Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

As usual, Albania gives us the first entry for the Eurovision song contest of the season as the 59th Festivali i Këngës was held over three days just before Christmas. Only that this time it was outside and without public. That didn't stop the Albanian television giving us great looking show with a pretty stage in Sheshi Italia with a modern touch when backing tracks were used instead of the traditional live orchestra. Out of 25 entries 18 made the final and each song was performed in two versions; one of them being unplugged version.  Anxhela Peristeri (34) won the contest with her Karma , a song with strong ethnic sound and apparently the song will stay in Albanian also in Rotterdam, hooray for that! She first participated in the festival already back in 2001 without success, but has placed 1st, 2nd and 3rd in the past few years in the other big Albanian festival, Kënga Magjike. And here's the unplugged version, which I actually prefer: Check out all videos and results HERE

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 .