| Utopolis | WLSC210: Steven Wilson - King Ghost

[Uto]

Utopost 13-4-2020: --- UTOPOLIS SHORTLISTED FOR NSC ---

The absence of the city state of Utopolis in the NSC has long been baffling to many, but the time has finally arrived. Since the inception of NSC, Utopolis has been missing from the competition due to issues with incompatible copyright laws as Utopolis has very lenient laws regarding the use of intellectual property and as such any attempt to commercialize forms of art is frowned upon. The organizers of NSC however put out a press statement today claiming that a deal has finally been worked out which has paved the way for Utopolis to become a part of the NSC family.

As is the rule, Utopolis will start on the sidelines as a member of the NSC Waiting List. This time will most likely be a boon to fans of the NSC to get accustomed to the styles of music popular in Utopolis, where eclectic pop and heavy electronics reign supreme. It is a byproduct of the cultural identity of Utopolis, which prides itself on being a highly technologically developed city state. It also serves as an important regional trading hub and as such it's a very diverse place with many languages being spoken and many creeds being followed. It remains to be seen if there will be an affinity between the NSC audience and the Utopolis music scene. The spokesperson from the Utopolis Ministry of Cultural Advancement was optimistic: "Of course we don't know if they [NSC audience] are going to like our stuff, but that has never been the point. We just want to get out there and let the world know what we're all about. Given the fact that we can't sell immaterial products there hasn't been much of a push before to get our music heard throughout the rest of the world, so we don't have the metrics in our favor. However, we know for a fact that when people visit us they tend to really enjoy it. I think it's a given we should perform pretty well."

It is expected Utopolis will try to participate in the upcoming WLSC 195 in the Szimbaya Kingdom. Given that an entry has to be selected on a very short notice it is expected that the entry will likely be a fairly well-known professional that can relied upon to do a good job. Social media in Utopolis has been buzzing with anticipation and a lot of people are speculating on who will be chosen. Stay tuned.

For those of you living elsewhere who need a reminder, here is an outline of the tiny country that is Utopolis:

Name​	Utopolis​
Form of Government​	Post-Revolutionary Dictatorship​
National Motto​	All Zeroes Become One​
Land Area​	6.931 km2​
Population​	13.7 Million​
Population Density​	1.977/km2​
Currency​	Utopolis Poli ( ƒ ), various others in use as well.​
Religion​	Government refuses to survey, pre-revolution: Unaffiliated (85%), Christianity (7%), Muslim (5%), Others (3%).​
Language​	Government refuses to survey, however official government statements are made in English.​
Head of State	Dictator 'Uto' (real name unknown, as is common in Utopolis)
Broadcaster​	/Utopolis/Government/MinistryCulturalAdvancement/Operations (Micado)​
Flag​
Short History	Utopolitan history is a storied story about a struggle of a free city in a hostile world. A long string of monarchs gave way to a long string of presidents, a long list of different names for the city have been found as well. Gist of the matter is that it has always served as a trading hub with fish and later on electronic goods as main exports. Notable is the association of Utopolis with the UUCS. For a long time Utopolis was a part of said federation, but during the revolution Utopolis broke free and cut ties with the other UUCS states. It is unknown what the exact reason for this revolution was. It is told that the true core of the matter was a different opinion on what futurism really means. Utopolitans contend that futurism means to break with old traditions through rebellion and focus on youth and technology, whereas the UUCS contends that futurism means to break with old traditions through rebellion and focus on youth and technology. Given that this issue was never resolved, the UUCS was planning to throw Utopolis out of the UUCS for not being rebellious enough, after which Utopolis rebelled to gain its independence. Post-revolutionary Utopolis can be typified as very futuristic with a pseudo-fascist political system that scapegoats all anthropomorphic deities.

History in NSC:

WLSC 195	Javiera Mena	Flashback	6th (20)	69 Pts
WLSC 196	Jambinai	Time of Extinction	19th (23)	39 Pts
WLSC 197	Lipstick	I'm A Raver	14th (22)	57 Pts
WLSC 198	Sivan Talmor	Sad Heart	16th (20)	44 Pts
WLSC 199	Emma Heesters	Waar Ga Je Heen	1st (23)	95 Pts
WLSC 200	[Ó]	Zolota Pora	13th (24)	57 Pts
WLSC 201	Max Cooper	Aleph 2	15th (21)	47 Pts
WLSC 202	Phillipi & Rodrigo	Retrogrado	15th (19)	32 Pts
WLSC 203	Guillermo & Tropical Danny	Toppertje	19th (22)	35 Pts
WLSC 204	Jaloo	Last Dance	6th (20)	64 Pts
WLSC 205	Shortparis	Kokoko	11th (20)	52 Pts
WLSC 206	PNAU	Go Bang	3rd (21)	98 Pts
WLSC 207	INZO	I'm Dreaming	14th (20)	48 Pts
WLSC 208	65daysofstatic	Prisms	13th (22)	55 Pts
WLSC 209	HANA	So & So	2nd (21)	91 Pts
WLSC 210	Steven Wilson	King Ghost	4th (21)	95 Pts

 

[theditz83]

Welcome Utopolis!! Great to see another new nation join the waiting list!

