Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

This blogger has been writing about Haywalkers before, and I finally managed to catch them live during Kallio Block Party , a huge party with dozens of bands playing on three different stages and in clubs along one street in Kallio district in Helsinki for one day and night. Fredi (ESC 1967, 1974) was there, too, btw. He lead the opening parade singing his evergreen and Kallio's national anthem Kolmatta linjaa takaisin (translates freely to Walking back the 3rd street ), and this year it was Kolmas linja (or 3rd street) hosting the event. Eva & Manu were there, too, let's get back to Haywalkers . This band has been gaining popularity quickly and no wonder. They are charmingly cute alive playing a mix of music that can only make you feel good: country, blues, indie Americana - whatever that is, as I'm a bit limited to Eurovision key changes and ding dongs. Whatever it is I like it!   Their set of 12 original songs was very entertaining giving them all moments...

I will be once again live blogging the UMK live tonight. It's time for the semifinal and see who will be the two (or apparently it is four!?) lucky ones the jury and televoters send to next week's grand final with Mikael Saari, Diandra Flores, Krista Siegfrids and Arion. Like the previous weeks the show time is on YLE Areena with UMK+ 19.45 CET and the show itself starts at 20.00 CET,  also on YLE's website. Tonight's guest star is Elonkerjuu. Twitter #UMK13 19.45 UMK+ has started online and soon we will move to The Circus nightclub in Helsinki city center. One of the judges, Aija is interviewed and she tells how she has given advice to the vocalists in the early stages of UMK but now they are on their own and the judges only... judge. She also tells she wished there was more indie pop but apparently that's something missing in the Finnish scene at the moment... Next we talk with the hosts, Ile and Anne, and most of all their outfits for tonight. They remind ...

Join me tonight for a live coverage of the first heat of UMK 2013. Six artists will be on stage, voted by the jury and the public for the first time. Two will secure a place in the final, one will be sent home. The others will still have hope alive to get the final ticket from the semifinal. Anssi Kela is the guest star tonight. Coming live from the sold out Circus in Helsinki. Watch it live here from 19.45 CET. 19.40 The backstage UMK+ has just started. With a black screen and nonsense talking. Apparently eveything's not working out as it should have :-) 19.45 Ok, it all restarted with the view, too. Maybe it was better without. The presenters Ile & Anni are now interviewed and they confess being a bit nervous. Then they go and chat with Diandra, who sits in the make-up. She tells what she's been up to since presenting the demoversion to the judges. Mert Otsamo who designed her dress and Ville who takes care of her make-up and hair had a chance to wave, too. She s...

The six first artists performed for the first time to the judges with their demo versions. Their performances gave us hints about what will happen on stage and how will they present themselves. Here's a short recap of their comments and hints before the first gig with live audience in Helsinki on January 17 . And this blogger will say his, too. LAST PANDA - SATURDAY NIGHT FOREVER **** The judges generally liked it, especially Toni but he also criticized them lacking energy until the last chorus but on the other hand it's better lack than fake it. This blogger agrees and thinks they were maybe a little nervous? Redrama understood it isn't the easiest place to perform, a rockband doing only one song and for four people only. But they did a good job, he thinks. Aija liked also the fact they look like band and the look fits with their musical style. And Henry's way of singing. Tomi was also happy what he saw and heard telling their gig experience shows. The band it...

Rautakoura (Iron fist) has already released five albums and is currently working on the sixth one but has remained rather unknown. Their song Ilmalaivalla is written by the band. Maybe the acoustic mix of bluegrass, blues, folk, pop and roots music isn't exactly the easiest way to stardom in Finland but the ex-Ambassador of the United States spotted them on the street and invited to play in his farewell party! The band comes from Helsinki and the members are Juho Häme, Lauri Häme, Matti Mikkelä and Aleksi Pyysalo. None of them has studied music and are having completely non-musical day jobs. They have played a lot on streets and consider themselves as a street band. They say that if the first prize is a cruise to Sweden and free hotel breakfasts, that's a good enough reason to take part!  What did the jurors say? Tomi Saarinen: I think this hits the right place and time. This kind of stuff is hot all over the world right now. It's kind of anti-dance sound. The...