Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Krista Siegfrids has released the third single/video of her debut album and it's a far cry from Marry me 's ding dongs and Amen 's party. Can you see me? is a heartfelt ballad dedicated to her late father. Elias Koskimies also once again as director makes a great job. Simply and beautiful perfectly fitting the song. Well done! UPDATE : Can you see me climbs the Finnish iTunes charts to #3! Ahead her only the megastar of the day Cheek and Jenni Vartiainen with her comeback single. Well done and ding dong!!!!

This blogger enjoys time to time some heavier stuff, and the first song is a good example of what kind. Dutch Within Temptations joins force with Tarja Turunen (ex- Nightwish ) in Paradise (What about us?) . A clever move to aske Tarja to duet in it as it sounds more like Nightwish than Within ever did. Or rather like Nightwish that was when Tarja was in it. The real thing. Margaret Jamrozy is apparently a Polish fashion blogger turned singer and her debut song Thank you very much features a video where the roles of nudists and textiles has been turned out. Funny! And the song is a perfect pop song and very cacthy indeed. What if Poland had returned to Eurovision with this one? Makes me wonder... Somehow she's just so adorable in this! Michalis Hadzigiannis has released yet another very beautiful song, Kati dinato ( Κάτι Δυνατό) . I have no idea what he's singing about but I buy it whatever it is! Reigning Eurovision queen Emmelie de Forest has her follow up Hunter and...

Raffele Riefoli aka Raf made his Sanremo debut as one of the writers for the 1987 winning song Si puó dare di piú performed by Eurovision stars Umberto Tozzi, Gianni Morandi and Enrigo Ruggeri. That opened him doors to Eurovision where he went with Tozzi and scored third place with Gente di mare . Before that he had some international success with Self control , that Laura Branigan made a world hit . After Eurovision his career kick started in native Italy and he came to Sanremo himself in 1988 with Inevitabile follia (11th) and in 1989 with Cosa resterá degli anni 80 (15th), that later came a huge hit. In 1991 he tried once again with Oggi un Dio non ho 10th) that was also sung by late Ofra Haza . His fame and success continued and he won Festivalbar twice with Ti pretendo in 1989 and with Battito animale in 1993 and scored hits like Sei la piú bella del mondo , Due and Infinito .  Eleven studio albums to date, numerous collaborations like recently with Nathalie in Sogno ...

Both Aija Puurtinen and Redrama have "leaked" they are back as jugdes or rather mentors in the coming UMK 2014. Both were also involved in the second season that resulted in the win of Krista Siegfrids. Officially the judges will be revealed by YLE in November. She says in today's Iltalehti: "The experience was much more positive as I expected. I'm very interested in finding new music makers and new music. This job gave me the chance to advice, teach and mentor new talents. I wasn't only a judge, I was very close to the artists and supported them. I have been asked to do Idols most every year but I don't like that. It's way too one sided and judgemental. I don't like all that elimination business.!" Redrama has been busy working on his new album in between UMKs and has even scored a hit with Clouds , the first offering off it and featuring A.J. McLean of Backstreet Boys. Very catchy and groovy it is, maybe we could have something like...

Marco Mengoni's year has been a real journey, and this "viaggio" will be featured in a DVD that will be released on November 12, 2013. The journey starts by winning Sanremo 2013, followed by over 100.000 copies sold of the single L'Essenziale , over 90.000 of the album #prontoacorrere and leading up the magnificent concert held in Sicily, in Taormina's Teatro Antico during the triumphant L'Essenziale Tour. And the cover image of the DVD matches very nicely the Greek cultural heritage of the theatre; it's a mosaic of photos sent by his fans, their faces. Looks fantastic! #prontoacorrereilviaggio will be shown for the first time in cinemas all over Italy on November 6, 2013 at 20.30.

Paolo Meneguzzi, as we have learn to know him is no more. He takes his real first name Pablo also as his artistic name and starts anew, as the title of his new album Zero suggest. The album is out September 30, 2013 and comes after three years of his previous one, Miami . It includes 12 new songs. In between he has released a compilation album to sum up his story so far, Best of Sei amore . The first single off the album was La vita cos'é and now he has released the title track Zero as the launch single, and it is rather fabulous! Love the piano! This album comes 12 years after his debut album in Italian, but he started his career already in mid 1990's and released four albums to the Latin American market in Spanish, and has even released an album for the French speaking market. Later on he managed also to release for the North American market.  Countless song contests and festivals from Viña del Mar to Sanremo and Eurovision, at the age of 37 it may be a good point t...

