Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Stefan finally did it with Hope . He was a third time lucky, or really fourth time lucky to win Eesti laul and get a ticket to Eurovision. His Hope was my favorite to win, and enters my Top-3 so far with Italy and Spain when thinking of the chosen songs so far.  Stefan Airapetjan (24) is of Armenian descent as his surname clearly tells. He's been doing music from young age and first came to spotlight with Vajè and Laura (Walk with me) that placed third in Eesti laul 2018. The year after he was back as solo with Without you and placed third again. Third year in a row in 2020 he took By my side to 7th place. At the same time he won Masked Singer Estonia. Further singles followed like collaborations with Liis Lemsalu ( Doomino ) and Wateva ( Headlights ) and now finally he won Eesti laul and will make Estonians proud in Italy! In Eesti laul 2022 final he went to the super final as jury's second favorite behind Minimal Wind feat Elisabeth Tiffany but won the super final's te...

  Estonia has revealed today half of the Eesti laul 2020 participants and among them we find this blogger's soft spot Laura with STEFAN, Uku Suviste, Traffic and Rasmus among others and also the writers include several very familiar names from Uku and Sarag Vaugh, Tanja Mihhailova-Saar, Victor Crone with Stig Rästa. Not forgetting Finnish Janne Hyöty who has co-written Laura's song. He holds the record number of Euroviisut entries written - shared  with Lasse Mårtensson - (14) in the Finnish national final between 2004-2012. These days he writes songs mainly for the Asian market through his Sugar House Publishing having several Japan #1s under his belt with various groups.  Beautiful Lie - Jaagup Tuisk  (Jaagup Tuisk) Break Me - Laura  (Janne Hyöty, Jessica Hyöty, Laura Põldvere) By My Side - STEFAN  (Karl-Ander Reismann, Stefan Airapetjan) Lean On Me - Ziggy Wild  (Laura Prits, Valdur Viiklepp, Sander Nõmmistu, Henri-Hann...

We are midway of the ranking and here we have songs that actually should be a bit higher really.... Finland - Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman - Look away **** Is it in my head? Is it in my head? Look away Look away, hey, no-o-o Finland tries for the second time with internally chosen artist and after difficulties to find anyone (and YLE's people can take a long hard look at the mirror for that and think why?) they managed to get Darude aka Ville Virtanen (43) aboard who's claim to fame is Sandstorm 20 years ago. That's pretty much what he's known about even if he has continued making music and perform ever since non stop. However, that one song still gives him living. He took his friend actor and singr-songwriter Sebastian (41) as his vocalist and together they have also written this song that won the three songs final (I still may have preferred Superman though). The staging is great as is song's message but honestly who cares about the message? Som...

Once again Estonians chose a Swede, who has no connection to the country nor speaks the language. Well, the song is written by Eurovision veteran Stig Rästa at least. After the first round of jury and televote Victor, Uku Suviste and Stefan made the superfinal - just like I predicted . However the support from televote at this point must have been already massive as the jury had him only at 9th, Uku 6th and Stefan a clear favorite.  Below are the results of first round. Top-3 went to Superfinal with televoting only: 1. Victor Crone — Storm (jury 2 + televote 12) 14 2. Uku Suviste — Pretty Little Liar (5+10) 15 3. Stefan — Without You (12+7) 19 4. Sissi — Strong (8+6) 14 5. Lumevärv ft. Inga — Milline päev (10+2) 12 6. Inger — Coming Home (1+8) 9 7. The Swingers, Tanja & Birgit — High Heels in the Neighbourhood (4+5) 9 8. Sandra Nurmsalu — Soovide puu (6+1) 7 9. Kerli Kivilaan — Cold Love (7+0) 7 10. Kadiah — Believe (3+3) 6 11. Synne Valtri ...

