MORE EUROVISION 2007!

OH MY GOD!

Cyprus, Romania, Greece, Malta and France!

How could Popplastic have missed such pop gems amongst the 2007 Eurovision entrants.

How remiss!

Popplastic have been sentenced to 50 hours on the exercise bikes powering Carola's wind machine by the Pop Court for neglecting our fiduciary duties to the world of pop! It would have been 100 hours but we didn't mention we also liked the Turkish song shhhhhh!

Check them out . . .

Cyprus | Evridiki - çomme ci comme ça


Romania | Todomondo - Liubi liubi, I love you


Greece | Sarbel - Yiasou Maria


Malta | Olivia Lewis - Vertigo


France has to be Popplastic's new favourite of 2007, until the next one!

France | Les Fatals Picards - L'amour à la Française


Back to the wind machine, she wants Gale Force 10. . .

REGINA LUND - THE INTERVIEW!

Regina Lund of "Rainbow Star" fame and Popplastic's stand out Melodifestivalete of 2007 takes time out of her busy schedule to talk exclusively to Popplastic about herself, the song, Fredrik Kempe and those red gloves!


PP: Regina - Welcome to Popplastic Towers!

PP: Can we start by saying how much we loved Rainbow Star! It is a fabulous anthem. It was clearly Popplastic's stand out song from this years Melodifestival!

PP: How was your Melodifestival experience?

RL: It was a long Rainbow Star War!!! I loved it and it was fun rehearsing but I caught a really bad cold I had to battle with and a fever and I lost my voice when the day came... The Universe had another plan for me I guess... maybe for the Rainbow Star to live on in another world other than the Melody Grand Prix!! The Universe wanted me to go to Berlin and make a movie instead of winning that day... but I won a great deal of rich experiences, new fans and I now get to keep on spreading my message of love, hope and courage in all the ways I long for. Rainbow Star will have a long life. The Rainbow Star War has just begun!!!

PP: What was the atmosphere like backstage?

RL: I rehearsed with my dancers mostly and tried to cure my horrible cold that I unfortunately caught so I was very much in my own bubble... dancing with my dancers in our cool white Rainbow Star suits.

PP: Any gossip - there must have been some bitching!!! who was the worst!!!

RL: I try not to take in gossip!!! It´s not good for your health!!! That is the message in my Rainbow Star lyrics amongst other things; not to speak badly of others... so please stop talking ABOUT people , speak WITH them instead, that´s more fun, and more respectful!!! I think anyone who has ever been bullied or talked about in a bad way knows how it hurts. False rumours and gossip can hurt the heart of your fellow human beings more than you think... you are needed as a friend and your love is needed, I mean, It´s not like we have too much love in this world, we have far too little so spread the love, my friends. My dear fellow Rainbow Stars!!!Go where the love is... people need other people... people need you to play the lead in your own life and be good to yourself and others... cause you´re the Rainbow Star!!! And you are love!!!!

PP: What do you think of The Ark? - Can it win?

RL: I wish The Ark all the love in the world and all the success and happiness there is.. .and more. I hope they win if that is what they long for.


PP: How did the collaboration with Fredrik Kempe come about?

RL: I wrote a Rainbow Star manifesto , or a couple actually, painted the song on a big piece of paper, how I wanted it to be, told Bobby Ljunggren and Dan Sundgvist of my visions for the Rainbow Star song and wrote some Rainbow Star lyrics. Then Bobby Ljunggren came up with the music and then Fredrik Kempe came into the picture and gave it his magic touch and finalized it.

PP: What was it like working with the legendary Fredrik Kempe?

RL: He is such a sweet man and a beautiful soul with a big heart and a great smile... and a fantastic voice!!! It was wonderful working with him, he´s the kind of person that grows on you. He becomes more beautiful from each time you meet him.

PP: We loved the red gloves! - What were the gloves all about?

