Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

  Another dose of #Finpop 2025: True veterans kaija Koo and Mikael Gabriel with their latest efforts along with already up and coming Aliisa Syrjä and newcomer Minttu with her second single - the first one I have already featured before. Enjoy! Minttu - Mokaamisen maailmanmestari Mikael Gabriel - Tää yö Kaija Koo - Räsypokka Aliisa Syrjä - Aamunkoi

This week two cover bangers with already familiar Teleks with some nearly symphonic pop and new name Överi. Kaija Koo's iconic anthem has been remixed by Dog Hustlers while BÄMÄ enganged UMK2024 hostess Pilvi Hämäläinen in Kikka's evergreen from the 1990's.  Teleks - Lukot sillankaiteeseen BÄMÄ / Pilvi Hämäläinen - Anna rakas (raju hetki) Dog Hustlers / Kaija Koo - Tinakenkätyttö  Överi - Kyyneliä

And let the speculation continue! Still many many weeks to go before Yle announces the Umk 2022 acts but fandom and media still tries to figure out the names from random clues like who does Umk instagram follow recently and so on. Meanwhile the good news is the event in Turku is almost sold out! For previous speculation volumes check them out here and here . Let's see if any of the names has been guessed :-) Konsta Hietanen Former child star, actor, footballer, father of five and singer-songwriter Konsta made a comeback in the spotlight by winning Tähdet, tähdet entertainment show and at the same time landed a role in the most popular sopa opera. He's been trying to start also his singing career so what would be better place than Umk? Listen Hullu Kaija Koo Best selling, multi award winning Kaija Koo has re-invented herself at least three times over the decades. The only thing she hasn't done in her career is Eurovision as solo artist so what about that? She's done bac...

  New music from Finland twice a week in this new series from the charts, radio play or just new names trying to make it. Enjoy! Kaija Koo - Sateenkaari pimeässä Rosi - Kysy mult Juulia - Maailma loppuu Janna - Maailma meidän jälkeen

YLE has been very, very quiet about the coming UMK2019 - so much that fandom is creating such a fuss about it in chat rooms and message boards that even the tabloids are starting to talk about it. Last year this time we already knew Saara Aalto was selected in a surprise twist and YLE angered most everyone who had submitted songs to the selection that was cancelled just like that. Lack of any information or hints only fuels the idea YLE is clueless what to do or simply won't get anyone decent. The only thing known so far is that the selection will take place on March 2, 2019 somewhere, with someone with three songs. When UMK boss Anssi Autio was interviewed about it the whole affair can be summed up in this way: He didn't comment the No comment line of comments he gave to most every question. Meanwhile the fandom has desperately seeked for clues and created several lines of conspiracy theories and even a rather credible reason: Yle may have had someone booked up who then ...

Let's have a look what else there is in the charts this summer, that could be of interest for YLE's internal choice for #UMK2019 and  Eurovision song contest as well... Kaija Koo is a true veteran who has re-invented herself over and over and now being over 50 is more popular than ever and gets side kicks like the most popular rapper Cheek or the very hot Reino Nordin as her featured acts. Paa mut cooleriin was released just in time for Midsummer. Her breakthrough hit was legendary Kuka keksi rakkauden back in 1993. Tinakenkätyttö is another goodie among her countless hits. Reino Nordin has had incredible past a couple of years. The actor turned singer has had already seven top-10 hits in a row including two #1's, this Kuinka paljon voi rakastaa and Ytimeen , and his Antaudun was maybe the biggest radio hit overal of 2017.  Vesta is the latest critic's sensation, up and coming singer but she has broken into radios as well. Ota varovasti is the...

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...

Antti Tuisku is really living the highlight of his career as we know it. His latest single Hanuri went straight to #1 in the official singles chart last week upon its release and yesterday he was the last act on Helsinki Day's open air free concert to celebrate Helsinki's 467th birthday in a strng of names like Chisu, The Rasmus, Kaija KooMikael Gabriel and Lauri Tähkä - all Finnish pop's royalty. Hanuri flirts with the Balcan sound and features to Kosovan brothers (aka Boyat) while the lyrics are tongue in cheek between dirty and hilarious filled with double meanings and read between the lines in true Kikka style! And if Kikka was the female Slavko os the late 80's-earöy 90's Antti is becoming the Finnish Slavko with his over the top performing..... If only in UMK.....

Last but not least, here are the nominees for the Female Artist of the Year. One real veteran, one recordbreaking looking for a trple, two who have gone solo from succesful duos and one that whose talent has blossomed in Vain elämää and will do amazing things in the future... I guess it's predictable this goes to Vesala, as Sanni winning it again would be a bit boooring. Kaija Koo might surprise but most likely not. I'd give this to Suvi Teräsniska, she has proven to be not only loved by public but also being a Talent in Vain elämää. Amazing singer and voice. Go Suvi! Erin (ex-Nylon Beat) returned to her successful solo career after three years of silence and two kids. Her solo debut back in 2011 sold triple platinum and had several hits, the second one sold platinum and gave her more hits and this one released last month has already Sydäntä särkee and Kohta hänen . Maija Vilkkumaa has been involved in writing this album. Kaija Koo 's success continues with so...

