After the Eurovision fame: Dima Bilan

Dima Bilan won the 2008 Eurovision Song Contest for Russia.

Early life

Dima Bilan was born as Victor Belan on December 24, 1981. He was born in Ust-Dzheguta, in the Autonomous Soviet Republic of Karachay-Cherkessia. He took part in several music competitions. For example, he won the “Young Voices of the Caucasus” competition. His first performance on television was in 1995, also in a talent show. In 1998, when he was 16 years old, he went to Moscow to participate in the Chunga-Changa festival, where the chairman of the jury gave him a diploma. He chose ‘Dima Bilan’ as his stage name; Dmitriy was his grandfather’s name. So Dima is a tribute to him.

Breakthrough and first two albums

Once he lived in Moscow, Dima began to record his first songs. The video of his debut single “Osen” became a success. The video was shot in the Gulf of Finland. At the time, under the pseudonym Dima Belan, he was regularly seen on MTV Russia.
Although he studied to become an opera singer, he dreamed of a career as a pop singer. The dream came true when a classmate introduced him to producer Yuri Aizenshpis. His first real big success came in 2002, when he took fourth place in the New Wave festival. A new single and video, “Boom”, followed and in 2003 there was Dima Bilan’s debut album “Ya nochnoy huligan”. Television appearances followed, and his single “Na beregu neba” reached number 2 in the Russian charts. The album with the same name went gold in 2004. It became one of the best-selling albums of 2004 in Russia.

First steps in the field of Eurovision

After this success, producer Aizenshpis registered Bilan to participate in the national final of the Eurovision Song Contest. He sang in English: “Not that simple”. Although he was close, Dima Bilan didn’t win the ticket to the Eurovision song contest in Kiev. He did, however, have a hit with the song. The Russian version “”Ty dolzhna ryadom byt'” became one of the biggest hits of 2005. Several other hits followed. When Yuri Aizenshpis passed away in late 2005, producers lined up to take Dima under their wing, eventually Yana became Rudkovskaya his new producer. That caused another problem with his name, because it was officially owned by Aizenshpis’ company. When this conflict was resolved, Dima decided to officially register under the name Dima Bilan.

Eurovision 2006
In 2006, the Russian broadcaster wanted to be sure that Dima Bilan would represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest. They decided to single him out without a national final. His song “Never let you go” did very well: a second place was awarded to him. Never had a Russian candidate finished higher. He subsequently represented Russia at the MTV Europe Awards and won an Award as best-selling Russian singer at the World Music Awards.

Winning the Eurovision Song Contest

In 2007, Dima Bilan recorded an English-language album with the famous producers Jim Beanz and Ryan Tedder. Again, he won awards at the MTV Russia Award. In 2008 a new Russian album was released. He also took part in the national final for the Eurovision song contest again. During the contest in Belgrade he sang “Believe”. The song was co-written by Jim Beanz. Dima was accompanied by Hungarian violinist Edvin Barton and Olympic figure skating champion Evgeni Plushenko. Dima Bilan managed to win the Eurovision Song Contest.

No return to Eurovision

The album “Believe” soon followed. In 2010, Dima Bilan had a song ready to participate in the Eurovision song contest: “White nights”. However, he decided not to. Joining again two years later would be too soon, according to Bilan. In that year he did play the lead role in a short film. In 2011, he released another new Russian album. The return to the song contest came in 2012: in duet with Yulia Volkova (known from t.A.T.u.), “Back to her future”. Despite their favorite role, they did not win but had to make do with second place.

The Voice

After the 2012 Eurovision Song Contest, Dima Bilan released four more studio albums. He was also a coach in several seasons of the Russian version of The Voice. He was in the chair in seasons 1 through 3, in seasons 5 and 6, and will soon be seen again in season 10. He also coached the first four seasons of The Voice Kids in Russia.