RL: Rainbow Star love!!! I wanted to have a Rainbow Star outfit that was unisex and unique. I´ve always loved overalls of all kinds so I wanted to create a new kind of overall in white because white reflects all the colours of the rainbow and red because it´s the colour of love and passion. I didn´t want the traditional short skirt, naked legs, sexy look. I wanted the message to come through without sex but with love and heart and I wanted to create a special sign language for Rainbow Star. Like a secret code visual for everybody who wants to receive the message; "You´re perfect just the way you are!!!" "You play the lead in your own life and you´re the great superstar!!!". I wanted the red gloves, the hands, to frame that message and for the choreography to come across with that loving message. A universal love message. The gloves where the framing for that love.


PP: As soon as we heard the song we thought "official song for Stockholm Pride 2007" is that a possibility?

RL: That would be great!!


PP: What have you been up to since Melodifestival?

RL: I have been filming the part as the singer "Una" in the international movie "Gellert" (Grand Hotel Pictures) directed by Ayassi in Berlin.

PP:Do you have any plans to come back to Melodifestival again?

RL: The future will tell!


PP: Do you have any messages for all your Rainbow Stars out there?

RL: You are perfect just the way you are!! Don´t let anybody or anything bring you down!! You are perfect!! You deserve the best and you deserve to be loved for who you are, just exactly the way that you are!!!!!! Keep shining and I love you!!!


PP: Lastly what's your favourite popsite - The one you just couldn't live without?

RL: The Popplastics are my favourite Rainbow Star Warriors out there!!!!

Thank you Regina - We love you!

What a song and what a performance . . .

Regina Lund - Rainbow Star



Don't let them take your life. Don't let them win this fight. Don't let them change your ways and take the smile of your face. 'Cause you are, 'cause you are what you are A Shining Rainbow Star . . .

MC NUTS

In an attempt to encourage the UK's youth to visit the Lake District those in the know at Cumbria Tourism persuaded an as yet unnamed rapper to create a rap version of Wordsworth's Daffodils, they then put the music to a video of someone dressed up as a large Squirrel running round the Lake District - Cause that's going to work! I can just see all the Homies making a dash for Penrith!

Popplastic Warning! This is not not Pop and should only be listened to for a matter of seconds, or on mute 'cause it does look quite a nice place to visit!

MC Nuts - William Wordsworth Rap


MC Nuts is in the Lakes . . .

HANSON - GO

Hanson are back!

Yes Hanson of MMMBop fame are back with a new single and a much needed new look! What's more Popplastic approve - New looks and more mature sounds generally don't work but it would seem that the Hansons have pulled it off - we love it!
"Go" is released today (16/04/07). It's a total break from the past but it really is a good song but in a not very pop kind of a way. Go out and buy it!


Hanson - Go


You just can't mention Hanson without doing a bit of MMMBop- It's a classic!

Hanson - MMMBop


Welcome back . . .

DANNY SAUCEDO - TOKYO

Like all things Swedish Popplastic love Danny Saucedo and we just can't get enough of his new song "Tokyo" - It seems as though he can even chew gum and sing at the same time. Danny (21) participated in Sweden's 2006 Idol contest - Steve Brookstien would never have won in Sweden, is there nothing those Swedes can't do better! Can't help but think that he reminds me of a former UK popster of the late 90's . . . mmmm I breathe Again - Maybe he'll stand for the Conservatives at the next election too!


Danny Saucedo - Tokyo



Check out Danny!

That's Saucedo not Sudoku . . .

09/04/07 G-DAY . . . THE WAIT IS OVER!

We at Popplastic Towers can hardly contain ourselves - Yes G-Day finally arrived! Gareth's much awaited new single was officially released yesterday. After spending most of yesterday under heavy sedation due to the excitement and anticipation of the impending release we raced to our nearest branch of HMV (other CD stores are available) to snap up our copy. After queueing for what seemed like hours we sprinted back to PP Towers where "Changes" has been on repeat ever since!

TV Advert for "Changes"


It's gotta be Number 1!

Gareth Gates - Changes


Welcome back Gareth . . .

EUROVISION 2007 - SEMI FINAL!

It's a Pop-astrophe!

