UMK 2013: GREAT WIDE NORTH

UMK 2013: GREAT WIDE NORTH - FLAGS

GWN comes from Kokkola (questo cittadina è una metà preferita dei turisti italiani in Finlandia, chissá perche? Ed.note) and is made of four brothers Kiviniemi aged 21-28: Kaj, Mika, Petri and Pasi. And that's not all of the musical family, at home there are five more siblings to enter UMK in the future. They started the band in 2009 and in 2012 they won the Gospel Finnish championships! Their debut single gained airplay in Christian radio stations both in Finland and Sweden. The band is based on honesty, in what they do and between them. Being brothers it's easy to see if someone is not happy or content. The song Flags was born about the current European crisis transferring the feelings to smaller scale. One can always learn and start anew. And if someone wants to call them the Finnish Kings of Leon, they only take it as an honor.

What did the jurors say?

Toni Wirtanen: I didn't like this at all when I listened it at home. I kinda hated it from the first note but now I loved it.

Redrama: I agree. First I was like "Nooo....." but I had the change of heart already last night at home. I can see the flag, this has potential.

Aija Puurtinen: This has potential. You are just so cynical, I heard it right away! These are fresh young men...

Tomi Saarinen: Young men! How come you like them....

Aija: No! I believed what they sung.

Toni: This is American Christian AO radio station play list number one stuff...

Redrama: Kings of Leon/U2/Coldplay... that's it, no doubt about it. No need to hide. It's good when you can pick things from your idols and make them work in your own music.

Here is their website, Facebook, Twitter and Youtube . And a couple of their songs: A change is gonna come and here's Walls of Jericho

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GOODBYE, FAREWELL...

The time has come. After all these years, 5,7 million visits, 12.000 articles I guess the time has come. As much as I love and care for Eurovision it just doesn't feel the same. The Corona years took their toll and the past two years and certain decisions have helped me to mature the idea that next year I will hear the songs for the first time in semi-final just like any so called local. The bubble has burst. Add the toxicity in social medias and fandom. The arrogant teenagers who saw their first contest somewhere 2017 or even 2021 who think they know it all and only their opinion matters. Did I mention the toxic atmosphere on social medias? I'm too old for that sh*t. It's been a long ride that took me to various Eurovision on spot as a fan and tourist, as a journalist, as a delegation member. I met some great people, made memories of lifetime. In stressful, sad periods of my life this blog has been my safe place, a place to escape and forget everything else for an hour o...

Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

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