On the 21st and 22nd November, the Public Broadcasting Services will be hosting the 2014-2015 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest within the Marsa Shipbuilding, host venue of this year's edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest. 20 acts, as revealed on the program 'Xarabank' last Friday evening, will have the opportunity to perform on an incredible stage, one which has been specifically designed for an international competition.

15 acts have already been part of the prestigious showcase in the past, and these are none other than; Glen Vella, Trilogy, Franklin Calleja, Deborah C, Daniel Testa, Lawrence Gray, Amber, Jessika, Christabelle, L-Aħwa, Chris Grech, Raquel Galdes, Danica Muscat, Corazon and Domenique. As a matter of fact, not only have those acts been through to this phase in the past, some of them have also gone onto represent Malta in the Eurovision Song Contest; Ludwig Galea (2004) who is now part of Trilogy, Glen Vella (2011) and Gianluca Bezzina (2013) part of L-Aħwa.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EFvERdQl43o

In the meantime, the other 5 acts are complete newcomers to the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, but not entirely new to the local music scene; Minik, Karen DeBattista, Iona Dalli, Eklessia, and Lyndsay. Three of these acts have had a stellar record in the industry, with Minik & Lyndsay being radio friendly singer/songwriters and Karen DeBattista winning this year's edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu. Gordon Bonello, on behalf of the Public Broadcasting Services drew the running order for the first and last slot during the semi-final with two newcomers; Lyndsay and Eklessia set to open and close the competition. Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook & Twitter for all the latest news.

Source: TVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2upyAQhfWZA

Xarabank, one of the longest running television shows in Malta, produced by WE Media and hosted by Peppi Azzopardi on Television Malta, will be revealing the names of the twenty semi-finalists competing in the 2014-2015 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest.

A quick recap of the selection process, would denote that the Public Broadcasting Services received 134 entries, out of which 48 entries have been shortlisted to the second phase. All of the artists have been invited to the popular programme Xarabank, in order to ascertain their fate in the competition, hoping that they got through. The programme kicks off this evening at 20:45 on Television Malta which will be streamed LIVE.

12, Baker Street – Karen DeBattista

Beautiful to Me – “L-Aħwa”

Break All Borders – Jacqueline Richard

Breakaway – Glen Vella

Call It Love – Kurt Cassar

Chasing a Dream – Trilogy

Close Your Eyes – Danica Muscat

Closed Doors – Chris Grech

Could Have Been Me – Iona Dalli

Dark Dark Waters – Domenique

Dream of Love – Rebecca Mifsud

Eclipse – Ana-Maria Grima

Empty Hearted – Domenique

Fandango – Jessika

Flame – Monroe

For All Those Times – Gloriana Arpa Belli

Freedom – Simaria Galea

Hey Yo – Domenique

Hold My Hand – Estelle Imbroll

Hold On To Love – Olivia & Miriam

Home – Lyndsay Pace

Hurricane – Marilena Gauci

Indestructible – Annabelle Vella

It’s OK – Deborah C

Look – Neville Refalo

Love & Let Go – Sr Michaela, Sr Monica, Sr Rita, Sr Claudia, Sr Denise & Sr Magdalong

Love Call – Danica Muscat

My Next Tattoo – Domenique

Never Ask Why – Andreana & Fiona

Once in a While – Minik

Ringside – Gabriella Azzopardi

Rush – Christabelle

Secretly – Corazon

See Through Lover – Larissa Borg

Shine a Light – Malcolm

Something in the Way – Daniel Testa

Still Here – Franklin

Stop Haunting Me – Raquel Galdes

Stuck Without Me – Kylie Coleiro

Take Me as I Am – Domenique

The One That You Love – Lawrence Gray

The Thief – Dario Mifsud Bonnici

Warrior – Amber

What You Wanna Hear – Stefan Galea

What? When? Where? – Joseph Refalo

Where Do We Go? – Kurt Cassar

Who Needs a Heart – Soraya Cardona

Your Phone – Fiona Cauchi

Apart from the 6 former Eurovision Song Contest representatives, there are a number of well known figures from the local music industry, with a lot of surprises to be expected amongst the songwriters. In 2014, Malta got through to the final of the Eurovision Song Contest with the track "Coming Home" which Firelight performed impeccably. We urge you to stay uned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news.

