Non binary artists Archives - Eurovision Universe

Malmö Messages: Nemo: we need to talk to eachother

photo: EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett The Code After clinching victory at the Eurovision Song Contest for Switzerland with ‘The Code,’ Nemo joined the press conference to discuss their triumph. Nemo seemingly unraveled the mystery to winning Eurovision, securing Switzerland’s third win in the contest with their track ‘The Code,’ amassing a total of 591 points. We need to talk with each other Nemo, the contest’s first nonbinary victor, expressed their pride, highlighting the significance of the moment for both themselves and the broader nonbinary and gender fluid communities. They are optimistic about fostering greater empathy and understanding among people. They stated: “We need to talk with each other and I hope tonight can be a way of remembering that.” Grateful Fresh from their performance, Nemo shared their feelings of intense joy and gratitude. They remarked: “I’m mostly just really grateful for this experience and all the friends I’ve made along the way. This was one of the most queer representations we’ve seen at Eurovision which was amazing, I want to shout out all the other queer artists this year.” Nemo also mentioned the difficulty of finding spaces where they can fully express themselve. They advised other artists to focus on what truly matters to them and to create art that is meaningful. To consider Eurovision Nemo talked about ‘The Code’ as a distinctive and impactful song, enhanced by its presentation, extending thanks to their crew. The song emerged from a songwriting workshop where Nemo initially intended to write for others, until they were asked, “Would you consider going to Eurovision yourself?” Nemo added: “[Performing] a song where I speak about my story, having touched so many people and maybe inspired people to stay true to themselves, is the most insane thing that has ever happened to me.” Biel Nemo holds immense pride for their native city of Biel, expressing hope for hosting the contest there, despite its smaller size. They described Biel as a hub of creativity where uniqueness is celebrated and valued positively. They shared: “I’m sending so much love to everyone tonight and I’ll be back soon.”

🇨🇭 Road to Malmö: Switzerland

photo: EBU We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Switzerland. Nemo Nemo Mettler, known as Nemo, was born on August 3, 1999, in Biel/Bienne, Switzerland. Speaking German naturally, Nemo stepped into the spotlight in 2012, acting in a musical inspired by Udo Jürgens’ famous song. By 2015, Nemo showcased their rap skills on “Die grössten Schweizer Talente” and released their first EP, “Clownfisch,” which made a splash in the Swiss music charts. Their 2017 hit “Du” climbed to 4th place, earning them the SRF 3 Best Talent award. Choosing Berlin as their new home in 2021, Nemo also participated in “The Masked Singer Switzerland” as the Panda, finishing fifth. A pivotal moment came in November 2023, when Nemo publicly identified as non-binary, adopting they/them pronouns. In a thrilling announcement on February 29, 2024, Nemo was chosen to represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with their song “The Code,” promising an exciting performance on the international stage. Non-binary artists in Eurovision 2024 is a special year in Eurovision. No less than three participants identify as non-binary. It is the first time in Eurovision that people, participating, have come out as non-binary at the moment of their participation. Apart from Nemo, als Bambie Thug (Ireland) is non-binary. Their pronouns are they and them. Olly Alexander already came out in 2016: “I feel very non-binary, and you know, I identify as gay and queer and non-binary.” However, he identifies as he and him.The reason that this only happens in 2024 is the term non-binary. People who do not (solely) identify as male or female only use the term since not too long ago. As said, Olly Alexander used the term in 2016. Artists who later came out as non-binary are Jamie-Lee (2016, Germany), Rykka (2016, Switzerland), Montaigne (2021, Australia) and Roxen (2021, Romania). Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest Switzerland takes part in the Eurovision Song Contest from the first moment on. They even organized the first contest in Lugano, ánd their contestant Lys Assia won it with the song “Refrain”. It took a long time before the second Swiss victory was there. In 1988, it was Celine Dion who did the job. In those years she was quite unknown and sang “Ne partez pas sans moi”. Oh, how things have changed since then! The Bookmakers Currently, the bookmakers think that Swiss Nemo will be the winner. Ever since they took over the first place from Croatian Baby Lasagna, their change to win is groing more and more. Who knows, next year we will head to Zürich, or Geneva, or Basel, or….. The song And this is the song:

🇮🇪 Road to Malmö: Ireland

We can not wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö. Therefore, we have a closer look at one of the contestants every day. Today: Ireland. Bambie Thug Bambie Ray Robinson, known artistically as Bambie Thug, is an innovative Irish singer born in 1994. Breaking into the music scene, Robinson released their debut EP, “Cathexis,” on 12 October 2023, prefaced by singles “Careless” and “Last Summer (I Know What You Did).” Their music, deeply inspired by musical theatre, serves as a protective yet expressive medium, especially through tough mental health phases. Robinson’s unique sound, described as “ouija-pop” or “hyperpunk avant electro-pop,” reflects their critique of drug addiction’s glamorization in the industry and their ambition to model positive behavior. On 11 January 2024, they were chosen to represent Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest with “Doomsday Blue,” winning both jury and public favor in Eurosong 2024. Living in East London and hailing from a diverse family background, Robinson identifies as non-binary and actively contributes to LGBTQ+ visibility in music. Their journey also includes overcoming personal battles with drug addiction, underpinning their advocacy for health and representation. Eurosong In the past, the Irish national selection was called The Irish National Song Contest. However, already for years it’s named Eurosong. The show is part of the famous Late, Late Show, hosted by Patrick Kietty. Six songs competed in the contest. And although the international jury chose boyband Next In Line for the contest, the national jury ánd the televoters chose for Bambie Thug; this was very much to the joy of the Eurofans visiting platform X. They cheered that ‘The Witch has won!’. Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest 1965 was the first year ever that Ireland contributed to the Eurovision Song Contest. “Doomsday blue” will be the 57th entry. Together with Sweden, Ireland holds the record of no less than seven victories. It all started with Dana in 1970, followed by the Johnny Logan double in 1980 and 1987; a third Logan-victory followed in 1992 with a song, sung by Linda Martin. And from that moment on it seemed like being Irish was one of the preconditions to win the contest, with Niamh Kavanagh in 1993, Paul Harrington and Charlie McGettigan in 1994 and Eimear Quinn in 1996. Note that the Norwegian group Secret Garden, winners of 1995, had an Irish violinist: Fionualla Sherry. The last couple of years, Ireland was not so succesful, with the last four entries missing the final. Who knows, Bambie Thug will change that. The Bookmakers Ireland is currently 16th in the odds to win the contest. Although the odds for the semifinal are not published yet, Ireland is the 5th highest scoring song from the 1st semifinal. It is safe to say that the bookies predict a place in the final. The song And this is the song:

Nemo

© EBU/Corinne Cumming About Quick Facts NameNemo Mettler Born03 August 1999 Nationality🇨🇭 Swiss National SelectionInternal selection 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongThe Code (2024) Biography Nemo, full name Nemo Mettler, is a Swiss pop music personality born on August 3, 1999, in Biel/Bienne, located in the canton of Bern. They are a native German speaker. In 2012, Nemo played a role in the jukebox musical “Ich war noch niemals in New York,” inspired by the hit song by Udo Jürgens. In 2015, Nemo appeared on the show “Die grössten Schweizer Talente” as a rapper. That same year, they released their first EP titled “Clownfisch,” which reached 95th in the Swiss music charts. Their 2017 single “Du” achieved 4th place in the charts, and they were awarded the SRF 3 Best Talent prize in the same year. Since 2021, Nemo has been living in Berlin. They participated in the second season of “The Masked Singer Switzerland,” the Swiss adaptation of Masked Singer, as the Panda, and were unmasked in the fourth episode, finishing in 5th place. On November 2023, Nemo came out as non-binary in the SonntagsZeitung newspaper, announcing they adopt the neutral pronouns they/them. On February 29, 2024, it was revealed that Nemo would represent Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 with the song “The Code.” The song reached the Grand Final and won it, gaining a landslide victory at the juries and a 5th place in the televote. After the contest, on the winners’ press conference, Nemo was critical about the organization of the contest itself. Entries The Code Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsBenjamin AlasuLasse Midtsian NymannLinda DaleNemo Mettler MusicBenjamin AlasuLasse Midtsian NymannLinda DaleNemo Mettler Backings– Results Semi Points: 132Position: 4Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 591Position: 1Running order: 21 https://youtu.be/CO_qJf-nW0k?si=6e5mctmJ4AnLkveQ

