Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Yle is going internal again in 2019 and it will be very curious to see who they choose (or get) after Saara Aalto - will they go for big international name or something big in Finland.  Or someone new and emerging? Johanna Kurkela is no stranger to Eurovision as her big debut that made her a household name was the Finnish national selection 2007 singing Olet uneni kaunein and Jossain metsäin takana already showcasing then her trademark style.  Five succesful albums later she hasn't compromised and is well known for her unique voice and style, but also flirting with heavier repertoire from Metallica to Sonata Arctica and hip hop with Elastinen . And as Nightwish's frontman Tuomas Holopainen is her husband maybe together they could create an entry we all dream about for her or as their joint project AURI? Something like Rakkauslaulu , that has been voted by Finns the love song of the century (written by The Rasmus' Lauri Ylönen and PMMP's Paula Vesala) or a ...

It's September and the Eurovision 2018 season is officially on. I will feature in coming days names that could be in UMK18, if only...... I say if only, as most likely we won't see any of them in there for UMK is profilied as a newcomers contest instead of being our own Sanremo or Melodifestivalen. In short: a major contest all the big names want to take part not only to win but to boost their record sales and score hits. But one can dream, right? I have thrown in some not so known names for variety. Let's go.... Vol.6 (Check the other ones scrolling down) Johanna Kurkela has been around already over ten years, and has even tried her luck in Eurovision with Olet uneni kaunein , making her a household name and fan favorite. Her etheric and fragile voice has often flirted with heavier music, and no wonder: She's married to Nightwish's frontman Tuomas Holopainen. She has provided vocals for his solo album and Sonata Arctica . She has even covered Metallica...

Euroviisut fan favourite Johanna Kurkela has released a double-CD including the best off her albums 2005-2011. Included is also a brand new song Elegia , that is a safe bet to say it will be her Syksyn Sävel 2011 entry. Besides that we have both her Euroviisut 2007 songs, Olet uneni kaunein and Jossain metsäin takana , smash hit Rakkauslaulu, duets with fellow Euroviisut stars Tomi Metsäketo (Tahdon tanssia kanssasi) and Vesa-Matti Loiri ( Kaiken nähnyt ) and Metallica cover Nothing else matters with Club for Five. And her other hits like Hän ei kävele koskaan , Sun särkyä anna mä en , Kosketusta vailla vapiseva mies , Tuo se mulle and Hetki hiljaa . Unique voice and great songs, an artist this blogger would love to see back in Euroviisut, err... I mean UMK!

Apocalyptica's visits to the USA are paying off. Already last year they scored a #6 hit on Billboard and at the moment their I don't care is #1 on BDS and Mediabase Active Rock radio play charts, and climbs to #2 on Billboard's Hot mainstream rock tracks, right after AC/DC. They're also doing better than Metallica. The irony is Apocalyptica started as Metallica cover band! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Uu9uxGP5nL0 Watch here the fabulous Helsinki 2007 Eurovision interval act with Apocalyptica again: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VyqLl0XoMTI