MARKO LEHTINEN Everyone is talking about Nemo. But Nemo has withdrawn from the limelight for the time being. It would be interesting to catch up with Nemo – who identifies as non-binary – to ask them what they feel (the artist uses they/them pronouns). We would love to hear from them about their momentous win in Malmö. What are the implications for Nemo’s career and life in general? And in particular, what does it mean to non-binary people in Europe? Is this a game-changer for gender identity? Is Nemo the queer community’s answer to Greta Thunberg? Nemo is currently unavailable for interviews. According to record company Universal Music, the artist is focusing solely on the “next creative process and forthcoming live performances” – and asks for a little patience. We completely understand. Anyone doing what Nemo has just done would need time to adjust and let the dust settle. Nemo is lying low in Berlin. Born 25 years ago in Biel, this year’s Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) winner Nemo Mettler, known professionally as Nemo, has chosen the German capital as their adopted home. As a child, Nemo learned to play the violin, piano and drums, and had extensive singing lessons. Their first major performance came in Biel at the age of ten, in the role of Papageno What now for Nemo? Switzerland’s Nemo is the first non-binary act to win the Eurovision Song Contest. Is Nemo now set to become Europe’s queer icon? And what are the Berlin-based singer’s prospects for the global career that many have predicted? in a children’s opera version of “The Magic Flute”. Nemo got involved in musicals following this classical debut, appearing on stage at the age of 13 in “Ich war noch niemals in New York” – a German-language musical based on the songs of Udo Jürgens. But it was in hip-hop that Nemo found their true calling, winning four Swiss Music Awards after making their mark in 2017 with hit single “Du”. Back then, Nemo was still known as a male artist. Nemo then left Switzerland and moved to Berlin, where they would eventually come out as non-binary exactly six months before ESC. And what now for Nemo? After Malmö, the initial reaction among reporters was that the ESC winner is set Nemo sang and danced on a revolving disc for their performance at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest. All part of Nemo’s smooth and rounded Malmö experience. Photos: Keystone Swiss Review / July 2024 / No.4 12 Culture
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