By Ginge Coldwell
Trying to submit a song for candidacy for the Eurovision in Greece, has remained a tough prospect with ERT not giving any explanations to the process and their “doors” have remained sealed.
Last Thursday local Greek band Zante Dilemma denounced to the Greek national media on the indifference of the state television channel towards the very successful Zakynthian Band.
Stella Laitmer, owner of LDR the record label that Zante Dilemma record’s with said “We have talked many times with ERT since the summer and a few days ago I even talked to Marisa Fakli head of The International Relations Department for ERT, she informed us orally that only a few major record companies can participate in Eurovision, and not us” she also stated “We just wanted ERT to hear the song before rejecting it”.
Zante Dilemma have surpassed Greek borders, having had great success not only in Greece but also Cyprus, Italy , Russia and Scandinavia . Their song “My Christina”, is their most famous single and last year in Kalamata they played to 15,000 people and had to have clearance from the highest level of the Greek church to perform in Meteoria.
Vocalist and Creator of Zante Dilemma Kostas Efepoulos,, who is considered one of Greece finest lyrist said on ERMIS Radio on Thursday.
“There is too much power from the major record companies in the Greek music scene, which is not good for the independent and smaller labels”
Mr Efepoulos, further went on to say, “I am not happy with the influence that the likes of reality imported talent shows such as X- Factor and Pop Idol have on Greek pop music and the way that it exploits young kids.”
Emily Greenslade, an English girl and new member of the band, recorded the vocals of Zante Dilemma’s Eurovision entry said to the Expresso newspaper “I am, now, in the company of a Greek band that knows and produces music and has such potential to be accepted by the most demanding listener.”
ERT Television has selected six artists for the Greek national final for the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf.. All of them took part in talent shows such as X-Factor and Greek Idol: The Greek national final will be held in February. The exact date is not known yet.
It will consist of a professional jury and the tele-voting audience and they will determine 50% each of who’ll represent Greece in the semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2011 in Düsseldorf.
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