're separate ways and Sergey has since release two fabulous albums - Don't Be Fake and TV Show. His first singles Eye of the Storm and Lost Without Your Love were just the beginning. His first major hit as a solo artist came in the form of Just Because you Walk Away, which he went on to re-release with a russian version and remixes. You can watch the Russian version, below;

The other most notable single on the first album is a track called Fake, apparently written by Ben Adams of A1 fame (who has also written many of the songs on Sergeys second album). It has rather naff lyrics, but is actually very catchy. It has an equally naff video, which you can find here. After this success, he released a cover of Shattered Dreams by Johnny Hates Jazz, which was a huge hit in many countries, and even became a club hit in the UK. This is found on the second album along with the song TV or Radio, which pokes fun at reality TV. Sergey has had experiences with this first hand after coming second in the Russian Dancing on Ice, and winning the Russian Circus with the Stars. You can find many clips from both of these on youtube, my favourite of which is below;

The latest single, Girlfriend, has also been very popular in Russia, topping many charts. Plans have been put in place to release this as a single in the UK, along with a scheduled album release. Some of Sergey's past singles have been released on iTunes in the UK, including Shattered Dreams and Everytime, but I for one am very excited about the idea of buying a full album from Sergey.

He's been doing some small shows in the UK in the lead-up to the album release, and over easter I met up with him to conduct a little interview for our radio show. I've uploaded the interview here in case you missed it. More recently he came over for Gay Pride in Birmingham, and also did a show in London where Raj of EQ has a more up-to-date interview with the man himself about the album plans. So hurry over to www.electroqueer.co.uk where you can read the interview and listen to a kick-arse remix of Girlfriend. Since it is going to be released here in the UK, its only right I post the video to it here too.

It appears I have a lot more to say about Sergey than I realised, but I promise this is the last of it. Other than the new UK album release, Sergey is currently busy promoting High School Musical in Russia, for which he did the dubbing for Zac Efron's character. It aired in Russia recently, and the promotional video has been released. Below is the Russian version of We're Breaking Free. I have never watched all of the English version, but will no doubt listen to all the Russian versions of the songs (dont think I can stomach the whole programme).

Vienna on Thursday!

So, preparations for Finland have come to a bit of a stand-still. I finished the application for the language course (choosing Helsinki and Tampere as predicted). It all got sent off without any trouble, as I had an email in reply from someone in Finland saying that my application will now undergo a screening process and I will be notified by 20th June whether or not I have been accepted. Fingers Crossed!

It's all redundant of course, if I don't get accepted to the university that I'm planning to do the exchange at. I sent off my application ages ago, and gave a copy of my transcripts to the organising tutor at my uni to send off. Yesterday, I received an email stating that my application is incomplete, as they never received the transcript, and I now have a new deadline to deliver the transcripts to them. I've emailed my tutor to see what went wrong, but as yet he hasn't replied. The new deadline is next week, which would be fine if I weren't flying to Vienna Thursday, and not returning till the deadline date. You see my dilemma...

I'm going to Vienna to visit a friend so will hopefully have internet access on and off during the week. Its just a shame that this is the start my summer after a hectic month of exams, and this is a holiday I've been looking forward to for so long, that now I'm going to be worrying about this all week! Oh well, I will be back with a final post before Vienna tomorrow, and then will be back with tales of my travels on Tuesday. Wish me luck!

What A Great Final

I have to say, last nights show was fabulous. I think having the semi's did mean that most of the rubbish was whittled out before the final, which left us with some really strong performances. Of course it was missing a few (Switzerland, Andorra, Belarus) but Iceland were there and boy were they good. Me and Rach were up and dancing round the living room :) Very happy for them, they put in a very good performance, and an overall placing of 14th means they can head back to Iceland with their heads held high.

Then of course the winner, Russia! So Dima Bilan did it, I think we all knew he would really. I am a fan, and was happy to see him win (especially if Greece and Turkey were the other choices). After watching his performance, I knew I'd have to kiss goodbye to that £5 I put on Ukraine, he was on top form. I loved the song from the moment I heard it before the Russian selection, and do love his voice. His performance was spot on, and I found myself wanting him to win from that moment too, despite my allegiance to the Icelandic entry. I would like to think this would give his international career a boost, but dont think it will have much effect over here (also given that we didnt give Russia a single point, a bit like Belarus last year). Still, a heartfelt congratulations from me.

Other pleasing results included Bosnia & Herzegovina, Israel, Norway (didnt even like that song till last night), and Azerbaijan. Surprisingly, Sweden failed to make an impact and was revealed as the Jury's wildcard from the second semi's. Could it be Sweden need to re-think Melodifestivalen? Was quite disappointed for Finland too, I preferred their song to Turkeys (bit too grungy for me). Also, just to add that Andy and the UK did not deserve such a low placing. He put in a vocally strong performance, and the song is alright. Although I guess it wasnt too memorable and given its early position in the running order, was always going to struggle.

Overall a good night. And now, the excitement starts for Moscow 2009! Maxim Galkin to present pretty please... Oh, and Chelsi to represent Russia - Drobysh are you listening???!