Source: TVM, WE Studios

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=siKTx3veTXU

On the 15th November, Malta will be hosting this year’s edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, and all the information making up the spectacle is being presented during the course of the day at the Heads of Delegation Meeting organised by the European Broadcasting Union and the Public Broadcasting Services. After confirming earlier reports of the 16 participating countries, a spectacular stage has now been presenting, noting that this will not only be used for the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2014, but also for the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2015, which is being held on the 22nd November.

Designed by Claudio Santucci, of the Milan-based company Gio’Forma, the concept is that of origami, inspired by the triangle found in the logo of this year’s Junior Eurovision Song Contest logo. John McCullagh, the Creative Director states “It’s a very flexible and easy to use shape” adding that “the ancient art of Origami shows us how something simple can be transformed into something much more complex with just a little patience, practiced, and understanding. Our origami set is, therefore, the blank canvas on which the delegations can tell their story”.

At the event,  which will be featuring newcomers; Italy, Montenegro & Slovenia as well as returning countries; Croatia, Serbia, Bulgaria & Cyprus, Malta will be represented by Federica Falzon and her entry “Diamonds” co-written by Elton Zarb, Matthew Mercieca, Federica Falzon and Gillian Attard. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook & Twitter for all the latest news.

Source: Junior Eurovision Song Contest (Official Website)

Last week, PBS revealed the entries through to the 2nd phase of the upcoming edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, along with the names of the artists and their respective entries, opting not to reveal the names of the songwriters. escflashmalta.com has been scouting and is in a proud position to confirm that there are several notable names who have written songs with the hope of representing Malta in Vienna, Austria.

Jonas Gladnikoff, Andreas Anastasiou, Beanz Rudden, Philip Vella, and Boris Cezek have all been to the Eurovision Song Contest in the past, having written entries for Ireland (2009, 2010, 2014), Cyprus (2011), United Kingdom (1996), Malta (2000, 2002, 2004, 2007, 2008) and Malta (2013) but nevertheless, also some internationally renowned songwriters such as Christian Ingebrigsten from the Norwegian/British group, A1 who had success in the noughties with hits including "Take On Me". 

Also making their return will be none other than Paul Abela, Joe Julian Farrugia, Miriam Christine, Natasha Turner, Marco Debono, Renato Briffa, Elton Zarb & Rita Pace, all of whom have either made their selection public or have songs which have already been through this phase in the past. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news about the Malta Eurovision Song Contest 2015.

Source: escflashmalta.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Qxi5C-lGX2Y

Ira Losco, Malta’s top female singer/songwriter has been somewhat distant of mentioning a possible return to the Eurovision Song Contest throughout her successful music career, opting for a different genre, one which is more mature, and defines her growth as an artist. It is worth noting that in 2014, Ira somewhat re-ignited that flame to compete, following her role as co-host of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, alongside Gianluca Bezzina and Moira Delia. 

Following a promotional campaign led by both local and international websites trying to convince Ira Losco to return to the prestigious music event, the singer/songwriter has opted to consider the possibility for 2016, according to a post on her Official Facebook Page. She is currently gearing up for the release of her final 2 singles from her latest album “The Fire” and is working on her next studio album, which will most likely be released in the next 2 years. 

Hence, all the rumours which were spreading like wildfire could officially die-down because Ira Losco is not going to be a part of the 2015 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, which nevertheless features no less than 5 former representatives; Miriam Christine (1996), Olivia Lewis (2007), Ludwig Galea (2004), Glen Vella (2009) and Gianluca Bezzina (2013). Stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook & Twitter for all the latest news.

Source: Ira Losco (Official Facebook Page), Allen Venables

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4KaqAmhKqDw

On the 3rd October, Xarabank will kick-off for another season, and it will do so with a bang, as the revelation of the acts through to the semi-final of the 2015 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest will be made public. Following the initial submission process, where the Public Broadcasting Services received 134 entries, a shortlist of 48 entries has now been published through the official website.

