Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Yle organized among its other consolation Eurovision 2020 programming also a voting to find out the most loved Finnish entries of each decade (here). The clear winner was Something better and saara Aalto finished where she usually lands to: second. 2014 Softengine - Something better  29,3% 2018 Saara Aalto - Monsters  19,3% 2017 Norma John - Blackbird  12,5% 2013 Krista Siegfrids - Marry me   12,3% 2011 Paradise Oskar - Da da dam   10,5% 2015 Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät - Aina mun pitää   5,7% 2010 Kuunkuiskaajat - Työlki ellää  4,8% 2019 Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman - Look away   2,1% 2012 Pernilla Karlsson - När jag blundar  2,1% 2016 Sandhja - Sing it away  1,3%

Germany revealed the details of their national final songs, and among the names there's besides familiar Jörgen Elofsson also Axel Ehnström aka Finland's very own Paradise Oskar who da da dammed in Eurovision 2010. And let's not forget he is also in the Estonian selection Eesti laul with Marju Länik's song Täna otsuseid ei tee next Saturday! Xavier Darcy – Jonah  (Xavier Darcy, Loren Nine Geerts, Axel Ehnström, Thomas Stengaard) Ivy Quainoo – House on fire  (Jörgen Elofsson, Ali Tamposi) Ryk – You and I  (Rick Jurthe) Michael Schulte – You let me walk alone  (Michael Schulte, Thomas Stengaard, Nisse Ingwersen, Nina Müller) Natia Todua – My own way  (Loren Nine Geerts, Ricardo Bettiol, Martin Gallop, Jaro Omar) voXXclub – I mog Di so  (Merty Bert, Mike Busse, Philipp Klemz, Lennard Oestmann – Joe Walter, Philipp Klemz, Martin Simma, Merty Bert, Mike Busse)

  After yesterday's semifinal one entries Estonia revealed today the semifinal two entries. Like yesterday the goodies are far and apart, and below is my First hearing ranking . Eelis & Eurovision veteran Gerli deliver a timeless ballad that feels real and not manufactured for Eurovision, and therefor stands out. Indrek continues to deliver after Hispaania tüdruk , and a lot of experience in musicals in meantime. Tempel is lovely little tune. Karl & co go deep fishing from the sound of 2017 but don't come out that strong sadly. Marju's song includes Paradise Oskar (FIN 2011) among the songwriters, but... oh well. A local hit for sure and classic old school Eurovision but would this work in ESC 2018? Maybe not.  Then there's some pseudo eletro punk that goes to PKN way or lasts (thankfully) just barely 2 minutes. Add some monotonous indie pop, equally monotonous rap in Estonian, lounge disco and a very disappointing Rolf this bloggerwas expecting great th...

  Finland celebrates its 100th year as an independent state and has ever since searched for its place in Europe and the world, between East and West. Sometimes with less success. As we speak in 1939 we were at war again with Soviet Union but - let's make a huge change of subject here -  since 1961 Finland has been taking part in the Eurovision song contest (and we also took part, and won twice, the copycat contest behind the Iron curtain, Intervision song contest). It may have taken awhile before we won, but it never stopped us taking part. EBU did, in those crazy 1990's-early 2000's. Let's look back in coming days as a countdown to the Big Day some of the most memorable and significant entries from Finland..... Monica Aspelund 's 1977 entry Lapponia is one of the most iconic Finnish entries, and one of those taking a large serving from the mythology with added flavor from Lapland. This is exotism we should have used more often, this blogger thinks. It...

    Estonia's Eesti laul 2018 semifinalists have been revealed tonight. Among the contestants Eurovision veterans Stig Rästa and Gerli Padar , who's also Eurovision winner Tanel Padar's sister so real Eurovision royalty. This blogger always liked her Helsinki 2007 entry, so underrated by most.  Other familiar names Iiris Vesik , Rolf Roosalu (ex-Rolf Junior), Indrek Ventmann and Karl Kristjan . Mostly Estonian songwriters it seems with a very surprising name: Axel Ehnström aka Paradise Oskar among writers for the Marju Länik song. She's 60 and sings since 1970s.... Stig Rästa – Home Metsakutsu – Koplifornia Elina Netšajeva – La forza Aden Ray – Everybody’s dressed Frankie Animal – (Can’t keep calling) Misty Nika – Knock knock Iiris & Agoh – Drop that boogie Etnopatsy – Külm Vajé – Laura (Walk with me) Miljardid – Pseudoprobleem Tiiu x Okym x Semy – Näita oma energiat Desiree – On my mind Rolf Roosalu – Show a little love Eli...