Oh my God! - Popplastic have just realised that almost all of our favourites and top tips for Eurovision 2007 are in the semi-final. Switzerland, Slovenia, Latvia and Belarus all have to get through the semis if they are to stand a chance of winning!

Watch clips of all the semi finalists on the link - With competition like this how could Popplastics tips for the top fail to get through!

Eurovision Song Contest 2007 Semi-final Preview


Get dialing - Eurovision needs YOU . . .

POP! - XANADU!

The Holly Grail of Pop!


Pops missing link turns up during a spell of spring cleaning at Popplastic Towers! Academics have debated it's where abouts even questioning it's very existence - Yes Pops legendary fourth single! The fourth single was to be a fantastic cover of Olivia Newton John's Xanadu! Never released - speculation was rife regarding the up and coming release resulting in the single attaining "urban myth status"!





Pop! launched at the height of the dark days of pop. The demise of groups such as Steps, Scooch and the Allstars* had left the charts barron. Pop! was to be the antidote to the music of the time (R&B etc). Glenn, Jade, Hannah and Jamie (POP!) under the management of Pete Waterman set themselves the task of filling the void and bring pop to the people. Their first single "Heaven and Earth" was no less than the definition of pure pop, released in May 2004 it charted at a dissapointing No.14. The second single "Can't Say Goodbye" (equally brilliant pop) fell victim to UK chart regulations and charted at No.26 (a pop-injustice if there ever was one). The third single "Serious" didn't perform much better charting at No. 16 in January 2005. The culmination of poor chart performances and the announcement that lead singer Jade McGuire was pregnant led to the inevitable break up of the group! A day of nationl mourning was observed by all those dedicated to the cause of pop!

The Miss Marples among you may have recognised Glen Ball who turned up dancing for Turkey at Eurovision 2006 or Jamie Tinkler who was a member of the disgraced X-Factor group "Avenue" - if at first you don't succeed . . .


If you've never heard them (shame on you!) or want to re-live some classic Pop moments click on the links below! Ah we aim to please . . .

Pop! - Heaven and Earth
Pop! - Can't Say Goodbye
Pop! - Serious
Pop! - Xanadu

and if that wasn't enough how about a bit of the "Can't Say Goodbye" video . . .

Pop! - Can't Say goodbye



I love POP! and I just can't say goodbye . . .

VERKA SERDUCHKA - DANZING

Don't you just hate it when you see someone wearing exactly the same as you!

Anarchy on the streets of Kiev!

Is it a result of the growing tensions between the pro-western President and his more traditional pro Russian Prime Minister. Are the people taking to the streets to push for free market liberalism and an end to the days of old when the Ukraine was but a mere region of a greater USSR?

NO! Popplastic can exclusively reveal that the people of the Ukraine are actually up in arms that their country has selected a drag-queen to represent them in this years Eurovision Song Contest and apparently it isn't going down well with the traditional hardliners.


Verka Serduchka - Danzing



Long live the Orange Revolution . . .

DMITRY KOLDUN - WORK YOUR MAGIC

Teen-idol Dmitry Koldun has been chosen to represent Belarus in the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest with his song "Work Your Magic". Dmitry "Dima" is a popular singer from Minsk (Belarus) and is a former winner of Star Factory (Russian Pop Idol).

Tipped to do well at this years Eurovision, Work Your magic has a hint of the Dima Bilan about it. More rock than pop it still rates as a Popplastic tip for the top.

Eurovision Belarus 2007 - Dmitry Koldun - Work your Magic


Work your magic Dima . . .

LUCKY - LUCKY TWICE (THRICE)

Lucky once, lucky twice no it's lucky thrice!

Lucky Twice are so good we've featured them not once, not (lucky) twice but three times...

This time sees the girls performing live (well!) on Swedish Children's TV!

We are so lucky lucky, so lovely lovely . . .

Lucky (live) - Lucky Twice

Add to My Profile | More Videos

Popplastic in conjunction with Popmaximus just can't get enough of those Lucky girls . . .

PANDORA

Pandora who?

