Iceland’s national selection for Eurovision has already begun. Söngvakeppnin 2024 has already aired its first Semi Final, but today Jan and Dave are speaking with one of the big names who will compete in the second Semi Final.

The exquisite Hera Björk is our guest for today’s episode! She will compete on Saturday, 24th February for a spot in the Icelandic Final on 2nd March!

Chatting with Hera was like chatting with an old friend. She was very professional, and is a true Eurovision fan herself, which is not surprising since she’s already been on the Eurovision stage herself! She placed 19th in 2010 with the banger Je ne sais quoi and has been a vocal coach and backing vocalist for Iceland several times since.

Iceland’s Eurovision participation this year has seen some controversy since the Icelandic Association of Composers and Lyricists told the national broadcaster RÚV that its members would not take part in the selection for Eurovision 2024 if Israel was still allowed to compete.

Hera noted that it was a tough decision to make, but she will fly to Malmö, should she win:

“The Eurovision nation needs to stop this. I mean, the comments are just like out of this world sometimes. They are so bitter, so rude, so inappropriate – and I just want to go hug these people, because like I say, talking badly about people, talking people down, pointing at them and screaming ugly words has never saved lives. So I will go, but it’s not up to me actually, because of course RÚV has been trying to work with us, the songwriters and asked the participants to somehow get our arms around this. We understand, we all agree this situation is not acceptable.”

– Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir

Meanwhile, Hera (and most of Iceland) is convinced that Iceland is on the precipice of a Eurovision victory, and explained what might happen when an Icelander finally hoists the crystal microphone trophy:

“When Iceland entered Eurovision for the first time, this was the biggest deal in Iceland. The ICY band was like ‘Wow!’ We all tried to mimic their costumes, and that was hard because they were so designy, you know. All the competing songs of 1986 were the best songs. I mean, we still play them at parties here. I remember the disappointment that we didn’t win, like the first time. We were so sure! […] That’s the cute part about it, Iceland always honestly believes that we will win every year. […] We innocently believe that THIS is going to be our year, but we will not be able to afford hosting the competition here, but the EBU has said that if we win — not if — when we win, they’re going to help us!”

– Hera Björk Þórhallsdóttir

Would you like to see Hera Björk in Malmö? Let us know your thoughts on her song Við förum hærra in the comments below or at our socials @buildingbridgespod!

Be sure and check out the Icelandic and English versions of her Söngvakeppnin 2024 song:

Photo: RÚV