Alice (Carla Bissi, born September 26, 1954 in Forli) debuted in Sanremo 1972 with Il mio cuore se ne va , but didn't reach the final. Before that she already had success in Venice and Gondola d'Argento with La festa mia and other talent contests winning also legendary Castrocaro in 1971. Soon she took her artist name Alice Visconti, and later simply Alice. Meeting with Franco Battiato lead her to her real artistic path, scoring first a hit with Il vento caldo dell'estate in 1980 and then winning Sanremo 1981 with Per Elisa . When Battito was asked to do Eurovision in 1984 he took Alice along with I treni di Tozeur .  Alice returned to Sanremo 2000 with Il giorno dell'indipendenza against her will but gaining this way a release of her God is my DJ concept album, that her record label didn't want to release. In the mid 1980's she took a decision to make music she wants to, not what the labels want her to do. This ment also staying away from festivals ...

The 64th festival of Italian songs, aka Sanremo 2014 will take place from February 18 to 22 in Teatro Ariston. Last year's conducting team Fabio Fazio and Luciana Littizzetto are back, as is the formula of two songs for each Big artist, that should be 14 again but it hasn't been yet confirmed. The Friday night, when the Newcomers (most likely 8 again)  have their final the Big artists will this time interprete Italian classics written by singer-songwriters. All through the festival there is a mixed voting by a jury, the press and televote but not all three of them at the same time but mixing these three parties in different ways in different occasions.... More information - also concerning Eurovision - will be given in due time and let the guessing the artists of the 2014 edition begin! Tuesday 18 : Half of the Big will sing their two songs. One song qualifies Wednesday 19: The other half of the Big perform and qualifies with one song.         ...

Turkey is still snobbing Eurovision and launching Turkvision , where countries and regions with Turkish minorities can take part. This idea is nothing new as France did the same with Francophonic countries and regions already in the 1990's as Francovision - and yes, have you heard about it? It didn't last long, but it sure was fun seeing entrants from likes of Port-au-Prince (Haiti) and Lafayette (USA) and African states battling it out with with songs from Paris and Bruxelles and such, if I remember correct. It seems to have such a success that there's basicly no trace of it on internet :-) Anyways, it was very Eurovisionary affair. And it hasn't been going so well for the Asiavision either, has it? Only proves there's nothing like the real thing, is there? Anyways, Turkey is trying the same now and those interested can enjoy some music from Tataristan, Uzbekistan and all those other countries ending with "-stan" or similar, Crimea and so on. A...

UPDATE:  YLE has confirmed the dates. The UMK 2014 season kicks of on YLE's webstream on December 10 with press conference. Five shows on TV will lead to the final on February 1, 2014 - a date that is already proving to become one of those mega-Saturdays for Eurovision followers as Switzerland and Latvia are also having their finals and there will be other selections, too. Anyways, the UMK heats will run on five consegurtive Saturdays all through January starting on December 28. UMK 2014 has received 420 demos (last year it was 470) and YLE tells there's a lot of EDM or electronic dance music and female artists and they seem very pleased with the quality. There are songs also by well known songwriters and artists, as well as total newcomers. The judges for this season will be revealed on November 4, 2013 while the TV-programmes start on December 28, 2013. If my memory serves me right it as like this also this year so most likely the procedure and number of shows and eli...

How time flies, another week has passed and here are some videos I have enjoyed the past week. We start with Norwegian Tooji who looks rather different in his Rebels . The song is pretty good and the video is beautifully shot black and white affair. Me likes! Italian Tiziano Ferro is featured in Baby K 's latest single and video Sei sola . An interesting mix of Tiz's deep vocals and Baby's female rapping...  Kosovan Rona Nishliu is back with her unmistakable voice in Se vetëm zemra flet saktë, a little bit Latin affair, a lot of orange in the video and again a great dress! The song apparently is of a campaign to raise gender awareness and against adolescent gender violance. Heart speaks right . Finnish rapper Cheek is really enjoying a huge success and his latest Timantit on ikuisia is becoming one of the biggest hits of the 2013. He has really crossed over to all audiences. Proving that some reality TV won't hurt your career....

