Ireland’s 2024 Eurovision entry Bambie Thug has spoken to NME about navigating the controversy surrounding the competition this year, along with the key inspirations behind their metal-infused “ouija-pop” sound and representing their nation as a queer, non-binary contestant.
The Irish singer-songwriter (real name Bambie Ray Robinson) won RTÉ’s Eurosong contest in January with their song ‘Doomsday Blues’. Robinson penned the track with Cassyette, Wargasm’s Sam Matlock and songwriter Tyler Ryder.
They currently rank in the top 10 favourites to win the competition this year, of which they said: “Ireland hasn’t been in the final 10 years – the fact that we are there even in the top ten is incredible. But to be honest, I’m never one to try and look at the odds. In my brain, you could always beat the odds, because anyone can make the odds go up and down with a bit of money.
“I’m glad people are betting on me, but I’m just going to give the best performance I can do and try to connect in those three minutes to those millions of viewers. Hopefully my performance shines on the night and they crown the witch!”
Robinson told NME their witchcraft influences were owed to Ireland’s historic pagan roots, and their interest in paganism reignited when they made friends with a witch community in London’s Muswell Hill.
“It’s been a form of therapy, putting an intention or feeling onto certain objects, or putting things into a potion to signify something,” they said. “It’s all arts and crafts, it’s all creating and play. That’s been very important for me.”
They also discussed the wave of rock acts that have captured Eurovision; last year, Australian prog-metal band Voyager scored ninth with their track ‘Promise’ – following in the footsteps of the arena-filling 2021 victors Måneskin. Asked about why metal was being embraced by Eurovision, Robinson replied: “Because it feels so good to scream!”
“Personally, I’m not one to shout – I don’t really know how to express anger correctly,” they continued. “So for me, it’s really an outlet. I get to finally scream. Maybe people want a bit of a rush, and I think metal music gives you that rage. Obviously we love pop music, we love country music, everything. But they don’t really give you a hit in your body. I think the world’s suppressing a lot. Maybe that’s why they’re connecting with metal more, because it is a release.”
Robinson is also due to perform at Download’s main stage this year having played the festival’s smallest stage last year, calling it “mental”.
Bambie Thug attends Download Festival 2024 launch party on November 07, 2023 in London, England. (Photo by Shane Anthony Sinclair/Getty Images)
“I can’t wait. After Eurovision I was like, ‘I’m going to be so bored’. Then I realised I only have a few weeks before Download, so it’s not going to stop,” they said. “It feels even better because obviously I have bits in my music that are metal, but I cross a lot of genres.
“To be given that opportunity again on another amazing platform when I do not fit into the standard box of what you would expect there is incredible. I’m super grateful – I’m going to be waking everyone up!”
The musician also opened up about what it meant to be chosen by Ireland as an openly queer, alternative artist. “It feels really good,” they said. “Ireland has this rap of being backwards. In some cases, there are parts of the country where they’re not as forward-thinking.”
They added: “My country did vote in the marriage referendum and abortion. As a public, they are forward-thinking. The majority, their brain is in the now. Especially Cork: where I’m from is quite a loud county and they really get behind you if you’re from Cork.”
Robinson went on to discuss the importance of being one of the first non-binary contestants (along with Switzerland’s Nemo) to enter the competition, and becoming an international representative of the non-binary community: “I think they should have more of us.”
“It feels amazing,” they continued. “I genuinely believe that culture comes from the queer community. There’s always space for more for more of us, more support and light on queer, non-binary and trans people.”
Bambie Thug poses for a portrait session at Sala La Riviera during the Eurovision PrePartyES 2024 on March 29, 2024 in Madrid, Spain. (Photo by Patricia J. Garcinuno/Getty Images)
Robinson also described being given their current platform as “amazing”, emphasising the danger of being transgender and non-binary in our current political climate: “There’s still a lot of people who don’t understand.”
“People don’t really know or try to educate themselves unless they know someone that’s non-binary or trans. The public think it’s something to do with your sexuality or how you look. Really it’s trying to educate them that it’s an internal being of self.”
