Riding on the success of 2015’s Eurovision

PARTIAL SUCCESS: Although Mans Zelmerlow’s winning song is a hit all over Europe, it has only reached the top spot in Iceland, Switzerland and Sweden.By Geoffrey RowlandsOddsmakers seldom make mistakes in their assessment of entrants in the Eurovision Song Contest. Such was the case again this year as the pre-event favourite, Sweden’s Mans Zelmerlow with his song Heroes, romped home to a 62 point victory.Mans was awarded the maximum 12 points from the UK combination of Eurovision judges and the public vote. But this apparent popularity has not been totally reflected in the first week sales of his winning song. A top-three spot could have been expected so a debut at number 11 might well be considered as somewhat disappointing.“It would have been nice to get a higher position,” smiled 28-year-old Mans. “But I had no kind of profile in Britain before winning Eurovision. So, to go from nothing to a number 11 hit is something which I regard as very positive. I also have an album released this week so I hope many more people will be interested in buying it than would otherwise have been the case.”Although Heroes is a hit all over Europe, it has only reached the top spot in Iceland, Switzerland and Sweden. Indeed, despite achieving the third-highest points total in Eurovision history, it is the first winning song since the introduction of a split jury/public voting system in 2009 to have not won the public telephone vote.Heroes only finished third in the public vote behind Italy’s Il Volo and Russia’s Polina Gagarina. It was the support of those music business insiders who make up the judging panels in each of the participating countries which ensured Mans’ success.Il Volo, with their operatic pop song, Grande Amore, were placed sixth by the Eurovision juries. Polina Gagarina’s A Million Voices was placed third creating a reversal in the top three of the public vote.“I was just delighted to have won,” Mans admitted. “This was my third attempt to compete in Eurovision as a performer. I entered Melodifestivalen, the show to select the Swedish entry, in 2007 and 2009 but my songs finished third and then fourth.“This year though, Heroes won with a record number of 288 votes and beat the second placed song by a record margin of 149 votes. I knew the song was special and had a really good chance to win Eurovision. The Swedish public loved it and, thankfully, so too did enough of the Eurovision public voters.”Mans first found a degree of fame in 2005 after finishing fifth on season two of Swedish Idol. By this time, he had already performed in stage musicals. This experience possibly helped him to win the 2006 series of Let’s Dance, Swedish television’s version of Dancing With The Stars.The following year saw Mans top the Swedish charts with his debut album, “Stand By For...” and the lead single, Cara Mia. This had also been his Melodifestivalen song.Leading roles in more stage musicals, TV presentation work and further pop chart success, including another number one with his second album, “MZW,” have marked his career progress during the last few years. But his Eurovision triumph, backed by the release of his new album, “Perfectly Damaged,” could transform Mans from a renowned artist in Sweden to an international star.“It would obviously be great if that came about and I’m certainly doing my best to make it happen. My schedule since winning Eurovision has gone from busy to unbelievable. I’ve been in demand to do TV shows in different countries on the same day.“All this extra work is on top of the summer concert tour which was already scheduled. I’m happy to do anything though. Winning Eurovision has given me the chance to really make the big time and I fully intend to give it everything I’ve got.”in briefChance The RapperAnyone visiting (no www.) soundcloud.com/chancetherapper can enjoy a plethora of songs from one of Chicago’s up and coming hip hop stars. The vast majority of these tracks are offered for free download.Not yet on this webpage is “Surf,” Chance’s newly released mixtape. Although it is officially credited to his live backing band, Donnie Trumpet & The Social Experiment, Chance’s mark is all over the music. So too are his big name friends and admirers. Guest artists include Busta Rhymes, Erykah Badu, Big Sean and Jeremih along with lesser known rappers such as Joey Purp and Raury.The mixtape is available for free download from several sources. One of these is iTunes. Those without an iTunes account can acquire the recording from www.audiomack.com/album/your-music-fix/surfIf you enjoy his music, more of Chance’s work is available for free. A number of his mixtapes can be found at www.datpiff.comGain access by typing his name in the website search box.HurtsEnglish synthpop duo Hurts will release their third studio album later this year.Theo Hutchcraft and Adam Anderson have again worked with Swedish musician, songwriter and producer Jonas Quant who co-produced their highly successful first two albums. Some Kind of Heaven, the lead single from their as-yet-untitled new album, is available to hear now. The official audio is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=djEanDvYEhQThe duo’s two previous albums are posted in full online. Their 2010 debut, “Happiness,” is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=34DKJlGOnsA Their 2013’s “Exile” can be heard at www.youtube.com/watch?v=KjeSovvS67sMahogany LOXYou may have never heard of 20-year-old singer/DJ Mahogany LOX. But you probably know her grandfather, Motown Records founder Berry Gordy, and may be familiar with her brother, Skyler ‘Sky Blu’ Gordy, one half of the “Party Rock” duo LMFAO.Mahogany may currently be the lesser known member of the family but this could soon change if the critical response to Boom, her official debut single, is any indication. She could hardly have wished for better or more positive reviews.See if you think all the praise is justified by checking out “Boom” at (no www.) soundcloud.com/mahoganylox Also posted here is an earlier song, Paper Hearts.The music video for Boom, along with numerous other video postings, can be found at www.youtube.com/user/MahoganyLOXVeruca SaltIt has been 18 years since the original members of Chicago alternative rockers Veruca Salt released their last album of new material. Within a year, three of the band members had quit.Only singer/guitarist Louise Post has remained with Veruca Salt throughout their 22-year history. Numerous other musicians performed on drums, bass and lead guitar.2013 finally saw Nina Gordon, Jim Shapiro and Steve Lack reunite with Louise. They issued two new songs, plus a 20th anniversary re-release of Seether, on a vinyl EP, “MMXIV,” for Record Store Day in 2014.But fans can now look forward to a new album, “Ghost Notes,” which is scheduled for release next month. Lead single, Laughing In The Sugar Bowl, is posted at www.youtube.com/watch?v=86ZpbAWpXHM A lyric video has been made for another track from the new album. The Gospel According To Saint Me can be found at www.youtube.com/watch?v=9rmtxKjnZ7AThe band’s previous albums are all available to hear online. “American Thighs” and “Eight Arms To Hold You” are the two which feature the original line-up. The former is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=egWdtldd1P8&list=PLe-IpgmAuXZBpehspDSEHbwFRfNg86Pe4 The the latter is at www.youtube.com/watch?v=yn2XWKkZaeo&list=PLcki_-Qy-xDhPvT5dZhcoitVFkAtQv17g