The Norwegian selection for Eurovision 2017 takes place tonight. The show will be hosted by Line Elvsåshagen and Kåre Magnus Bergh, both unknown names to ESC Covers but we were told they are very experienced.
There will be two rounds of voting. In the first round, televoting (50%) and ten international juries (50%) will decide on the top four acts. It will be up to the viewers at home to pick the winner from these four.
The international juries are coming from Austria, Armenia, Finland, Germany, Hungary, Ireland, Israel, Malta, Sweden and the United Kingdom.
The participants tonight are
Ulrikke – Places
Jenny Augusta – I go where you go
Rune Rudberg Band – Run run away
JOWST – Grab the moment
Kristian Valen – You & I
In Fusion – Nothing ever knocked us over
Amina Sewali – Mesterverk (Masterpiece)
Ammunition – Wrecking crew
Elin & The Woods – First step in faith/Oadjebasvuhtii
Ella – Mamma boy
ESC Covers is supporting Nothing ever knocked us over by In Fusion.
In Fusion will participate in the final of the 2017 Melodi Grand Prix in Norway with the song Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over. In the final of our short interviews with the band we speak to Miriam –
Hello Miriam. Have you participated in any music festivals or TV competitions in Norway or abroad? If so, can you tell us about them?
I’ve fronted and toured with different rock bands before. Like for example TINDRUM, wich I fronted in 2015. We played at several Norwegian festivals that year, and it was wild!! Kee Marcello (EUROPE) joined us on parts of the tour, wich was amazing! Dag Ingebrigtsen(TheKids/TNT/Tindrum) also came along for parts of the tour. Morten “Dielsel” Dahl(TNT/Tindrum), Tore Moren(JORN) and Sid Ringsby(Tindrum/JORN), made the rest of the band. And we really had a blast that year!-The largest festival I’ve played would have to be “Midnattsrocken” in beautiful Lakselv. -Finnsnes i Fest-Fæsterålen-Storlien Rockweekend-I headlined at “OktoberRock” 2015-and opened for Stage Dolls at “Rorburock”. I also toured parts of Norway for a short while, opening for W.A.S.P (USA) that same year!
If you could cover any song what would it be?
I would love to cover ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen at some point! The song of all songs! But it would be terrifying to take on such a huge song.. so maybe not, haha! But I’d love to do my own spin on for example Me & Bobby McGee! I love that song! Janis Joplin, Kris Kristofferson and P!nk all have amazing versions, and I’d love to have one of my own!
Which artist (alive or dead) would be a dream duet for you?
If I could pick anyone to do a duet with it would have to be Jessie J! Hands down! I often feel like I should say something cliché, like some amazing legend who’s not with us anymore. I mean, I’m a huge Sinatra-fan! But fact is, my idol and favorite artist of all times is Jessica Ellen Cornish(Jessie J)! I even have a tattoo of her on my arm! She has such an awesome vocal-control, stage-presence and range!
Thank you, Miriam. Lots of good luck with In Fusion in the MGP final.
In Fusion will sing Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over in the 2017 Melodi Grand Prix final in Norway on 11 March.
In the second of a series of short interviews with all the girls we speak to Nina –
Hello Nina.
1. Have you participated in any music festivals or TV competitions in Norway or abroad? If so, can you tell us about them?
I performed at Oslo Pride festival in 2016. I absolutely loooove being a part of the celebration! Hopefully I can perform again this year it’s my fav crowd !!
2. If you could cover any song what would it be?
I would cover Sia’s ‘Elastic Heart’. Or Jessie J’s ‘Mama Knows Best’ ooor ‘Bang Bang’. Mainly cause I like the challenge!! haha
3. Which artist (alive or dead) would be a dream duet for you?
Missy Elliott!! I’d love to do a collab with her and make a sick tune with a badass beat. After that I could die happily.
In Fusion will sing the upbeat Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over in the 2017 Melodi Grand Prix final in Norway on 11 March.
In the first of a series of short interviews with all the girls we speak to Saima –
Hello Saima. You have an exotic name. Can you tell us something about your background in music and when you started singing?
Yes, I do! I actually have two names. Saima Irén. One name from my dad’s side (Pakistani) and one from my mom’s (Norwegian).
My whole life, my mom has been telling me that they gave me the name because they had a feeling I would become either an actress or singer, and Saima was the perfect artist name. “Saima’s hits” was her vision! Cliché, I know, haha. She still claims it’s the truth, so I just have to believe her.
I started singing at a very young age, but it wasn’t until I started elementary school I started to perform, sing, dance and act.
From 2006 – 2013 I was in a girl group, but after we split, I’ve been focusing on songwriting and performing around town. I’ve also been recording some tropical house tracks. This year I’ll be releasing my own music, which is R&B/Urban pop.
I also LOVE big band music, and I am currently the female vocalist in a big band. I find most of my inspiration in old music. I literally think I was born in the wrong decade!
Have you participated in any music festivals or TV competitions in Norway or abroad?
In 2010 I participated in the Norwegian X-Factor with my old girl group. We were one of the 12 finalists and ended up in 9th place. This was an amazing experience I’ll never forget. I got to meet so many talented people I still keep in touch with today. It was also my first real performance on a big stage in front of the whole country on national TV.
