Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

Sophie Ellis Bextor reveals she has been asked to do Eurovision but has decided to say no because she'd feel like being thrown to the lions and be humiliated. And being a girl that believes in her first instinct she is not going to do it. She also thinks United Kingdom is very unpopular in Eurovision and it's not only about the song, so another reason to say no. However, she declares herself a big fan of the contest and will continue to watch it. Read the whole story here .  Sophie will release her fifth studio album next year. Her biggest hit is Murder on the dancefloor from 2001 and her latest released is a collaboration with French DJ Mathieu Bouthier, Beautiful , released this summer. 

Italian Swiss have already chosen their two songs for the final, and shortly the German Swiss made public their nine songs that made it through via online voting and jury voting, and now French Swiss revealed their internal selection qualifiers, the lucky three. Unfortunately they don't have a winner among them, even if one of them is rather good, nice and catchy. All that but not a winner.The other two are rather harmless efforts. Oh the good one? Carrousel! Listen all three songs here .  Carrousel - J'avais rendez-vous Nicolas Fraissinet - Lève-toi Nill Klemm - On my own

Costello Hautamäki is best knows as the guitarist of Popeda , one of the most popular Finnish rock bands but he has also played in Hanoi Rocks and Sleepy Sleepers among other bands. His solo career includes so far two English language albums ( A little bit crazy 1988 and 13 reasons to rock 2003) and he's also active s a writer, producer and writes music also for Tv-series. Recently he has had a minor radio hit with Aurinko nousee and now he makes himself better known as a Finnish singing rock singer with this Matkalla tuntemattomaan , written by Jonne Aaron of Negative! the song is a melodic pop rock, and surely will find fans among those who like Popeda......

We know everyone's gossiping, guessing and speculating about Melodifetivalen 2013 artists. In Italy the situation is same with the Sanremo festival. Names are mentioned, denied, confirmed, withdrawn... Everyone has his or hers sure names to drop and newspapers publish lists and speculations run wild on social media.  Dove c'è musica has summed up the situation as it is now.  At the moment Nesli, Gino Paoli, Mario Biondi, Annalisa Scarrone and Marco Mengoni are given as sure names. And that would bring Mengoni's name back to Eurovision scene. Or, Mario Biondi would be a perfect continuation of Gualazzi-Zilli but then... isn't it time to change a bit? Other very possible names are Almamegretta, Fiorella Mannoia, Il Cile, Simona Molinari & Peter Cincotti and Daniele Silvestri. This blogger would love to see Raiz and Almamegretta! And Fiorella Mannoia, the lady of the Italian music would make a come back in Sanremo where she was the last time in 1988 just ...

The middle one of the three singing Mattila sisters debuts in Syksyn Sävel with a Motown inspired pop song Sun . Her career started by winning various awards in 2004-2005 as the newcomer of the year in various schlager genres. Four albums followed in 2005-2008 and after a break she returned this year with a new album that was elected the album of the month by local radio stations including songs like Soitat ilmakitaraa , Planeetat kohdallaan  and Seitsemäs taivas .  She has her audience in the dance halls all around the country with well targeted music. In her genre very good, but not exactly this blogger's cup of tea.  Her past includes also winning kid's singing contest and Idols 2003 (she left the competition herself)

One of the most successful Finnish pop bands Aikakone makes a comeback in its original form in Syksyn Sävel 2012 contest. Maki Kolehmainen, Sani, Veera and Alex are back again! Aikakone's debut album in 1995 sold tripleplatinum with hits like Alla vaahterapuun , Odota , and Matkustanut oon . Second album gave even more hits, including Nti groove and Opettelen salaa . Third one in 1998 continued the strings of hits with Magiaa , Perhosten yö and Anna mun bailaa . Two participations in Euroviisut and a career also in English as Aika followed, with hits like Hear me now , and second place in Euroviisut 2002 with Stay . Then they took a break and returned in 2008 with a compilation album and in 2010 another album with several new songs. They have sold over 400.000 albums so far.  Besides that Maki Kolehmainen has become a very familiar name in credits for top selling acts and several songs in Eurovision national finals in various countries the past few years and in...