Today's birthday boy Axel Ehnström gave an interview to Helsingin Sanomat last month, being part of the new generation of artists/songwriters reaching out and having success abroad.  He shot to the spotlight after wining the last Euroviisut (before it was rebranded and revamped as UMK) with Da da dam, and had a very succesful Eurovision song contest 2011 adventure all the way to the final where he was drawn to sing first. Busted! He had already won the Marcel Bezençon Press award and placed third in the semifinal, but in the final dropped to 21st. Da da dam certainly wasn't a song to open the show.  After Eurovision he got to release his solo album as Paradise Oskar but soon he realized writing songs is what he really wants to do. He studied music, and especially studied how to write hits reading interviews by succesful writers and practised writing techniques forcing himself to write a song every day. For inspiration he might go to library and check the book covers...

Happy birthday to Axel as he turns 27 today. Congratulations! Axel Ehnström aka Paradise Oskar Dada dammed for Finland in Eurovision 2011 winning the Marcel Bezençon award and placing third in the semifinal and gaining praise from left and right. However, he never intended to become a singer himself and after his debut album (#4 in Finland) he has created a succesful songwriting career. Some of songs he has co-written: Isac Elliott - New way home (#1 Finland, #4 Norway) Kasmir - Wowowow (#4 Finland) Anna Abreu - Bandana (#5 Finland) RAF Camora - Mein Leben (#3 Germany, #12 Switzerland) Alle Farben - Bad ideas (#4 Austria, #7 Germany) Lost Frequences - All or nothing (#10 Belgium) - Also vocals -  Sofi De La Torre - Vermilion Mikael Gabriel - Riippumatto (#4 Finland) Pretty Pink feat. Axel Ehnström - Superman

Speaking on this week's special Eurovision episode of Newsmakers, HSTV's weekly English-language current affairs show, the host of the 2007 Eurovision song contest in Helsinki Mikko Leppilampi says  "It's pretty serious. The forum is so huge, you reach so many people. The economic benefits for the country and the city that gets to host it" are important, he adds. Leppilampi recalls that he was selected to host the live shows after a series of auditions and call-backs. "I was pretty new to television and hosting at that time, so we just did the auditions, like everyone else" explains Leppilampi, who is currently filming the new Finnish political drama 'President'. "I think it was probably every single male performer who had been on television or acting got auditioned for that and it ended up probably being the EBU mostly who selected us". In the end in the final he wasn't to one to say the magic words "Welcome, Europe...

Pertti Kurikan Nimipäivät, the handicapped puk band has maybe stolen most of the media attention after the names were out but Satin Circus and their Crossroads has hit the number one spot in iTunes. It has also been included in most radio stations playlists already. On YleX's poll "hit or miss" 86%  thought it's a hit. Did you know Paradise Oskar once was part of the band and all boys have a past in jazz bands? 

The last three Finnish Eurovision singers have all been of the Swedish speaking minority; Paradise Oskar or Axel Ehnström, Pernilla Karlsson and Krista Siegfrids . They all gathered together for the first time to remember their experiences and give some advice for the future UMK 2014 winner in Svenska YLE's De Eurovisa. In the end they also had to do a funny quizz about questions of themselves in Eurovision, of course! And Eurovision songs, if you want to see Krista go crazy for Fångad av en stormvind , Satellite, Euphoria , Lipstick ....watch the last minutes.... And what's her response to Ein bisschen Frieden ? Check it out! The Eurovisa panel has judged the Eurovision songs the past few years but they made a special and judged UMK 2014 songs instead with producer and song writer Patric Sarin focusing on hit potential, singer and Euroviisut veteran Susan Sonntag focusing on the artist's vocal capacities and song, and Eurovision specialist David Lindström focusin...