Estonia had its two semi-finals ( here and here ) in Tarto and now the show moves to Tallinn and Saku Suurhall with the 12 songs that made the cut. Two round for the voting: first 50-50 jury-televote to get the top-3 that will face another round of voting, this time only televote.  Among the finalists Eurovision veterans Sandra Nurmsalu, Tanja Mihhailova-Saar and Birgit (Õigemeel) Sarrap, Swedish Victor Crone with a song co-written by Stig Rästa, Eurovision winner Dave Benton's daughter Sissi and last year's runner up Vajé's Stefan, this time solo.  I have difficulty getting excited by any of these songs. Sandra would be classy but nothing we haven't heard yet, Crone is a bit disappointing, as is Stefan even though both are decent. Maybe it's Uku's year and we get some more testosteroni in Tel Aviv? His staging reminds of Conchita Wurst how it's aimed "let's let them listen first before they see you to avoid prejudgement" . I have a sof...

Estonia semifinal one offers as usual a variety of styles but sadly rather middle of the road radio pop without a real banger. The Swingers swing it away lead by previous Eurovision entrants Tanja and Birgit, and another previous one Sandra Nurmsalu of Urban Symphony fame is back as well. Swedish Victor Crone in an eearly fan favorite with another Stig Rästa penned song. Last year's runner up Vajé's Stefan is back as well. Below is my first hearing ranking The Swingers – High Heels In The Neighbourhood   * FINALIST Ranele – Supernova   *  Sofia Rubina-Hunter – Deep Water   *  xtra basic & Emily J – Hold Me Close  ** FINALIST (televoters) Johanna Eendra – Miks sa teed nii?   ***  Victor Crone – Storm   *** FINALIST Stefan – Without You  *** FINALIST Jennifer Cohen – Little Baby El  ***  Sandra Nurmsalu – Soovide puu   **** FINALIST (televoters) Öed – Öhuloss   *  Marko Kaar – Smile ...

Sergiu Bolotă has been trying to get to Eurovision for Romania already twicee - who knows if he's at it again and will be third time lucky? Last year he missed the final by placing 4th in his semifinal with self written Every little thing , adn the year before with Stig Rästa penned We were young ( below ). Since then he has released his debut album Umbre and string of singles like Tell me , Monstri , Pleaca and next one will be Un nou inceput . 

  Fan favorite Elina Nechayeva has won the Eesti laul 2018 with her opera pop La forza, even sung in Italian, so the Estonian sudden love for Italy continues even if last year they got lost in Verona and the Italian language version got totally lost. But Elina at least handles that well!  My other two favorites Stig Rästa and Vajé also reached the top-3 First round: 1. Elina Nechayeva - La Forza (12 + 12) 24 2. Vajé - Laura (Walk with Me) (5 + 10) 15 3. Stig Rästa - Home" (7 + 7) 14 4. Sibyl Vane - Thousand Words (10 + 4) 14 5. Iiris & Agoh - Drop That Boogie (6 + 6) 12 6. Karl Kristjan & Karl Killing feat. Wateva - Young (jury 3 + televote 8) 11 7. Frankie Animal - (Can’t Keep Calling) Misty (8 + 2) 10 8. Evestus - Welcome to My World (2 + 5) 7 9. Nika - Knock Knock (4 + 1) 5 10. Eliis Pärna & Gerli Padar - Taevas (1 + 3) 4 10 Superfinal: 1. Elina Neechayeva - La forza (43.445) 2. Stig Rästa - Home (9.886) 3. Vajé - Laura (Wal...

  Estonia is selecting tonight and hoping the re-enter the final in Lisbon 2019 Eurovision song contest after to misses, the last one being even a 7th place, or rather "only" 7th place as Goodbye to yesterday was a massive favorite. And yes, Stig Rästa is back, and again he's one of the main contenders to win this with his Home . The biggest fan favorite seems to be La forza , an opera pop that hasn't done so great in Eurovision really so would it be a smart choice? Me thinks no. This said, those two are in my top-4 joined by Laura (Walk with me) that propably wouldn't go very far in Lisbon (or who knows?), and Sky , that wouldn't maybe work either. So, Home could be the smartest choice. Then again Lisbon is already full of simple acoustic songs by male singers... Hmm, tricky. Hopefully Estonians won't go crazy and choose Welcome to the world as Hungary already booked that slot, and the rest is... well.... the weird alternative stuff Eesti laul i...

