Longford's K Muni & ND hope to 'rain' in Eurovision
This Friday Ireland selects a song to represent the country in the 2023 Eurovision. Among the six acts vying for the honour are two Longford musicians, K Muni & ND.
The Irish leg of the international song contest has attracted some big names this year. Longford's Kofi Appiah and Nevlonne Dampare have high hopes to represent Ireland at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool in May.
'Down in the Rain' by K Muni & ND is described by the artists as a testament to their determination. The song chronicles a difficult period in their careers when their music wasn't getting the attention they believed it deserved.
“It would mean the world to us to represent Ireland,” Kofi told the Leader, “We remember watching Eurovision as kids with our families, so to think we could have the people of Ireland, our people, tuned in to cheer us and our country on is incredible.”
The boys have been attracting a lot of attention since it was announced they will be contestants in the Eurovision selection show: “Last week was packed. Almost every day we were doing something with the media.”
K Muni & ND join with Public Image Limited (PIL), Wild Youth, Adgy, Connolly, and Leila Jane to perform on a special edition of the Late Late Show this Friday (February 3).
Kofi says the quality of the opposition is not something that phases the duo: “We believe in ourselves. It will provide good exposure for our music. We get to perform live on the Late Late Show. We're so excited. We have been preparing for the last few days with loads of rehearsals.”
The lads will be the sixth act on the night. After they have performed there will be a number to text, to vote for the Longford duo just text ‘Song 6’ to the number on the screen.
The final decision on the song Ireland sends to Liverpool is split between a national jury, composed of music experts, an international jury and a public vote.
Kofi revels in the spotlight: “It's weird having people talk about you every day, people giving analysis of your song. I think we have been coping with it quite well. We have a lot of people recognising us, and to be honest I am quite enjoying it,” he laughs.
The duo have enlisted the talents of two local singers, Aisling Farrell and Lindsey Ogeschi, to assist them in their live performance.
The qualifying act represents Ireland in Liverpool after this year. Ireland's seven Eurovision wins are more than any other country, but we have failed to qualify for the grand final since 2018.