Hope to see you in WLSC soon

 

[Uto]

Utopost 13-4-2020: --- JAVIERA MENA CONFIRMED AS FIRST UTOPOLITAN ENTRY ---

After the announcement earlier today that Utopolis will finally join NSC people were wildly speculating on who their first entrant would be. It seems like they did not come unprepared, because the official announcement is already in: Javiera Mena will feature in WLSC 195 with her new song "Flashback". Of course, we at the Utopost wish her all the success in the world!

 

[Rmetr0]

Welcomeeee!

Love your flag design, looks futuristic

 

[Leydan]

A post revolutionary Dictatorship. very anarchist. Welcome!

 

[theditz83]

Btw @Uto I think the question on everyone's minds here is... How tempted were you to name your nation "Utopia"?

 

[Zonne147]

Welcome!! (from a newcomer too)

 

[Uto]

Btw @Uto I think the question on everyone's minds here is... How tempted were you to name your nation "Utopia"?

I would be lying if I said it hadn't crossed my mind. Being Dutch I know a thing or two about cheese though.

 

[Ana Raquel]

eclectic pop and heavy electronics

so you're basically 's brother we stan

 

[Uto]

Welcomeeee!

Love your flag design, looks futuristic

It's supposed to be a transistor with the transistors core (yellow) symbolizing the people. The blue is the sea (which to Utopolis is the whole outside world) and the white is the city. As such, the flag tells us the people are responsible for the flow of goods and information between the city and the rest of the world, like a true trading hub.

 

[Edweis]

Another WLister ?
Welcome ! Love the flag, simple but effective

 

[theditz83]

It's supposed to be a transistor with the transistors core (yellow) symbolizing the people. The blue is the sea (which to Utopolis is the whole outside world) and the white is the city. As such, the flag tells us the people are responsible for the flow of goods and information between the city and the rest of the world, like a true trading hub.

Perfect explanation right there - makes such a simple seeming flag carry so much more weight now

 

[Uto]

Utopost 22-4-20 --- UTOPOLIS NSCWL DEBUT GREAT SUCCESS --- JAVIERA MENA FINISHES IN 6TH PLACE ---

Tonight Javiera Mena performed her song 'Flashback' in front of an ecstatic audience at the NSC Waiting List Song Contest. It was a moment Utopolitans had long been waiting for and our debut was met with very positive reviews by almost everyone involved. The song itself, a straight up well-produced contemporary pop song, was always going to have a good number of fans but word is that the Ministry for Cultural Advancement chose Javiera Mena exactly because she is known for being able to bring more to the table than just a pop song. The truth of those rumours was clear as the song in question was a hit with countries known for being true connoisseurs.

Of course, the competition was also bringing a couple of other hot properties to the table. In the end, Arkodrë took all honours with an above average pop song by a singer who is apparently very famous overseas. The same holds true for the country that came second. It seems that there is a premium on sending acts that have prior popularity, raising doubts over the ability of jurors to remain neutral and judge the music presented to them. To be clear, our own jury is not innocent in this. Regardless, given such facts, we at the Utopost are extra proud of managing a sixth place with Javiera Mena, scoring well above replacement with 69 points (over 58).

The big question mark now is what the future will hold. Utopolis has debuted with an entry that may not be all too typical for what Utopolis is as a country, but it wasn't too far off and it must be concluded that the entry was a big hit. We asked our broadcaster Micado and this is what the Speaker said: "We are just not sure yet what we want to do for WL196. We have to appreciate that Flashback did very well and this might be the road we want to follow, but the goal of giving the world a glimpse of the music of Utopolis will not change and we have to keep that in mind. Last thing we want is for people to believe that we are one-dimensional. It's just too soon to say right now, but I want to make clear that we are primarily considering sending something completely different for next edition."

We'll keep you posted, as always.

EDIT: This was my 1000th post. Not the worst post to get such an honour.

 

[Uto]

Utopost 23-4-20 --- UTOPOLIS GOES BALLISTIC AS NSCWL GOES OLYMPIC ---

The theme for the next NSC Waiting List Song Contest has been revealed and it's the Olympics. An odd choice perhaps, but certainly an inspired one and certainly an inspiring one. The pinnacle of sports will have to find a reflection in the pinnacle of music and for that countries tend to send their best and most iconic acts to the celebration ceremonies at the Olympics. As such, Utopolis will have to send their very best to this WLSC to make the theme stick. As it happens, there is a Utopolitan act that was featured in the ever-popular Alternatia fanfic as one of the performers at the last Winter Olympics and it was speculated that they were going to be the Utopolis entry for the WLSC. This has now be confirmed. So without further ado, here they are:

Jambinai - Time of Extinction

Of course, this entry is not your standard fare for WLSC. The abrasiveness, the immediacy, the sheer and utter boldness of it all, it might be too much for most other countries. But we are Utopolis and we stan together. This also lays to rest all prior speculation about how Javiera's performance in the last WLSC would be assessed. A great success with a contemporary pop song does not mean Utopolis is continuing their hunt for points. We have always found our own routes out at sea as we will find our own place in history at the WLSC. If quality doesn't shine through, that doesn't mean it doesn't shine.