Martijn
August 30, 2021
6:00 pm
2006, 2008, Dima Bilan;, Eurovision, Russia

Martijn

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History

Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, part 7

This year’s Eurovision Song Contest has been won by Austria. It was the 57th Austrian entry. Reason for us to go back to all the Austrian entries in history! For Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, part 7, we look back at the start of the 21st century. Alf Poier participated for Austria, but there were also some unsuccesful entries. And there was a 3-year gap. 2000 – The Rounder Girls – All To You Austria’s 2000 entry “All To You” was internally selected by broadcaster ORF. The song was written by American songwriter Dave Moskin. Moskin gave the three-piece vocal group The Rounder Girls an up-tempo, gospel-influenced pop track. Performing last in the Stockholm final, the trio, with members from Austria, the US and the UK, delivered slick harmonies and choreography. They finished 14th out of 24 countries with 34 points. The Rounder Girls were a seasoned soul/gospel ensemble, and their Eurovision appearance raised their profile, though Austria’s middling result meant the country sat out the contest in 2001. 2002 – Manuel Ortega – Say A Word “Say A Word” by Manuel Ortega won Austria’s “Song.Null.Zwei” 2002 national final out of ten songs. this entry was an upbeat pop song with a catchy, boy-band style hook. It was composed by Alexander Kahr with lyrics by Robert Pfluger. At Eurovision 2002 in Tallinn, Ortega performed third and Austria placed 18th (26 points) in the final. Manuel Ortega, a young pop singer, had scored a summer hit in 2001 and was nicknamed “the Austrian Ricky Martin” for his Latin pop flair. His Eurovision song’s fun choreography and positive message reflected that image, though the result was a lower mid-table finish. 2003 – Alf Poier – Weil der Mensch zählt ORF organized the “Song.Null.Drei” 2003 selection. Petra Frey (ESC 1994) was the runner up. Comedian-singer Alf Poier triumphed with “Weil der Mensch zählt”. Poier penned this satirical song himself. Musically it’s a quirky folk-pop tune delivered in Styrian dialect. The performance, complete with cartoonish animal props, was a parody of Eurovision’s over-the-top style. At the Riga contest, this offbeat entry surprised many by scoring 6th place with 101 points. Alf Poier, an Austrian stand-up comedian known for absurdist humor, thus earned Austria’s best Eurovision result in over a decade. His comedic approach and catchy refrain turned him into a fan favorite that year. 2004 – Tie Break – Du bist Austria’s national final “Song.Null.Vier” chose Tie Break’s “Du bist” for Eurovision 2004. Waterloo & Robinson (ESC 1976!) were the runners up. Note that a song, written by popstar Falco, participated too. So posthumously, Falco did a Eurovision attempt!Written by composer Peter Zimmermann, “Du bist” is a tender schlager-style pop ballad performed in German. Tie Break, a trio of fresh-faced male singers (a boy band formed via a talent search), delivered tight harmonies in Istanbul’s final. Thanks to Austria’s top-10 result the year before, they pre-qualified directly for the final. Tie Break finished 21st out of 24 with 9 points. The group had gained national fame through the selection process, but on the Eurovision stage their gentle ballad struggled to stand out in a field dominated by more dynamic acts. 2005 – Global.Kryner – Y así In 2005, “Song.Null.Fünf” was held and the crossover folk band Global.Kryner won with “Y así”. They narrowly beated Alf Poier. The controversy was that Austria changed the rules of the voting on the very last moment. Would the original voting procedure be used, Alf Poier would have won. Band members Edi Köhldorfer (composer) and Christof Spörk (lyricist) combined Latin salsa rhythms with Austrian alpine polka to create this unique “salsa-polka-pop” song. Global.Kryner was a six-member ensemble known for blending folk and jazz influences. They opened the Eurovision semi-final in Kyiv with an energetic performance featuring yodels and Latin dance breaks. However, “Y así” did not advance to the final, placing 21st of 25 in the semi-final with 30 points. The group had earned acclaim in Austria and Germany, but their daring genre fusion proved too quirky for the Eurovision televote that year. 2007 – Eric Papilaya – Get A Life – Get Alive After a brief Eurovision hiatus, Austria returned in 2007 by internally selecting Eric Papilaya. His entry “Get A Life – Get Alive” – composed by Greg Usek with lyrics by Austin Howard. It was the official anthem of Vienna’s Life Ball AIDS charity event. This song is an upbeat pop-rock anthem with an inspirational message and flashy staging. Papilaya performed with a giant red ribbon on stage. Papilaya, a rock vocalist who rose to fame on the TV talent show Starmania, gave a spirited performance in Helsinki’s semi-final. Unfortunately Austria did not qualify for the final; he placed 27th (four points) in the semi. The entry drew media attention for its charity theme, but it wasn’t enough to overcome tough competition in 2007. 2011 – Nadine Beiler – The Secret Is Love Austria returned to Eurovision in 2011 through the national selection “Düsseldorf – wir kommen!”. The competition featured ten songs. However, well-known artists Alf Poier and Petra Frey failed to pass the online preselection. As a result, Nadine Beiler won the final with her soulful ballad “The Secret Is Love”. She co-wrote the song with veteran producer Thomas Rabitsch. Musically, the entry combines elements of gospel and pop, while it clearly highlights Beiler’s strong vocal range. Previously, Nadine Beiler had gained national fame by winning the television talent show Starmania in 2007 at the age of 16. Therefore, expectations were already high when she took the stage in Düsseldorf. Her Eurovision performance began a cappella and gradually built towards a powerful climax. Consequently, Austria qualified from the semi-final in seventh place with 69 points. In the grand final, Beiler finished 18th, scoring 64 points. Nevertheless, this result marked Austria’s first appearance in a Eurovision final in seven years and therefore signalled a credible and positive comeback.