Popplastic - Go to your room - and shame on you! How could we have over looked Pandora for so long, she is Swedish after all, she should be on the Popplastic ipod!

Pandora it turns out is another mega Swedish pop star. With over 5 million cd´s sold worldwide and 19 different gold and platinum album awards. Pandora is one of the best selling artist in Sweden. She´s Universal's "best selling abroad artist" in Japan! Her song Tell the world was number 1 for six months on ZIP FM in Nagoya! In Australia in 1999 her song "A little bit" sold over 70.000 copies and resulted in a 17 gig tour. Kylie Minogue's "On a Night Like This" was not only a massive hit for Pandora but it was also written by Pandora. In 2003 Pandora competed in Swedens Melodifestival with the song "You" written by none other than Miss Shirley Clamp! If that isn't enough she's also covered ABBA's "One of Us" and has a Barbie Doll named after her!

That's who Pandora is!

Pandora - One of Us


This one's a bit more glow stick and a whistle . . .

Pandora - Don´t You Know



Check Pandora out on her myspace or at her website.

Pandora's music might be a bit "glow sticks and a whistle" but Popplastic just can't get enough of Pandora . . .

PANDORA - WHAT'S ALL THE FUSS!

Plagiarism, what plagiarism!

International Pop crisis!!! - Claims that Scooch (Flying the Flag) plagiarised Pandora's song "No Regrets" have been reported in Swedish newspaper Aftonbladet.

Pandora's website carries the quote: "Have you heard Britain's song entry for Eurovision? The hook,chorus and even the key is a total copy of Pandora's song "No Regrets" but with different lyrics! "

What a fuss about nothing! (Popplastic)

The only interesting thing about this story is Pandora's song (No Regrets) - We love it!

Click here to listen to the Pandora song and see what you think.

SCOOCH - A TRIBUTE!

Scooch - A plastic fantastic pop group! One of the finest groups in pop history. Fabulous songs, dance routines, key changes and they've even been known to sample Juliet Bravo!

Popplastic love Scooch!




Scooch burst on to the UK pop scene at the height of the late 90's bubblegum pop era - Fantastic pop songs complete with easy to learn dance routines!

The foursome (Natalie Powers, Caroline Barnes, David Ducasse, and Russ Spencer) formed in 1999 after attending auditions for an "all-singing, all-dancing pop group". The group was put together by legendary pop songwriters/producers Mike Stock and Matt Aitken, and Steve Crosby (future manager and the man behind Steps) and were signed to Accolade.






Their resulting debut single "When My Baby" charted at number 29. Following this the group went on tour, supporting B*Witched. Their second pop-tastic single "More Than I Needed To Know" charted at number 5, and was released globally reaching number 1 in Japan! Scooch then went on tour again this time supporting Boyband Five before releasing their third single "The Best Is Yet To Come" (another poptacular hit) which charted at number 12. Scooch's fourth and final single (or was it?) "For Sure" reached number 15 and was followed by their album - "Four Sure" which peaked just outside the UK Top 40. Surely making it one of the most under appreciated albums in the history of Pop.

THE END . . .

Or so we all thought - but to the delight of Scooch fans around the world the group announced they were reforming and would be entering their new song, Flying the Flag in Making Your Mind Up 2007. The song cruised to victory (at around 25,000 feet) and subsequently Scooch will be representing the UK at this years Eurovision Song Contest in Helsinki on May the 12th.

Scooch are back - Now that is music to my heart!

and so is this . . .

Scooch - More Than I Needed to Know



Scooch - The Best is Yet to Come



Pop just doesn't get any better!

The group's name 'Scooch' comes from a term used to ask someone to move up or along a bench or sofa - Well I never . . .

OBSESSION - ARMY OF LOVERS

Another Popplastic hit from 1991 - Compliments of Radio Skonto!

Army Of Lovers were a Swedish pop group from the late 80's and 90's. The group were famed for their controversial music videos (some of which were banned by MTV). Alexander Bard (of BWO fame) was the brains behind the band and Jean-Pierre Barda was the lead vocalist on many of the groups hits.