Estonia chose its first finalists by 50-50 televote-jury vote selecting Stig, Iiris & Anoh, Elina and Sibyl. Another round of televotes and Vajé made it, too. Phew. With Stig and Elina Estonia has already three valid ones.... Vajé — Laura (Walk With Me) Iiris & Anoh — Drop that Boogie Etnopatsy — Külm Sibyl Vane — Thousand Worlds Aden Ray — Everybody’s Dressed Tiiu x Okym x Semy — Näita oma energiat Stig Rästa — Home Miljardid — Pseudoprobleem Desiree — On My Mind Elina Netšajeva — La Forza

TVR has released the semifinalists for Selecţia Naţională Eurovision 2018. Some things never change: MIHAI tries again as a singer, and various Perssons, Downs and Gladnikoffs with quite a few Swedes are at it again. Among the songwriters also Ovidiu Anton that EBU made to stay home in 2016 when he had already packed his bags thanks to TVR's unpaid bills to EBU. Last year's Alex Florea tries again, this time solo. Then he have again Sergiu Bogota, this time with a self penned song when he tries last year with Stig Rästa's excellent We were young , one of this blogger's favorites. But the real surprise is (Italian?) Erminio Sinni singing with Titziana Camelin. This blogger wonders if it's the Erminio Sinni who took part in Sanremo 1993 with L'amore vero and left an everlasting mark in my mind. He's long disappeared from my radar, last seen in Latin America so could it be he has ended in Romania or is it just another Sinni? Any excuse is good enou...

  Estonia has revealed today the songs in the first Eesti laul semifinal, among them Eurovision veteran Stig Rästa. The selection isn't as alteernative and exciting as it used to be, as also Estonians seem to want to play it safe(r) but that development was very evident already this year. Yeet they have managed to squeeze in some country pop, ethnic sounds, pop opera, some slightly alternative stuff with some Estonian hip hop with some bland pop. This blogger really likes Vajé, even if it's rather unoriginal but it works and has a very nice arrangement. Stig Rästa delivers again and Estonian etno pop gives once again a good product. The opera pop, that I thought I'd hate, actually is rather pleasant. Below are the songs in my First hearing ranking: Vajé - Laura (Walk with me)  **** Stig Rästa -  Home  **** Etnopatsy -  Külm *** Elina Nechayeva -  La forza  *** Iiris & Agoh -  Drop that boogie  ** Desiree -  On m...

    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...

Eric Saade was in Isola d'Elba, Italy  Also Levina did Italy. Alberobello. And so did Stig Rästa. Florence.  Douwe Bob had another tattoo... ... so did Hovi Star Robin Bengtson got ill just before some summer gigs.... Michal Szpak went golfing... Vaidas Baumila hurt his leg Kristian Kostov went blond and gave a finger This week's obligatory Marija+dog pic Verka Serduchka had a party in Portofino with Dolce (& Gabbana) Gabbani met Bocelli And Rybak met Logan

Goodbye to yesterdays plays in the soundtrack and trailer of the film Kuudes kerta and Stig Rästa is one of the actors. How cool is that? Despite the fact Estonian tabloids are reporting he's playing a sex addict, he's not. The main character of the movie is, and Stig is only his collegue. Anyways, he tells to Ilta-Sanomat it was a bit challenging to act in Finnish, since his Finnish had gotten a bit rusty over the years and he had to relearn it and now he does interviews fluently.  It's no secret Stig has close ties with Finland. Even in the Eurovision when Finland was kicked out in the semifinals while Estonia qualified he and Elina Born brought the Finnish flag to the press conference and placed it right next to the Estonian one. We are forever grateful. Thank you.  Meanwhile he's back at Eurovision national selections with Elina Born in Estonia, and maybe somewhere else, too.... Also, he has done acting in Estonia before so it's not his first time :-...

