Blind Channel: We wanted to make an anthem to everyone who sometime feel like throwing their middle fingers up in the air and scream.

Photo: Mona Salminen

I think a big part of the general audience think of Finland as a country of rock of music and so do I and since I'm a big fan of their rock entries, every year a part of me hoped for them to bring that sound back to Eurovision but it wasn't until this year that they gave me what I was asking for. I got really excited when I saw Blind Channel on the list of participants but it wasn't until I heard the song that I felt that this was exactly what we needed in ESC!. This week I got the chance to interview one of the guys and without further ado here are Joel's answers:

Name: Joel Hokka

Birthday: 05.10.1993

Height: 187cm

What do you do in the band? Singer

What’s your strangest talent? I can move my ears.

What are you really good at? Music

What are you really bad at? Life :D

Childhood memory: first time I saw Chester Bennington on MTV and I felt shivers.

Celebrity crush: Margot Robbie

Favorite TV series: Sons Of Anarchy

Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Finland: Salmiakki

Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from an Finnish artist? The Rasmus - In The Shadows

Can you teach us some interesting words in Finnish? Juoda hiljaa kaljaa (which means drink beer in silence)

Welcome to the Eurovision universe! You are one of the participants of UMK 2021. How did it all begin? 

We’ve released 3 albums, toured a lot over europe. Because of the ongoing pandemic we wanted to try something different.

"Dark side” is the title of your song, what's the story behind it?

We began lockdown and just locked ourselves in the studio. We wanted to make an anthem to everyone who sometime feel like throwing their middle fingers up in the air and scream.

How do you feel about the reaction your song has been getting from the fans?

To be honest, it’s been a bit of a surprise for us. Of course we always had a great feeling about this song. But it’s been a positive surprise for us to see such a great feedback.

Photo: Mona Salminen

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?

Insanely energetic show. Unlike anything you’ve seen before in this concept.

What do you like/dislike about Eurovision?

We like the way it unites listeners. Maybe sometime we dislike the lack of variety in genres, but maybe this year will be different.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:

Dark chocolate: health for your heart

Sweat: our shows

Silence: depeche mode

Socks: different pairs of socks

Live music: heartbreaking because of covid

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?

Thanks for supporting us! Let’s make this year big.

Photo: Mona Salminen

Thanks to Joel for the interview!

Facebook: BlindChannelBand

Instagram: blindchannel

Twitter: BlindChannelFIN

Finland 2019: Darude feat. Sebastian Rejman

Photo: shotbywarila

Here is "Look away", the song that will represent Finland in may:

Well...I don't like this. I couldn't get through any of the 3 songs when they were released and I haven't watched the other 2 performances but apparently this one was the best so I wish them all the best.

Finland 2018: Saara Aalto

Photo: shotbywarila

YLE ditched the UMK 2018 songs and selected Saara to represent them in Lisbon, this is "Monsters" the song she will sing in May:

I dont like the way YLE handled the UMK 18 thing but I understand their decision to pick Saara, and Im happy for her cause she is living her ESC dream, however I dont get their over the top/glitter/costume change/more is more approach, I know Saara is a campy artist but there are just too many things happening on stage and they just dont work imo. I think the song is nice (Wont be on my favs list though) so I hope they can find a way to fix the messy staging.

Finland 2017: NORMA JOHN!

And the winner of UMK 17 is... BLACKBIRD by NORMA JOHN!!!!

Woah! I mean WOAH! Im speechless, THANK YOU FINLAND! You finally chose the best song in your NF!. Congratulations to Leena & Lasse! You guys did such a magical performance and I cant wait for this entry to rock eurovision in May. GO FINLAND!

My First Band: Five long time best friends who love to make music and travel the globe with it

Photo: YLE

The UMK 2017 final is on Saturday and Im ready for these guys to take me to paradise *wink wink*. Here are Anttis answers:
Name: Antti
Birthday: May 15th
Height: 181cm
Favorite color: Red
Favorite food: Involtini de Melanzane or Aurbergine rollups, it’s an italian veggie dish.
Shoe size: 10US
What do you do in the band? I sing and write lyrics
3 things that make you happy: Running, singing and sleeping
What’s your strangest talent? I can run for many hours and breathe fire.
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A russian doll that looks like our keyboard player Heikki
What are you really good at? Singing
What are you really bad at? Numbers
Childhood idol: Jay Kay of Jamiroquai
Childhood memory: Catching my first fish with dad.
Celebrity crush: There’s been many and still is Björk, she was the first real deal.
Tell me something no one knows about you: I could spend hours just by watching trees in the wind.
What would you do if you could stop the time? I’d travel the world and marvel the present moment.
Favorite movie: Inception
Favorite TV series: That’s a really hard one but I’m picking up Curb Your Enthusiasm
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Defend other girls
What is your guilty pleasure? Potato chips, that’s my weak point for sure.
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Eurythmics: There Must Be An Angel (Playing With My Heart)
Can you teach me some interesting words in finnish? My top1 finnish word is ‘warmer’, in finnish ‘lämpimämpi’. It’s just feels great in your mouth! The other great word is 'screaking', ‘kirskuva’. There are lots of words in finnish where the word and it’s phonetics really describe the action of the word itself.

Hello Antti! How are you?
Thanks for asking, I’m just great. Just woke up and the UMK final week has just started, nervous in a good way!

How would you describe the band?
We’re five long time best friends who love to make music and travel the globe with it. Some of us have known each other from childhood.