Late Mia Martini (born Domenica Berté) entered Sanremo only 1982 after having had already a lot of success in the 1970's, winning Festivalbar twice in a row with Piccolo uomo (1972) and Minuetto (1973). In 1977 she is selected for Eurovision thanks to all her success and sings Libera (13th). Her Sanremo debut comes in 1982 with E non finisce mica il cielo , that becomes a huge success afterwards and is a classic today. To compensate her lack of success in festival's scoreboard a special award is created Premio della Critica (renamed after her death Premio Mia Martini) for her. But things turn sour after that. Among the entertainment business there's a rumor she brings bad luck and many doors close for her for festivals and TV and some people refuse to work with her.  But in 1989 she's back in Sanremo against all odds with another success and classic, Almeno tu nell'iniverso (9th) and she wins again this critic's award as happens the year after when sh...

EBU has released the rules for the Eurovision song contest 2014 today and while there are no major changes the jury gets underlined thanks to the on going voting irregulations speculations that really exploded this year.   Also, EBU will publish all the individual jury member votes and the split jury and televoting results right after the final. This should make most everyone happy! The jury members will be made public on May 1, 2014. This blogger is a little bit buzzled about this. What's the point? Isn't it easier to pressure and influence them if we know who they are? On the other hand, it also makes it more difficult in some ways. Maybe that's what EBU thinks wins in the end? The jury members, five of them in each country, also must work within music industry as radio DJs, artists, composers, lyricists or producers. They must not work for the broadcaster and must be citizens of the country in question. The jury must also be of sufficient representativeness of g...

Last year it was Portugal, now it's Croatia. Namely the country I will miss a lot. HRT has made public they won't be in Copenhagen 2014 and thus joins Turkey, Andorra, Czech Republic, Monaco, Luxembourg, Morocco and Slovakia as countries that won't participate in 2014 (either). Portugal instead is apparently returning :-) Croatia joined the Eurovision family in 1993 and did very well scoring six top-10 placings between 1995 and 2001. Then the success vanished and Croatia hasn't been in the final since 2009, when they were actually picked up by jury's wildcard after finishing 13th in the semifinal.  This blogger has several big favorites among the Croatian entries like Sveta ljubav , Marija Magdalena , Everything I want, You are the only one , Romanca , Lijepa Tena , Lako je sve and Nebo , and how could we forget Neka mi ne svane or Moja stikla ? Croatia will be greatly missed in Denmark....

The European MTV Music award nominations are out and four names familiar from Eurovision are running for the Best European Act this time. Marco Mengoni is nominated in Italy (along with Fedez, Salmo, Emma and Max Pezzali). He already won this award in 2010. In Greece it's a battle among others between Greek Sakis Rouvas and Cypriot Mihalis Hadzigiannis while in Germany Lena is among the nominees. She won this award already in 2011. We also have Auryn in Spain against Pablo Alboran . Auryn was the runner up in the Spanish selection 2011 and Alboran was heavily tipped to do Eurovision this year....  In recent year the Eurovision stars of the past (or the near future) has often been featured also in this MTV affair proving Eurovision is up to date, at least in some cases :-) But one question comes to mind.... where's Dima Bilan ? Have Russian abandoned him? Or maybe after 7 national nominations and winning last year the Best European Act it's time to give away to oth...

The submission for UMK 2014 ended yesterday and now when the renewed national selection for Eurovision heads to its third edition one can only wonder how it will be! Strangely, so far only one artist seem to have come out seriously with "I have sent in a song" and that one being totally unknown Juha Mattila aka JUHA. Or not totally unknown, he has a past as a football player but this is his debut in music business. Check his presentation video here . YLE has leaked every now and then some bits, like many previous candidates have sent in songs .... time will tell who? Musical styles include Finnrock, schlagerpop, funk and edm .  The full procedure, judges, dates and of course the songs and artists will be revealed at latest December 10, 2013. The final will be in Februaty 2014. UMK 2012 winner was Pernilla Karlsson with När jag blundar , (12th in the semifinal) and UMK 2013 Krista Siegfrids with Marry me (24th in the final).