December 14, 2025 No Comments

History

🇦🇹 Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest – final episode

📷 EBU/Corinne Cumming In this final episode of our series on Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest, we cover the years 2019–2025. We’ll look at each Austrian entry’s national selection process (if any), the song’s lyricists and composers, musical style, Eurovision score, and a few facts about the artist. 2019 – PÆNDA – “Limits” In 2019, Austria internally selected singer-songwriter PÆNDA (Gabriela Horn) to perform the song “Limits” at Eurovision. PÆNDA wrote and composed the song herself; a minimalist electro-pop ballad that highlights her ethereal vocals and emotional songwriting. The lyrics describe pushing oneself too far and hitting personal limits. Despite its intimate staging and artistic vibe, Limits failed to advance from the semi-finals, placing 17th in Semi-Final 2. PÆNDA, a native of Styria, is an EDM-pop producer who launched her project in 2016. She blends underground electronic beats with catchy pop elements, and her Eurovision entry appeared on her 2019 album Evolution II. 2020 – Vincent Bueno – “Alive” For Eurovision 2020, ORF internally selected Vincent Bueno to represent Austria. “Alive” is an upbeat pop track with R&B and funk influences. Vincent co-wrote the song with a team including David “Davey” Yang and Felix van Göns. The track’s groovy bassline and falsetto riffs convey a message of liberation. It’s about feeling truly “alive” by letting go of one’s ego. Vincent is an Austrian-Filipino singer who first found fame by winning ORF’s musical talent show in 2008. He also performed in theater productions, showcasing his stage experience. Sadly, Eurovision 2020 was cancelled due to the pandemic. As a result, “Alive” never reached the Rotterdam stage and received no final score. 2021 – Vincent Bueno – “Amen” In 2021, Austria kept faith with Vincent Bueno, who returned with the power ballad “Amen”. ORF again internally selected Vincent after 2020’s cancellation. A trio of songwriters – Tobias Carshey, Ashley Hicklin, and Jonas Thander – crafted “Amen”. The entry starts as a gentle pop ballad and swells into a gospel-tinged climax, allowing Vincent to showcase soulful vocal runs. Lyrically, it’s an emotional farewell to a failed relationship, with the title evoking a final prayer or conclusion. Vincent’s performance in Rotterdam featured minimalist staging to match the song’s sincerity. However, “Amen” did not qualify for the Grand Final, placing 12th in its semi-final with 66 points. Vincent Bueno’s experience in show business, he’s a Musical! Die Show 2008 winner and skilled performer, was evident in his poised delivery, even if Austria missed out on the final. 2022 – LUM!X feat. Pia Maria – “Halo” For 2022, Austrian DJ LUM!X (Luca Michlmayr) teamed up with newcomer Pia Maria for the high-energy song “Halo”. ORF internally selected the duo for Eurovision 2022. A songwriting team including LUM!X himself, Italian DJ Gabry Ponte, Norwegian producer Anders Nilsen, Swedish songwriter Rasmus Flyckt, and Canadian singer-songwriter Sophie Simmons wrote “Halo”. The track is a high-BPM dance number with a pulsating beat and a catchy hook. On stage in Turin, LUM!X worked the DJ decks while Pia Maria sang amid vibrant neon visuals. Despite the song’s hit potential, the live vocals were shaky and Austria failed to reach the final. “Halo” finished 15th in its semi-final (42 points). At the time, LUM!X was only 19 and already had viral hits like “Monster.” Meanwhile, 18-year-old Pia Maria was a newcomer making her live TV debut. 