Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Darin is no stranger to Eurovision having participated in Melodifestivalen 2010 with You're out of my life , six years after his breakthrough in Idols , and being part of the interval act in 2013 Eurovision semi final. He has become one of the most succesful if not the most succesful Idols born artist in Sweden despite being only runner up (to Daniel Lindström - who? and beating Loreen among others). He started in English but switched to Swedish (and more acoustic sound) in 2014 and it made him even more popular. Seven out of his 8 albums went to #1 so far, and he has also 10 top-10 singles to his credit. He has also written songs for other artists and was even asked to write a song for the Crown Princess Victoria's wedding, Can't stop love . Tvillingen was the most played song in Swedish radios in 2017. His career is also going strong in Asia.  Check out also Nobody knows , Lovekiller , Mamma mia , Ta mig tillbaka  and F your love . If only SVT could manage him get...

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? Pete Parkkonen came to spotlight in Idols coming 3rd (losing to forgotten Koop Arponen and Anna Puu - see previous post). He started his recording career in English and debut album went to #1. He has participated in several music variety programmes in tv winning both Dancing with stars and Tähdet, tähdet proving what an excellent and chameleontic performer on stage he is. After that he changed into Finnish and after being the eternal "next big thing" is maybe finally getting closer to the recognisation he deserves. A succesful trip to Israel 2019 might just cement him as a major star. So far he's not quite there yet and hasn't maybe quite found his full potential and popularity. 

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? Anna Puu (or Puustjärvi) started with Idols placing 2nd, her debut album went to #1 and sold platinum. Nearly ten years later she has released four albums (and will release her 5th next month) with countless radiohits. She has won Emma award as the Female artist of the year twice, she did Vain elämää , she's The Voice coach.... and an Eurovision/UMK link comes in form of a boyfriend: Jukka Immonen, who's been involved with both and switched from Jenni Vartiainen to Anna a couple of years ago. While Jenni might have the image of an ultimate classy diva, Anna has been the cute little girl next door. Until now. Her new promo pics for the new album are rather Lady Gagaic, so does that also give a hint of even more upbeat and Eurovision friendly music as the chan...

Karoliina Kallio os Waldo's people fame turns 38 today! Her career started already as a kid in 1990 in a talent contest. Finnish national finals, Idols and other stuff followed until 2008 she joined Waldo's People line up just in time for Eurovision. In 2011 she tried also The Voice but only got to the first live. She's been singing backing vocals, gigging and became a mother in 2014.  Congratulations!

It's not every day a Finnish artist appears in the UK charts but Alma is there now with Chasing highs and follows Hanoi Rocks (#61), Softengine (#93), Lordi (#25) and Top-10 ones Darude , The Rasmus and Bomfunk MC . That's just about it. Can't remember any others. She's at #45 this week in the official singles charts and going up.  In Finland she took part in Idols 2013 but was voted out as 5th-7th (along with Zühlke, UMK2017's runner up). In years between she has matured to one of the most interesting voices of the decade and Finns are expecting great things from her.... Last year she was awarded with Emma award (local Grammy) as the Newcomer of the year and also with a special Export Emma. Her previous singles Karma and Dye my hair have also had some international chart action. She's also featured in Felix Jaehn's Bonfire and Sub Focus' Don't you feel it . 

59/120 Catarina Zühlke (25) is already known from Idols 2013 where she reached fifth place but left her mark. She has been gigging a lot and released her debut EP this year with some Finnish music (like Kauneimmat with Jore Marjaranta, and Haave ) but her fur´ture album will be international rough urban pop, just like her entry for #UMK17. If this is your favorite, vote for her in my poll on the right, or here for real  She's an avid Eurovision fan and her dream if to bring the trophy and the contest back to Finland in 2018. She's self declared superhero and she's eyeing a career especially in Germany where her father is from.  So, what did our international* jury think of it? She's one of the four songs that was no one's number one. Generally midtable lower scores Marco and Valentina giving it the highest score but Robert said it's "awful song". Jack find her sassy with fabulous voice but the song itself doesn't live up to the...

Hanna Pakarinen turns 35 today! How time flies! She's remembered as the very first Idols winner in Finland and of course the host nation's represent in the Eurovision song contest 2007 in Helsinki. She's released six studio albums so far, all of them making the albums top-10. The first ones were with songs in English until in the 2010's she started writing her own songs and in Finnish. Her latest project is recording an album with covers of Carola's songs. (No, not the Swedish one but the Finnish legendary singer from the 1960's golden era.) The first published single is below. Congratulations Hanna! Stay gorgeous!