The first heat takes place in Lithuania tonight. Three songs will qualify for the semifinals in December. The voting will be a combination of jury vote (that will be revealed only next week) and televote. The Voice of Lithuania winner Julija Jegorova is there, as well as a song about Loreen, and foreign song writers.  Vudis & Samanta Tina – Hey chaki – mama   (Arvydas Martinėnas-Gorgi) Vincentas Linkevicius – Dance the night   (Mindaugas Lapinskas-Eglė Petrošiūtė) Gabrielius Vagelis – Sacrifice   (Erik Nyholm, Niklas Hast, Sam McCarthy) Ugne Smile – Call to you mum   (Ugnė Kudlaitė-Giedrius Balčiūnas) Saules Briolai – Loreen   (Vytautas Bikus-Vytautas Bikus, Donatas Petreikis) Valerija Iljinaite – Kate’s morning at 10:08   (Vytautas Karpauskas) Andrius Pojavis - Something   (Andrius Pojavis) Julija Jegorova – I’ll carry you   (TJ Oosterhuis, Raphaella Mazaheri Asadi, Hiten Bharadia)

Katri Helena has sold over 1,5 million albums by 2011, recorded 440 songs, 45 albums, gained 17 gold discs, four platinum discs and one multiplatinum but she is as popular as ever. A good sign of that is her participation in this fall's most popular musical program, Vain elämää . But now she releases a double CD of her most loved songs from six past decades!  All of her international songs are included, Minne tuuli kuljettaa (Rostock 1965), Maailman pihamaat (Sopot 1969), Katson sineen taivaan (Eurovision 1979) and Tule luo (Eurovision 1993). Obviously also included is her very first recording Poikien kuvat (1963).  Several Eurovision covers are included as well: Nuoruus on seikkailu , Lintu ja lapsi , Johnny Blue ,  Vain hieman rauhaa as well as other covers like Äänesi mä kuulen , Anteeksi suo , Vasten auringon siltaa,   Kun minuun kosketat . Her own classics include songs like Puhelinlangat laulaa , Ei kauniimpaa , Syysunelma ,  Katson autiota h...

Dima Bilan did it again and beat among other Loreen and One Direction and is Europe's nominee for the best worldwide act in the MTV European music TV's awards. He will battle it against Asia & Pacific's  Han Geng , Africa/India/Middle East's Ahmed Soultan , Northern America's Rihanna and Latin America's Restart .  This is Dima Bilan's 7th time as the Best Russian act since 2005. Only in 2011 he was beaten by Nyusha .  The EMA 2012 takes place in Frankfurt on November 11, 2012. 

Ani Lorak is returning to business after her motherhood and looks every bit as stunning as she did before. Here is  Зажигай сердце with a fancy looking black and white video. The song isn't anything that special but pleasant and catchy enough to please her fans, I guess. 

Kikki Danielsson avoided jail and will only have to pay fine of 10.000 SEK. She celebrated the decision by going to a hairdresser and sent her love via Twitter to all her fans and supporters. "It's been like a witch hunt" she tells the media. "I didn't commit any deliberate crime and am very relieved the day after the verdict. Now I can hopefully start living again and not just surviving!" It all started in the fall of 2010 when customs stopped a package of 240 tablets of narcotic pills (Diazepam). Last spring she was freed but the prosecutor appealed to the Court of Appeal and demanded that Kikki was sentenced to prison for drug smuggling. Now the case is closed. She admitted ordering the pills online but says she didn't understand that whar she was doing was illegal. "I've been stupid and naive and I've never used any drugs. I'm terrified about drugs and always warn young people about them" she concluded.  She's not a...

Albania has announced the artists in the  Festivali i Këngës to be held just before Christmas. As usual the winner goes to Eurovision in Malmö 2013. The past few year's this Albanian festival has become one of the most interesting national selections with a lot of local flavor to the songs, a bit like Sanremo really. Albania also returns to Eurovision after their best placing ever so far, when their brave and difficult choice of Rona Nishliu's Suus scored a 5th place in Baku. It'll be interesting to see and hear if that has had any effect on their selection of songs this year and has it influenced Eurovision a little bit in general. Among the artists we have two Eurovision veterans, Anjeza Shanini who lost her crown as the best placer to Rona, and Kejsi Tola . And a few other familiar names like Bojken Lako, Dr.Flori, Entela Zhula, Flaka Krelani, Hersi Matmuja, Kozma Dushi, too! And then there's  Ardian Bujupi , originally from Kosovo like Rona Nisliu who came...