Annette Clarissa Lundell (23) or simply Clarissa is a new name to music scene as she made her first recordings only last fall but she's a multi-Finnish Champion is hip hop dance and even won bronze in European level!  But she's been singing in public for years and her first singles The coolest girl and Like the first time gained good radio play in the Swedish speaking stations in Finland and brought her visibility in the media. She also won in Radio X3M's Nöjesgalan 2013 the award for The best Newcomer. She was born in Inkoo and lives in Karjaa and is of the Swedish speaking minority like the last three Finnish Eurovision represantitives Krista Siegrids, Pernilla Karlsson and Paradise Oscar. She likes Beyonce and Jessie J and was the warm up act for Swedish Darin in his gig in Helsinki earlier this year. Joshua aka Josh Standing is only 20 and British. He's been singing and street dancing all his life. When he met Clarissa the idea of a duo came quickly and now...

Remember Saara Aalto who was the runner up behind Paradise Oskar with her Blessed with love ?  Since then she has been busy with her career in Finland and also in Asia, mainly in China of all places. Now her latest album will be released in China titled Ai De Zhu Fu 爱的祝福 . The album includes 13 songs: 1. 前进的脚步 （Qianjin de jiaobu） 2. 宽恕 （Kuanshu） 3. My Love 4. 来呀来呀飞起来 （Laiya laiya feiqilai） 5. 你让我无助 (Ai ni rang wo wuzhu) 6. 十点 （Shi dian） 7. 爱的祝福 (Ai De Zhu Fu) 8. 受伤的心 （Shou shang de xin） 9. 我心慢慢沉 （Wo xin manman chen） 10. Out of Sight, Out of Mind 11. You Gotta Go 12. My Bird 13. Je Suis Malade The lead single is the very Bond-esque 受伤的心 （Shou shang de xin） , that is the Chinese version of You had my heart .  But she's also singing in Japanese, like in Blessed with love . She's been the runner up in Talent, Voice and Euroviisut, will she finally make it - in China? She's gaining success there also with  Out of sight, out of mind . The album releas...

Anneli Saaristo represented Finland in Eurovision 1989 and as always, also this year before Eurovision in Malmö the veterans got their share of the spotlight, too, in various medias, and also La Saaristo wasinterviewed. She told that Eurovision was the highlight of her career. "Never before or after people and media have been so interested in me " she tells. Her participation was a lot critized before Lausanne, and ever her looks were thrown in by some saying she's just too ugly for Eurovision (if my memory serves right she sued and won). That all changed when she came home with Finland's best placing ever in Finnish. "When you have success, everyone is your friend. If you fail, you become a persona non grata. There are many examples. Just think about Paradise Oskar! Where did he disappear from media? And Pernilla Karlsson?! Timo Kojo still carried the nickname as Nolla-Kojo (Kojo, null points) after 31 years..." But she remembers her own trip with fondn...

He certainly was in Hungary. Totally unknown artist came out of nowhere and won the people's hearts and despite the media support for the talent show related artists (and there were many of them in A Dal this year!) majority of the Hungarian televoters went for this simple song that has something hypnotic about it, Kedvesem . Apparently a chief editor of a tattoo magazine (anyone knows if this is true? ), a few songs and videos to his credit ( Nekemte , Láttamoztam , Csókolom , Kedvesem and more here ). He didn't quite want to enter A Dal at first place, isn't into the circus around it and even fans (as meaning of fanatics) as he thinks he's just a guy and nothing to be fanatic about, and therefor wants to distance himself from all that. Talking about it as ByeAlex Project may come useful then, a bit like Finland's Axel Ehnström did as Paradise Oskar a couple of years ago. And after a concert or a night out the best way to relax and rest your ears is to listen s...

