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Music Life Eurovision Special: With Sam Ryder, Mr. Lordi, Poli Genova, and Teya

Sam Ryder, 2022's runner-up, chats to more Eurovision stars. Plus a playlist of classic Eurovision tracks made by Teya, titled 'Eurovision Ohrenschmaus' ('feast for the ears').

Sam Ryder, 2022's runner-up, chats to more Eurovision stars.

Sam was inspired to get into music after seeing Sum 41 in concert when he was 11 and started making music at age 13. He took up the guitar after seeing Lordi win Eurovision in 2006, and was also influenced by David Bowie and Queen. He co-founded a band called The Morning After, and during the first Covid lockdown he started posting his song covers on TikTok which caught the attention of Elton John, Justin Bieber and Alicia Keys. One of the songs he wrote during the pandemic was called "Space Man", and in 2022 he represented the UK at Eurovision with that song, and came second to Ukraine’s Kalush Orchestra.

Joining him for this special edition of Music Life is the lead singer and costume maker of Finnish heavy metal group Lordi. The monster mask-wearing band won the Eurovision Song Contest in 2006 with "Hard Rock Hallelujah". It’s Mr. Lordi.

Next up is a Bulgarian singer whose music career began aged 4, as a member of the children’s ensemble Bon-Bon. Since then, she’s represented Bulgaria at Eurovision twice, has appeared as a coach or mentor on The Voice of Bulgaria and X Factor Bulgaria, has had three #1 singles and she hosted the Junior Eurovision Song Contest 2015. It’s Poli Genova.

Last but by no means least is the new kid on the Eurovision block, one half of the first-ever female duo to compete for Austria at the Eurovision Song Contest. They’re entering this year’s competition with a song about being possessed by the ghost of Edgar Allan Poe. It’s Teya from Teya & Salena.

They talk to Sam about writing for Eurovision, how it impacts their creative process and how they handle the nerves in the performance.

There's also a playlist of classic Eurovision tracks made by Teya, and titled 'Eurovision Ohrenschmaus' (meaning 'feast for the ears').

Release date:

49 minutes