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Volle Set to Make Triumphant Return to Eurovision

Kolbjørn Volle, known professionally as 'Volle', is set to represent St Scarlett at the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest in Yahlia after dropping out of the previous year's contest.

With the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest just over the horizon many have been speculating on who might be chosen to represent the country this time around. In all of St Scarlett's previous participations in the contest in 2020, 2021 and 2022 the competing acts were decided by a panel in February, and while this was set to continue for the 2023 competition. held for the first time in St Scarlett, the selected artist Kolbjørn Volle had to unexpectedly step away due to the sad passing of his mother. This saw Eclipse take to the stage in Snowby after her victory at the city's Kulturfest, with the panel unable to decide on Volle's replacement.

While many have called for the Kulturfest to become the permanent decider of who takes to the stage in front of all of Europe, and the world, the Skarlagen Eurovision Panel have stated that this could become impractical due to the timings of Kulturfest and Eurovision which merely happened to align last year. Despite this they have not entirely shunned the idea and have been in discussions with the Snowby City Council with regards to potentially arranging this in future years.

As discussions around how St Scarlett's acts should be decided in the future continue, the Skarlagen Eurovision Panel have already decided upon the act that will be representing the country at this year's Eurovision Song Contest in Yahlia. Panel spokesperson Elsa Ure appeared live on SKBC One and across the internet earlier today to confirm that Kolbjørn Volle, now known professionally as Volle, will now take up the honour he so sadly missed out on last year.

Volle quickly made a post to X (formerly Twitter) following the announcement thanking his fans for their support and revealing that he intends to perform a brand new song 'Higher' which is an ode of sorts to his late mother. His post, which also includes a link to the song on Spotify so fans can get an early listen, has already amassed millions of likes and thousands of replies.

Many are delighted to hear of the 37-year-old guitarist and singer's return following the unfortunate events of last year, as he had managed to gain quite the following on social media with his heartfelt songs about the many strifes of life. At the time SKBC reached out to Volle who confirmed that he was "gutted" to miss out on such an amazing opportunity but stated that his mother was one of the most important people in his life and he needed time to grieve her and to get his and her affairs in order. He was quick to congratulate his replacement, Eclipse, after she was announced as the winner of the Snowby Song Contest and made it clear that he remained a big fan of independent musicians and their unique styles. Reaching out to him again now Volle had the following to say:

It's crazy, it's all just so crazy. I couldn't believe I'd been picked last year because my style is just so me and I wasn't sure that's what Skarlagens would want repping them in front of all of the world. And then of course I lost my mum and that was all very hectic, lots to sort out and all while I was in a pit emotionally because she really meant a lot to me, so much, but Eclipse went out there and she absolutely smashed it, I mean first place for a second year in a row, that's something usually only the Swedes and Irish can pull off, though I suppose we have a lot of their blood in us here too don't we haha. She's such a great person too which only makes it better, we share a lot of values and musical tastes and I can't wait to finally meet her in person at Kulturfest where she'll be performing Crater again, because of course! But this is really something else man, I never would have expected to be chosen again, I thought that was the opportunity and I missed it, because of course I had to, I'd miss anything for my family, but to be called back to finally get a chance to show the world what I can do it's amazing. I am so grateful to the panel, and to Luna, and my family and of course my mum too, I wouldn't be where I was now if it wasn't for her. I can't wait for people to hear my song 'Higher' in Yahlia, it's really just me getting everything off my chest and I hope it inspires many people who love music just like I do to get out there and let the world hear it.

While all of St Scarlett's previous entries, Foxes in the Snow by Venus, Kanskje by Lady Rainbow and Marmalade by Snowfox, have included varying degrees of Norwegian and English lyrics, Volle's 'Higher' will be the first sung entirely in English. Volle, who actually speaks Norwegian as his first language, explained that he made this decision to reach as many people around the world as possible as he really hopes the song will inspire them to achieve their dreams.

'Higher' tells the story of a difficult childhood, the death of a father, the depression that followed and the resulting effects on schoolwork, hobbies and friendships, but at every turn she is there lifting the child higher, pushing them to never give up, to never worry and to focus hard on what it is that truly makes them happy. The song then opens into a broader perspective on life and humanity and how difficult things can be for everyone, and how things don't always work out for the best, but concludes that happiness is the greatest value we have and that as long as we have people and things that make us happy and that we love, that can lift us higher, then it doesn't matter what life throws our way because it can't stop us being ourselves. While the initial story is a direct reflection of Volle's own childhood and his relationship with his late mother Violet he hopes that the general emotions, as well as the song's broader second half, will help inspire people to find the people and things that they love and to work with them to overcome the many hardships we face.

Volle has been a vocal advocate for human rights throughout his career, with the vast majority of his songs focusing on humanity and our hardships. He is a member of Amnesty International and has frequently spoken out on topics such as anti-racism and LGBTQ+ rights, even daring to challenge the misandrist government that controlled his home country for the majority of his life, something that often saw him arrested and abused by police and even saw his albums banned between 2010 and 2014. He has stated that his biggest drives in life have been his music and his family, primarily his mother, and that by focusing on these he saw a brighter future for both St Scarlett and the world, something he has said is still very much on the horizon, no matter how much hateful people may choose to push back against it. Significantly Volle's performance will mark the first time a male artist has represented St Scarlett at the Eurovision Song Contest and the first time a man has represented the nation on any significant scale outside of sports, which he states is a huge step forward after the country's many years as an oppressive matriarchy.

'Higher' is available to download and stream now on Spotify and will be made available on iTunes and YouTube Music over the coming months. the European Broadcasting Union has confirmed that Volle's music video for the song will debut on the official Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel next month, it is set to feature a heartfelt rendition of the song, sung and played by Volle against a backdrop of St Scarlett's tallest mountains.

As the contest approaches excitement has filled the veins of every Skarlagen as we ready ourselves to share with Europe, and the world, the rich culture we enjoy here at home.

Comments [32]

Vollie4eva

30 secs ago

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Oh my god I can't believe he came back! I literally cried all day last year!!! fjejsafjdkj

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Mungo

3 muns ago

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Mungo is here

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spiceecheezborger

2 mins ago

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I like this guy... he's hot.

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SkarlagenForever

4 mins ago

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Great another member of the wokerati. Everything is tainted by it these days, makes you wonder who is really in charge of it all 🤔.

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