We start this week with a slap in the face of Russia & co with Doug Strahm 's Better this way . The video underlines quite heavily what he sings when telling this story, with an happy end. Yet, it's quite nice and sweet affair. Doug has also quite an interesting bio . While we are at it, let's give them another slap! Tom Goss has written an anthem for Gay bears with a funny video to go with it. Gianna Nannini has released 4th (or is it 5th?) single of her latest success album, In the rain . Also this video has a strong message and story.... Last but not least, Milan Stankovic is back with Od mene se odvikavaj . Nicely flavored with local sounds. Enjoy!

I have never been a huge fan of duet albums, and/or albums with remakes of old songs, something rather typical for Italian artists but now there's coming an album I can hardly wait! It seems like a real piss-your-pants material! Luca Carboni celebrates his 30th anniversary in business with an album with a few new songs and reworked versions of his old hits with guest stars. Nothing special here, is it? But then when you look at the guests, it turns into a wet dream: Alice, Franco Battiato, Tiziano Ferro, Elisa, Cesare Cremonini, Biagio Antonacci. .. it's like a reunion of my favorite singers! Add Miguel Bosé, Jovanotti, Samuel Bersani and Fabri Fibra and that's the album I can hardly wait for! It is released October 1, 2013 and will feature these songs (click for the originals, *new tracks): Fisico e politico (Fabri Fibra)* C'è sempre una canzone* Dimentica* Persone silenziose (Tiziano Ferro) Vieni a vivere con me (Elisa) Ci vuole un fisico bestiale ...

Remember Nathalie Giannitrapani , who was rumoured and wished by many to represent Italy in the Eurovision 2011 with In punta di pied i, but eventually nothing came out fo it and Raphael Gualazzi went instead finished as the surprise runner up. Anyways, the X Factor winner will release a new album titled Anima di vento on September 17, 2013. The interesting fact is she's joined in it in duet with not one but two Eurovision stars. The first single Sogno d'estate features Raf, and L'essenza Franco Battiato! The third duet partner is Toni Childs in La veritá . (This is not the only collaboration of Battiato this fall, but about that later, stay tuned! ) RAI hasn't yet made know how they will select their eventual represant in Copenhagen 2014 and if it will be once again Sanremo based selection. But Nathalie is a valid option once again....

The annual reborn Finnish song contest will be aired again live on October 30, 2013. The artists for this edition were revealed a few days ago, but their songs even if one can start making some guesses. The list of artists is rather retro oriented as Markku Aro (ESC 1971), Muska, Freeman, Kake Randelin, Vicky Rosti (ESC 1987) who all were high in their career already in the 1970's are included. Add Pate Mustajärvi , frontman of rockband Popeda , in the scene since forever, Ressu & Jussi who both enjoyed their biggets success in the late 80's and early 90's (in Bogart Co . and Neon2 ) and Milana Misic who is best known for singing her mother Laila Kinnunen 's (ESC 1961) songs who was the leading lady of the 1960's schlager. More current sound is brought in by Stig, Voice of Finland 2013 winner Antti Railio and group Neljänsuora . Muska, Ressu Redford, Milana, Freeman and Stig have tried to get to Eurovision as well through Euroviisut/UMK. Syksyn Säv...

Hanna Pakarinen has released her 6th stuidp album, and the second one in Finnish and mostly self-written, Olipa kerran elämä (Once upon a time there was life). It continues her string of Top-10 albums in Finland so her popularity has remained solid since her debut even if fading a bit since her post-Idols win hysteria. Her debut album When I become me went to #2 and sold platinum, follow up Stronger was also #2 and sold gold. Lovers , that included her Eurovision entry Leave me alone in Helsinki 2007 went to #3 and also sold gold. After a two year's break she released her last album in English to date, Love in a million shades that went to #7. Then she switched into Finnish with Paperimiehen tytär that went to only #9 but got a lot of airplay and good critic. The new album Oiipa kerran elämä also debuted as #9.  You can buy the new album for example here . There's also a very nice documentary (in Finnish) where she also performs songs from the new album here : (00....