Bambie Thug

©EBU/Sarah Louise Bennett About Quick Facts NameBambie Ray Robinson Born6 March 1994 Nationality🇮🇪 Ireland National SelectionEurosong 2024 In Eurovision2024 Malmö SongDoomsday Blue (2024) Biography Bambie Ray Robinson, born in 1994 and popularly known as Bambie Thug, is an Irish singer. Robinson unveiled their debut EP, Cathexis, on 11 August 2023, with its official release on 12 October. The EP was introduced alongside two singles, “Careless” and “Last Summer (I Know What You Did).” In a discussion with DIY Magazine, Robinson shared that the EP draws inspiration from their passion for musical theatre, embodying various personas and characters. They elaborated that these characters serve as a form of protection, especially during challenging mental health periods, yet all represent different aspects of their identity. Robinson was confirmed on 11 January 2024 to compete in Eurosong 2024 with their entry “Doomsday Blue” on 26 January. Robinson secured their spot by garnering the highest votes from both the national jury and the public televote and thus represented Ireland in the Eurovision Song Contest. Bambie Thug managed to become 6th in the Grand Final. Robinson describes their music as “ouija-pop,” a unique blend that they further define as “hyperpunk avant electro-pop,” alternatively referred to as “grit pop” or “rot.” They aim to be positive role models through their music, criticizing the glamorization of drug addiction within the industry. In an interview with the Gay Times, they emphasized the importance of promoting healthy behavior to be exemplary figures for younger audiences who look up to them. Robinson lives in East London and was born into a family with a Swedish father and three sisters. They identify as non-binary and have openly discussed their experiences within the LGBTQ+ community, especially regarding the significance of having relatable figures in the music scene. Robinson has openly acknowledged their past struggles with drug addiction. Entries Doomsday Blue Country🇮🇪 Ireland Year2024 LanguageEnglish LyricsBambie Ray RobinsonOlivia Cassy BrookingSam MatlockTyler Ryder MusicBambie Ray RobinsonOlivia Cassy BrookingSam MatlockTyler Ryder DancersMatt Williams Results Semi Points: 124Position: 3Running order: 4 Results Finals Points: 278Position: 6Running order: 10 https://youtu.be/UMq8ofCstMQ?si=WI5_kC6wHq4AbgKm

Montaigne

© EBU/Jess Gleeson About Quick Facts NameJessica Alyssa Cerro Born14 august 1995 Nationality🇦🇺 Australian National SelectionInternal selection 2021Australia Decides 2020 In Eurovision2021 Rotterdam2020 Rotterdam (Cancelled) SongTechnicolour (2021)Don’t break me (2020) Biography Montaigne, real name Jessica Cerro, is an Australian singer, songwriter and musician, born in Sydney. Although th won a contest at radio station Triple J in 2012, she decided to finish school first before starting a career in music. Later that year, she signed a record contract and in 2013, she adopted the name Montaigne. It took another year before she released her debut single “Anyone but me”, which got quite a lot of airplay and entered the charts. It was soon followed by a second single and in the same year, she opened for the Australian band San Cisco. In the beginning of 2015, she received the “Next Big Thing” award of FBI radio. In the same year, she did her first own tour and released her debut album “Glorious heights”.In 2018, she released a new album, “Complex”. In 2020 she took part in Australia Decides and was supposed to represent Australia in the 2020 Eurovision Song Contest with the song “Don’t break me”. Unfortunately, that didn’t happen due to the cancellation of the contest. Australian tv decided that Montaigne will be their representative in the 2021 contest. For that occasion, she came up with the song “Technicolour”. Unfortunately, she couldn’t travel to Rotterdam for the contest due to COVID19. Her prerecorded performance was shown on screen. After Eurovision, Montaigne released a new single called “Now (in space)”. It was a harbinger of her new studio album. In February 2022 she collaborated with Talking Heads’ David Byrne in the song “Always be you”. In May of the same year, Montaigne released a new song, “Make me feel so…”, that featured another Eurovision participant: Icelandic Daði Freyr. Entries Technicolour Country🇦🇺 Australia Year2021 LanguageEnglish LyricsMontaigneDave Hammer ComposersMontaigneDave Hammer BackingsChristine MuscatReigan Derry DancersParis CavanaghChrystal RussellShivawn Jade Joubert Results Semi Points: 28Position: 14Running order: 5 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/CoUTzNXQud0 Don’t break me Country🇦🇺 Australia Year2020 LanguageEnglish LyricsMontaigneAnthony EgiziiDavid Musumeci ComposersMontaigneAnthony EgiziiDavid Musumeci Backings– Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: – Position: –Running order: – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gr-wWxu4974

