Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Alexander Bard's new project is called Gravitonas fronted by singer Andreas Öhrn following the footsteps of likes of Army of Lovers, Vacuum and Bwo. Their latest effort Call your name has come out in an EP featuring 17 remixes, just in case they weren't sure which one worked best...

BWO is no more for the time being. Martin Rolinski will go and try a solo career, while Alexander Bard continues his musical journey with Gravitonas with singer Andreas Öhrn. BWO lived from 2004 to 2010 and was born after Vacuum where Bard and Marina Schitjenko already worked together. Bard had even before that Army of Lovers. BWO of Bodies Without Organs took part in Melodifestivalen 4 times: Gone in 2005, Temple of love in 2006 (2nd), 2008 Lay your love on me (3rd) and You're not alone in 2009. Over the years they were also rumoured to be considering entering the national finals in Poland and UK but eventually never did. The band was also very popular in Finland, Ukraine and Russia.

RTÉ is supposed to reveal the five finalist in the Irish final tomorrow, a month before the final where we will find out who's going to sing for Ireland in Oslo 2010. Some names have leaked already who are in the running. Boyzone guys Ronan Keating (who has also a song in the Danish final again) and Mikey Graham have both submitted a song. Ronan's would be sung by British Justin Lee-Collins while Mikey will sing his own song if selected. Last year's winners Niall Mooney and Swedish Jonas Gladnikoff are back, this time their song would be sung by the 1993 Eurovision winner Niamh Kavanagh. Other previous winners have also submitted songs: Brendan Graham (Eurovision 1993 and 1996 winner), Karl Broderick (Irish winner 2005), John Waters (Irish winner 2007). Swedish Alexander Bard (Army of Lovers, BWO etc) has also sent a song, so has LaGaylia Frazer (after not winning in Sweden and Romania previously). And yes, good old Ralph Siegel is back at it, too. He's aiming to gp for...

SVT revealed the first eight artists in Melodifestivalen 2009 and started off with some of the most awaited and biggest names. No surprises here though. All names have been circulating already since the day one the songs were made public. The first wild card will be announced tomorrow! Alcazar - Stay The Night BWO - You're Not Alone Caroline af Ugglas - Snällä, Snälla Emilia - You're My World Jennifer Brown - Never Been Here Before Lasse Lindh and Band - Jag Slåss I Dina Kvarter Måns Zelmerlöw - Hope & Glory Sarah Dawn Finer - Moving on Alcazar, BWO and Måns have all placed in Top-3 previously and also Sarah a respectful 4th. Emilia and Jennifer Brown are in for the very first time.

Carola and Andreas are the superfavourites to qualify for the final from tomorrow night's second chance round. First they have to kick out Nordman of course, and then Thérèse Andersson or Suzzie Tapper. Here are my choises: Match 1: E-type & The Poodles vs. Sibel I would pick Sibel but neither of them should go further. Match 2: Ola vs. Caracola Easy. Ola. Match 3: Nordman vs. Johnson & Häggkvist Well, it just has to be Johnson & Häggkvist Match 4: Thérèse Andersson vs. Suzzie Tapper This is unfair. They both should be in the final instead of Match 1s... Suzzie Match 5: Sibel vs Ola Easy again: Ola. Not that he deserves it though.... Match 6: Johnson & Häggkvist vs. Suzzie A hard one. I go for J&H just to scare the ones in the final a bit... So, Ola and Johnson & Häggkvist to the final... But there it's all about BWO vs Sanna for me

Aftonbladet has published a list they think will be the line up for the Melodifestivalen 2008. As usual, expect changes, disqualifications and scandals before the final list will be confirmed by SVT next month... Former Eurovision winner Charlotte "Can I get a hit song please" Perrelli former Nilsson seems to be in, as is symphonic pretty boy Evan and BWO: Face 84 - Alla gamla x Velvet - Deja vû Alexander Schöld - Den första svalan Lasse Lindh - Du behöver aldrig mer vara rädd Sanna Nielsen - Empty room Charlotte Perrelli - Hero Linda Bengtzing - Hur svårt kan det va? Christer Sjögren - I love Europe Anette Ingemansson & Ida Segersten - I lågornas sken Calaisa - If I could Fronda - Ingen mår så bra som jag Mickey Huskic - Izdajice (Never fall in love) Ainbusk Singers - Jag saknar dig ibland Rongedal Brothers - Just a minute Andra Generationen - Kebabpizza, Slivovitza BWO - Lay your love on me Frida Muranius - Leva livet The Poodles - Line...

This week is the annual Helsinki Pride week, celebrated in a rainy and chilly weather. A rich programme has been planned as usual including everything from foam party to serious seminars. The big show to end it all for another year will be at Vanha (ex-EuroClub) next Saturday and BWO will perform along with Christal Snow and Dj Orkidea. The ex-info point in Lasipalatsi for Eurovision is working these days as Pride info point. The parade leaves on Saturday from Narinkka (ex-EuroVillage) to Kaivopuisto Park (ex-err... nothing Eurovision related I'm afraid!) where all jolly people can have a pique nique before the night's party!