Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

There are familiar names and faces in the Sandhja's backing group Akkabellas. Besides being her friends for a long time, they are all true professionals.  Jenni Lambert may not ring a bell but if I say Lili Lambert and UMK 2014 and The Voice? She's been also backing names like Snoop Doggy and Elastinen besides her solo career.  Reetta Korhonen as a name may not also be familiar but if I say she's the girl who kissed Krista in Marry me in Malmö? Yup, she's the one.  Then we have Linda Ilves and sisters Heini and Tuuli Ikonen from the talented Ikonen family, that includes also among others their bother Osmo who almost got to Moscow back in 2009 with Signmark. All three have a lot of talent and experience in music. 

Now this comes as a surprise! Osmo Ikonen who tried in the Finnish Euroviisut in 2009 with Signmark ( Speakerbox ) and the year later solo ( Heaven and hell ) is apparently behind the Polish entry Jestem , now in English First class ticket to heaven . He has written the song with Brian Allan and Magdalena Tul herself. Once the Finnish media finds out there will surely be a Poland-Finland battle in the first semifinal..... And is that him in the backing vocals in the English version?

The third and last semifinal in Finland takes place tonight. Another 3 songs will qualify for next week's final and YLE will also announce the chosen wildcard amongst Bääbs, Boys of the band, Monday, Veeti Kallio and the two unlucky tonight. Superfavourite - unfortunately - Eläkeläiset is expected to qualify but after then the competition is quite open... The Swedish speaking population will propably vote Linn to the final just like they did with Twisted Sister last week. Fans seem to go for Osmo Ikonen while Maria Lund is also rather popular amongst the elderly generations. My vote goes for Kuunkuiskaajat, they could also be the black horse in Euroviisut 2010 and if not qualifying directly might be the wildcard? THE SHOW IS ABOUT TO START  The show has started but Jaana seems to be still sleeping...... Maria Lund - Sydän ymmärtää Maria  has a very 50's look as does her backing group, dancers. White and blue are the colors. Maria dances along with her dancers provi...

The first Finnish semifinal is only less than two weeks away and there have been already some releases, or singles or albums will be released shortly. Amadeus will release his debut album on January 27 (including Anastacia , Matador , Pyyhi tuuli kyyneleet and Onnemme kyyneleet amongst others) and Osmo Ikonen will release his second album including Heaven and hell in February. Eläkeläiset has already released a 2-cd with their "greatest hits" including their entry Hulluna humpasta . Antti Kleemola has already a radio hit with his Sun puolella and the single will be released shortly, as will Bääbs do with her You don't know tomorrow . Kuunkuiskaajat also released their debut album before Christmas and it includes two versions of their entry Työlki ellää . The album includes also Taivaallinen and Loputon tie . Promo singles for radio stations have been released several others, including Maria Lund who already made #4 in the radio playlists followed by Amadeus at #5, E...

Another Euroviisut 2010 artist has published a videoclip, Osmo Ikonen to his Heaven or hell . Previously Bääbs did a fun video for You don't know tomorrow .  Osmo is one of the main contenders if you believe the fan poll in Viisukuppila.fi. .

And here are my thoughts about the third and last semifinal of Euroviisut 2010. MARIA LUND - Sydän ymmärtää (Heart understands) Maria, who already danced for Finland in Eurovision dance contest follows the musical style she adapted a couple of years ago and does it well; 50's-60's girly pop tunes with the way of singing and pronouncing of those old records. She has done mainly covers (a very similar thing to German The Baseballs, btw) and this one could wasily be one as well. Unfortunately it is a bit bland, missing a memorable hook but for sure it will be entertaining on stage. Propably will qualify. OSMO IKONEN - Heaven or hell Osmo is very respected and talented musician and he already had his taste of Euroviisut last year with Signmark nearly making it to Moscow. The song is very soulful and groovy, maybe the most international sounding one of all these songs. It will stood out here for sure, but is it strong enough for Oslo? Maybe not. Should qualify though. KUU...

As I tipped Osmo Ikonen is here and solo this time around. Last year he provided vocals to the runner up, Signmark. He comes from a musical family and he plays cello, violin, piano, bass, drums and guitar - one man band! Besides that he is also composer, writer, arranger and producer. He also plays keyboard in Sunrise Avenue and released his debut album last year and scored a radio hit with Storm. He's got a great voice and is a very talented artist and it's great to have him here!