Meet the ESCXTRA team! Part 7 – HLYNUR

This summer, we are running a series of feature articles that is slightly different to the norm. We think this is the perfect time for you (and us!) to find out more about the ESCXTRA team! Twice a week we’ll meet two of our team members. What is our personal Eurovision story? Why did we want to be a part of this website? What are our favourite Eurovision songs of all-time? How can you get in touch with us on social media? Read on to find out! 

Hlynur Sigurðsson

I’m a 30-year-old Icelander, from a town called Hafnarfjörður. I studied physiotherapy and have been working in that field for few years. I joined ESCXTRA in July 2016.

You can follow me on the following social media handles:
Twitter: @HlynSka
Instagram: @hhllyynnuurr

Your first Eurovision memory?

Would say that my first clear memory is from the year 2000. I remember I was cheering for the Olsen brothers and hoping they would win. I still sometimes start to singing it in my head if I hear the word „fly“!

However, when trying to dig deep in my memory, I can picture seeing the Icelandic entries from 1996 and 1997. Memories can fool you, but I think I should be able to remember the weird song Sjúbídú and Paul Oscar’s masterpiece.

Your Eurovision journey?

Being Icelandic, watching Eurovision is kind of in my blood and has been part of our culture since the year 1986 when Iceland first competed. To give an example, 98% of those who were watching TV on 13th of May this year were watching Eurovision, and Iceland didn’t even make it to the final.

With that said I would enjoy watching the show, sometimes with family and sometimes alone since I was the biggest fan in my family. Since it starts quite early in the evening here in Iceland I remember not wanting to go and eat dinner because of the show. During the years I started to enjoy it more and more, I would look on YouTube before the show, pick my favorite and try to predict the results.

To the next level

My interest for Eurovision got an extra push in 2016 when I went to the London Eurovision Party and got to meet some of the contestants, including my favorite that year Poli Genova. That brought Eurovision closer to my heart and spiked my interest even further. And this year I worked with ESCXTRA at LEP, followed Söngvakeppnin and watched other countries’ national finals.

Next year my plan is to go to Portugal and see it live for the first time!

Me and Blanche, one of my favorite artists this year.

Why is Eurovision special to you?

I could speculate that Iceland’s first performance at Eurovision, “Gleðibankinn”, had something to do with my conception since the time frame could fit; will have to ask my parents about that! 😛
But I guess the special thing is that Eurovision has just been there for me, it’s something that happens every year like Easter and Christmas and something I have always enjoyed watching. It’s just special!

What attracted you to ESCXTRA?

I was so fortunate to get to know Wivian in the year 2014 and we have become really good friends. For those who know her; it’s so easy to get enthusiastic about Eurovision around her. I also met some of ESCXTRA team in London in 2016 and being around such Eurovision genius was inspiring. How could I not want to join?

And finally, your top 5 Eurovision songs of all-time

Definitely the most difficult question, there are so many songs! I have never put up a list like this before so I will go with my instinct. I’m a creature of habit, when I like I song I like it and can replay it again and again. So I will pick 5 songs out of those I have overplayed, but still somehow love them deeply. And I will leave 2017 out even though there are a few songs that I overplayed, but they have to earn their spot with time.

5. Marija Šerifović – Molitva (Serbia 2007)

Just to have one “older” one on the list. I really liked it back then and still do. And I used to pretend that I can sing it correctly until I was corrected by a Serb.

4. Poli Genova – If Love Was A Crime (Bulgaria 2016)

Poli is a really nice artist and this song captivated me, just like her other entry “Na Inat” in 2011 did.

3. Aminata – Love Injected (Latvia 2015)

What an artist! What a performer! She got me injected with love for this song.

2. Loïc Nottet – Rhythm Inside (Belgium 2015)

I really like this song, and it has a lot to do with his voice. I still follow his music and look forward to hearing more from him.

1. Mei Finegold – Same Heart (Israel 2014)

I am really disappointed that “Same Heart” did not make it to the final. Total shock! I think she should have taken the sword to the stage! The build up in the song and Mei’s rough voice with a mix of Hebrew just makes this song so brilliant.

Stay tuned for the next part in our Meet the ESCXTRA team series. On Tuesday we will meet Yassia! Remember you can share your Eurovision stories with us in the comments section below or via the comments sections on our Facebook page @ESCXTRA. We would love to hear them!