 

[Uto]

Here is footage of our heroes LARPing their song at the last Alternatia Olympic closing ceremony:

 

[Borderline]

Here is footage of our heroes LARPing their song at the last Alternatia Olympic closing ceremony:

^
Video unavailable
This video contains content from International Olympic Committee, who has blocked it from display on this website or application.
Watch on YouTube

Damn, you is important!

The Olympic Committee can't handle Utopolis!

 

[Uto]

^
Video unavailable
This video contains content from International Olympic Committee, who has blocked it from display on this website or application.
Watch on YouTube

Damn, you is important!

The Olympic Committee can't handle Utopolis!

The writers of the Alternatia fanfiction are basically in a constant battle with us. Its popularity is enormous in Utopolis, especially the vids where they are LARPing sporting events, but we never pay for any of their product and just rip it from whatever source we can. Trade in intellectual property is illegal in Utopolis so that creates a lot of friction with those who want to see a return on investment on stuff like this. Given that this is a sporting event it's logical that they're all over it. I'm sorry you got drawn into the whole mess.

 

[Uto]

Utopost 1-5-2020 --- WL POLL RESULTS: NO FAITH IN JAMBINAI ---

Today the results of the polls from procrastinatorguild.uto came in. Two question were asked: who will win WL 196 and at what position will Jambinai finish.

Who will win WL 196?*

1	Utopolis	17%
2	Szimbaya	10%
3	Arva	9%
4	Solentoya	8%
5	Pyreica	8%
6	Nurdia	7%
7	7	7%
8	Griffin	5%
Others		<5%**

What will be the final result for Jambinai?

1	17% <--	9	2%	17	7%
2	3%	10	3%	18	5%
3	5%	11	4%	19	4%
4	2%	12	5%	20	2%
5	<1%	13	6%	21	<1%
6	1%	14	3%	22	<1%
7	1%	15	7%	23	2%
8	<1%	16	8% <--	24	8%

What to make of this? Well it seems as though the Utopolitans don't have much faith in a good result for Jambinai with most expecting a low mid table finish. There might be some validity in such an opinion. It is quite an alternative song in a field with mostly pop songs, likely something juries would like but it won't create a buzz in more pop-oriented countries. There are quite a lot of people who see Jambinai winning, but we can all see the trolling at work there.

Making sense of the votes for the likely winner is impossible. It is ill-advised to put any faith in such numbers at this point in time as the songs are not known by many and no clarification was given on who was polled and why. Regardless, it seems as though people expect solid mainstream pop songs to reign supreme, as was the case last time the NSCWL was held. The Szimbayan entry (Aura Dione with 'Friends') is perhaps the most radio friendly of them all, so to see this topping the list is not unexpected. The margins are quite small though. Of course, voting is ultimately done by the Utopolitan Juror. We tried to get in contact with Juror but he/she refused to give us any information.

*Please keep in mind that Neajlovia had yet to send an entry (as their country is still experiencing turmoil) and this also holds true for the secretive Tybaltevans.
**Tanoiro received no votes in the polls. Due to a technical error these votes were converted into votes for the UUCS (which also received no votes).

 

[Uto]

Utopost 10-5-202 --- WL: JAMBINAI HUMBLED AS SVOBODNIA TAKES THE WIN ---

Last night Svobodnian legend Max Barskih won the NSCWL 196. In a very close contest he just edged out the competition of Griffin (3rd) and the hosts Arkodre (2nd) to take the gold medal at this special Olympics edition. One would venture to guess how this came to be, as neither the song nor the performance was in any way distinctive, but in a very strong field like the one we had for this contest it might have been any sliver of luck to tip it over the edge. Analysis therefore would end up being a fruitless endeavour.

Instead, we might turn our heads back inwards, what did our city do? Jambinai was never a likely contender. A 19th place however is quite a bit lower than many expected. Only the Banders, UUCS and Sjomadur had Jambinai in their top 3. Given the obvious quality of the song and performance, we need to look at the factors that made this song stand out. It had classical and metal influences, one of those factors could be an issue. The song was devoid of lyrics, perhaps that is what killed it. It is difficult to say, fact remains many Utopolitans are unhappy with the result. We at the Utopost trust our Ministry for Cultural Advancement to make the required analysis. Question remains: will we continue to be obtuse and give the swines more pearls or are we going to give people the debased bops they crave?

Time will tell...

 

[ferret]

The analysis is quite simple:

NSC 180 | Roseland | Ava Max - Kings & Queens | 4 f
WLSC 195 | Arkodrë | Ava Max - Kings & Queens | WIN
NSC 180 | Baia Papaya | Max Barskih - Lej, ne žalej | 12 sf
WLSC 196 | Svobodnia | Max Barskih - Lej, ne žalej | WIN

If you are aiming for victory, then there is an absolutely reliable option:

NSC 180 | Sundfør | KAZKA - PALALA | WIN

Why is there no theme of recommendations and suggestions?