Iceland got through!

So last night was the second semi-final for Eurovision, and contained 5 of my 7 favourites (Iceland, Belarus, Sweden, Ukraine, and Switzerland). We

supported Belarus non-stop last year, and were so happy with Dima's final position in 6th, and had hoped that Ruslan would continue a trend for Belarus. The song and performance changed a lot since the national selections, but I think for the better, and was so pleased with it last night... until it failed to qualify! Poor Ruslan. Then of course, Switzerland also got left on the side-lines once again. Such a great song! So ok, the vocals were a little off in places, but that smile was enough to make every woman melt - so why didnt they pick up the phone!

Oh well, there's always a few that don't get through. But I'm so happy that Iceland made it through. When I first heard it, I liked it, but it wasnt till we started promoting it on the radio that I became totally addicted to this song. Seeing them in London was fantastic, and they are vocally very good. I was just worried that being first on in a string of strong performances would see them fall by the wayside. Thankfully not, and they have a well-deserved place in the final :)

Then of course I'm happy for Ukraine and Sweden. I think Charlotte's performance lacked a little something, but the vocals were good. I think Ukraine is the main competition for Dima Bilan and his ice army though. I've started to except the eventuality of Dima winning it though, and I can stomach it a lot better without the ladder. I do still like the song - and the singer.

Finland through to Eurovision Final

So it was the first semi-final for Eurovision last night, and as I sat down to watch it I hadn't given much thought to Finlands entry this year. I thought it was a bit of a joke song, judging from the video, but after watching the performance I was quite glad to see it get through to the final, just because it's something a bit different to break up the night. Similarly, I was happy that Israel and Bosnia & Herzegovina got through. Of course I'm happy that Dima Bilan got through. I'm pretty annoyed that yet again Andorra failed to qualify. I really liked the song, even if it was a typical predictable eurovision-type affair. I like to support the underdog, and I think new-comers to the competition always struggle, so was glad Azerbaijan got through with their... memorable performance. Shame San Marino didn't have the same success.

I'm more excited about the second semi-final, because most of my favourites are in it; Iceland, Sweden, Switzerland, Belarus and Ukraine. My overall favourite is Iceland, but I've put money on Ukraine to win, because if Dima doesn't win it, Ani Lorak will. Of course, she has to qualify first, so we will see...

Last exam today! Hurrah!

What better way to learn Finnish...

So, just two more days and all my exams will be over - hurrah! Then the summer can really begin. Of course, there's a million forms to be filled out before I leave the uni, and of course the two remaining exams require some form of revision. What doesn't help is the leak in the ceiling that meant we had to switch all our lights off last night :/ Any excuse to get out of work, eh.

One of the forms that needs filling out is one for a language course in August, which I was hoping to do since I don't speak a word of Finnish. The great thing about the courses is that they are being held at various uni's in Finland, so I'll get first hand experience. I have to select a first and second choice from a list of about 10 different places. There is one at Turku, but I'm thinking it might be more fun to explore somewhere different since I'm going to be living in Turku for a year. So, I'm going for the fairly obvious (and no doubt popular) Helsinki, and then Tampere as a second choice. I think. I might have changed my mind next week and end up in Lapland.

Feel like this was a bit of a pointless post, so will add a nice Finnish song on the bottom to cheer things up. This is one of the only Finnish pop singers I know - his name is Antti Tuisku and he was introduced to me by Postergirl. I'd recommend having a listen to Läpi Jään and Yritä Ymmärtää, but the link below is the video for his song Tyhjä Huone;

Have no idea what it means, but hopefully by the end of August I will :)

Dima's second rehersal

So, only my second post and already I'm mentioning Dima Bilan. Those of you've that have listened to Sounds of Europe will know that I'm a big Dima fan, and was very excited when he was selected for Russia's eurovision contestant this year. Since then though, he has made lots of silly choices involving violinists, ice-skaters, and an acrobat on a ladder. As you can see from Rachel's earlier post the performance just looked silly. Luckily, due to a quick changeover, Russia have been forced to get rid of some props and the ladder has gone - woo! You can get a good idea of the new performance here. I'm still voting for Iceland mind you, but I'll be less irritated if Dima wins with this performance.

Welcome!

Hello, and welcome to my first blog. Some of you may know me from Rachel's blog (Work Your Magic...) and from the odd comment that I leave around the place. But I thought I'd start up my own blog as me and Rach will be going our separate ways come september, and I shall be starting a placement in Turku, Finland. This will involve me being an erasmus student, and living in halls again, but at the same time working in labs, which should be good :)

This blog is mainly intended as a way of keeping people up to date with my goings-on while I'm away. So I plan to write posts about my experiences abroad along with photos and such. But I'll also no doubt be giving my opinions on any new/old music I happen to find and like, and also a few film reviews if I have time. Basically, anything goes!

I'm a bit early in setting this up, as I'm not leaving until September, but I'm going to be very bored over the summer, so will need something to do :p It also means you can hear all about the mad preparations and also my upcoming holiday to Vienna!