In 2012 I was with the same group, in one of the part finals for Melodi Grand Prix. We didn’t get through to the next round, but my God, this was probably one of the best moments in my life. And again, AMAZING people and an experience of a lifetime. I’m so happy I got to be a part of this, and now I’m lucky enough to be in the freakin’ final!! I just can’t believe it. And even though the song is different from what I normally do, I couldn’t be more excited!
If you could cover any song, what would it be?
This was a tough one. There are so many songs I would like to cover. Right now I have ‘Versace On The Floor’ by Bruno Mars on my mind. I’ve been singing it since the day he dropped his album. Old school! I dig it! But I’ve also fallen in love with Rihanna’s ‘Love On The Brain’.
Which artist (dead or alive) would be a dream duet for you?
I don’t even have to think about this. HANDS DOWN…MICHAEL JACKSON!! My hero, my inspiration, my everything. His initials are tattooed on my body for a reason. I’ve always had a dream singing ‘I Just Can’t Stop Loving You’ with him.
Thank you very much, Saima. Lots of luck with the In Fusion girls in the MGP final.
In Fusion – ‘Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over’ @facebook.com/TheRealnFusion
In Fusion will take to the stage on 11 March in the 2017 Melodi Grand Prix in Norway with the song Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over. It is composed by Gustav Eurén, Danne Attlerud, Niklas Arn, Karl Eurén and Cissi Kallin.
The band are Nina Grødahl , Saima Irén Mian and Miriam Labreche. In Fusion were formed especially for the MGP national selection. All the girl are good singers and performers with different musical backgrounds.
There will be a music video for Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over which Nina is currently working with. Her background involved visual art studies so she has some good ideas with this. Look out for the video in the near future.
Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over is released on most digital platforms such as Spotify and Tidal and others.
Nina, Saima and Miriam have been talking to ESC Covers and you can see their interviews during this week.
Here are the lyrics to Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over which will be performed by In Fusion in the Norwegian selection in March.
(Music&Lyrics: N. Arn, G. Eurén, D. Attlerud, K. Eurén, C. Kallin)
Stay forever young
Like a hero in a faded fantasy
Together on the run
We were living on the edge of gravity
We opened every door
Till the dream we always had was in our hands
And If we had a doubt
It was buried in a cave in Nowhereland
‘Cause we were young, and had the power
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
Just pick a goal and we would go there
‘Cause we were tight and strong together
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
We were the ones who’ll live forever
Looking at the moon
And eventually we knew we’d take it down
Explorin’ every sin
After seven we just headed way beyond
‘Cause we were young, and had the power
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
Just pick a goal and we would go there
‘Cause we were tight and strong together
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
We were the ones who’ll live forever
Like a hero in a faded fantasy
Oh oh oh we were living on the edge of gravity
We were the ones
Nothing ever knocked us over
Nothing ever knocked us over
‘Cause we were young, and had the power
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
Just pick a goal and we would go there
‘Cause we were tight and strong together
Nothing ever knocked us over
No nothing ever knocked us over
We were the ones who’ll live forever
Now we are with the last of the three IN FUSION girls, Miriam and her answers to the questions from ESC Covers and Eurovision South Africa.
1 – NORWAY – since you are Norwegian, what is your best highlight from a Norwegian entry. You could say any artist and this or that song and the reason why
My Norwegian highlight will have to be the semi-finals of Melodi Grand Prix 2011, when the metalband Keep of Kalessin and Alexander Rybak got together and performed “The Divine Land” during the break. I was blown away by the mix of genres and how good they sounded together! I really wish they would get together and do more exciting stuff together! I would definitely buy that record.
2 – SWEDEN – since your composers are Swedish, what is your best highlight from a Swedish entry – the same as with Norway
Sweden have had so many great entries! BUT my favorite is kind of a guilty pleasure. Im almost embarrassed to say, being a rockchick and all, but I used to dance and sing to this one as a child. I was`t even born when this aired (1984), but Herreys – Diggi-loo diggi-ley was stuck on my mind for a while. So I have to say, it is one of my favorites because I`ve heard it for so long!
Other then that Loreens – Euphoria is my all time favorite Swedish hit song of this era!
3 – EUROVISION – now the same question of a Eurovision entry from any country but Sweden or Norway
How can I possibly chose one!? There are so many amazing memories.
I simply fell in love with last years entry from Belgium, Laura Tesoro with “What`s The Pressure”! Such a catchy song, and Laura was just super-cute with her cool choreography !
But I have to chose Conchita – Rise Like a Phoenix(2014) as the most memorable moment in ESC-history for me! Hands down!
Miriam, thank you for your answers, I too love DIGGI LOO DIGGI LEY and last year when Eurovision was in Stockholm, I took an Afrikaans cover of the song for Richard Herrey who is the CEO of Hard rock cafe there. And Danne was with us at the event, so ask him about it.
ESC Covers and Eurovision South Africa asked 3 questions to the 3 girls who make up the group IN FUSION who will in the Norwegian Eurovision final. Here is the answers from Saima
1 – NORWAY – since you are Norwegian, what is your best highlight from a Norwegian entry?
