Bambie Thug lauds Eurovision’s historic non-binary illustration

Eire’s Eurovision Track Contest entrant Bambie Thug has defined why the historic non-binary illustration at this 12 months’s competitors is “necessary – particularly now”.

In 2014, the Eurovision Track Contest was dominated by a little-known Austrian artist named Thomas Neuwirth – now recognised as his drag alter ego Conchita Wurst – who rose to the highest of the chief board and made historical past as Eurovision’s first drag winner.

Sitting at residence with their household in Cork, Eire, that evening was Bambie Ray Robinson, aka self-described “Ouija-pop” singer Bambie Thug, then simply 21 and 6 years away from releasing any sort of music. 

Watching Conchita on stage “being authentically them and not likely caring” 10 years in the past, “modified one thing” in Bambie as an individual, they informed PinkNews. A decade later, and so they’re hoping to be that very same inspiration for younger queer youngsters watching this 12 months.

After profitable Eire’s nationwide choice contest, Eurosong, in January with their genre-defying romp of a music, “Doomsday Blue”, the singer-songwriter will turn into the primary non-binary artist to symbolize the nation on the contest.

It’s an enormous accomplishment, nevertheless it comes with a hefty accountability. After all, there’s the small undeniable fact that Eire is presently tied with present reigning nation, Sweden, for essentially the most Eurovision wins: seven. Plus, Eurovision has an enormous LGBTQ+ following – together with youthful queer individuals who want to the competition for somebody to admire, as Bambie did with Conchita.

“When somebody sees one thing [that represents them], it permits you to open your self extra,” Bambie mentioned.

Whereas they’ve been showered with love by Eire’s LGBTQ+ group – together with drag performers who’ve created routines to “Doomsday Blue” – Bambie mentioned that “the very best messages are all the time from little queer youngsters who’ve been capable of really feel extra comfy in themselves from having a consultant like [me]”.

Nevertheless it’s not simply younger queer individuals getting in contact.

“I’ve had mother and father attain out about their non-binary youngsters or their queer youngsters… illustration is all the time necessary, [but] particularly now. It’s not the most secure world for non-binary and trans individuals, for any of our group.”

Bambie is about to be seen on one of many world’s greatest music platforms as a at a time when trans and non-binary persons are having their rights challenged worldwide, and their identities ridiculed by main political and cultural figures. Seeing them conquer Eurovision is a large win for Eire’s queer group, however they’ve additionally been used as bait to stoke tradition wars within the nation.

After Bambie’s Eurosong win was introduced, Hermann Kelly, the president of the right-wing Irish Freedom Celebration, dubbed them “woke nonsense [that] celebrated Satanism”, whereas one other depressing soul arrange a petition to get the star faraway from the competitors.

Nonetheless, Bambie’s message to the haters is scathing: “Observe self-compassion and maybe you’ll study to stay in love,” they mentioned in February.

This 12 months specifically, Bambie is feeling the love at Eurovision, contemplating there are quite a few different LGBTQ+ artists representing different international locations. That features Switzerland’s entrant and the favorite to win Nemo, and the UK’s Olly Alexander. It’s the primary time within the contest’s lengthy historical past that a couple of competitor has recognized as non-binary.

“Eurovision is just like the homosexual olympics anyway, nevertheless it’s modified now, as a result of it’s being a bit extra inclusive. I’m actually grateful,” Bambie mentioned. “It feels appropriate.

“I all the time say that tradition begins throughout the queer group. We positively deserve extra gentle on us, all of us. To have [numerous] non-binaries within the competitors, it’s an incredible feat.”

Whereas being a Eurovision entrant is an undeniably demanding expertise, having different non-binary and LGBTQ+ artists round has made the method slightly simpler. 

“It feels tremendous particular to even have someone there who understands my mind a bit. We’ve slightly gang of us queers. There may be simply one thing extra calming about having extra members of your group round you.”

Bambie will function within the first semi-final on 7 Could, vying for a coveted spot within the grand finale. Choosing their music was a strategic transfer: it matches Eurovision’s penchant for “weird” tunes and lends itself to a charming stage efficiency each for these at Sweden’s Malmö Enviornment and the hundreds of thousands watching at residence.

They’d a little bit of hassle deciding whether or not to go along with “Doomsday Blue” and or one other observe from their EP, Cathexis, however the different choice simply didn’t really feel proper.

“The opposite one was safer and extra like a ballad and I used to be like, ‘That’s not exhibiting me’. I used to be like: ‘F**okay that. I wish to scream. I wish to showcase a number of sides of me’.”

Bambie is aware of it’s not a music for everybody as a result of it’s a warped merger of pop, jazz, steel and every part in between.

“It’s a bit quirky… it’s Marmite,” Bambie laughed. “Whether or not you like it or hate it, it’s inflicting a response in you and that’s good.”

The Eurovision Track Contest semi-finals happen on 7 and 9 Could, and the ultimate is on 11 Could, and can air on BBC One within the UK.