Just like last year YLE is keeping the procedure of UMK rather secret. Last year no one seemed to know how it goes and what happens next and one had a feeling even YLE played it by the ear.  This year's picture isn't very clear yet either. We know there were 470 demos sent in. We know YLE will announce the qualifiers on December 3, 2012. We know now thanks to ticket sales that the UMK starts on Tv on December 27 and will be broadcasted on Thursdays. But for how many Thursdays? And will all the 12 make it to the final?  My guess is half of them will be eliminated along the way and hopefully the "shows" we will see in December and January document the song's process from the demo to the new version produced by professionals and getting to know the artists which was the original idea of the whole concept in my understanding instead of the useless jury talking on and on in UMK 2011. Also, I hope if the 12 have been already chosen they are working on them and fi...

Belarusian finalist have been announced for the December 7, 2012 final. Last year's first winner Alena Lanskaya made the cut as well as other national final veterans Uzari and Nuteki Band. These are the singers and these are the songs. Who wins and who goes to Malmö 2013 and with which song, remains to be seen :-). Last year Alena was left home and Litesound, the runner ups were sent to Baku instead. Not that I minded, it was much better choice! Max Lawrence   - I love your charming eyes Alena Lanskaya – Rhythm in love Alexei Gross – One way love Daria – Catch me again Nuteki  Band – Save me Satsura – Get out of my way Uzari – Secret Яnkey – Letter to mother Vitaly Voronko – I wonder how you Beaver Band – Incredible girl

Remember Darin? He was to release his sixth album earlier this year but scrapped it and left for the US instead and is now working with several famous and successful producers and writers, among them Jim Beans (who co-write Dima Bilan's Believe ), Billy Mann, Sasha Skarbek, Busbee and RedOne. The new album is in the makes between New York, Philadelphia and Los Angeles and should be released early next year. "I couldn't release something I wasn't 110% sure about. When it comes to music I'm perfectionist. This new album has a chance to break abroad, it's very important for me. At the moment I'm in studio with these guys and we write songs for me, and it's possible I write for other artists, too" he says. Darin has four #1 albums in Sweden (and a lot of fans in Finland, too) to his credit even if being only 25. He broke through from the Idol 2004 and also participated in Melodifestivalen 2010 with You're out of my life  finishing 4th. The ye...

Today's rumor is the Cypriot broadcaster RIK has asked Yiorgos Papadopoulos to represent Cyprus in Malmö 2013. Apparently he's seriously considering the offer and time will tell if he will accept.  His songs include  Esi Den Xerei s,  Gia tin agapi sou , Ohi and Thalasses . I must admit I never heard of him before this but quick listening to his songs proves he's not bad at all. Nice songs and excellent voice, and looks don't hurt either. Eurovision material indeed.... 

Hayk Kasparov, the Armenian star I'd so would like to see on Eurovision stage has released a new single and video  Ես կամ նա (Es kam na, translates to I or him) and it's once again a beautiful, atmospheric one. He makes Armenian sound very nice indeed. I have written about him and his Eurovision adventures so far here . 

Eric Saade is really pleasing his fans this fall. besides the two new singles recently released he will release on November the DVD Pop Explosion Live Concert that includes 19 songs live in concert, 9 music videos, and three more videos including an interview, Eric answering fan's questions and backstage. And that's not all, if you order it here you will also receive a signed postcard that includes information how to win an exclusive meeting with him.... Is it Christmas already? Meanwhile enjoy some Eric's videos here: Manboy , Masquerade , Popular , Break of dawn .  Hearts In The Air , Hotter Than Fire , Marching in the name of love ... but Imagine is not included as a video. 

