Iceland opened for entry submissions mere weeks after the 2012 edition of the contest was done and dusted. Eager to find the successor to Greta Salóme and Jónsi’s Never Forget, broadcaster RÚV is one step closer now with the final being confirmed as the 9th og February.
Hera Ólafsdóttir from RÚV revealed to Icelandic news site Vísir this morning that a number of entries had already begun to trickle in to them since last Friday. So far one song among the submitted entries is from overseas, which, according to Ólafsdóttir may well be in breach of the contest rules, but needs further investigation. As was the case with last year’s selection, potential participants have to be either an Icelandic citizen or registered as having fixed abode in Iceland, although the contest rules do allow for collaboration between Icelandic and foreign composers and songwriters.
Prospective candidates have been given a submissions deadline by the 8th of October by RÚV, and according to Ólafsdóttir, RÚV have already noticed considerable interest with many calls regarding possible participation. The versions of any songs submitted don’t have to be polished, she stipulates, as long as RÚV are able to get the main gist of the melody and lyrics.
A special panel will be appointed in order to select a shortlist; as in 2012, names of composers will be withheld with only the song title being known to assure as unbiased a selection process as possible. A list of those to make it through to the heats will then be published by the end of October, Ólafsdóttir tells Vísir. She was also able to confirm that the first heat of Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins will take place on the 12th of January, and providing that RÚV decide to follow this year’s formula, the dates of the second and third heat should therfore be the 19th and 26th of January respectively. The venue of all three heats and the final are yet to be disclosed, but the Harpa concert hall is practically a given for hosting the final.
A maximum number of three entries per composer is allowed this year, and as in this year, any potential entries have to be performed wholly in Icelandic. The decision of which language the winning entry for Malmö is to be performed in will be made in conjunction with a competition commission. Further details surrounding the rules for participation (reglur keppninnar) as well as an application form for Söngvakeppni Sjónvarpsins can be found on the official RÚV site (Icelandic only).
Depsite being hotly tipped to do very well in Baku this year, Greta Salóme and Jónsi only managed a dissappointing 20th placing with the dramatic ballad Never Forget.
