“It was so annoying when I was a kid,” laughs Bumbee Thug. “I was always putting on shows, rewriting lyrics and performing songs for everyone. My sisters would dress me up and make music videos with old Windows software. I was always performing.”
The Macroom native is currently planning to give the performance of his life on this stage. A special program will be broadcast on Friday 26 January as they have been chosen as one of six potential Irish flag-bearers at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö.
“Eurosong has been great so far,” Thug admits from the London studio where we’re Zooming. “Everything is moving so fast. The love from people I’ve been talking to online is really encouraging. I even had someone get my name tattooed on their foot yesterday. It was wild.”
Bambi Thug grew up in Macroom Co., Cork, with his three sisters. Her mother, whom Sag describes as “my biggest champion,” stayed at her house while her father, from Sweden, made metal parts and “didn’t make any notes in her head.” “There was no such thing.”
Was it easier to express our individuality back then?
“In a way, yes. Growing up in a small place, the best thing I could say was that I was different. I definitely wanted the spotlight. I wanted to make a statement, and I didn’t wear pink with brown clothes. It was the closest I got to wearing tights,” they smile. “I think it wasn’t until I moved that I really came out as having a strong will of my own. I moved to London when I was 20 and that’s when I realized I had become who I was. But learning to stand strong within yourself against anyone else is a continuous learning experience.”
“My resolution this year was to fully support myself and be my own biggest cheerleader,” Thug admits. “This creative world is wonderful, but it’s also tough. You have to have thick skin.”
Bumby’s song “Doomsday Blue” has an edge not often seen in Ireland’s Eurovision entries. Some critics describe it as “electro-rap”, while other fans prefer “goth-pop”.
“My music is hard to define,” Bunby explains. “But that’s what I like about it. I want to captivate listeners through every aspect of my artistry. I’m still making discoveries through music. When I was younger , my mother would often play classical music to wake us up. We’d play rock music in the car, and sometimes we’d rap at home in the afternoon. Music was thrown at me from every angle, and I appreciates all types of music because he has absorbed it all.
“When I was younger, I was into pop girlies like Britney Spears. I also loved Westlife. In fact, my first five concerts were with Westlife, but my creativity was very much It is born from a combination of things: fantasy, animation, movies,
Given the situation in Gaza, one of the controversies surrounding this year’s Eurovision is the presence of Israel. There are calls from all quarters for Israel to be banned from participating in the competition. Bunbee has clear views on this controversy.
“During the Ukraine crisis, Russia was not allowed to enter the country,” they point out. “So I don’t think there should be a rule for one country and a different rule for another region.”
But for now, Bambie Thug is focused on doing his best for this tournament.
“If I don’t believe in my art, I’d be lying to myself. I’ve worked hard to improve my artistry. I’m grateful for the opportunity to bring this song to life on such a huge platform. I’m really looking forward to it. Just imagine the budget for a stage show like this, and it’s such an honor to be given the opportunity to come so close to touching it.”
nervousness when performing in
“Well, it wasn’t until people started saying that,” they laugh. And then, after a beat, he adds: “But I wouldn’t have entered if I didn’t believe I could make it to the end.”
- Six artists will perform on The Late Late Eurosong special on RTÉ One and RTÉ Player from 9.35pm on January 26th.