In the spotlight: Vincent Bueno
07 May 2020 at 10:10 CESTIn December 2019, Vincent Bueno was selected to represent Austria in Eurovision 2020. His self-written song, Alive, premiered on the country's national public broadcaster ORF during the radio show Ö3-Wecker back in March.
Of his selection, Vincent said: "Wow, even thinking about the fact that I am going to participate in the song contest gives me goosebumps. The Eurovision Song Contest is like the Eurocup for musicians and singers. The huge stage, all those artists doing their absolute best, all the songwriters and producers of Europe gathering in one place to celebrate their work while at the same time stepping into the ring – it is breathtaking and formidable. Let’s go Austria!"
The music video for the Austrian Eurovision song was produced by ATTIC Film on behalf of ORF-Enterprise Musikverlag in Vienna.
ORF Program Director Mag. Kathrin Zecher praised Vincent's capacity to get the audience moving, for his honest appreciation for the people around him and for his incredible energy. "This makes him not only a full professional on stage but above all an authentic performer; he is simply Alive," she said. Vincent emits the message of his song with every fibre of his being".
Perhaps this authenticity and abundance of energy comes from his ability to find happiness from within. Vincent explained happiness to him as "...something that no fame or money in this world" could give him, and he hopes to use this energy purposefully.
Austrian broadcaster ORF shared a series of hashtags with explanations that gradually revealed what Vincent's song, Alive, was about. The hashtag #behindthewall was accompanied by a quote from Vincent: "All of us fight our own egos. An ego is like a high wall. If you break it down you realize how much easier and freer life can be."
The 2020 entry explores the notion of becoming alive after letting go of one's own ego. Listeners are drawn to action as they experience the change of the song, both in terms of content and music, until the end where only one statement remains: "Alive again".
The Austrian representative explained the process of creating his piece: “The song itself has undergone massive evolution and got a good push in the final sprint. I worked with very young producers and composers (David, Davey 'Yang, Felix van Göns, Artur Aigner), who will definitely be involved in the Austrian music scene in the future. While the song was being created, everyone on the team was able to experience how much the song was evolving, especially when everyone freed themselves from their own egos and opened up to each other.”
Of his connection to the song, Vincent explains: "From the moment I let go of the fast-paced confirmation of social media and its pressures to be something specific, I reconnected with my identity. That makes me feel alive".
Who is Vincent?
The 34-year-old, Vienna-born artist grew up attending school in Austria. Vincent summarized himself and his passions succinctly: "I love to laugh. I’m a motivated guy. ‘Troubleshooting’ is my personal motto! I love my family above all, have a deep faith and both give me strength in my life. I love music, I love people. I’m very sensitive, which can sometimes be a disadvantage – open-hearted."
Vincent grew up with a musician father. As early as 6 years old he began making his own music and performing, but it was in 2003 that the Austrian artist decided to turn his passion into a profession. That year he commenced his training at the Vienna Conservatory in Musical Entertainment Theater - Musical, which he completed in 2007.
Vincent is no stranger to winning a music competition. He claimed the number 1 spot in ORF's Musical! The Show. His talents do not stop at singing either; in 2009 Vincent also participated in the TV show Dancing Stars and now he produces his own music, including his Eurovision song, Alive, with his studio SUITCASE MEDIA.
READ MORE: Vincent's participant profile
Vincent recently uploaded an Instagram post to check-in with his followers and update them on his current music projects with the hashtag #albuminthemaking.
In that check-in, the Austrian star asked his audience: "How’s everybody doing so far? It’s been a while since I dropped a couple of lines. Any ideas or suggestions on how my new EP should be titled? I got this in mind, either: #diary #SideB #ontherun. Let me know which one of my titles you like most ;) #album #albuminthemaking #studio"
You can follow Vincent on the following social media platforms:
LISTEN: Stream Alive and other Eurovision 2020 songs on Spotify
Austria in the Eurovision Song Contest
Austria first appeared in the second edition of the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957 and won for the first time in 1966.
Different methods have been used by the country to select their Eurovision representatives. National selections were previously held by the Broadcaster ORF but there have also been internal selections, such as in 2014 when it was announced that Conchita Wurst would represent the country with Rise Like A Phoenix that year.
Conchita is the alter ego of Tom Neuwirth and is one of Austria's most famous Eurovision contestants to date, with his performance making it into the top 10 entries from Austria. Watch our top 10 recap here:
Since Conchita's win, however, the country's success took a turn for the worst. In 2015, Austria became the first country to score zero points on home ground when the Contest took place in the capital Vienna.
READ MORE: Austria's country page
PÆNDA represented Austria in 2019 with her song Limits, which conveyed the message that it is important to believe in yourself in order to find your own way. Of her song, PÆNDA says: "being aware of the moments where I needed a break was a process for me. It was a long and at times difficult road to learning my own limits." She finished in 17th place in the second Semi-Final.
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