Semifinal 1
SEMIFINAL 1
https://youtu.be/EV7q7wtqJec?si=c6KkWcixgkCS1_1e
We are starting off Semifinal 1 with Tavaris. Oda Lita, the Tavari pop super star, has returned to Urthvision for the first time since Urthvision XIV with her latest single, I Can Blow Your Mind. Bold, daring, provocative, and fun, her style has captured the hearts of the Tavari public and the charts as well, with I Can Blow Your Mind holding the number one spot for seven weeks and counting not even just in Tavaris but across the whole Tavari Union. The Akronist superstar’s enduring popularity has been credited with bringing the Tavari together after a time of disunity.
https://youtu.be/2b1GgT07aes?si=W7x666MnISgW83T4
Next we travel across Gondwana to glares at the paper Piorunpreria. Phantom Daydream was formed in Piorunpreria before their war of independence. They write mostly about random stories they make up, making them a very unknown band until recently. Their song Unbelievers talks about going against the faiths of the world, and how doing this makes people condemn them to damnation. This resonated in anti-Silvist people in the wake of the war, making the band boost in popularity to where they are today.
https://youtu.be/34het3bujvA?si=IGGvbJihQR-E12Zi
Now we go to our favorite pizza loving nation, Volscina. Hailing from the Duchy of Arlenboro, the pop rock band I Kolori are the winners of Volscinofesta 2024, the national song festival leading up to Urthvision. Made up of four members from across Volscina, they call themselves “I Kolori” after the diversity of their own personal backgrounds and origins. Their uniquely funky take on modern pop rock led to their success on the national stage, but only time will tell how they fare before an international audience. Now here is their song, Pensare Male.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u227E7YEDRY&ab_channel=NBTVEVO
Next we have the entry from Wealden. The Thieves are new Wealdenite alternative talent. Forming in the 2010s, they skyrocketed to fame and last year achieved national acclaim with their first Wealden #1 album titled The City. This song, being the bands’ favorite, helped boost the album’s overall success. Wealden is excited to bring brand new inspirational and young talent to the international stage with the song Tomorrow Is Closed!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_ZtBv0hTm1w
In a surprising turn of events, the Nystatinne entry into Urthvision is the V-Pop star Javia Ny’Yoasobi! The popstar parents originally are from Nystatiszna, but escaped the Social Republic in 1978. The song is a catchy reimagining of an old Nystatinne song from during its days as a colony under the Borean Trading Company. Where spirit tries to convince their moral lover not to attempt escape through unpleasant methods. Here is Racing into the Night!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j4pTerzIVG0
Up next we have Empire’s Peace from the Free Pax States. Based on the translated Emjayan historical literature of Ti Ex As or Travel From Fire that records the firsthand and eyewitness accounts of the defining moment that unified the elf tribes of Fara and Peebse with the remnants of Peregrinia to form the first recorded elf tribe alliance. Empire’s Peace brings the ancient tale of the destruction of the city of Peregrinia to a modern era by telling the story as a road of hardship, finding meaning and a new path during an era of uncertainty after losing everything. Now here’s their song, fittingly named Peregrinia.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=y7B6Z-_-Bcc&ab_channel=VACATIONS
Now we go to North Westmore with their entry. Morning, Love is a simple love song written by the lead singer of the band Taser, Morris Harding, to his girlfriend. When the song was released in 2018 by the band, for 42 weeks it comfortably rested in the nation’s top 5 most-played songs, among other hits such as Great Northern Land and God’s Plan. While Morning, Love is a positive heartfelt song, in 2019, a year after release, it unfortunately became associated with the suicide attempt of Anthony Jarvis, a 17-year old teenager who attempted to jump from the top of the Brighton Sands Hotel in Dalesburg - it must be said that he luckily did not go through with this attempt. When asked why he did not jump, he stated that this song, which he had listened to while on the rooftop, had convinced him to keep on living. As a result of this event, the song has now gained a status as an anthem for anti-suicide campaigns and mental health awareness in Westmorian society.
https://youtu.be/P1u0VmKySBs?feature=shared
Now we bring the teenage Thalorian triple threat Arathel Aurorasong who hopes to represent Thalor with her song House of Cards, which is heavily about her past experiences. She hopes to make her family proud in this competition.