The new Swedish mega arena in Solna, just outside Stockholm has been opened. The venue seats 65.000 (but only 45.000 were there for the opening) and will be hosting Melodifestivalen final next March. Also an option for Eurovision 2013 but now seeing the pics I'm really happy it isn't. Looks like the Olympics closing ceremony on a stadium. What do you actually see there in the spot but the screens? Surely works fine on TV-screen but in my books there's no reason to go see something only to watch it on TV or DVD later to see what really was happening.... And my guess the artists even feel a bit lonely among all those people as they can hardly see anyone of them.... Anyways Loreen was there.... ...So was Danny Saucedo with Tommy Körberg..... And of course crown princess Victoria! See more pics here  and here

OGAE Italy is having its annual meeting in Bologna this weekend and the program includes the usual dinners and karaokes with the guest of honor Fabrizio Faniello. Here's an interview (In Italian) with him by OGAE Italy president Cristina Giuntini. He's doing career in Indonesia these days but dreams of Sanremo.... and he has a song running for Eurovision 2013 as well... His latest single is a Tose Proeski cover The hardest thing .  Se vuoi sapere più che cos'è OGAE Italy, clicca  qui . 

Remember Koldun? He worked his magic in Helsinki 2007 and gained the best placing for Belarus to date. He has released his second album  Ночной пилот (Night pilot) earlier this year and has just released a fourth single off it,  Облака-бродяги that follows  Ничего ,  Корабли and title track  Ночной пилот . Nice pop music from this Lady Di lookalike. 

Last Saturday Lithuania started its selection for Eurodiena and also tonight you can watch the show live at 8pm CET here .  After this second presentation show we have seen and heard all the contestants and there will be then five preselection shows followed by two semifinals (December 8 and 15) and the final just before Christmas (most likely).  Tonight another 16 artists will show their skills singing covers:  Linas Adomaitis Saules Broliai Sepa Gerai Gerai it Miss Sheep D’oro Egle Jakstyte Freezing Kiss Bozole Giedre Smolskaite Donatas Šimkus – Dumas Alive Way Girmante Vaitkute Glaam Feliksas Merlin AndriusS Pojavis Timohi You can see some of last week's performances (*or other) here: 1. El Fuego - Miserere  * 2. Chill Out, Have No Doubt - I Like Ya' Dirty  * 3. Baiba - Euphoria 4. Berta Timinskaitė - Jurgos Arija 5. Al Bagdo - Očarovana, Okoldovana 6. Ieva Zasimauskaitė - Kai Gir...

Loreen was tonight live in Finnish TV in Mikko & Heikki Show (or Eurovision 2007 host Miko Leppilampi and  multi-Euroviisut host Heikki Paasonen) singing My heart is refusing me . Let's see how high she gets in the charts when the next official chart comes out....

What happens when you are the world's only deaf rapper? Signmark, runner up in Euroviisut 2009 with Speakerbox is denied by Gramex the royalties as an artist "because he doesn't produce sound". Makes sense but is it fair? "The past six years I have tried to make them understand I write the lyrics and arrange the music to fit the sign language. I even suggested they could fit me in the conductor category but that wasn't ok either. maybe in the next album I has to clap my hands or something to produce a sound?" Gramex has paid him royalties when he has been the producer, but he would like to be recognized as an artist, too. "It's not about the money, it's the principle" he concludes. Signmark has been busy ever since his breakthrough and even if he has had a few gigs in Finland over the year, too, he has been busy abroad. "The United States, Uganda, Ethiopia, Ukraine, Bosnia-Herzegovina, France.... Ethiopia was amazing, there...

Carola is known for driving too fast and or just having accidents  that's a well known fact in Sweden. She experienced something new while in Redondo Village, Los Angeles. "I was window shopping and sitting very low to see well outside and someone reported there's a car without a driver! " she tells Aftonbladet. "Police came and stopped me and when I asked if I was driving too slow they simply said "Yes!" Instead giving her a ticket the officer gave her a lecture that usually people driving too slow are either lost or drunk. Luckily she wasn't either of those two. Maybe she was window shopping for a Melodifestivalen 2013 outfit? She's a top priority in Christer Björkman's list for the 2013 artists, besides celebrating her 30th anniversary in the business.