Wunderbar! was the first thought on my mind when I returned home from work to these news. Conchita Wurst gets to do Eurovision finally. Surprisingly, I have found a rather hostile comments online, but then it's a bit like with Lordi: some what ignorant people stop on the surface and as they didn't hear Lordi actually had a really good song under all that show and masks, also Wurst - described by some half a woman, half a sausage and thinking about it it's kinda true... - hides under that beard a strong and beautiful voice. Just listen to this and this , or even her first attempt to get to Eurovision a couple of years ago when she finished runner up with That's what I am . Now we only have to wait for her song, that will be revealed in the later date. It will be also interesting to see if her image will have some effect on the votes from Russia and other anti-gay oriented ex-Sovjet countries. Anyways, a bold and strong message from ORF, well done!   Read more a...

Earlier this summer Alice and Battiato gave a joint concert in Latina, near Rome. It was such a success and they had so much fun singing together again that the reunion happened again in Franco Battiato's concerts in Firenze on August 31 and Arena di Verona on September 2 with Antony and The Johnsons and Filarmonica Arturo Toscanini . One of the duets they did on both occasions was an hommage to late Claudio Rocchi, La realtá non esiste . Of course they did also I treni di Tozeur .  The song seems to be having a real revivial almost 30 years after its release and making Italians proud in Luxembourg 1984. Alice did also Il vento caldo dell'estate from 1980, co-written by Battiato and her breakthrough hit that sounds amazing with the philharmonic orchestra! Battiato is also releasing a live album in November 2013 recorded in the Verona date, hopefully also I treni di Tozeur makes the cut for it! PS. Did you know Valentina Monetta is also a big Alice fan?

Last week I skipped weekly videos as I simply forgot, I admit. Blame it on the Eurovision cruise (scroll down for news)! Too much of a good thing can make you forget other things :-) Anyways, this week we start with Steve Grand , the internet phenomenon of the summer 2013 with his All American boy . He has released a new song and video, Stay , and if the love story with the all American boy didn't work out, this time it's all kisses & hugs! Dima Bilan has yet another video and hit in his hands with Малыш - Malysh . LOVEX was a fan favorite in the Finnish national selection 2007 with Anyone, anymore . Since then it's been quite quiet but now they are ready for comeback with Don Juan . Do you think they can make it? Kenan Doğulu is still shaking it after all these years and enjoying great success. Kız Sana Hayran is one of this latest efforts.

Italy and RAI is almost certain to participate in Copenhagen 2014 and it's good to remember it's also 50 years since Denmark hosted its first Eurovision in Copenhagen, won by Italy. Could they do it again? Certainly they have a lot of singers who could cross over and appeal to European audiences. RAI, despite not confirming their participation (but that comes as no surprise as it may happen again only once EBU publishes the official list) nor have they hinted how the song and/or the singer will be selected. Similar poll was launched last year, yet the singer came from Sanremo festival as the previous year's after their comeback, and this time it was the winner of it, L'essenziale by Marco Mengoni.  This poll also underlines the problem with these online polls; it is the fans of certain singers flooding it as the top names in it are all singers from reality series Amici with strong online fanbese: Emma, Annalisa, Alessandra Amoroso, Marco Carta and yes, even Marco...

Riki Sorsa make a comeback as singer after 13 years since his last album. In between he has battled and won throat cancer that was to put an end to his singing altogether. The album Kun tunnet rakkauden , his 13th and to be released in October, features covers from the 1930's to 1970's with a jazzy feel. "Since I got back the gift of voice, I want to do something deeper and more mature. These songs belong to the common musical heritage " he says. The songs include the first single Laiskotellen , that is none other than Lasse Mårtensson's classic and the Finnish Eurovision entry in 1964, but also Marraskuu , Hymy , Joet tulvimaan itke and Vippaa mulle vitonen . Riki Sorsa represented Finland in Euovision song contest 1981 with Reggae Ok! In 1985 he was the runner up in the national final with fantastic Haaveissa vainko oot mun?