Jüri Pootsmann has won the Eesti laul 2016 with 44% of the votes in the superfinal for his Play , co-written by last year's winner Stig Rästa leaving Laura second and Cartoon third.  The jury, including Finnish teenage pop sensation Isaac Elliot also had Juri as their favorite and Mick Pedaja second followed by Cartoon, Laura only fifth so the lovely people of Estonia lifted her to the superfinal, meaning she has had to score either 10 or 12 from them, and Mick Pedaja only 5.... Check out the detailed votes after the jump.....

Laura Põldvere returns to Eesti Laul! I looooved her entries in Eesti Laul 2005 ( Moonwalk ), 2007 ( Sunflowers ) and 2009 ( Destiny ). But she did also win in 2005 as a member of Suntribe with less wonderful Let's get loud . She has always finished in top-3, it's time for her to win! Her 2007 album Muusa is fabulously wonderful!  Other familiar names are Greta Paia and  Põhja-Tallin   but as usual the Estonian national selection is filled with weirdly named bands. Stig Rästa has written Pootsmann's song.  Here they are: First semifinal (13th of February 2016) Põhja-Tallin – Ei ole mul olla Indrek Ventmann – Hispaania tudruk Zebra Island – How many times Würffel – I’m facing north Cartoon & Kristel Aaslaid – Immortality Kati Laev – Kaugel sinust Kéa – Lonely Boy The Jingles – Love a little bit Púr Múdd – Meet halfway Gertu Pabbo – Miljon korda Second semifinal (20th of February 2016) Meisterjaan – Parmupillihullus I Wear*...

Goodbye to yesterday, goodbye to holidays and the break. I'm back. Fresh and regenerated I hope. It's been a long break, the longest I ever had since starting this blog so many years ago. I have been a bit around, met friends, been checking out Globen for next year, crashed Elina Born & Stig Rästa's promo event (Sorry for that again and thanks for being so gracious!). Been to Turku, Stockholm, Tartu, Tallinn, Milan among other places....  sadly no San Marino or Rimini this summer, or Valentina Monetta's gig in a hot summer night over drinks.... It's the begining of a new season, Stockholm 2016 one and any song released after tomorrow could become an Eurovision entry..... It's time to put it all in the box of memories and start anew. With a great mash up of beforementioned Elina &Stig's entry mashed up with likes of Kelly Clarkson, Pink, Adele, Wiz Khalifa and Charlie Puth. Enjoy! Eurovision 2016 Globen style, here we come!

The Eurovision song contest 2015 winner Måns Zelmerlöw climbs to #5 (from last week's #16) in the official Finnish singles Top-20 with Heroes being the only Eurovision song making it. Meanwhile the song stays at #1 in the Download charts for the second week. In the same chart Estonia's entry Goodbye to yeaterday by Stig Rästa & Elina Born drops to #21 (from last week's #2). In the radio playlist top-100 Heroes climbs to #38 (from last week's #57) In the album chart the Eurovision 2015 compilation drops to #21 (from last weeks #11) and  Pertti   Kurikan iImipäivät  's compilation "hits" album drops to #29 from last week's #13. This is its fourth week in Top-50 where it peaked at #4 in its release week. Måns Zelmerlöw' s Perfectly damaged enters the album charts at #45. 

Download chart that is, these modern days. The only one bothering the official singles chart is the winner, Måns Zelmerlöw with Heroes entering at #16 . He also is the only one entering the radio play chart so far, shyly at #57 . In the album charts the Eurovision song contest 2015 compilation climbs to #11 . In the beforementioned download charts Måns re-enters straight at number one (after charting already a couple of weeks after his Melodifestivalen win and peaking then at number 11). Estonia's Stig Rästa and Elina Born enter at #2 with Goodbye to yesterday . Belgium's Loic Nottet enters at #13 , followed by Slovenia's Maraaya at #18 , Russia's Polina Gagarina at #23 and finally Italy's Il Volo at #25 . Let's see next week who resists another week...