Guri Schanke and Dusty Cowshit have qualified for the Norwegian Melodi Grand Prix final on 10th February at Olso's Spektrum. Marlin Schavenius and Hazen will have a second chance to qualify for the event at the second chance round on 8th February.
The results of Norway's second semi final, heldin Bodo tonight saw Guri Schanke qualify with Ven a bailar conmigo and Dusty Cowshit with Chicken Rodeo qualify directly for the final in a great night for Scandinavian country music (Rednex reached the Romanian final just a few minutes earlier).
Pregnant Marlin Schavenius and Hazen will do battle again in the second chance round on Thursday 8th February after finishing third/fourth (the actual orders are not made public).
You can read a full report of the evening's events here.
TO THE FINAL:
Guri Schanke – Ven a bailar conmigo
Guriopened the show tonight withVen a bailar conmigo, the European Swede, Thomas G:son wrote the text and music. The songwas well performed with a samba style dance routine. Guri was flanked by two tall strapping dancers moving smoothly around the stage with her…. There was alive costume change. Guri,who has more than a passing resembles to Dame Julie Walters,switched into a red/pink ballroom gown before being hoisted for the finale by the dancers.
Guri didn’t want to be a singer and actually at one time refused to sing. Though she has tried things like musicals, cabarets, TV series and put voice to cartoons it is still dance that means most to her. The song Ven a bailar conmigo is written by the Swedish veteran Thomas G:Son who simply can’t stay away from national Eurovision finals. He has previously had 5 songs for Norway, 21 for Sweden, 4 for Finland and one of Latvia. The song is described as being a happy Latino song with a lot of rhythm and Guri looks forward to dancing in the second Norwegian semi-final.
Dusty Cowshit – Chicken rodeo
Dusty Cowshit were installed as one of the favourites as soon as their participation was announced and they did not disappoint tongiht. In sarcastic cowboy dress, and with each band member performing with a different instrument, so slightly original line-dance styled movements and a lot of fun, they yippee-ay-eh'd their way to the final.
Behind the special name are ten Norwegian cowboy guys. As the rules state that only 6 must be on stage they have had to make a draw deciding which 4 are left in Green Room. Although they say that this draw is only for the semi-final. If they continue to the final the audience will have to decide which six are in the final. This is unusual and so is everything about the band. None of them plays any instruments; they just take whatever is near, make a sound of it and put together it almost sounds as music, as they say. They haven’t been in Melodi Grand Prix before, but as the crazy humour band it is they have of course made cover versions in their own very special way. The song Chicken rodeo is about a neighbour who was living a sad life until he discovered Chicken Rodeo and got addicted to it. This has given him the spirit of life back.
TO THE SECOND CHANCE ROUND:
Malin Schavenius – Under stjernerne
Marlin performed a lively routine and did not allow her pregnacy to slow down her strong performance. The set and stage went pink to match her outfit and the traditional schlager song was performed with traditional Eurovision Song Contest style choreography of old.
Malin took part in the Norwegian final in 2004 with the song Sunshine. Unfortunately she came last, but being thehuge Eurovision fan she is she is ready to try again. Her biggest idol is Carola about whom she says: “As a child I always wished that she would pop out of the tape recorder and become my big sister”.
Malin consider herself being blessed with the opportunity to work as a singer although she admits that it is important with friends outside show business to keep her in contact with the real world.
The song Under stjernerne is originally written in English, but has been translated into Norwegian for the national selection. It is about love and believing that even when life seems darkest it can always turn light again.
Hazen – Better than this
Hazen took advantage of a strong set to give a solid performance of a good rock song. The performers looked comfortable together despite being a relatively new band and lead singer Stine took the show in her stride well.
The band Hazen is a rather new band. It is named after the drummer Morten Hazen who is also considered being the spiritual guide for the band. Stine Magnussen is in front and though she has been singing in various bands music has always just a bit of a free time fun for her which is due to the fact that she has 4 children in the age 3- 15 years old.
Morten define himself as a fan and Stine adds that she has been dancing in front of the mirror knowing all the steps in each song since she was a child. Morten, Mikael Jensen, who plays guitar in the band, and Eivind Skovdahl has written the song which is an encouragement to do things better, to become a better person. Eivind has his own studio in Moss and has worked with names such as A-Ha, WigWam and Ace of Base.
