Interview with Joan Franka (Netherlands 2012): He Nationaale Songfestival or the Dutch National Final to the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 took place on Sunday, 26 February 2012 in the Media Park of Hilversum where the Dutch nation as well as the Jury selected Joan Franka to represent the Netherlands in Baku with the song "You and me". Joan appeared on stage in an Indian outfit supported by a happy bunch of "Indian" musicians.  The Team of Radio International as well es escXtra.com where on location in the show and in the Press Centre and conducted an interview with Joan after her Winner's Press Conference. Enjoy this interview in this week's edition of Radio International. For full results of the Dutch Selection click here. You will also be able to hear the interviews with the Runner Up Pearl and Ivan who came third. To watch some of the photos from the Dutch National Final - click here. You can also watch the video clip here of her winning moments and the interview as well - click here. The interview with the Runner Up: Pearl and Ivan as well as the Press Conference with Joan is here

 

Interview with Teach-In's Getty Kaspers (Dutch Winner of the 1975 Eurovision Song Contest): Many former Dutch entrants to the Eurovision Song Contest were also invited guests in the audience of the Dutch National Final this year with the likes of Justine Pelmelay (NL 1989), Marcha (NL 1987), Ben Cramer (NL 1973), Marilbelle (NL 1984), Frizzle Sizzle (NL 1986), Harmony (NL 1978), Sieneke (NL 2010) and Getty Kaspers of Teach-In who still holds the last Dutch victory at the Eurovision Song Contest with "Ding-a-dong" in 1975.  The Team of Radio International had the big pleasure of interviewing some of the previous performers such as Getty and Rosina from Harmony which you can hear during this week's edition of Radio International. Watch the interview with Getty here.

 

Interview with Pernilla Karlsson (Finland 2012):  YLE, the Finish public broadcaster organised this year's national selection of Finland (Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu) to select the the song that will represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 in Baku. The selection process involved five Semi Finals and the Final which was held in Helsinki's Ice Hall on Saturday, 25 February 2012. At the end of the show Pernilla Karlsson won the ticket to Baku to represent the Suomen at the Eurovision Song Contest with the song entitled "När jag blundar" (When I close my eyes). Lilian and JP were present and interviewed Pernilla and also had a small chat with her parents after the Winner's Press Conference. You can hear it all here on Radio International this week. You can see the photos from the Finish National Selection by clicking here. Watch the interview on our Radio International YouTube Channel.

 

Maltese Artist Spotlight - Amber: Malta is a country with so much great music talents however, the country lacks of a record company which promotes the Maltese Music outside Malta. With Radio International we try to bring into the spotlight some of the big talents there is in Malta. Continuing a new series this week Radio International will broadcast each week an interview with a Maltese artists. This week hear the interview with Amber. Relatively new to the Malta Music Scene is a great voice - Amber who had two song in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2011 namely, "Touch Wood" and "Catch 22" whereas the latter advanced to the Final and reached Number 13. Amber also took part in the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012 with the song "Answer in your eyes" reaching a remarkable third place. JP had the pleasure to chat with Amber during the rehearsals of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2012. Listen to find out more about the young artist. Watch the interview also on our YouTube Channel.

 

Eurovision Song Contest Spotlight - "The National Finals so far" with Alasdair Rendall:  Until the end of the National Final Season  for the Eurovision Song Contest 2012 (10 March 2011) the new series continuous this week on Radio International  where our Eurovision specialists are taking a weekly look at the songs that have been selected for Baku so far or some of the highlights in the various heats of the National Finals.  Alasdair Rendall takes a look at the songs that have been selected to represent their country at the Eurovsion Song Contest 2012 in Baku: Austria, Belarus, Finland, Ireland, Netherlands and Slovenia.

 

Euro Friends Song Contest 2012 with Andy Simon: The next season of the Euro Friends Song Contest is under way in search for the ultimate Eurovision song as voted for by the many fans around the world.  Andy  Simon joins us every week to reveal the qualifiers for the next round.  The website of the Euro Friends Song Contest you will find here where you can easily vote for your favourite Eurovision song per country and also see The Euro-Friends TV Show as hosted by Andy Simon. You can also join the Facebook Group here. This week Andy looks at the next qualifiers from Heat 39 (Ireland).