Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

  Another week, another set of #Finpop 2024. First latest pop sensation Hugo followed by seasoned pop diva Katri Ylander with the song she tried to get into #UMK2024 but didn't make the cut in the end, let's see if she has tried again for #UMK2025?! A name from that or Sex Mane has teamed up with Fabe and finally we have another UMK royalty Kuumaa's lead singer 's lil sister with a song they wrote together, could she be aiming to follow his footsteps?! Enjoy! HUGO - PAINAJAISET KATRI YLANDER - MOSAIIKKI FABI / SEXMANE  - TEHTIIN TÄÄ ELSA BROTHERUS - SE JOKA SUT MENETTÄÄ

UPDATE 4.12.2024: Neonoen have withdrawn and will not go to Eurovision after all. They released the following statement in social medias and RTCG will decide on the new participant in coming days, most probably the runner up Nina Žižić. "“In the best public interest, with the desire to end the uncertainty and once again contribute to the music that we are here for in the first place, we inform you that we are voluntarily withdrawing from participating in Eurovision. RTCG, in accordance with the regulations, will choose another representative, and we will be the first to wish him luck and provide him with full support. “Winning at Montesong brought us publicity whose type and extent we did not choose, nor could we control. We note, and the facts confirm this, that performing the working version of the song live neither jeopardized the Montesong festival process itself, nor could it have influenced its final outcome and our placement. The fact is that there were many similar example...

This week we have newbies Ellimei and Lasse Havu with Ollie that keeps delivering perfect pop songs for years already, wouldn't it be time to play the #UMK2025 card to finally make it to household name? and real veteran group Teleks that also keeps delivering radio pops one after another. Could they be the "oldies" of #UMK2025? Enjoy! ELLIMEI - KERRON SULLE KAIKEN LASSE HAVU - KANTAVAA MAATA OLLIE - SALAISUUS  TELEKS - ELÄMÄ JATKUU 

The ever so popular Vain elämää season 15 this fall had a lot of Eurovision connections as among the ones that gathered together to spend time and cover each other songs were both Hanna Pakarinen and Waldo of  Waldo's People with Eurovision wannabes Eini, Ilta and Marko Hietala of Nightwish fame. Ilta has been a real revelation who has made fantastic covers of everyone's songs. She's certainly one that I'd love to see back in UMK soon! Let's start with Ilta. She covered Waldo's People's Lose control making it a ballad in Finnish as Kiire . And what a heartfelt ballad it became! Not to be less Waldo covered Ilta's Kelle mä soitan . Ilta took also Hanna Pakarinen's Leave me alone and did the same treatment: heartfelt ballad in Finnish as Mee nyt vaan pois   and did it work? Oh yea! But Waldo wasn't yet done with Eurovision as he took also from Eini her UMK entry Draamaa and make it his own. As a bonus here's Waldo and Ilta belting out Hanna Pa...

  Another week, another set of possible #UMK2025 wannabes with their resent #finpop 2024 releases. First we have already established artists Elias Kaskinen and Nelli Matula who are in fact married! They are yet to release something together in duet but I would say these two songs are a kind of distant duet. Then we have Janna, from my eternal wish list for Eurovision, and finally a new name and face, Edvin. Enjoy!  ELIAS KASKINEN - MEIST EI TUU FRENDEI NELLI MATULA - SÄ VOITIT JO JANNA - SYLI EDVIN - UUDESTAAN 

Montenegro is making a welcome return to Eurovision song contest in 2025 in Basel, Switzerland after two years absence. To do so they have reinstalled Montesong contest to pick up the entry. A total of 32 valid submissions were received and they were announced on October 10, and published on November 10, 2024. The Montesong 2025 is set for November 27, 2024 becoming thus the very first national final of the season. Among the artists season's first Eurovision returnee aiming for another go: Nina Žižić of 2013 with Who See and fabulously original Igranka that sadly and undeservedly missed the final placing only 12th in the semi-final.  Below are the entries with my first time hearing generous ranking from * to ***** If in hurry here's a recap Anastasija Koprolčec - Kraj  **** Bend "9" - Stop War  * Boban Rajović - Suze Dolce Hera - Repeat  ** Đurđa - To Ljubav Je  ** Glumci Bend - San  ** Isak Šabanović - Ljeto, Ljeto, Ljeto  *** Kejt - Obala Raja ...

  Here comes another dose of #Finpop 2024 and yes, here's the first officially UMK2025 song as declared by the artist herself, aka a song that didn't make the cut: Sussu's Fake roses. The other artists could easily be also ones that may or may not have submitted a song: Jemina and Kielletty Ruusu newbies waiting for the spotlight and already a seasoned hit maker Suvi Teräsniska who's also employed by Yle in its very popular Elämäni biisi show as one of its house singers. Enjoy! JEMINA - YLPEE SUVI TERÄSNISKA - KAIKKI MUSSA TAHTOO KIELLETTY RUUSU - HULLUKS BAE SUSSU - FAKE ROSES 

Sanremo giovani will be a multi evening affair again and on top of that the separate Sanremo Giovani or newcomers final will be held in Sanremo 2025 festival giving us two winners again in 2025 rather than only one - as it should be if you ask me. Just think about some names that have won the newcomers before making it to the Big category: Eros Ramazzotti, Laura Pausini, Andrea Bocelli and Francesco Gabbani. Just to name a few. There will be four heats on November 12, 19, 26 and December 3 presented by Eurovision host Alessandro Cattelan each with six participants, three making it further. The semi-final takes place on December 10 and the 12 will become six.  The final takes place on December 18. The six will become three, and also the two selected by AreaSanremo selection will battle out between them for the last spot. That makes four who will travel to Teatro Ariston in Sanremo in February and have the grand final with new songs.  The Sanremo Giovani selection had 564 submis...

Another week, another dose of #Finpop 2024. This week mostly rather not household names. Costee is the biggest name and is also heavily tipped for possible UMK 2025 participation. NOTO is none other than Italian born Sebastian Noto and the others are talents to be yet discovered by most. Enjoy! GABRI - STARTTAA ÖVERI / NOTO - KAUNIIMPAA COSTEE - SANO VAAN N.E.O. - VÄRITETYS SADUT 

It's finally here. People's champion, Käärijä's second album including a string of hits already released as singles ( Huhhahhei , Kot kot , Sex = Money ) and new songs and the new fantastic single Autiomaa. The album has streamed already triple platinum at its release. The Joost Klein duet TRAFIK! , Antti Tuisku's Auto jää didn't make the cut, nor Toiset samanlaiset with Elastinen.  And before people without sense of humor get upset about the title it simply refers to word play of Finnish champignon/champion as the lyrics go: "When I was little my mom said I would become a champignon, people's champion. I won't get defeated, I stand tall as a mushroom" And indeed he WAS the people's champion in Eurovision 2023 winning the televote. There. And since then has done two sold out European tours with added gigs due high demand, as well as upgraded larger venues. And in Finland he has done probably hundreds of gigs already and all major festivals.  ...