Introduction

Like every year Slovenia is having a national final called EMA. In this popular music show the best entry is going to represent Slovenia in the Eurovision Song Contest. This year the show has been hosted by the ex-representatives: Darja Švajger (1995, 1999), Maja Keuc (2011) and Tinkara Kovač (2014).

Out of eight entries and a super final of two very different songs, the winner with the majority of the televotes is the duo Maraaya.

The name of the duo Maraaya is an acronym, which is combination of the first names of Marjetka and Raay. This project has been founded in 2014, the first song “Lovin’ me” has been a huge success not only in Slovenia, but also in Belgium, Germany and Italy. Both have enjoyed music education, while Marjetka started as a studios session singer and is no working as a vocal coach, while Raay is a successful producer and writer in Slovenia. The style of their music can be described as indie pop music. They are working on their first album right now. Marjetka Vovk and Raay are married and having two children.

Interesting to know is that Raay has also been the composer of last year’s entry “Round And Round” by Tinkara Kovač which ended up on the last place (26th) in Copenhagen. This should not be taken as bad omen.

Slovenia has always been eager to win the ESC one day and the closest they got was the 7th place for two times. This could be changed this year. With the song “Here For You” the chances are really high for a good placing, it all depends on the live performance in Vienna of course. The chorus is very catchy and memorable, especially the voice of Marjetka is outstanding, very soul based with a unique sound. In the Slovenian final Marjetka was wearing big ear phones. This is a striking accessory, let’s see if she will do so in Vienna. This is something really special and will certainly do well. Congratulations Slovenia!

History

Debut: 1993
Participations: 21
Finals: 12
Top 10: 3
Chance for Top 10: 14%

This year in Vienna Slovenia will have its 21st entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. The debut song “Tih Dezeven Dan” by 1X Band only reached the 22nd place in Millstreet. Nevertheless the participation of Slovenia brought a huge public interest. In that year there has been an international pre selection with seven new countries (Estonia, Hungary, Romania, Slovakia, Croatia, Bosnia & Herzegovina and Slovenia), only three could go to Millstreet, Ireland. Slovenia was among the top 3 countries.

As one of the former ex-Yugoslav countries, Slovenia can look back to an additional 27-years-old history of Yugoslavian entries, where one victory with “Rock me” by Riva in 1989 could be celebrated. The Slovenes have participated since then with great enthusiasm and put every effort in well-chosen songs of high quality with an international standard.

Slovenia is the only country from the ex-Yugoslav countries which does not benefit from the “Balkan Block Voting” like Croatia, Serbia, FYR Macedonia, Montenegro and Bosnia & Herzegovina. Since the Semi Finals have been introduced in 2004, Slovenia could only qualify three times out of eleven.