As always, we have some artists celebrating their birthdays during Eurovision and this year is no expection. Last year Swedish Eric Saade and Finnish Paradise Oskar were more or less separated at birth but this year we have Turkish Can Bonomo and Estonian Ott Lepland who were born on May 16 and 17, 1987. Also Norwegian Tooji will turn 25 during Eurovision. Hopefully he can celebrate it with a good result in final as his birthday is on 26th!

Pernilla has been nowhere in sight but today she is in the cover of Metro, Iltalehti has an interview and she made it to the YLE TV-news as well so something is happening prior to her depart for Baku later this week where she will be on the stage of Crystal Hall on Sunday for the first rehearsals and will also have her first press conference. She will travel there with her family; on the other hand the song is written by her brother and dedicated to her mother, so it's very fitting. She will leave her newly found boyfriend home though. During this spring since winning UMK she has been practicing her singing, performance, hair, make up. She promises a warm, intimate and down-to-earth performance by her and her cellist who will be alone on stage without the dancer. Main focus will be, besides Pernilla herself of course, her jade green long dress designed by Katri Niskanen. She also admits being rather nervous and exited about leaving but mainly because everyone's asking ...

YLE will obviously broadcast all the three shows live on YLE2 as well as YLE HD on May 22, 24 and 26. Besides that the preview show will be on May 12. (Only one show? What happened to the rule that one couldn't show them in one show?) Anyways, May 12 on YLE2 from 19.30-21.50 all the Eurovision 2012 entries are presented. I don't know how and by whom but that will be the date... YLE Fem, the newly named Swedish speaking channel of YLE will go for the more traditional approach. There will be four shows (April 17, 24 and May 1,8 at 20.00) with commentary by Eurovision genius Tobias Larsson with Eva Frantz and Johan LIndroos. Each show will feature a guest commentator: Axel Ehnström aka Paradise Oskar in the first one, then Krista Siegfrieds, Ronya and Tommy Nordlund in the last one. The commentators will give votes to each song, pretty much like the well proven Swedish format for the previews. 

It has been published yesterday the team that will be backing Pernilla Karlsson on stage in Baku and we can read that her guitarist will be Axel Ehnström! None other than Paradise Oskar who happens to be her old schoolmate as well and surely will be also a supporting shoulder to her during that experience. No mention about the dancer we had in UMK final so they will be just alone on stage. Good choice, well done YLE! Paradise Oskar took Finland to the final last year with Da da dam . (And no, it's not for real. It's April 1st.)

Follow the final with me blogging live right here from 20.00 CET. And watch it here . The show comes from Helsinki Ice hall and is presented by Joona Kortesmäki and Anne Lainto. The Rasmus, Anna Abreu, Robin and Paradise Oskar with Felix Zenger will be the guest stars. The process until now has ben long and confusing but it all comes together tonight. Maybe. There will we televote and superfinal with top-3 with a new televote. Judges have no say whatsoever anymore. 21.00 Here we go! The show about to start in a very snowy Helsinki! We start with a short clip of how we got this far. Anyone was able to participate and 540 demos were sent in. Then the process is recapped in short as no one understood a thing about it before... and now we enter the Helsinki Ice hall where dancers are on stage amonhst dry ice. We already saw the stage last night but now it comes alive with the lights and the audience. 21.07 This is more like classic dancing than disco dancing it seems. And the three ladies...

If some of you follow daily politics you may know we are in the middle of presidential elections here in Finland. The first round was won by Sauli Niinistö, but Pekka Haavisto, an openly gay represant of the Green Party made the impossible and made his way to the second round as well. Political views aside, as the seat of a republic's president is non-political but the country's cultural life has divided. In short, the artists are on Haavisto's side, the sportsmen and business on Niinistö's side. And even if the artistic support for Haavisto has been widely public since day one tonight an incredible line up will take the stage in Helsinki's Ice hall to support Haavisto. Ultra Bra reunites just for him for this one off, Jenni Vartiainen breaks her holiday to be there, both PMMP girls will be there, so will Lauri  of The Rasmus, Paradise Oskar, Anna Puu, Eicca Toppinen of Apocalyptica, Freeman, Jonna Tervomaa, Kaija Kärkinen, Maarit, Maija Vilkkumaa, Värttinä an...