It has come to the attention of Grapevine sources that Páll Óskar is likely to make a Eurovision comeback next year and possibly in collaboration with Jónsi of Sigur Rós. According to www.eurovisionary.com, Jónsi has been quoted as saying that he would “love to see Páll Óskar compete for Iceland at Eurovision again.” And although Jónsi’s name is not on the list of composers who have qualified for the national finals, which will air on RÚV this winter, rumor has it that he actually composed a song for Páll to perform at the 2011 Eurovision Song Contest.
Páll Óskar (b.1970) first entered Eurovision in 1997 with the song “Minn hinsti dans” (My Last Dance), a fantastic number that was unfortunately relegated to 20th place. Like so many great artists (see Silvía Nótt at Eurovision a few years back) Páll Óskar was ahead of his time. As the title of his song suggests, Páll Óskar had, by 1997, already established quite a career and reputation in music and performance art in Iceland. He began singing with the band Milljónamæringarnir in the early 90’s and released his debut solo album Stuð in 1993, which included the hit track “TF-Stuð.” He soon went on to set up his own recording company, POP, and has since produced several solo albums under the independent label, such as the more recent Allt fyrir ástina (2007) and Silfursafnið (2008 best of compilation).
Páll Óskar is much more than Iceland’s gay pop icon. It is a testament to his skills as an artist and performer that renowned indenpendent musicians such as Jónsi of Sigur Rós express interest in collaborating with him and that the band Hjaltalín recorded a cover of “Þú kómst við hjartað í mér” just a year after Páll Óskar released his own version of the song. In addition to his popular Palla balls, Páll recently performed with The Iceland Symphony Orchestra, and is known to be an expert in the splatter film genre. He last entered Eurovision in 2004, as co-composer of the song “This Is My Life.” Whether or not he receives superstar backing, a Páll Óskar entry in the next Eurovision alone would be sure to raise hopes and expectations among Eurovision hooked Icelanders. He is certainly due for a win.
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