– The Norwegian entry I remember the most, is from the year 2000.
“Charmed – My heart goes boom”
It’s not because it’s the best song I’ve heard in the contest, but it reminds me of my childhood. Something I really cherish! I was 10 at the time, and me and two of my friends used to record ourselves singing and dancing to this song.
2 – SWEDEN – since your composers are Swedish, what is your best highlight from a Swedish entry?
– Hmm…this one is tricky! Loreen’s performance with “Euphoria” from 2012 was amazing. But if we go back to the 70’s and 80’s and early 90’s, we have ABBA and Carola! I obviously don’t remember this, but I consider them highlights. Waterloo, Främling, Fångad av en stormvind! Songs people still know and sing.
3 – EUROVISION – now the same question of a Eurovision entry from any country but Sweden or Norway
– Conchita Wurst will always be memorable. A reminder that if you set your mind to it, you can do anything.
And who doesn’t remember the Russian babushkas?
And of course we have Céline Dion from 1988. Nobody knew who she was, and look at her now. One of the greatest singers we have!
Thank you so much for this – we agree 90% with you.
Ammunition – Wrecking crew (Åge Sten Nilsen, Erik Mårtensson)
Ulrikke – Places (Ulrikke Brandstorp, Tony Alexander Skjevik)
Amina Sewali – Mesterverk (Amina Sewali)
JOWST – Grab the moment (Joakim With Steens)
Kristian Valen – You & I (Kristian Valen)
Elin & The Woods – First step in faith/Oadjebasvuhtii (Robin Lynch, Elin Kåven)
Jenny Augusta – I go where you go (Jenny Augusta, Inga Þyri Þórðardóttir)
Ella – Mamma boy (Per Kristian Ottestad, Ida Maria)
Rune Rudberg Band – Run run away (Peter Danielson, Åsa, Mars Larsson)
In Fusion – Nothing ever knocked us over (Gustav Euren, Danne Attlerud, Niklas Arn, Ulrik Eurén, Cissi Kallin)
There are 10 entries and most are unknown names, which is good as Eurovision is there to help find new stars of the future.
There are, however, two “golden oldies”. Age Sten Nilsen was with WIG WAM in Kyiv 2005 (and it would be interesting if he returns with his new band Ammunition to the same city several years later.
The other one is Rune Rudberg who had taken part in the Norwegian selection as far back as the 80’s. I still love his “Vinger over Europa” and that should have been the Norwegian entry at that time. Whether “Run run away” will reach the same heights, is to be seen.
ESC Covers is supporting In Fusion due to the song being composed by composers we like and support. It will also be special for Danne Attlerud to return to Eurovision for Norway after he did it way back in 2004
In Fusion will sing Nothing Ever Knocked US Over in Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2017
In Fusion (Nina/Saima/Miriam) is a true mix of musical genres, cultures and personalities, melted down to yet another genre starting out in Norway’s Melodi Grand Prix 2017 with the entry Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over. Together with some well recognized producers and composers, Nina, Saima and Miriam have formed a song about the moments in life when you are truly invincible, when you’re exactly in that moment, happy and strong, and your possibilities are endless.
-We want the experience of the song to be like dancing in unity with everybody at a music festival…..last weekend, last summer or 50 years ago, a feeling we believe that people in all ages can relate to.
The members are:
Nina Grødahl was born in Trondheim but raised in both Oslo and Trondheim. As very young Nina knew that she was going to make music. As a teenager she spent a lot of time at the cultural centre ISAK where she danced in her own hiphop dance crew and recorded songs in the studios there. Later on, she studied music at The Liverpool Institute For Performing Arts, better known as The Paul McCartney School, where she worked on songwriting as well as singing and performing. With a great passion for visual concepts and dance Nina also made several music videos during her time in Liverpool. She has let herself be inspired by artists like Missy Elliot, Beyoncé, Lauryn Hill and Alicia Keys.
Saima-Iren Mian was born and raised in Buvika, a small rural town outside Trondheim, by her Norwegian mother and Pakistani father. Already at a very early age, Saima got into music, dance and acting. Later she was a member of the group Irresistible and reached the final round in X-Factor 2010 and also attended one of the partfinals in Melodi Grand Prix 2012 with the song Elevator feat. Carl Prit. Today Saima is a solo artist, writing songs to herself and others, but now also a member of In Fusion. She gets her inspiration from timeless music as Motown, Big Band and R&B. At home Saima also is the vocalist in the local Big Band.
Miriam LaBreche was born and raised in Trondheim by her Norwegian mother and Arabic father. Norwegian media describes her as one of the best female rock vocals in Norway, as the lead singer in different rock bands, performing on numerous festivals with well known musicians as Kee Marcello (Europe) and as a supporting act to WASP. In 2017 Miriam has started out her solo career on the side of being a member of In Fusion. Earlier Miriam also performed singing soul, R&B, jazz, opera, blues and disco.
Nothing Ever Knocked Us Over: Music&Lyrics: Niclas Arn, Gustav Eurén, Danne Attlerud, Karl Eurén, Cecilia Kallin
