LONDON.- It doesn’t matter if Nemo wins the Festival of the Song of Eurovision this weekend—which would make it the first singer nonbinary to take home the crystal microphone – the singer is already a success.
Representing Switzerland with the song The CodeNemo says there is now more understanding and awareness in his country about being non-binary and what it means.
“People are starting to understand more and I think understanding means a lot to me. And just being able to represent this community at Eurovision is incredible. And I’m so glad I’m not even the only one this year. You know, that’s even better because it just shows that it’s necessary.”
Among the contestants who made it to Thursday’s next semi-final round is Irish goth fairy Bambie Thug, who is also non-binary and uses they/them pronouns.
The song The Code Nemo is about struggling to find your place and discovering it “somewhere between the zeros and ones” of a binary system. He is one of the favorites to win Eurovision, which takes place this week in Malmö, Sweden.
“To know that they like a song where I am unconditionally myself, and I talk about the journey of finding myself and being non-binary and knowing that it touches them, is really beautiful,” Nemo said.
To shine at the festival
In Malmö, Nemo has been organizing some sessions in hotel rooms with other artists and would like this to lead to future musical collaborations.
The downside of the hotel is the powerful air conditioning, which is not good at all for an artist who hits high operatic notes and also raps at full speed.
Nemo not only sings and raps in a huge pink furry coat, he does it on a giant rotating platform while performing Matrix-style moves that defy gravity.
“Actually, that’s one of my favorite parts. It’s a lot of fun to do,” she said. “People ask me: do you have magnets in your shoes? I tell them no, but I should.”
Switzerland is one of 37 countries competing in Eurovision this week after Loreen won the contest last year.
Source: AP