People have the power to vote for their favorite video of the year at Emma Gaala, aka the Finnish Grammys. Here are the nominees, who's your favorite? Alma - Karma (directed by Pyry Pelkonen and Jens Alexander Zitting) Arttu Lindeman - Läikkyy (directed by Jan-Erik Olin) Kaija Koo feat. Cheek - Nää yöt ei anna armoo (directed by Hannu Aukia) Nikke Ankara feat. Julma H - Pahoi poikii (directed by Jaakko Jokela) Sanni feat. Paperi T - Oo se kun oot (directed by Ezra Gould) Stam1na - Kuudet raamit (directed by Tuomas Petsalo) Teflon Brothers feat, Mariska - Lähiöunelmii (directed by Hannu Aukia) Tuure Kilpeläinen ja Kaihon Karavaani - Autiosaari (directed by Patrick Lindholm) Vesala - Älä droppaa mun tunnelmaa (directed by Malin Nyqvist) Ville Valo - Olet mun kaikuluotain (directed by Ykä Järvinen) As a bonus the most talked about video of the past days:

Sweden's Melodifestivaen brings together every year the big names, well known names, a few new names and mixes a show that appeals to most Swedes - and not only. UMK in Finland has been changing from ... well, I don't know what it was ment to be really. In the current form no big names seem to be willing to be part of it, and if we think these years it has been running it has produced only one star: Krista Siegfrids, and Softengine to some level. Mikko Pohjola was ment to become big for example, but nothing happened. From last season's finalist NONE made any impact in the charts or music industry and all are already forgotten. Sad but true.  So, let's play with the idea UMK was actually remodelled with MF style. Big names, four semifinals and all. This is my outtake or who I would have invited for the first new styled UMK that I would also rename as Euroviisut . Simple as that! One can dream, right? Check out after the jump my choices for the first semifinal. An...

Emma, the Finnish Grammy award nominations have been revealed today. Among the various nominees in different categories we have Softengine , the band that scored 11th in Copenhagen Eurovision 2014. They have been nominated as the newcomer of the year, and they are also among the nominees in the People's Choice award. In newcomers they fight it againt Arion , from UMK 2013. Jari Sillanpää has three nominations: Schlager album of the year, Male artist of the year and he's also listed for People's Choise. Another Eurovision veteran Katri Helena is still going strong; she scored also nomination in Schlager album of the year and also Female artist of the year. Diandra , Idol winner and UMK participant is also nominated for the Female artist of the year and People's Choice. Finally we have Tango King and national selection participant Amadeus Lundberg up for Peoples Choice. Also UMK judge Redrama and national final participant Samuli Edelmann are nominated. The...

Eurovision 2014 winner Conchita Wurst is headlining Serena Pop & Rock festival in Espoo on August 29-30, 2014. She will be performing the first day. The other stars are (so far) Jenni Vartiainen , Juha Tapio , Kaija Koo , Jukka Poika , JVG , Sanni , Anna Abreu , Roope Salminen & Koirat and Pete Parkkonen . Also Kasmir , Sini Sabotage and Tuomas Kauhanen will be present. More info here .

Katri Helena has been succesful for 50 years already and she has sold nearly 2  million albums in Finland, collected 17 gold, 4 platinum and 1 double platinum albums, but she has never been one to put the top of the charts on fire - her only #1 album is from the 1970's and her last top-3 from 1995. But now she enter with her new and 32nd studio album Taivaan tie , ( listen here) her first in three years straight at number 3, just behind Tuomas Holopainen (of Nightwish) and Kaija Koo, who also enter the charts with their new ones. Here are her charting albums since 1995: 1995 Vie minut (3.) 1998 Missä oot (33.) 2003 Sydämen laulut (compilation) (15.) 2004 Tässä tällä hetkellä (13.) 2006 Elämän langat (10.) 2009 Tulet aina olemaan (14.) 2011 Valon maa (5.) 2012 Sinivalkoinen (compilation) (18.) 2014 Taivaan tie (3. so far ) She has got additional gold disc for Leidit lavalla, an album and tour she did with Marion Rung, Lea Laven and Paula Koivuniemi in 2000...