2023 – Teya & Salena – “Who the Hell Is Edgar?” Austria took a witty turn in 2023 with “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”, a satirical electropop duet by Teya & Salena. The pair – Teodora “Teya” Špirić and Selina “Salena” Edbauer – were internally selected by ORF. They had written the song together at a songwriting camp. Teya, Salena, Czech producer Ronald Janeček, and Swiss songwriter Pele Loriano co-wrote “Who the Hell Is Edgar?”. It’s an up-tempo track with tongue-in-cheek lyrics about being “possessed” by the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe. This is a metaphor for the struggles of female songwriters in the music industry. The catchy “Poe, Poe, Poe” hook and quirky choreography made it one of that year’s most memorable entries. Teya & Salena’s charismatic performance carried Austria to the Grand Final in Liverpool, where they finished 15th with 120 points. The song also sparked conversations about streaming royalties and sexism – topics cleverly referenced in its lyrics. 2024 – Kaleen – “We Will Rave” In 2024, Austria sent Kaleen (Marie-Sophie Kreissl) to Eurovision with the song “We Will Rave”. ORF held an internal selection with live auditions to choose Kaleen. “We Will Rave” is a techno-pop banger written by Anderz Wrethov, Jimmy “Joker” Thörnfeldt, Julie Aagaard (Kill J), and Thomas Stengaard. Its thumping bass and EDM drops created a rave-like atmosphere on stage. Kaleen delivered a flashy, dance-heavy performance befitting her background as a professional dancer. Austria ultimately struggled in the Grand Final – “We Will Rave” finished 24th (second-last) with only 24 points. Kaleen was already a five-time world dance champion and had worked on Eurovision shows as a choreographer and creative director. Yet 2024 was her first time stepping into the Eurovision spotlight as a singer. 2025 – JJ – “Wasted Love” Austria achieved a historic victory in 2025 when JJ took the Eurovision crown with “Wasted Love”. ORF internally selected JJ (born Johannes Pietsch) to represent Austria. He co-wrote this operatic pop ballad with Teodora Špirić (Teya, see 2023) and composer Thomas Thurner. Orchestral strings and a melody that builds to a powerful climax make the song a perfect showcase for JJ’s soaring countertenor vocals. The lyrics lament lost love, delivered with the emotional intensity of a classical aria. “Wasted Love” captivated the audience, ultimately winning the Eurovision 2025 final with 436 points. At 24, JJ was already performing as a countertenor at the Vienna State Opera and had been a finalist on ORF’s Starmania in 2021. This triumph marked Austria’s third-ever Eurovision win. sources: Eurovision.tv, de.wikipedia.org, en.wikipedia.org

January 4, 2026 No Comments

History

🇦🇹 Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest – final episode

January 4, 2026 No Comments