They continued: “It feels lovely to have Nemo there as well. We have Olly [Alexander] and Silvester [Belt] who are all queer, Saba as well. There’s a bunch of us. It makes me feel a bit more held. I’m very grateful for that, and everyone is super nice and chaotic, they’re so funny.”
Eurovision 2024 has also been met with controversy due to the Israel-Palestine war this year. There have been a number of calls for boycotts due to Israel’s participation in the contest. The country initially submitted a song called ‘October Rain’, whose title and lyrics seemed to reference Hamas’ October 7 attacks. However, the song violated Eurovision rules on political neutrality.
Though Israel’s broadcaster KAN threatened to withdraw from the competition if any lyrical changes were to be made, they eventually amended the song in March and were confirmed to compete after Israeli President Isaac Herzog called for “necessary adjustments” to ensure the country’s participation.
Since the reveal of ‘October Rain’, an open letter from the LGBTQ+ community was shared calling for Alexander to drop out of the competition in solidarity (with the Years & Years star having previously called Israel an “apartheid state“). Hundreds of artists from Sweden and Finland have also signed petitions calling for Israel to be banned, whilst over 400 Irish artists urged Robinson to boycott the competition last mont.
In a collective statement, Robinson and Alexander reaffirmed their pro-Palestine stance whilst announcing they would not boycott.
Robinson posted an additional statement due to being “an Irish person with a shared history of occupation and a queer individual”, writing: “My heart and solidarity has and always will lie with the oppressed, and I remain committed to supporting and using my platform to raise awareness and advocate for change”.
Bambie Thug onstage during the London Eurovision Party 2024 at Outernet London on April 07, 2024 in London, England. (Photo by Jeff Spicer/Getty Images)
Speaking to NME about navigating the controversy, Robinson admitted: “It’s a lot when I know that my heart is in the right place and when it’s not my decision. I have had to take a break from social media because it is weighing on me. A lot of stuff is completely nasty and uncalled for.
“As artists, we’re easy targets, but at the end of the day, I have said that I don’t think they made the right decision,” they continued. “I still stand by that. But people should be coming for the EBU and for the broadcasters, not us as artists. I stand by my statement and I am completely for Palestine, and I think it’s ridiculous that it’s gone on for so long. I think the world is quite removed from its heart and its consciousness right now.”
When asked if Robinson would support RTÉ hypothetically choosing to boycott Eurovision, they replied: “It’s their decision. I’m working for them, I would have no choice.”
Asked how else they intended to show their support to the people of Palestine on the night, Robinson replied: “Well, I can’t say anything.”
Previously, the musician shared with The Irish Examiner that “I have worked very hard on my artistry,” adding: “I’d adore the opportunity to realise this song on such a huge platform. Imagine the budget for a stage show like this? To be given the opportunity to even get within touching distance of that is such a privilege.”
Bambie Thug during the Eurovision in Concert 2024 Press Presentation at AFAS Live on April 13, 2024 in Amsterdam, Netherlands. (Photo by Silas Tahapary/BSR Agency/Getty Images)
Asking Robinson whether this was a factor in not wanting to boycott, they responded: “It definitely plays into it. I’m an independent artist. I’m unsigned. I’m unpublished. I am un-managed and I will continue to use my voice going forward. I don’t even have somewhere to rent or to live right now. This is also an opportunity to change my entire life, hopefully.
They concluded: “There’s only so much that I can do. That’s all I have to share on this – it’s hard as an independent musician.”
Admitting that the Eurovision experience had become “bittersweet” with “a big cloud above it” due to the controversy, they added: “You want to be proud of yourself, but at the same time, this is happening.
“I just don’t think it should be on us as artists, we’re not politicians. I’m going to continue to use my voice, as I said, and do everything I can with what I can do.”
The semi-finals of the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 take place in Malmö, Sweden from Tuesday May 7, with the final on Saturday May 11.
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