Vain elämää dominates still the charts and another song from the show hits the #1 spot before the end of 2012. This time it's Erin covering Cheek's Mitä tänne jää . This is their live  duet version and Cheek's original .  There are still six songs from the show in Top-20 plus last week's #1 one by Cheek & Jonne Aaron, both from the show but the song isn't. The album is firmly at the #2 after becoming the most sold album in Finland of the 2000's selling already 6xplatinum. The follow up album takes the #1 spot this week!  Meanwhile the stars of the show Katri Helena, Jari Sillanpää, Erin, Cheek, Neumann, Kaija Koo and Jonne Aaron have given sold out concerts in Barona Arena in Helsinki on December 28 and 30, 2012. The tickets sold out in less than an hour....

The incredible (and deserved) success of Vain elämää continues. The album has become the most sold album of the 2000's in Finland with over 160.000 albums sold so far! That's 8xplatinum! And that's not all, this Friday sees the release of a follow-up 2-cd Vain elämää jatkuu including rest of the songs performed in the series. And after Christmas the stars Katri Helena, Jari Sillanpää, Cheek, Erin, Kaija Koo, Jonne Aaron and Neumann will give a sold out concert in Barona Arena in Espoo. Meanwhile the single songs are dominating the single's charts.... This follow up includes Kaija Koo's cover of Katson sineen taivaan , Jonne Aaron's L'oiseau et l'enfant and Katri Helena's Valkeaa unelmaa . A must have!

Vain elämää domination continues still. The compilation album sits firmly as #1 in the albums and Cheek takes the lead in the singles with his collaboration with Jonne Aaron, his Vain elämää fellow, with Anna mä meen. Cheek is also #2 with Puhelinlangat laulaa (Katri Helena), #4 with Tinakenkätyttö (Kaija Koo),  #13 Rakastuin mä luuseriin (Erin/Nylon Beat) and #14 Kaduilla tuulee (Jari Sillanpää). Erin takes Cheek cover Mitä tänne jää to #5, she's also at #10 with Vapaa (Kaija Koo), while Jonne Aaron is at #15 with Kylmä ilman sua (Kaija Koo) and Jari Sillanpää has another Cheek cover at #17, Liekeissä . And at #18 we still have one, Erin again with Vasten auringon siltaa (Katri Helena). That's 10/20 for Vain elämää songs/singers this week. 

Kaija Koo, Laura Voutilainen, Cheek The Finnish Independence day on December 6 is traditionally celebrated with the glamorous ball in the president's castle. This year Finland celebrated its 95th birthday as we gained independence in 1917. We also had a new presidential couple in charge after 12 years with Tarja Halonen, the first female president. it was pretty close we didn't have a gay president this time around as Pekka Haavisto came close second earlier this year, and his partner Antonio Flores, originally from Columbia would have been "the first lady". Such joy and fun that would have been! Maybe in six years... Anyways, the ball is a little bit "Who's who" in Finland and among this year's some 1800 guests besides all the diplomats, big bosses, political figures, members of parliaments, sportsmen who have made the nation proud over the year there are always some artists for a reason or another. This year among them Laura Voutilainen, Cheek...

Vain elämää TV-series takes over the charts this week. The album firmly stands at number one and also Cheek's album is climbing again at #13, so is Katri Helena's compilation at #18.  The real take over happens in the singles/download chart as Cheek's Puhelinlangat laulaa climbs to #1. This is of course a Katri Helena cover.  Erin takes Cheek cover Mitä tänne jää to #2 and Cheek is with Jonne Aaron at #3 with Anna mä meen . Again Cheek covers Kaija Koo's Tinakenkätyttö at #5. Kaija Koo covers Vapaa by Erin is at #8, so is Kylmä ilman sua by Jonne Aaron. Cheek is again at #12 covering Erin/Nylon Beat with Rakastuin mä luuseriin followed by Jari Sillanpää cover Kaduilla tuulee at #13. Jari Sillanpää covering Cheek's Liekeissä is at #15, Erin covering Katri Helena's Vasten auringonsiltaa at #16 and Cheek covering Neumann/Dingo's Levoton tuhkimo at #17. And still more: Cheek is also at #19 with  Syypää sun hymyys and finally at #20 we have Jonne ...

This falls's real success and hit in Finnish TV has been Vain elämää , the format also known as De beste zangers Van Nederland in the Netherlands and Så mycket bättre in Sweden where it has also been a huge success. Second season will be done but in the first one Katri Helena, Jari Sillanpää, Erin (ex-Nylon Beat), Cheek, Neumann (of Dingo), Kaija Koo and Jonne Aaron (of Negative) have definitely gained new fans and we have been given some fantastic covers of their songs by the other artists. The compilation album featuring three of the songs by each artists sold platinum on its release and has given a real boost to the artists albums as well. So far twelve songs have entered the iTunes top-30 and six have entered the official singles top-20.  And what is a really nice, several Eurovision songs have got their reinterpretation as well! Katri Helena covered Jari Sillanpää's 1998 Euroviisut runner up Valkeaa unelmaa . Kaija Koo covered Katri Helena's...