Nemo, Eurovision’s Crowned Chameleon, Plots a Cultural Coup from Paris

Once known primarily as “that voice with the flying dress,” Nemo has since managed to shapeshift from Eurovision star to full-blown pop auteur—and they’ve barely had time to unpack their suitcase. In an exclusive interview with Le Matin, the Swiss phenomenon reflects on their whirlwind post-Eurovision year, their first ever album, and the very Swiss struggle of trying to disrupt a country obsessed with stability… with a touch of Daft Punk flair.

Post-Eurovision: Life Beyond the Trophy

“I was sprinting through projects, squeezing in songwriting between soundchecks and sandwiches,” Nemo recalls. Since their 2024 Eurovision victory, life has been a masterclass in chaotic momentum. But instead of letting fame flatten their artistry, Nemo hit the pause button—and hit the studio. “I decided to dedicate six months purely to music. No festivals, no distractions. Just the album.”

The result? A completed debut album, ready to launch alongside an ambitious European tour set to stretch across 20 cities. “For the first time, I feel like I can actually plan ahead, not just chase deadlines.”

A Swiss in Paris (and Berlin, and London…)

Nemo’s journey has taken them from Bienne to Berlin, Londontown to the Left Bank, in search of creative oxygen. “Berlin was fun, but a bit too techno for my taste. London had its pulse, but Paris? Paris surprised me.” Turns out, Nemo had unknowingly absorbed a hefty dose of French electro-pop. “I didn’t even realise how much Daft Punk I listened to,” they laugh. “Then I walked into the studio where they recorded, and it all clicked.”

Now, half their wardrobe may live in a suitcase, but their soul seems to be settling somewhere along the Seine. “I’m tired of living out of a bag. I keep losing things. A drawer would be revolutionary.”

Singing in Four Languages and One Universal Feeling

While the Eurovision win gave Nemo a global stage, Swiss stardom, paradoxically, remains trickier. “Switzerland is fragmented—different languages, different cultures. There’s not a single music scene, but several tiny islands.” And yet, Nemo wants to be the bridge. “I want to help build connections between artists in all our regions. Without something like Eurovision, I’m not sure I’d be playing Paléo at all.”

Even in the studio, this ethos bleeds through. “My songs often blend genres, languages, and moods. I love combining cinematic visuals, choreography, and performance art. Think Marina Abramović meets Charli XCX.”

Music as Cinema, and a Whiff of Absurdity

If you’ve caught Nemo’s recent video trilogy, it’s clear they’re not just writing songs—they’re scripting alternate realities. “It starts in Paris and then spirals into the absurd. That’s kind of the point.”

They’re not shy about cinematic ambitions either. “I’m obsessed with film. The album visuals take cues from arthouse and surreal comedy.” Though, they admit, life on the road feels more like a tragic farce: “I’ve grown fond of airport sandwiches. That’s either a sign of adaptation or defeat.”

Swiss Security vs. Creative Chaos

Asked why so many Swiss artists struggle to break through, Nemo doesn’t miss a beat: “It’s the national obsession with security. Everything’s structured, reliable… and totally incompatible with being a broke artist.”

But they remain hopeful. “I see younger generations rejecting predictability, building something new. We just need more spaces where different linguistic communities can collide, collaborate, and create.”

Touring Europe, Dodging Burnout

This autumn, Nemo hits the road with their new record, aiming to thrill fans from Paris to Prague, from Vienna to Vilnius. But they’re not blind to the downsides. “You think you’re fine until you get home, collapse, and realise you haven’t slept in a week.”

Still, it beats obscurity. “I’m finally doing what I’ve always dreamed of—on my own terms.”

Céline, Where Art Thou?

Rumours of a backstage Céline Dion cameo during Eurovision remain unconfirmed—and deeply disappointing. “There were whispers her jet landed in Basel. I looked for her everywhere. Nothing. Nada. She’s a hero of mine.” Let’s hope Nemo’s next project involves a duet—or at least a hologram.

Source: Le matin.ch