Fantasia Contest #16 • Confirmations

DRT has already confirmed that the country would be taking part in the upcoming 16th edition of the Fantasia Contest, that will take place in Alkyria for the second time. The country's participation was already (unofficially) confirmed back when Kimbra managed to bring the country back to the final after 2 editions of missing out. The broadcaster started planning out for their selection process for their next Fantasia entry about a month ago.

However, the broadcaster did not only confirm their participation, but they also announced that the country would be going back to internal selection. During a press conference held by DRT today, the Head of Delegation revealed that the broadcaster approached an artist a few weeks ago with a proposition to represent the country through an internal selection. After the artist accepted the invitation, the broadcaster moved on to the selection of the song, with the cooperation of the artist and their team.


The selected artist was eventually announced during the press conference that was held today, and was introduced by last edition's representative, Kimbra. The artist was heavily rumored to represent the country last week and the rumors were confirmed with DRT's press conference. Following a brief interview with the press, the artist presented the song that will represent the country as well.

The artist that will represent Decoria in the Fantasia Contest 16 is...

Natalie Mering, known professionally as Weyes Blood is a Decorian musician. She was born on June 11, 1988 in Bjørnhavn, Esterland to a Decorian father and an Achróan-Decorian mother. She grew up in Nyborg, Flinstaden, but has spent a few years of her childhood abroad; she has lived in countries including her mother's birth country Achróa and Juliana. At the age of 15, Mering started using the moniker Wise Blood to write songs. She changed to Weyes Bluhd on several self released records before eventually changing the spelling to Weyes Blood. Her stage name was inspired from the Flannery O'Conno novel Wise Blood.

Her first self-released records include: Strange Chalices Of Seeing (2007) and Evacuating Zombie Milk (2008) released as "Weyes Bluhd", and The Outside Room (2011) released as "Weyes Blood And The Dark Juices". Her following records were then released under the name "Weyes Blood", with her next two being released through Aquian Summer: The Innocents (2014) and Front Row Seat to Earth (2016).

Her most recent album, Titanic Rising, was released in April 2019 through Sub Pop to critical acclaim from critics in Decoria, Achróa and Evergreen. It has been certified double platinum in her home country so far and has sold over 1 million records worldwide.

Mering and her team were mainly in charge of the song selection, along with a jury from the Decorian broadcaster. In the end, it was decided that "Movies" would be the song that Weyes Blood would perform in Alkyria.

"Movies" is a song taken from her recent album, Titanic Rising (2019). The song was written and composed by Weyes Blood herself and it is the 3rd single from the album. The accompanying music video was also directed by the artist. The dramatic ballad can be compared to a movie, with its build-up: it opens with a synth of apreggios and halfway through, it builds up to cinematic heights.

Through the song, Mering wants to portray how movies can sell us lies about how to live our lives, or even about ourselves. On the other hand, as much as the Hollywood promises are unrealistic, it's not odd for someone to hope for an escape through them. The song grapples with two very human impulses–wanting to reject the movies and whatever they want to sell you, and wanting to be part of them–at once. The song, along with the album as a whole, feels like a process of realization and coming to terms with the fact that the world is as it is.

The artist herself said the following about the song and its music video:


DRT wants to wish Weyes Blood best of luck in Alkyria and we are looking forward to hearing opinions for our entry!