Next up is a song written and performed by Aivintian band Shifthand, this pop rock song details a vivid dream about a meeting with a dealmaking demon. The deal-with-the-devil is a popular folk tale archetype around the world, and its portrayal in this song reflects an alternative rejection of the materialist Aivintian society. Though a dangerous message to send under the Kritarchy, the newly liberated Aivintis has experienced a flood of support for alternative and independent music exploring counter-majoritarian societal viewpoints such as this. Here is The Jeweled Liar.
https://youtu.be/PUHSM_vTqTI?si=IqezUtShh9ikXAsA
In a controversial pick, Eyjarian put up contestant Elisa Alexandradatur, who rose to fame not just from her music, but from her comments and lifestyle praising the Queendom of Lapérouse. Her song, Queen of Kings, while popular throughout the Crown Realm (Except Vakrestrender), suffered heavy criticism in the Federation of Lapérouse for its implied messaging for supporting the Queendom. Alexandradatur stated on social media that the song is about celebrating Crown Princess Alexandra in her role as the High Jarlnja of the Federation.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aTJOObStu0Y&t=88s
Now we go to Aurora with the band Schlagstein from Faethalria. Schlagstein is an all male band that earned its name in the underground rock scene of Ribenstadt, the capital of the women dominated Ethalrian Matriarchy and later came to international prominence in the 2000’s. With the fall of the Matriarchy their popularity only grew as unofficial figureheads of the anti fascist and men’s rights movements across the region. Their entry today is simply titled KRÖSENLAND (Ethalria in Ethalrian between you and me), and tells the story of their country; from nomadic savages to bloodthirsty empires, colonial menaces and corrupt dictatorships. They also explore and express their mixed feelings and love hate relationship with their nation, its history, and how its facing the future. but that throughout the pain, the hate, and the mistakes, the people have been strong, brave, and undoubtedly… Ethalrian!
https://youtu.be/H1lcGXwOqJI?si=ySYFd23r0wen1A_Z
Up next we have the entry from Asilica! Asilican-Kaltariz trio The Alʌð Dizaon have partnered with the well-known Asilican artist Walɔji Pfefferhausen to bring the first song in Sprash ever on Urthvision!! The song incorporates some verses in Kaltareg and versions fully in Sprash and Kaltareg will be available soon. This dark yet vibrant tune sings about the story of a young lady who decided to ignore all the warnings of her family and went into the forest to befriend Ekala, a lemur spirit considered to be evil but with whom the lady enjoyed her time, dancing in the shadows and not caring about what people judged at first. The song is both a showcase of Asilican folktronica and a call for the audience to forget about what people say and enjoy what they love to do instead. We bring to you now, Ekaʎa Mɔpadʌ!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vx4kLgnFexo
Now, coming from Mirhaime, we have Minu. An unforgettable name in the Trinterian indie scene, Minu is a singer-songwriter known for her emotionally raw lyrics and eclectic musical style. She gained significant fame for her albums such as Bury Me at Makeout Creek (2014), Puberty 2 (2016), and Be the Marheg (2018). After gaining victory in Melodies of Light (2024) as representative of Cathal, her single My Love Mine All Mine (also known as My Love, My Love) was chosen to represent Mirhaime in this new Urthvision season.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zDKO6XYXioc
Next we have an entry coming again from Gondwana, specifically the nation of North Ni-Rao. Orcz II Kingz is a band founded by four music students in the city of Rora. Combining modern orcish soul music, beautiful vocal harmonies, a family friendly demeanor not usually associated with orcs - and the cool factor for the ladies - Orcz II Kingz became one of the first orcish bands of their time to find some popularity among listeners of other species. This song, End of the Road, was what launched their career due to being simultaneously wholesome and somewhat “exotic.” It is what the August Empress - and her Vizier’s Council - have deemed suitable to represent the Empire on the world stage, as a classic to come out of late 90’s and early 2000’s Ni-Rao that resonates with global audiences and reflects the values of the August Empire.
Now, after you have heard all of these amazing songs, it is time to vote! Vote who your favorites were giving each entry 1-12 points. I can’t wait to see who makes it into this year’s Urthvision!