Remember I wrote about Ramon  (ESC 2004) some time ago? He has been featured several times in this Finnish reality TV-series Riemuloma Kanarialla since and actually he was the programme's location manager, his task being to find one or two locations for each day during the 7 months of filming in Canarias. " Best in the job was the people. I learned a new culture " he told Ilta-Sanomat earlier this summer when visiting Helsinki. He became friends with people of the reality and came to visit them enjoying a real Finnish summer with sauna, local drinks (Lonkero) and visiting Helsinki but also Lahti, Porvoo and Messilä.  "I loved sauna and I really enjoyed my stay. I could actually move here. I have always wanted to live in some Nordic country." He also makes his comeback as a singer in the series as he sings Frank Sinatra's I got you under my skin in the final episode and he says returning to music isn't totally out of the question.....

Remember Saara Aalto who was the runner up behind Paradise Oskar with her Blessed with love ?  Since then she has been busy with her career in Finland and also in Asia, mainly in China of all places. Now her latest album will be released in China titled Ai De Zhu Fu 爱的祝福 . The album includes 13 songs: 1. 前进的脚步 （Qianjin de jiaobu） 2. 宽恕 （Kuanshu） 3. My Love 4. 来呀来呀飞起来 （Laiya laiya feiqilai） 5. 你让我无助 (Ai ni rang wo wuzhu) 6. 十点 （Shi dian） 7. 爱的祝福 (Ai De Zhu Fu) 8. 受伤的心 （Shou shang de xin） 9. 我心慢慢沉 （Wo xin manman chen） 10. Out of Sight, Out of Mind 11. You Gotta Go 12. My Bird 13. Je Suis Malade The lead single is the very Bond-esque 受伤的心 （Shou shang de xin） , that is the Chinese version of You had my heart .  But she's also singing in Japanese, like in Blessed with love . She's been the runner up in Talent, Voice and Euroviisut, will she finally make it - in China? She's gaining success there also with  Out of sight, out of mind . The album releas...

So Hamlet wrote, and it seems to be true. Or at least there are bad losers in Herning! Not happy with the DR's and EBU's decision to bring the 2014 Eurovision song contest in the capital Copehagen - for the third time by the way after 1964 and 2001 - they have now invented a silent protest in the form of cakes! A baker (with a suitable name) Alix Bitsch has created this protest cake for all the people of Herning to enjoy and even the Mayor seems to be game. I'll have one of those!

After two days of greatly done PR it was time for Valentina to enjoy some free time wandering around Helsinki. The day started with rainy clouds and very local showers ("... Dalle nuvole si sa, poi la pioggia scenderà, d’improvviso succederà...") but soon the sun came out.... Valentina checked out the cathedral and the Senate's Square, the venue for the Helsinki 2007 Eurovision open air party, remember Krisse ? Then it was time for some local flavors and typical fish plate in the market place, the venue for the Lordi's post-victory celebrations ( here ) Havis Amand... err, Valentina! Kappeli is always good for coffee and cakes! Espan lava... hmm, maybe next summer a gig here? It may have been September 1, but somewhere in Helsinki it's always Christmas.... An artist has always an open ear for another talent..... like incredible bottle player! Maybe she will bring him along to Copenhagen 2014? And then there's t...

After various awakenings and true fantasies, sharing the moment and feeling your heartbeat and the rhythm, being one and lighting your fire in the confluence of sound and under the same sky, next year we simply join in. Eurovision got closer to the people and fans this year in Malmö in terms of the venue and stage, now the Danish want us to join in even more, get more interactive in social medias but also in the parties and the show itself. No traditional postcards apparently to be expected but the focus will be even more on the artists and their feelings and goals what comes to Eurovision. Which is just right. After all it is them who put their face, name and talent to the game, not the broadcasters and countries. It's their party and their show, and it's about the time the focus is on them full time.  Eurovision 2014 - #JoinUs .

While the Eurovision party still going on Valentina & co took a trip outside the boat and had some fun in rainy Tallinn night.... Love is blind - or L'amore verrà? Valentina has also time to check out some venues for her worthcoming Baltic jazz tour, including Clazz club. The stage was ready and waiting for her..... but, sometime in the near future.... Goodbye Tallinn! See you again soon. In the daylight, too!