Latvia believes in music: There’s nothing hollow about Dons

After facing fierce competition, Dons smashed through Latvia’s national final Supernova to win his place at Eurovision 2024. With a mix of public and jury votes, the popular musician came out on top.

Dons has got an impressive musical history, and has spent the last decade releasing albums, winning awards, and doing stadium shows. In 2021, he signed with Universal Music Group, joining some of the world’s top artists including John Legend, Taylor Swift, and Billie Eilish. That’s pretty good company to keep.

Hollow was written by a top team of collaborators, made up of Dons himself (whose real name is Artūrs Šingirejs), Liam Geddes, and Kate Northrop. Liam has collaborated with Dutch DJs and producers Afrojack and Tiësto, while American songwriter Kate worked on a song for the Swiss Eurovision national finals in 2018.

Dons has had a lot of magical moments as a musician, and he says the best are when he’s singing together with an audience. Eurovision 2024 ticket holders, time to get learning the Hollow lyrics!

We asked Dons which 3 famous people from any time period he’d invite to dinner if he had the chance. He said he’d sit down with Freddie Mercury, Arnold Schwarzenegger, and Queen Elizabeth II. Did the late queen ever listen to Queen? We would also love to know what’s on the menu. Dons did tell us that his favourite cheese is Dutch buffalo, so perhaps that would make an appearance.

Dons’ Eurovision heroes are ABBA, and he said no explanation is needed. He’ll find plenty of ways to celebrate his idols in Sweden, on the 50th anniversary of their win. My, my!

This Latvian pop idol is inspired by some of the power ballad greats, and loves songs that become anthems. Some of his favourites include Queen’s Somebody To Love, The Beatles’ Yesterday, and Elton John’s Your Song. And if you want to get him up on the dancefloor, ask the DJ to put on Bee Gees’ Stayin Alive.

When he gets to Malmö, Dons says he’s most looking forward to having fun and meeting lots of talented, creative people. He’s also expecting lots of fresh air. Breathe in…. breathe out. 

Look out for Dons on upcoming episodes of the Official Eurovision Song Contest Podcast.

You can learn more about Dons from Latvia right here.