San Marino

Landlocked San Marino, one of the world's smallest countries makes its Eurovision Song Contest debut in Belgrade. Surrounded on all sides by Italy, the tiny mountainous country is an echo of an era when city-states proliferated across Europe. Today it's main source of income is derived from tourism, while postage stamps and coins (keenly sought by collectors) are also important sources of revenue. As one of Europe's tax havens, San Marino attracts a large inflow of cash from non-residents.

In early November 2007, the Sanmarinese national broadcaster SMRTV, which started broadcasting in 1993 and became a member of the EBU, two years later, announced that it would make its Eurovision Song Contest debut in Belgrade in 2008. In December, the broadcaster, which is partially owned by Italian broadcaster RAI, started an open competition for songs and artists from all over Europe, although it was stressed that artists and songwriters with a connection to San Marino, would be favoured.

The competition closed on February 25th, having attracted fifty entries from all over Europe, though predominantly from Italy,including 1997 Italian Eurovision performers Jalise. The winner was chosen by a panel appointed by the broadcaster, and on March 11th, just a week before the deadline, it was announced that San Marino's first ever Eurovision entry would be "Complice" (Accomplce) performed by the band Miodio (I Hate Myself), two of whose members - Francesco Sancisi and Nicola Della Valle had written the song.

In 2006 their first EP was released containing five tracks. It was produced by the label “Acanto” owned by the producer and composer Andrea Felli. In 2007 they entered into an exclusive contract with Opera Prima, a record label established by Andrea Felli, Massimo Nardi e Roberto Fiacchini, releasing their first single "It's Ok", which is still played by more than a hundred national radio stations. The song has been also included in the soundtrack of the movie "Il Soffio dell’Anima" going to cinema shortly.

The name of the band is provocative and impressive but hides a deep reflection: "You must learn to see how much you hate yourself until you look at yourself in the mirror and see the reflection of your thoughts, you will use every person you meet as a mirror reflecting what you think of yourself…"

"Carefully selected sounds together with dynamic and stirring lyrics" are the main features of an already multi-awarded project. Miodio’s music is a fusion of state-of-the-art instruments, cutting-edge technology, pushy but always refined electronic sounds and a breathtaking stage act delivering a strong emotional impact. Miodio can list numerous live shows including the Olympic Stadium, Rome and the San Siro Stadium, Milan. Another highlight was the participation in the famous TV program Matinée, on the channel RAI 2. Miodio are also the winners of the 17th edition of San Marino Festival as well as the winners of the prize 'Viva Music' and 'Best Original Song' at the 2006 Arts Festival in Bologna. They also represented San Marino at the 12th Biennial of Young Artists of Europe held in Naples, where the band presented a 30-minute film edited and produced by themselves and praised by an international jury.

At the moment, the band is recording their debut album containing eleven tracks, which will be released in the summer of 2008.

Since being chosen, little has been heard of Miodio and their entry is one of tyhe outsiders with bookmakers and would not be among the favourites to qualify for the final in most fan polls.