‘I’VE ALWAYS KNOWN I WANTED TO BE on stage, in whatever form that is’
Bambie Thug on performing, representing Ireland at Eurovision and their friendship with Jedward… By Keeley Ryan
Bambie Thug has told how they were“blown away by the country voting”for them to represent Ireland at Eurovision this year. The Cork-born singer-songwriter will be representing Ireland at the 68th edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in Malmo, Sweden this week. They will be performing fourth in the rst semi nal, which will air on Tuesday, May 7 on RTE One and RTE Player from 8pm. The second semi nal will take place on May 9, with the grand nal airing at 8pm on RTE One on May 11.
And the Doomsday Blue singer told Chic how they had“always been into performing”— and how they had“always known I wanted to be on stage in whatever form that is”.
They said,“i’ve always been into performing. I’ve always, always performed — I did ballet, and I used to make songs with my sisters when I was growing up, we would write musicals and things. I’ve always known I wanted to be on stage in whatever form that is.
“I did musical theatre in uni. I love it — I’m still not nished with it, I still want to go into acting in the future, I want to do everything. I want to write my own musical.
“But I guess after university, I started to homeschool myself on how to write more structured music, pop music, dance music. I remember I wrote this one song, and it was called Lovingyou and my manager at the time was like, ‘this is it, this is the song’.
“It hasn’t come out. My sister has the demo, and she plays it all the time — she’s like, ‘this is my favourite song’ and I’m like, ‘that’s never coming out’.
“But the moment I wrote that, I think I realised that I had kind of cracked the ‘how to’ structure and how to do it.
“But I think that when I found Bambie Thug and the home that my music sits in — and when I came out myself, and switched to Bambie Thug — everything started aligning. Things started to come through for me.
“I kind of realise — and it’s funny to see the progression, from say, my rst few shows as Bambie Thug until now.you get more comfortable, the more you do.
“I just love being on stage. I don’t like being in crowds, that gives me anxiety — but I love being in front of the crowd.”
The Late Late Eurosong special, which took place in January this year, saw six acts — including Bambie — compete to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision. The winner was chosen via National Jury, International Jury and Publicvote.
And Bambie told how they had been inspired to apply for the Eurosong as they wanted to build more of a fanbase in Ireland — and there were a few signs that made it seem like a natural step to take.
They recalled,“before Christmas, I was talking to my sister and I was just like, ‘I need to spend some time in Ireland and nurture my Irish fanbase’. And I also wanted to be able to see my family a bit more and so I entered.
“We were kind of like,‘if you take part in Eurosong, you’ve got loads of new Irish support’.”
Bambie told how Eurovision had“always been something that has passed my mind” — and there was one moment in particular that“planted the seed”to take part.
They said,“last year, I was watching it with my friends — actually, two of the collaborators on the track — and I was like, ‘I want to do this’. And they said, ‘you should!’
“So, then that was already in my brain, I think. It planted the seed.
“And then, I think it was also because it’s in Sweden this year. I’m half Swedish, it’s ABBA’S 50th year anniversary and I kept hearing Waterloo — and I still keep hearing Waterloo — everywhere.
“I was just taking it as a sign.”
Bambie told how they were“kind of blown away by the country voting me”to represent Ireland at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest.
They continued,“i’m very emotional about that.
“Obviously, I’ve lived in London for a while and I have not as many connections in Cork as I used to. And I guess, also being Swedish in Ireland, our family — I feel like we were never completely integrated, because there was always this othering thing happening.
“And it was overwhelmingly lovely to be so supported with open arms by my country, when I sometimes feel a bit like an alien — that was going trough my head then.”
The singer-songwriter told how they had some special support in the audience on the night of the Eurosong Contest — including their mother.
They laughed,“my mother told me afterwards,‘i was going around to everyone saying, who are you voting for? And if they didn’t say you, I said, wrong.’
“And my friends brought up a load of banners, as well, and they were asking people if anyone wanted to make their own banners.