Annica Milán and Kimmo Blom both are already television talent search veterans and have been in Idols, The Voice and Kimmo also did #UMK15 as Angelo De Nile. Together they have also done musical theater and performing together since some time.  Annica tried her luck in The Voice 2013 where she was kicked out in the battle stage by Suvi Aalto, Saara's sister. Before that did Idols 2008 and didn't reach the final seven. In between she has won a random talent contest Palatsin tähti 2011.  Kimmo has been singing in many bands, and particiated with Boys of the Band in Euroviisut 2010, and then as mentioned before as Angelo De Nile in UMK last year. He has been backing singer to many heavy bands, played Freddie Mercury in The Show must go on musical, He has also written songs to countless artists over the years.  Apparently they are alos romantically involved so are we witnessing the birth of rock Al Bano & Romina Power here? Maybe..... 14/20

Diogo Piçarra is the Idols winner back in 2012 in Portugal and today an all around artists, writer and producer. He has lived and studied in Czech Republic as well as London and has been building his career slowly and released the debut album only after all these expriences. You can found on Youtube a lot of covers he has done over the years, including Stay with me ,  Say something and All of me   as well as his original songs like Verdadeiro , Tu e eu and Volta . Below is Breve . No wonder he was voted the Best Portuguese Youtuber in 2014! Portugal has been looking for the succesful recipe for 5 decades now, could this be it? As they don't seem to want to take from their rich traditional music heritage like Fado or borrowing some Brasilian rhythms ... This will do (instead of some borrowed useless europop written propably by foreigners). At least for me. 

Antti Tuisku may have finished only 3rd in Idols (won by Hanna Pakarinen) but since then he has become the one who has sold most. he has been very active in studio and has released already 8 albums and two Christmas albums and the sales are over 250.000 and has scored a string of hits. He is also the one and only real male pop star in Finland if a popstar is one with catchy songs and great stage shows with choreographed acts. Three platinum records and five gold records on his wall he's ready to take on his second tv reality, as he has already won Strickly come dancing in 2010.

The rumours that Antti Tuisku would take part in #umk15 before the artists were out spread faster than forest fire in summer and were as quicky denied by his management. Yesterday he let the beast out and revealed his new single and video Peto on irti  that translates to "beast is on the lose". The video is pure teenage hormones running wild and being more interested in eating banana while two girls are kissing right infront of his face does nothing to unfuel the speculation of his love life. But wo cares? Tuisku is and remains so far the only real pop star in Finland. And he would be so Eurovision worthy...... think about it Antti, ok? He will be guest starring in tomorrow night's UMK15 semifinal. Do you think this could have been a good entry for Finland perhaps? This made #1 in iTunes within hours of its release today. Last week Laura Voutilainen (ESC 2002), Virve Rosti (ESC 1987) and Krista Siegfrids (ESC 2013) joined forces to perform the unforgettable - for...

The speculation among fans about the possible UMK 2015 artists is heating up ever more. Some are sure Antti Tuisku is taking part and that, my readers, would be a many fans Eurovision wet dream. The fact is he's the only real male pop artist in Finland. He shot to the fame from the first Idols season, placing only 3rd but has then outsold each and every other Idols artist by far. Nine albums to his name, all but one top-3 (the one missing out is his second Christmas album, "only" #5).  He's returning from a break and ... who knows? Even his Facebook status gives out a hint of something (this blogger is to think it's for another tv-programme announcing its participants though. Sadly) coming up shortly but he's releasing a new album shortly and just days ago it was revealed his new video will be directed by Christal Snow.... Let's wait and see and meantime enjoy some Tuisku's pop gems: Hyökyaalto , Rukous ,  Rakkaus on , Juuret , Yksinäinen , Jää tai ...

The Finnish Idols, season 7 just ended in Espoo's Barona Areena and the winner is 21-year-old Mitra Kaislaranta, who was since the very start this blogger's favorite, despite this season giving us several very good singers with their own styles and interesting personalities, but only one can win. As we remember Diandra Flores won season 6, and Hanna Pakarinen the very first one. She beat Jospeh Miettinen in the final and one could say they were very different. Mitra has a fantastic voice and can make almost any song her own and comes across a bit mysterius and distant but giving her soul to each song at the same time. Joseph may lack in singing voice but makes it up as a real show man and security on stage. One can xpect both of them starting a succesful career... Here are some Mitra's performances along the way: Maailma on sun , Sex on fire , I will always love you , Toinen and with Flute of Shame, Coming home . Her debut single is Äkkisyvää. Joseph did along t...

Both Aija Puurtinen and Redrama have "leaked" they are back as jugdes or rather mentors in the coming UMK 2014. Both were also involved in the second season that resulted in the win of Krista Siegfrids. Officially the judges will be revealed by YLE in November. She says in today's Iltalehti: "The experience was much more positive as I expected. I'm very interested in finding new music makers and new music. This job gave me the chance to advice, teach and mentor new talents. I wasn't only a judge, I was very close to the artists and supported them. I have been asked to do Idols most every year but I don't like that. It's way too one sided and judgemental. I don't like all that elimination business.!" Redrama has been busy working on his new album in between UMKs and has even scored a hit with Clouds , the first offering off it and featuring A.J. McLean of Backstreet Boys. Very catchy and groovy it is, maybe we could have something like...