The group had over 20 hits (across Europe), the biggest being Crucified",
"Obsession" and "Sexual Revolution". They released five albums and made over 20 high-camp music videos. After breaking up in 1996 the group briefly reformed in 2000.

Army Of Lovers later earned widespread iconic status in gay culture - How very dare you!

Obsession was Popplastic's all time favourite Army of Lovers track. One of those songs that you heard at the time, thought it was amazing but never knew who it was by - well now you do!

The video's a bit of a weird one . . .

Army of Lovers - Obsession


but banning it seems a little excessive . . .

BONAPARTI.LV - QUESTA NOTTE

Could it be Latvia 2008?

Forget Madrid, Geneva, Copenhagen, and Ljubljana apparently the smart money's going to be on Riga 2008! The Latvian Eurovision entry is "Questa Notte" and is sung by a 6 piece tenor group. It's a kind of El Divo meets . . . erm, a very big group. They just keep on coming. I thought there was going to be two, then three, four, five but no there's six of them.

It's a great song - very rousing! Though I can't help but think they're singing about "5-a-day" - Maybe they're trying to get us to eat more fruit and Veg!



Eurovision 2007 Latvia (Winner) -Bonaparti.lv - Questa notte


Don't forget your Five a day!

DAZ SAMPSON - THE INTERVIEW!!!

Exclusive!

Daz Sampson takes time out to talk exclusively to Popplastic about Making Your Mind Up, Eurovision, his plans for the future and Greek sailors!!!


Hi Daz! And welcome to Popplastic Towers!

PP: First of all I have to ask you - What did you learn at school today?

DS: Not a lot... I got my education at the school of life..oh and off a sailor in the port of Athens!

PP: Aye-Aye Sailor! and what did you learn from him?

DS: He has a different friend in every town!

PP: Don't we all - Any port in a storm!

PP: What have you been up to since Eurovision last year? Have you got any projects in the pipeline?

DS: Since Eurovison last year I have set up my own label via The Ministry of sound, I have written the 2nd Uniting Nations album.... I also spent a few months contemplating going back into MYMU... but after a few meetings with the BBC it was thought to be better to leave it for a year.

PP: Your enthusiasm shone through at last years contest. Have you always been a Eurovision fan? What was it that kick started your interest? What’s it like being the token straight!

DS: Token straight I don't agree with that.... I embraced everybody in Athens... I mixed with all the euro fans, I didn't pretend I was some big star.... I was one of the chaps out there, and no one felt it more than me when the voting started to go tits up.

PP: What would you say was your favourite Eurovision song of all time? (You’re not aloud to choose Teenage Life!)

DS: Well because I was there the memory of the Anna Vissi record and Carola's Invincible will stay with me forever... I don't know why but those two record have just touched me in some way... and I cant explain why... I suppose every time I hear them it reminds me of what I actually did... I was an unknown who became the darling of the British Nation (for 5 mins) and it meant something to me more than words can say... I tell you on the stage that night as that black board revolved I thought of everyone back home cheering me on, and how I had sat though 20 previous Eurovisions at home cheering on the UK entry and here I was ... there doing it... amazing.

PP: We loved Anna V and Carola, you don't need to explain - classics!

PP: What do you think of this years UK entry - Is it a winner? Hit, miss or maybe?

DS: OK I think the song is poo beyond belief... However I admire Scooch as they reformed for the purpose of getting to Eurovison and they won against some bigger names... so fair play to them... I really don't know what will happen... For me it could be a Jemini moment, I hope not... but it will be nice to see how someone else does, as everyone thinks they can do better than the previous year... so lets see if they can ... as a UK fan I wish them well.

PP: Was it your favourite song from MYMU this year or did you have another?

DS: I liked the Hawkins Brown song... as it reminded me of something Moldova would send, and personally I feel that would have got us the most votes.

PP: What do you make of all the infighting , back stabbing and bitching that followed this years MYMU?

