Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

What a surprise, but maybe a deserved one. Hanna Sky - who I actually saw in a local bus the other day :-) - has really trasformed her uninspired and dark number into colorful anthem of hope and it made the difference. I'm a bit surprised MadCraft was so close to dropping out but was it only because of the judges remains to be seen as we don't know the televotes. But Mikko was only four points behind Hanna in jury votes so it seems also televoters fell for Hanna... Now the two songs that made the final so far are completely different. This is going to be very interesting and anything can still happen. Lat year the mechanism was a bit different when two songs went to the final diretly from the elimination grounds so there were already four of them, now only two..... MAKEA's campaign in social medias didn't work as they didn't attract enough televoters to overcome the last place with judges..... Tomi: MAKEA 4, Madcraft 5, Clarissa 6, Lauri 7, Mikko 8 and Hann...

It's time to kick out one again. Who will follow Lili Lambert out, and who will join Softengine already in the final? Anne Lainto and Ile Uusivuori are hosting the show live from Helsinki's Peacock Theater in Linnamäki amusement park from 8pm CET. The guest star tonight is Musta Barbaari . You can watch it live here . The backstage UMK+ will start already 7.30pm CET online.  Join me tonight for the live blogging experience. Once again I will translate what the judges say, comment and gossip. Stay tuned! (Meanwhile why not voting your favorites in my pol ->) 20.35 Here we go again. The backstage is interviewing Aija Puurtinen and they talk about her band. Next is Cristal Snow! He is there for Mikko Pohjola, his future ex-husband to be - only that Mikko doesn't know it yet! Then we have two bloggers who also seem to be in favor for Mikko. And you can add this blogger to that list, too. They think Hanna Sky is in danger - or she could be the dark horse tonight. ...

Tonight it's time for the second elimination in UMK 2014. Just like last week six acts will take the Peacock theater's stage and one is sent home, one directly to the final and the other four still have another chance to convince televoters and the jurors. The show starts at 8pm CET on YLE2.  Online the UMK+ kicks off 7.30pm CET with interviews and backstage. As always I will be here live blogging for you so join me tonight! The voting has been open all week and you can still vote here . Listen to the songs here or click the links below for the demo performances. MAKEA - Painovoima Lauri Mikkola - Going down Clarissa feat Josh Standing - On top of the world Mikko Pohjola - Sängyn reunalla - video Madcraft - Shining bright - video Hanna Sky - Hope

A few days ago the second UMK 2014 program aired. The judges saw the first six artists for the first time on stage in studio performing their demos. They gave comments and suggestions how to improve the act, what was good and what was not. You can watch this show online here . Here's a round up what was said and this blogger's views as well. JASMIN MICHAELA - KERTAKÄYTTÖSYDÄN Jasmin thinks her song stands out for its rhythm, way of singing and her sensual, smiley and energetic performing. She's got a clear vision what she wants to do and look but all advice from the professionals is more than welcome! And what did they think? Aija: Awesome song! I really like it, the chorus is a killer. You look stunning and interesting, and most of all fitting to the song. Toni: I really like your choreography - little movements, old fashion hidden sexuality in your hips and such. A great contrast to these silicon babes in hotpants these days! This is much more interesting! S...

MAKEA (translates to SWEET or COOL) singing Painovoima (or Gravity). An act that makes it debut in every sense in UMK 2014. It's their first release, and apparently their only song (so far) and it looks like they got together for UMK. Artificial? Hmm... perhaps. Labelled as urban pop with influences from hip hop, electro and rock it's rather radio friendly indeed, so who know if we are witnessing the birth of something big? The band resides between Turku and Helsinki and is made of Kadi (vocals), Olli (rap), Jura (guitar), Jussi (bass) and Josu (drums). Their influences include Bruno Mars, The Black Eyed Peas and Rage against the Machine. Their Facebook is here so like them, and vote for them in my poll on the right hand side.

The 12 artists and songs for UMK 2014 were revealed today in a MF-esque webcast on YLE's website where you also heard snippets of the demo versions of their songs (you can watch it here ). Or better snippets just click the song titles below. The fans were right with the most names with the clues given away by YLE in the ast two weeks and indeed it seems to be a very interesting cast this season. Jukka Immonen wrote the Belgian entry 2013, and Lauri Mikkola and Dennis Fagerström made themselves known already in the Voice of Finland. I will dig deeper with the artists in coming days so stay tuned! Here are the artists, songs and songwriters: Lauri Mikkola – Going Down   (Lauri Mikkola, Tuomas Viiliäinen) Clarissa feat. Josh – Top of The World   (Paul Oxley, David Neisser, Christian Rabb, Annette Lundell, Joshua Standing) MadCraft – Shining Bright  (Tom Nuorivaara, Juho Rinne, Jesse Mäläskä, Otto Uotila) Mikko Pohjola – Sängyn reunalla   (Jukka Immone...