Rykka

© EBU/Thomas Hanses About Quick Facts NameChristina Maria Rieder Born13 March 1986 Nationality🇨🇦 Canadian National SelectionDie Entscheidungsshow 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongThe Last Of Our Kind (2016) Biography Rykka, originally named Christina Maria Rieder, was born in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. At the age of 15, they began taking guitar lessons and started performing at local community festivals. While attending Vancouver Community College for a two-year program, Christina also studied voice under Paula Kremer and frequently played music on the streets of Granville Island in Vancouver. In 2009, they relocated to Toronto to record their third independent album called “Straight Line” under the stage name “Christina Maria.” This album was produced with the assistance of Canadian producers David Baxter, Russel Broom, and Ryan Guldemond from Mother Mother. The album “Straight Line” was released in Switzerland by Little Jig Records in 2010. Rykka stayed in Switzerland and Germany, performing at various venues and even appearing on the popular German television channel “Sat.1 Frühstücksfernsehen,” which has an average viewership of 1 million people. They were also nominated for the Demotape Clinic at M4Music in Switzerland. In 2012, Rykka released their album “Kodiak,” which marked a significant shift in their musical career as they formally changed their stage name from Christina Maria to Rykka. The record was produced by Ryan Guldemond of Mother Mother, engineered by Shawn Penner, mixed by Warne Livesey, and mastered by Andy VanDette. It was released in Switzerland by Little Jig Records. Their fourth studio album, also titled “Kodiak,” was released in Canada in 2013 under Vissen Record, following its release in Switzerland the previous year. In the same year, Rykka won $100,000 in BC’s Peak Performance Project. Rykka had the opportunity to perform at BC’s well-known Squamish Valley Music Festival in 2014, opening for We Are the City, who were also winners of the Peak Performance Project. In 2016, they represented Switzerland in the Eurovision Song Contest with the song “The Last of Our Kind,” which they co-wrote with Jeff Dawson, Mike James, and Warne Livesey. Unfortunately, they placed last in the second semifinal of Eurovision 2016. The follow up of the Eurovision song was “Bad Boy”, which came out on 8 July 2016. On 4 November, their album “Beatitudes” was released. It was followed by a tour through both Canada and Switzerland. In January 2017 a video for the song “Runnin’ away” was released. In November another one, “Youth is wasted” was released. Rykka also participated in several songwriting sessions. Since 2018 Rykka formed a duo, Goldschatz, together with Timothy Jaromir. Their first single “Thick as theives” was released on 28 September of that year. Rykka performed with Goldschatz mainly in Switzerland. After the COVID19 lockdowns, Rykka released a new song on 26 March 2021: “Dreams/Death”. In November of the same year they released a follow up, “Louder”. In the same month, Goldschatz released a Christmas EP. It was also the year that they came out as bisexual and non binary, using the pronouns they and them. Rykka launched a project, where she announced being an astronaut artist going to Mars. The project was called Olympus Mons and contained videos, put online in September 2022. Entries The Last Of Our Kind Country🇨🇭 Switzerland Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsChristina Maria RiederMike JamesJeff DawsonWarne Livesey MusicChristina Maria RiederMike JamesJeff DawsonWarne Livesey BackingsBrandy ButlerTanja DanknerNyssina Swerissen Results Semi Points: 28Position: 18Running order: 3 Results Finals Points: –Position: –Running order: – https://youtu.be/96ENe3EYBE0

Jamie-Lee Kriewitz

© Thomas Hanses/EBU About Quick Facts NameJamie-Lee Kriewitz Born18 March 1998 Nationality🇩🇪 German National SelectionUnser Lied für Stockholm 2016 In Eurovision2016 Stockholm SongGhost (2016) Biography Jamie-Lee Kriewitz is a talented German singer and songwriter who was born in Hanover and grew up in the town of Springe. They developed an interest in music at a young age and began singing in a choir when they were just six years old. They later started writing her own songs and performing at local events, gaining a small but dedicated following. In 2015, Jamie-Lee auditioned for “The Voice of Germany” and quickly made an impression with her unique style and powerful voice. They were eventually chosen by coach Michi Beck of the hip-hop group Die Fantastischen Vier and went on to win the competition with her performances of songs by artists such as Adele and Lana Del Rey. Following their win, Jamie-Lee signed a record deal with Universal Music and released their debut single “Ghost” in December 2015. The song was a huge success, reaching number one on the German charts and earning their a nomination for Best National Single at the 2016 Echo Awards. In May 2016, Jamie-Lee represented Germany in the Eurovision Song Contest withtheir song “Ghost.” Jamie-Lee unfortunately reached the 26th and last position in the Eurovision Song Contest. In the same year, Jamie-Lee released their debut album “Berlin”, which also hit the album charts in Germany. They won a Napster Fan Award for Top Individual Artist. In 2017, Jamie-Lee were nominated for an Echo Music Prize in the category Artists Pop National. Jamie-Lee have since released several more singles, including “Wild One,” “Berlin,” and “Heartbeat distance” and have collaborated with other artists such as Michael Schulte and Liont. They have also performed at a number of music festivals and concerts throughout Europe. On 26 February 2021, their single “Seoul” was released. In May 2022, they released “Oh-oh”. In addition to they music career, Jamie-Lee is also known for her unique and colorful style, often incorporating Japanese-inspired fashion and anime-inspired makeup into her looks. They recently came out as non-binary. Entries Ghost Country🇩🇪 Germany Year2016 LanguageEnglish LyricsAnna Leyne MusicAnna LeyneThomas BurchiaConrad Hensel BackingsTina FrankHelen KaiserAnna LeyneRay Lozano Results Semi Points: –Position: –Running order: – Results Finals Points: 11Position: 26Running order: 10 https://youtu.be/bHDHi37bboE