LATVIA 2024

The Latvian act and song was chosen on February 10th through their national final "Supernova". A week earlier, the semi final was held with 10 of the 15 entries qualifying for the final. The winner was selected by equally adding the ranking of a national jury to that of the national televote. Going to Malmö is Dons performing the song "Hollow".

Artūrs Šingirejs - the real name of Dons - is one of the most popular male singers in Latvia this century. He studied piano at the Saldus Music School and taught himself to sing and how to play the guitar  He began his music career in the 2003 edition of the reality show "Talantu Fabrikā". His first release was an album of duets with fellow contestant Linda Kalniņa whom he would later marry and divorce. His first solo album "Lights On" was mostly in English but his next 7 albums would all be in Latvian. He has won numerous awards including best rock album once, best album twice and Latvijas Radio's song of the year five times. This was Dons' third Supernova appearance having participated in 2010 and 2014 - finishing second on both occasions.

The song starts with some very melancholic and bluesy piano chords whose mood is mirrored in the shrouded setting. The song follows a very simple verse-bridge-chorus structure which he follows through twice then completes a shortened and quieter chorus as an outro. I say 'simple' but with many things, if something is simple it has to be technically sound and executed flawlessly. His voice in the verses is croakier and shows some fragility while in the bridge he starts to push his voice a little more. He is really belting out the words of the chorus which has an unusual flow as the start and end contains elongated notes which the middle parts are quick and wordy. There is some movement on stage by Dons but most of the movement is done through a range of close up and wide shots. Because this is very much a solo effort, all the focus of the song is on Dons: his technique, his appearance and his connection down the lens.

Dons is alone on stage throughout and, along with a small layer of dry ice at his feet, the background is dark and stormy. His blue suit and balding head punctuate the screen. In the semifinal the week before, Dons started seated on some crates and his performance was much more outward and the ending seemed a little more optimistic. I feel like this presentation might be more palatable to the viewers at home and creates a clear narrative to remember it by. The music video for the song is also simplistic yet clever and I almost feel some of the symbolism of this would also be effective on a big screen. Last year's Latvian song was so beloved by many and it is nice to see that they have gone back to another well established act. Interestingly, this song was originally recorded in Latvian under the name "Lauzto šķēpu karaļvalsts" (Kingdom of Broken Spears) so one could suggest that, again like last year's entry, it could be a dual language affair. Dons does seem to be a bit of a marmite act as his demeanor, physicality and his vocal tone as seem a little harsh and strong to many. I feel like the song would definitely be up the juries' street which might put it in jeopardy due to it being 100% televote in the semi-finals. However, an emotional song, well sung and simply staged may well stand out just as much, in a Eurovision with song and acts that may be more niche.

ARTIST - Dons

SONG - Hollow

WRITING/PRODUCTION CREDITS - Liam Geddes, Kate Northrop, Artūrs Šingirejs