Hanna Pakarinen has released her 6th stuidp album, and the second one in Finnish and mostly self-written, Olipa kerran elämä (Once upon a time there was life). It continues her string of Top-10 albums in Finland so her popularity has remained solid since her debut even if fading a bit since her post-Idols win hysteria. Her debut album When I become me went to #2 and sold platinum, follow up Stronger was also #2 and sold gold. Lovers , that included her Eurovision entry Leave me alone in Helsinki 2007 went to #3 and also sold gold. After a two year's break she released her last album in English to date, Love in a million shades that went to #7. Then she switched into Finnish with Paperimiehen tytär that went to only #9 but got a lot of airplay and good critic. The new album Oiipa kerran elämä also debuted as #9.  You can buy the new album for example here . There's also a very nice documentary (in Finnish) where she also performs songs from the new album here : (00....

Redrama will be once again one of the judges for UMK 2014 or Uuden musiikin kilpailu aka ex-Euroviisut. The submission is due September 16, 2013 so there's still some time to send in entries. He spoke about UMK in YleX radio interview: "It's really cool to be part of it again, it was a great experience and gave me a chance to listen to all kind of music that I would never have heard otherwise. I ask all of you out there to send in your best song, not a leftover from your last album. UMK can give you visibility that those participating in The Voice of Finland or Idols can only dream of. It's all about the song, not the performance. The possibility to end up representing Finland in the Eurovision is alone a good enough reason to take part. It's also proven out that getting a recording deal thanks to UMK is much easier than Idols or Voice. Most of the 12 artists or bands this year have gotten pretty far and it's mostly thanks to UMK. This said, I want also ...

Hanna Pakarinen is to release her new album Olipa kerran elämä on August 23, 2013. To celebrate the release she will really bring the music to the people, by giving four pop up gigs in some of Helsinki's loveliest summer cafes and kiosks, including this blogger's eternal favorite Café Regatta and this summer's hit Salmiakkikioski . After those two she will move on to Kauppiksen lippis, or the traditional Helsinki kiosk type (designed in 1937 and mainly built in 1940's and 1950's. All made of wood and 19 of them are still existing, but not all of them are working anymore) in Arcadiankatu before ending this surely fun evening in Storyville 's legendary terrace.

Some more songs I've been listening this week. John Mamann ft Kika has an insanely catchy summer vibe in their Love life . Beware! Azerbaijan's favorite son-in-law Emin goes for summer hit recipe as well in Amor . As a video bonus there is Miss Universe Olivia Culpo. All the incredients are there but... somehow something is missing, don't you think? Swedish Ola is hit in Italy with his I'm in love . The song was a hit in Sweden already last summer but now he's ready to conquer the world, without Melodifestivalen and Eurovision, it seems. Finally, another one wishing for a world domination is Finnish Diandra . She didn't win UMK but she won Idols, and is about to release her second album, the first single is Lost . She's got the voice and a song that wouldn't be out of place in any chart, but she desperately needs to sack her stylist! She's 18 for God's sake!

The various reality shows are a way to make it into music business but it doesn't mean you can stay on top after the winning exposure fades away. Some make it a bit further and this year's Eurovision isn't immune to that either. We have the winners of The Voice of Russia, Belgium and Serbia among us, and even Finland's Krista Siegfrids may have to thank The Voice for her being here now even if she didn't reach the final in it last year. Very unfairly, as most Finns agreed and awarded her an UMK victory instead. We have also a French Idol, a Swedish Idols runner up (with the smallest winning margin in the history as Robin, the runner up got 48% of the votes, one might add), and a Norwegian Idols finalist. Then we have also an Italian X Factor winner. We have even a Junior Eurovision participant, Serbia's Nevana Bozovic! Other artists that have started their career that had lead them to Malmö 2013 in various reality shows are at least Vlatko Lozanovsk...

Diandra, the biggest pre-contest favourite to win UMK has also taken a moment to answer some questions to your truly. She was once the Little Red Riding Hood but who was the Big Bad wolf? What happened in her house when Lordi won Eurovision? Does she speak Spanish? Read it all here and don't forget to vote her in the poll on your right hand side -> You won Idols, released a hit album and now UMK. If you win UMK and go to Eurovision, does it mean more to you than winning Idols? I've always wanted to be a singer and a performer, so winning the Idol was magical. I've studied music since the age of 3, but Idols was the thing that started my career. It’s very exciting to be competing in UMK. Performing on the Eurovision stage would be an absolute dream come true. You were spotted by David Lee Brewer, Beyonce's vocal couch. Tell us a bit about the collaboration. David is an amazing vocal coach. He’s taught me a lot about singing and performing and ...