A quick glance at the list of shortlisted entries, one would realise that the list features a relative amount of established artists including; Glen Vella (ESC 11), Miriam Christine (ESC 96), Olivia Lewis (ESC 07), Lawrence Gray (MESC 98-99, 01-04, 09, 11), Gianluca (ESC 13), Trilogy (MESC 05-07, 09), Daniel Testa (JESC 08), Chris Grech (MESC 13-14), Jessika (MESC 08, 11-14), Amber (MESC 11-14), Domenique (MESC 11, 13), Danica Muscat (MESC 12-13), Marilena Gauci (MESC 11, 13), Andreana (MESC 98, 02-06, 09-10, 14), Fiona Cauchi (MESC 98, 01, 02, 05, 09) & Franklin Calleja (MESC 13, 14).

12, Baker Street – Karen DeBattista

Beautiful to Me – “L-Aħwa”

Break All Borders – Jacqueline Richard

Breakaway – Glen Vella

Call It Love – Kurt Cassar

Chasing a Dream – Trilogy

Close Your Eyes – Danica Muscat

Closed Doors – Chris Grech

Could Have Been Me – Iona Dalli

Dark Dark Waters – Domenique

Dream of Love – Rebecca Mifsud

Eclipse – Ana-Maria Grima

Empty Hearted – Domenique

Fandango – Jessika

Flame – Monroe

For All Those Times – Gloriana Arpa Belli

Freedom – Simaria Galea

Hey Yo – Domenique

Hold My Hand – Estelle Imbroll

Hold On To Love – Olivia & Miriam

Home – Lyndsay Pace

Hurricane – Marilena Gauci

Indestructible – Annabelle Vella

It’s OK – Deborah C

Look – Neville Refalo

Love & Let Go – Sr Michaela, Sr Monica, Sr Rita, Sr Claudia, Sr Denise & Sr Magdalong

Love Call – Danica Muscat

My Next Tattoo – Domenique

Never Ask Why – Andreana & Fiona

Once in a While – Minik

Ringside – Gabriella Azzopardi

Rush – Christabelle

Secretly – Corazon

See Through Lover – Larissa Borg

Shine a Light – Malcolm

Something in the Way – Daniel Testa

Still Here – Franklin

Stop Haunting Me – Raquel Galdes

Stuck Without Me – Kylie Coleiro

Take Me as I Am – Domenique

The One That You Love – Lawrence Gray

The Thief – Dario Mifsud Bonnici

Warrior – Amber

What You Wanna Hear – Stefan Galea

What? When? Where? – Joseph Refalo

Where Do We Go? – Kurt Cassar

Who Needs a Heart – Soraya Cardona

Your Phone – Fiona Cauchi

Apart from the established names, it seems that the line-ups of established groups such as Trilogy and Monroe have both been altered for the upcoming edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest with Ludwig Galea replacing Daniel Debono in the former, and Nadia Vella becoming a new member of the latter, joining former Malta Eurovision Song Contest finalist; Kelly Schembri.

Other names which have caught our eye in the list are surely those of; Karen DeBattista, winner of this year’s edition of L-Għanja tal-Poplu; Kurt Cassar, winner of the Best New Talent at this year’s edition of the Konkors Kanzunetta Indipendenza; Annabelle Vella, backing vocalist to Malta’s entry at the Eurovision Song Contest back in 2008 and a group of nuns, who have most likely been inspired by the recent phenomenon on The Voice of Italy.

Everyone is somewhat gasping about the non-inclusion of Ira Losco in the first shortlist with the general feeling around the industry being that the Public Broadcasting Services may go ahead and offer a wildcard as is stated in the rules and regulations. This will be made public in a week’s time as Peppi Azzopardi and his dedicated team at WE Media reveal the chosen acts. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news about the 2015 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest.

Source: PBS / TVM

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=laWHKSmEfPA

According to Newsbook.com.mt and escXtra, Gianluca, otherwise known as Malta's singing doctor, will be making a surprise return to the Malta Eurovision Song Contest. It has been just over a year since 'Tomorrow', a track co-written by Boris Cezek and Dean Muscat, finished in 8th place following a charming performance which set the stage alight.

escflashmalta.com is proud to confirm that the submission has taken place under the name 'L-Aħwa', in direct reference to his siblings noting that he does not intend to give it a second shot alone. The yet-unknown entry is written by a foreign team of songwriters, who have had ample success at the Eurovision Song Contest in recent years. The Public Broadcasting Services will reveal the names of the qualifiers and their entries through Xarabank on the 3rd October 2014. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news.

