Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

This blogger has been writing about Haywalkers before, and I finally managed to catch them live during Kallio Block Party , a huge party with dozens of bands playing on three different stages and in clubs along one street in Kallio district in Helsinki for one day and night. Fredi (ESC 1967, 1974) was there, too, btw. He lead the opening parade singing his evergreen and Kallio's national anthem Kolmatta linjaa takaisin (translates freely to Walking back the 3rd street ), and this year it was Kolmas linja (or 3rd street) hosting the event. Eva & Manu were there, too, let's get back to Haywalkers . This band has been gaining popularity quickly and no wonder. They are charmingly cute alive playing a mix of music that can only make you feel good: country, blues, indie Americana - whatever that is, as I'm a bit limited to Eurovision key changes and ding dongs. Whatever it is I like it!   Their set of 12 original songs was very entertaining giving them all moments...

Join me again tonight at 20.00 CET for the second heat of UMK 2013. Two songs will send to the final directly with 50/50 jury/televote. One act will be send home, the others will get another chance next week. The Circus nightclub in Helsinki is once again sold out venue and you can follow it here. UMK+ will bring you backstage 19.45-20.00 here and during the break before the results part of the show.  Last week fan favorites Mikael Saari and Diandra made it to the final, this week we have Krista Siegfrids (who just today has signed her first recording deal with Universal, congrats!) and Arion as clear fan favorites and knowing the judges like them, too, anyone else qualifying would be a surprise. But who will be kicked out? That's the question tonight! And tonight's guest star is Jesse Kaikuranta! Don't forget to read these UMK artists exclusive interviews right here -> 19.45 Here we go again! The backstage UMK+ online has just started.The web presenters are t...

Tonight we got to see the remaining six perform their demos to the judges for the first time in studio stage. The artists didn't know who the judges would be until they entered the stage so that gave them some extra excitement, too. And the judges finally saw the artists they had only heard on tape so far. As always the judges commented the song, the performance and gave the artists hints how to make it better for the live gig next week. Here's a short round up what was said and how the performances were.  LUCY WAS DRIVING - ALL AROUND THE UNIVERSE *** Toni praised them and says he thinks they have a really good song in its genre. Some critic for the vocals that surely would sound fine if there were 300 girls screaming along but here in this studio one can hear everything. Aija thinks the chorus is a killer. She also likes the drum beat. She also criticized the vocals, as did Tomi. And finally they commented their look, the scarves especially, too cliche. They sugg...

It seems this year the UMK songs are getting radio play and have ever a chance to become hits, minor or major. In YleX Krista Siegfrid 's Marry me is #1 in the new songs list and #3 in the Most desired songs. But she's also #3 in the Most hated songs! So, she surely gets your attention, in one way or the other. So far there's no trace of any other UMK songs on this station. In RadioSuomi that is more schlager oriented there are more songs. Diandra 's Colliding into you is the third most played song this week, followed by Elina Orkoneva 's He's not my man at #4 and Mikael Saari 's We should be through at #5. Atlético Kumpula 's Paperilyhty made it to #12. There are no other songs in Top-40. The Swedish speaking X3M plays both Diandra and Krista. So, at least five songs are getting airplay in YLE's channels....

Tomorrow UMK continues on TV and the artists and judges meet for the first time and they get to perform to them for them as well. I will of course post about that tomorrow with video links and comments. I have made posts about each of them based on the first program where the judges listened the demos and picked up the 12 qualifiers. Those artists were interviewed as well and they got to present themselves a bit and you can read my sum ups here: Last Panda , Iina Salin , Mikael Saari , Ilari Hämäläinen , Rautakoura , Diandra , Atlético Kumpula ,  Krista Siegfrids , Lucy was driving , Arion , Elina Orkoneva and Great Wide North . My comments on hearing the songs in full and in final versions for the first time is here . Don't forget to vote for your top-3 in my poll on the right hand side of this page! In other fan poll Diandra is keeping her early lead still but Mikael Saari and Iina Salin are reaching her while Krista Siegfrids seems to be struggling a little. But th...