Each Friday we chat to an Australian and an international fan about their love of Eurovision. This week our international fan is Dimi from London via Belgium aka @DimiSpice85
Check out his Q&A with us below:
What is your name and where are you from?
Hi Aussievision, I’m Dimi which is short for Dimitri. Please call me Dimi though, the full name is only being used by my mother when she’s very cross with me. I’m originally from the Flemish speaking part of Belgium, although for the last decade I’ve been living in the UK.
Hi Dimi, I think you're our first Flemish fan! ~ Aussievision
What do you do or tell us something interesting about you?
I work for a secure streaming & distribution platform used by several big tv & film productions. So plenty of previews and different cuts I get to see before they air in theatres, tv and Netflix but shhh don’t tell anyone.
That sounds amazing!
When did you first get into Eurovision?
Well Eurovision was always watched as a kid, but the first genuine interest in the contest happened in 2004, (Urban Trad’s second place in 2003 peaked the interest). it was the year I discovered the official website and the previews. It would take a further 2 years to really delve into the national finals though.
Which is your favourite Eurovision year and why?
That’s such a tricky question. Two years ago I did this big project of going through all of them and I can whittle it down to three; 1974 (because there’s not a single song I dislike there) but equally 2014-15 & 16 are years I love because those are the years I attended and I got to meet so many wonderful and beautiful people, who all love this song competition.
Which Eurovision Song
Is the best?
Without a shadow of a doubt… Non’ho l’eta by Gigliotta Cinquetti. I know, I know it’s an oldie but it is an absolute classic for all the right reasons.
Wow nice choice, non many oldies turn up as an answer to this.
Is overrated?
Oh gosh, I am going to get so much stick for this one. But I’m going to have to go with Russia’s entry in 2016. You Are The Only One. Love Sergey, and would love to see him return but preferrably with something far better and less naff than his entry then. *awaits a shower of abuse*
Dimi. This was going so well. And then you do that to me! ~ Dale
Was robbed?
Shady Lady Ani Lorak was totally robbed in 2008. It remains an absolute killer tune.
Ok you've redeemed yourself, yes she should have ~ Dale
Sorry, no 'Believe' deserve to win! ~ Mike
Had the best live performance?
It has to be Eleni Foureira (Cyprus), She absolutely tore the roof down in Lisbon with that performance. One we’re gonna see featured quite a lot in anticipation videos for upcoming contests.
Did you last play?
This is why I have http://last.fm folks ;-) Looks like the last Eurovision Song I played was the French entry of this year. Mercy by Madam Monsieur. Great song!
Is your guilty pleasure?
Again there’s so many to choose from (hello Verka!!) but this is a song that actually shares another category here. Hello Sergey!! Yep, while I think You are the Only One is overrated I also can not help but burst into the Thunder and Lightning it’s getting exciting chorus. So fair play, Russia, FAIR PLAY!
This is a rollercoaster of emotions.
Which countries you tend to support in Eurovision?
That’s a difficult question, it really varies year by year. I’m not really bound to a set of specific countries, but Italy and Ukraine generally seem to feature quite a lot.
What national finals are you most looking forward to?
Super excited for Australia’s first national final. The acts already announced sound amazing. The acts announced for France sounds promising too. There’s also Ukraine; Let’s hope Tayanna competes again and finally gets the public on her side this time around. And last but not least what will the host country Israel go for.
Any prediction of what we might see in Tel Aviv this year?
Tough question, I am personally hoping for lots of variety. I hope acts have dared to be creative and come up with fantastic music. The years where it’s hard to predict a front runner are the best. So that’s what we hopefully are going to see in Tel Aviv.
What do you think of Australia being in Eurovision?
I absolutely love having you guys in the competition. There’s clearly a huge love and enthusiasm for the contest down under. And it’s also giving other nations a push to raise the bar higher (kuch UK). About time you guys are being instated as a permanent contestant, no?
We agree!
Any favourite acts in Australia Decides?
Can I first applaud the organiser of Australia Decides? Well done you guys for giving us six top notch acts already. I am extremely excited about all of them to be honest, but I have to mention Kate Miller-Hedike first. Many moons ago I actually used to play as Australia in a World Song Contest online competition and so I got to discover so many Australian acts including her. She’s out of this world and has such wide experience in so many styles she can bring to Eurovision. Sheppard were another act I discovered that way. They have a great vibe and maybe it is time for Australia to send a group to Tel Aviv. And then there’s Courtney… I mean… Can you tell I’m excited?
And finally...
Tonight Again, Sound of Silence, Don’t Come Easy or We Got Love?
This is one between the girls for me… but I have to go for Dami Im. This was the perfect example where everything came together at the right time, and really Dami should have snatched our wigs and the crown. #Robbed
She snatched wigs, but unfortunately not that crown. Thanks for your time Dimi!