Songwriter's 'incredible' Eurovision dream ends at semi-finals
A Weymouth songwriter said her Eurovision experience was 'just incredible' despite her tune falling at the final hurdle ahead of tonight's big show.
As the Echo previously reported, Emma Gale has been working with artists in Croatia, Latvia and Norway to help create new songs for this year's contest which is hosted by Switzerland.
Only Croatia's entry, Poison Cake by Marko Bosnjak, made it through to the semi-finals which took place in Basel on Tuesday night.
Emma Gale at the Eurovision semi-finals in Basel, Switzerland (Image: Emma Gale) Unfortunately, the song was not chosen in the public votes - missing out on a spot in tonight's finals losing out to the likes of Ukraine, Estonia, Portugal, Albania, San Marino and Poland.
Speaking about the experience, Emma, 55, said: 'The whole experience was just incredible. It's absolutely fine (the song not making it to the finals) and I'm so grateful for the opportunity.
The Croatian writing team; Ben Pyne, Emma Gale, Bas Wissink, Marko Bošnjak, Filip Majdak (Image: Emma Gale) 'The atmosphere was fantastic - I was coming out saying that it was better than Glastonbury. There was such a feeling of love in the whole venue which is what Eurovision is all about. I can't wait for next year, I'm absolutely hooked.
The stage of the Eurovision semi-finals and final in Basel (Image: Emma Gale) 'I want to thank the Echo and others for the local support and excitement over the past few months- it's meant a lot.'
Emma added that there was some 'disappointing' news following the event after it was alleged people in Norway who voted for Croatia's song were receiving text confirmations that they voted for Israel's entry.
She is hoping the team from Croatia launches an investigation into this 'for fairness and transparency'.
She said: 'We're a little disappointed with the news since, but Marko feels the same and really upbeat which is great considering he didn't have his own country behind him.
'The shocker for us was Belgium not going through, as well as Cyprus, because the person who wrote the Cyprus song won the contest last year- and then it was Ukraine who went through which no one expected.'
The crowd of the Eurovision semi-finals and final in Basel (Image: Emma Gale) Emma said that she has a lot planned over the next year, and she is hoping her Eurovision continues next year with a different country.
She said: 'I've now signed with a publisher in Norway- I love getting concepts together and writing melodies.
'In June, I'll be heading to Latvia and Ireland, and then to Finland in August as well as other things planned not for Eurovision in Thailand and with K-Pop (Korean pop).
'I'm working at the moment to fund this, but the dream will to be called up to go to LA or somewhere and help write music.'
Emma said the one to watch tonight was Ireland's entry, Laika Party by Emmy.
The grand final of the contest will take place in St Jakobshalle, an indoor arena in Basel, tonight, Saturday, May 17. It will be broadcast live on BBC One and streaming service BBC iPlayer from 8pm.
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