Source: Newsbook, escXtra, escflashmalta.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8WmJXIR9xtw

“Drop in number of Eurovision entries” is the name of an article that appeared in The Times of Malta earlier today, with direct reference to the fact that there was a fewer turnout that usual in the number of submissions that the Public Broadcasting Services revealed. escflashmalta.com made this quite clear in a subtle manner when confirming a host of names, both of vocalists and songwriters who did not put their first foot forward.

These included none other than; Sophie DeBattista, Davinia, Claudia Faniello, Ruth Portelli, De Bee, Pamela, Ray Agius, Alfred C Sant, Paul Giordimaina and Fleur Balzan. Nevertheless though, despite the drop in artists, Anton Attard, Head of Delegation on behalf of the Public Broadcasting Services confirmed to the leading local newspaper that the issue more or less deals with repeat submissions, songs that have been submit every year with the hope that they get through.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LUOi3p73HpI

Whilst song submissions do eventually get through, others do not and if one looks at the shortlist of the past three to four years, some songs would always be recognizable. Artists whom escflashmalta.com can confirm to have submit to the 2015 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest include none other than; Domenique, Franklin Calleja, Izzy, Jessika, Kaya, Romina Mamo, Daniel Testa, Fabrizio Faniello, Dayle Camilleri and Ryan Paul Abela.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_qqYOo_Hibs

Speculation on Ira Losco is continuing to mount and with Moira Delia landing the top job of hosting the upcoming edition of the Junior Eurovision Song Contest, the news is only but confirmed. Her name among those shortlisted later on this month will definitely be the worst kept secret in recent years. We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook & Twitter for all the latest news.

Source: Times of Malta, escflashmalta.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WJSkfmXGIG4

Xarabank, one of the longest running television shows in Malta, produced by WE Media and hosted by Peppi Azzopardi has just made a public announcement that they will be revealing the names of the twenty semi-finals competing in the 2015 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest. This type of announcement also took place with respect to the national selections in the past three years and is known to keep the general public on edge. 

Television Malta, the flagship station to support events related to the European Broadcasting Union will definitely be giving the twenty semi-finalists everything that is required in the sense of exposure. Since the Public Broadcasting Services took over the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, the results have seemingly improved as witnessed in the past three years with Kurt Calleja (2012), Gianluca (2013) and Firelight (2014) all reaching the final of the prestigious event.

In the meantime, a number of submissions for 2015 is yet to be made public with rumours spreading that it is far less than last year's record breaking 210. Make sure to switch on Television Malta (TVM) on the 3rd October at around 20:45 CET through the official website and watch the programme Xarabank. We will also be running a LIVE blog through the official Facebook & Twitter pages of the portal, so make sure to stay tuned.

Source: WE Media, Television Malta

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=E_hT08vzHt8

escflashmalta.com has only been publishing the names of vocalists and songwriters who have decided to opt out of the upcoming edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest, and therefore, we thought it was best to reveal some individuals who have indeed put their name forward for the event. We'll kick things off with Jessika, winner of the TVM Award and the Tele-Voting portion of the 2014 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest with 'Hypnotica' composed by Philip Vella to the lyrics of Gerard James Borg.

Throughout the past couple of months, the female singer/songwriter turned actress has garnered public acclaim through her role on the show 'Il-Klikka' which airs on ONE Television. This has been of great support to her music career, aiding her cause to the top of the public vote at the 2014 edition of the Malta Eurovision Song Contest. It is not a surprise that she will be hoping to continue achieving such success, this time hoping to also impress the professional panel of judges who pushed her down to 8th place.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4wikHRTwRdA

Therefore, at this point in time, we are able to confirm that those artists who submit entries in the competition include; Jessika (MESC 08, 11-14), Fabrizio Faniello (ESC 01, 06), Daniel Testa (JESC 08, MESC 14), Kaya (MESC 00, 10, 12), Franklin Calleja (MESC 13,14), Domenique (MESC 11, 13) and Izzy (SHSC 11). We urge you to stay tuned to escflashmalta.com even through Facebook and Twitter for all the latest news as soon as it becomes available.

Source: escflashmalta.com

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r4QHe2aZW6k