DS: Well I have to say I thought the show wasn't as good as 2006, it seemed a bit flat for me, and I didn't agree with this X Factor style re-opening the phone lines rubbish... you should sing your song and open voting then announce a winner.

PP: Very diplomatic Daz!

PP: What was the rivalry like last year? There must have been some bitching! Spill the beans!!!

DS: No last year it was all fine.

PP: Oh go on make something up!

PP: How was the whole Athens experience for you? Any highlights!

DS: Athens from start to finish was the best week of my life... I would not change a single thing about what I did... apart from the result... I'm sure anyone would agree, me and the girls put in a performance of a lifetime, and anyone in the hall could hear that we went down well.

For me I still get a lump in my throat thinking about it... I can't watch it back as it's just to emotional for me, now that may sound silly from a straight talking loudmouth like me, but its the truth, I'm so proud of the girls and the way we nailed it on the night.

PP: So were we!

PP: We loved Teenage Life last year - It was a fabulous performance! Rumour has it you’re doing a Carola and going for the double - MYMU 2008! Have you put pen to paper yet? What can we expect? Any key changes? A wind machine?

DS: Yes I definitely want to return, I have 3 songs, 2 are key change ballads or urban typers and one is the craziest novelty track in the world... and I will see how this year goes before I decide which one to enter, as for me I think this years Scooch entry might see the UK say NO to novelty next year, and opt for something more serious.

PP: Finally before you go - What’s your favourite music site - your top pop shop?

DS: I know one thing without POPPLASTIC'S support I wont make it to next year, I thank it for its very existence!


Thanks Daz - Hope to see you back a gain next year!

Our 12 points go to Daz Sampson and Teenage Life . . .

Daz Sampson - Teenage Life


Check out

FOOL'S GARDEN - LEMON TREE

Oh no I'm starting to like German Pop - What next, The Hoff!





A case for Changing Rooms if ever there was!

Fool's Garden were another early 90's German pop group (were! maybe they still are!). Fool's Garden members seem to come and go as if they were in the Sugar Babes, but along the way the group had consisted of Peter Freudenthaler, Volker Hinkel, Thomas Mangold, Roland Röhl, Ralf Wochele, Dirk Blümlein, Claus Müller, and Gabriel Holz. Their debut album came out in 1993 - Once In A Blue Moon, since then they have released a further five albums the most recent being "Ready For The Real Life" in 2005 - all of which have passed by without note here at PP Towers.

Popplastic's official radio station (vive le Radio Skonto) again takes the credit for bringing Fool's Garden to the air-waves of Popplastic Towers. "Lemon Tree" was a hit for the group in 1995. Not so much a pop anthem but something you just find yourself singing along to! (but never quite know why).

Check them out on myspace.

and all that I can see is just another lemon tree . . .

ALENKA GOTAR - OFFICIAL VIDEO!

Mmmmm I like this trophy!

Alenka Gotar with her fabulous song "Cvet z Juga" is a Popplastic tip for the top (see earlier post). Popplastic think she stands a great chance of winning in Helsinki with this rhythmic operatic ballad. We've said it before and we'll say it again this song's got it all - a hint of the Godfather, wind machines and some white chairs nicked from the local café. What more do you need to win Eurovision?

The official video's been released!!! Check it out . . .

Alenka Gotar - Cvet z juga (official video)


We do love a good studio version here at PP Towers!

What an opera-tunity for Alenka . . .

DRAMA QUEEN - DQ

What a Drama Queen!

Another Popplastic top tip for Eurovision 2007!

We've said, Geneva 2008, Ljubljana 2008, and Madrid 2008 but could it be Copenhagen 2008. Will we all be heading to "Copenhagen Airport" for Eurovision in 2008?

Drag queen - Drama Queen (DQ) is the first drag act to win the Danish Melodi Grand Prix and will be taking his song to Helsinki to represent Denmark at the years Eurovision. Peter Andersen alias DQ performed in a glitter dress containing 7000 stones. He wore big red plume on his head, and the stage had a large silver crown with a cross on top.

Understated always works . . .

Drama Queen (DQ) - The winning performance


Less is more as they say . . .