“They brought extra bits for people to be able to write their own — there were a few like, ‘send the witch’ banners happening. I was just like,‘this is mad’.”
Bambie also opened up about the meaning behind Doomsday Blue — noting how while the song“marks many different things”, its meaning is also open up to interpretation from the audience.
The Last Summer singer told how they feel“like if it’s connecting with a part of you, then that’s the part its meant to highlight”.
They said,“it covers the waves of toxic romance — you know, the back and forth up and down; the love bombing, gaslighting, all the fun things. But that’s kind of the verses.
“The chorus is moreso about — I guess it can come into love, as well. Being a queer person, in my relationships, I’ve always struggled with even my partner’s slipping up on pronouns. Which is ne, it happens — but I guess you never really know if you’re being looked at differently.
“It also encompasses being excluded and having your potential ignored, which is a ght, I think — especially for queer creatives.
“And then the mid-late talks about my mental health — ‘for your romance, I beg, steal and borrow’ — that, for me, for my brain to stop being its worst enemy, I would do anything. And on training your ways of thinking that have been probably put on you because of your experience e in the world.
“The song marks many different things. But I guess, as an overall, it’s human life.
“And I think it’s funny, because some people are saying that it’s two different songs in one — and it’s not.you could map a day like that; you could wake up crazy and angry and then have those moments of feeling great again; and then back down, and up and down.
“I keep saying to people that whatever they take from the meaning themselves, that’s what the song means for them. Regardless of me saying what’s it about for me, I always feel like if it’s connecting with a part of you, then that’s the part its meant to highlight.
“And once it’s out there, it’s not really my song anymore.”
Bambie told how they have been a longtime Eurovision fan — and that the annual event is something that holds some particularly special moments for them.
They said,“i feel like it’s kind of like when the big road game is on — like, everyone has to watch it.
“But I used to watch it growing up. And then my sister started going to Eurovision parties and then there was a certain age where I was cool enough to go with her and her friends.
“It’s quite nostalgic and it’s quite a wholesome thing for me, in my memory.
“And obviously, I love Conchita and I got to meet Conchita recently. We spent the whole time laughing, she’s so funny — I can’t deal.
“But I guess seeing Conchita on there, just being completely themselves unashamedly, was a good moment — it was a big moment for me to witness.”
Their own Eurovision journey has been a “whirlwind”so far, Bambie said.
They continued,“it’s been very up and down — a lot of work, not enough sleep — but it’s funny, when I take time off to not do things, I nd myself nding something to do.
“I mean, it’s de nitely been a learning curve, as well. And overwhelming at times, exciting at times — not enough at times, too much at times. Whirlwind is the right word.”
Bambie told how Jedward, who represented Ireland at Eurovision in 2011 and 2012, have given them some advice about the experience.
They said,“jedward have given me some advice. I love them — they’re chaotic, they’re my pals now. I mean, it’s been advice about minding myself and enjoying it. That’s been most of the advice. But they’re cool, I really like them — and they’re coming to Malmo, as well. I’m excited.
“I’d met them before but we had more time with them in Amsterdam, and they’re just very sweet. They’re very sweet guys — and they live in London now, as well. So,
I’m happy.
“And I ran into Conor from Wildyouth at The Dublin Castle in Camden and we spoke for a little bit, as well.”
With only a few days to go until the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 kicks off, Bambie told how“crazy”it is to be representing Ireland at the competition.
They said,“i’m super proud of where I come from, in all aspects and creativity, in its progressiveness and its people — and especially from Cork. Because you know how everyone from Cork is like, it’s the best.
“I’m delighted and proud.”
“The song marks many different things. But I guess, overall, it’s human life...”
Representing Ireland Bambie Thug will perform fourth in the rst Semi Final of the Eurovision Song Contest on Tuesday May 7th on RTE One and RTE Player at 8pm. The second Semi Final will air on RTE Two and RTE Player on Thursday May 9. The
nale airs on Saturday, May 11 at 8pm on RTE One and RTE Player. Commentary for all three programmes with Marty Whelan for RTE.