From The Vault: SunStroke Project and Olia Tira

In 2010, Moldova sent a jazz-influenced electronic group called SunStroke Project to Eurovision. The band was composed of Sergei Yalovitsky (vocals), Sergey Stepanov (saxophone), and Anton Ragoza (composer and violinist). The trio named themselves after an episode of heat stroke that Stepanov suffered while serving in the army. Fun! The group added Olia Tira, a German-born Moldovan musician, for their Eurovision performance.

Wowee! They put on a great show, but it wasn't enough, sadly. SunStroke Project came in 22nd place that year with a mere 27 votes.

Their greatest achievement, however, might be that Stepanov's enthusiastic performance at the Contest spawned an internet meme, "Epic Sax Guy." If you really want to, you can watch him play saxophone for 10 hours.

Since their appearance at Eurovision, SunStroke Project attempted to represent Moldova again in 2012, but they lost out to Pasha Parfeny (who, coincidentally, was an early member of SunStroke Project). Olia Tira still performs with the group, but has also embarked on her own solo career, going by the name FLUX LIGHT. She competed for a chance to represent Moldova earlier this year, performing a song called "Never Stop No." 

Moldova has only been in the Contest since 2005, and their best showing was their first year. A band called Zdob si Zdub came in sixth place with "Bunica bate toba" (translation: "Grandmamma Beats the Drum"). The lead singer's actual grandmother was onstage with the group for the performance, and she got up from her rocking chair and literally beat on a large drum. And for that, they received 148 points!

Moldova has unique point of view when it comes to their Eurovision representatives, which is why they are so fun to watch. They always have something interesting to say with their entry.  This year, they are sending a singer named Cristina Scarlat with the song, "Wild Soul." Good luck to Moldova!