Earlier today, esctoday.com revealed the names of the six artists that will compete in the first semi final of Norway's Melodi Grand Prix 2008. Here you can find out more about the performing artists looking to represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest in Belgrade.
Podium
Christian Klykken (Vocal and guitar), Håkan Fjerdingen (guitar), Terje Lennavik (bass)and Tomas Haugum (drummer) make up the band Podium. The band has played together since 2000, performing concerts all over Norway for the last 8 years, but it’s their first time in Melodi Grand Prix. Their song Lystgass was made in a hotel room in Finnmark back in 2006, and the song is about doing what you want, no matter that other thinks.
Tinkerbells
Cathrine Iren Iversen, Aina Beate Gundersen and Renate Gjerløw Larsen have played together since 2006, they play country music, rock and pop. Their song Hold On is about having goals and going for them. Aina Beate Gundersen has been in the choir in both national and the international finals in the past so has Eurovision Song Contest experience.
Nicholas Carlie
He became TV host in 2002 after he was in the TOP 20 show in Norway. He has made lots of programs since then. Beside the job at NRK Nic had made and played music. He took third place in a idol lookalike show called Sangstjerner on Norway’s TV3.
Nic loves Melodi Grand Prix and he once dreamt about himself as host for the final in Oslo Spektrum, now he will compete instead. The song Colliding is written by Per Kristian Ottetstad and Nate Campany. Per Kristian has written many songs for well known performers, he has made Come Undone for Robbie Williams.
Ann-Mari Andersen
She had written many songs, and released several albums, as well as performing concerts in Norway, China and Canada. This summer she had a number two hit in the Norwegian chart – Norsktoppen with the song Du lahka (Close to you)
The song Ándagassii is about forgiveness, and the love and future you can’t see today.
The song will be sung in Samisk (a regional language of the Sami people who inhabit the northern lands of Norway, Sweden, Finland and Russia), but she don’t think it will be a problem, because “Music is a language in it self which cross all borders and don’t ask about nationality and culture.”
Michelle Purvis
She lives in Olso and is known for Dansefeber Strictly come dancing where she came third. She has a dance education from the national balletvschool and this is her first time in MGP. She looks forward to become a part of the MGP history. “I got the song right at my brain after I had heard it for the first time”. It’s about music and is a very happy song.
Veronica Akselsen
She took part in MGP in 2006 with the song Like a Wind and won fifth place. Now she’a back and looking for a ticket to Belgrade. Veronica released an album back in 2004 Fattige var de som først fikk se and her dream is to have a successful music career. The song “Am I supposed to love again” is a mystic song and sad song.