How did you meet each other?
It goes all the way back to high school times. I guess we all were into the same kind of music (Pop, Funk, RnB, Prince, James Brown, Jamiroquai etc.) and decided to form a band. We did covers at first but straight at the first semester we ended up playing to this big freshmen’s party that was in Tavastia (a legendary rock venue in Helsinki). The place was sold out and that experience gave us confidence to start writing our own music!

You are one of the participants of UMK 2017. How did it all begin?
We were writing songs for our upcoming album and at the same time we realised Yle was searching for songs for UMK 2017. We had just written Paradise and just decided to send the song. Participating UMK had been on our minds before but the timing of the contest or the music we wrote would always seem off to us. This was the perfect song and and the perfect timing.

“Paradise” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
It’s not exactly what I’d call a story song, but like always, there are real life events that inspire the song. For me, this one is definitely a relationship song, where the storyteller wants to kiss and make up after a petty argument by doing something good to the other half. An act of love if you will. There’s been also some pretty wild lyrics interpretations by the ESC fans and they’ve been fun to read!

Describe the song with 4 words:
Fun, sexy, honest, playful

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
Well, we’re first and foremost a live band. That’s our forte in this contest and in general. So the performance will be based around the traditional way of bands performing songs. However, what I’ll be doing in the performance is something different that is usually seen in pop/rock bands performances.=)

We rehearsed the performance yesterday at YLE as Krista, the Grand Dame of the UMK and dancers from the dance crew were watching it and they went just nuts seeing our performance. I got a good feeling about it!

Tell me about the official video of “Paradise”:
We wanted to keep it simple 'playing performance’- type of music video. There’s also another story going on with the help of this great dance couple, who are actually a real life couple as well. We wanted them to have that real chemistry between them and I think it really shows. By accident, we ended up shooting the video in the same high school the five of us met back in the day, so it was kind of sentimental moment altogether!

What do you like about Eurovision?
I love the amount of feeling and enthusiasm that’s surrounding the whole universe of Eurovision. It may be a cliche but seeing how music and performances bring the people together is an important european phenomena to me. I remember as a kid staying up late and watching the song contests although it was a school day next day. Watching them has always been a habit of mine.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
I’d love to see the Eurovision songwriting evolve to a direction where the personality of the song counts as much as the performance does. Especially in the lyrics department. There are lots of great and in a good way, weird older eurovision songs that also have lyrics that speak to you. My personal favourite perhaps is I Treni di Tozeur by Franco Battiato from 1984. It’s wonderfully a weird song, performance and lyrics and that’s what makes it magical for me.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Sauna: Home
Nightmare: Resident Evil-games (??????=D=D=D=D=D))
+18: Afterparty
Bacon: Heartburn
Stage: Possibilites

Thanks to Antti for the interview. I cant wait to see what their perfomance! All the best in UMK!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/myfirstband
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/my_first_band/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/myfirstband
Official website: http://www.myfirstband.net/

Emma: "I've always wanted to represent Finland in the contest!"

Time to stand in a circle of light and enjoy a new UMK interview. She is the fan favorite and I cant wait to see what she is going to do on stage. Here are Emma's answers:
Name: Emma
Birthday: 28 August
Height: 167
Favorite color: Vintage light greenish gray (very difficult to explain :) )
Favorite food: Chocolate, haha!
Where are you right now? In my appartment in Stockholm
3 things that make you happy: Family, Friends and a Christmas tree!
What’s your strangest talent? Hmm! I haven't figured out my strangest talent yet!
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? Two old vintage doors next to my bed who are over 2 meters high and weighs more than you could imagine. (They are loose doors, and all of my friends wont help me with my moving anymore because of those doors, haha!)
What are you really good at? Listening to people.
What are you really bad at? Washing the dishes!
Childhood idol: My father. He still is!
Childhood memory: Me and my dad dancing to Whitney Houstons I will always love you!
Celebrity crush: Johnny Depp!
Tell me something no one knows about you: I sometimes dream things that actually happens later on.
What would you do if you could stop the time? Spend every moment with the people I love the most!
Favorite movie: Forrest Gump or Braveheart!
Favorite TV series:  Friends! (I know all the lines!)
What is your guilty pleasure? Eating nutella. Just as it is! ...A lot!
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Go into their so called mode of "box of nothing" and stay there. Thinking of nothing. It sounds so easy and calm! But this might be a myth, I don't know?
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: Beyonce - Run the world, Whitney Houston - I will always love you, or anything by Queen!
Can you teach me some interesting words in finnish? Well you already know the world "Rakas" which means "dear, darling or honey". But "Minä rakastan sinua" means I love you" so : Rakas, minä rakastan sinua! :)

Hello Emma! How are you?
Hi, Thank you, I'm great! I hope you are feeling awesome aswell!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
A hardworking artist who stays true to herself and is always humble and grateful!

You are one of the participants of UMK 2017. How did it all begin?
I called up one of the song writers, asking her if she could help me get into the Eurovision Song Contest. I've always wanted to represent Finland in the contest!

Photo: YLE

“Circle of light” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
It's a story where you can try to visualise an empowering circle around yourself where you are safe and where you stay strong. No matter what happens in your life, you always have to keep going and be brave. Inside your own circle you are.

Describe the song with 4 words:
Powerful, Strong, Brave, Comforting!

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
Lights, amazing choreography and some other amazing surprises aswell!

Do you already know what you're going to wear for the final? Any hint?
Yes! It's so beautiful! Lets just say that it has got some insipration from the Finnish nature!

Tell me about the official video of “Circle of light”:
Well it's the same story we tell in two different time periods. It's because all the sorrows and pain we feel today, we've felt so many times before. Lost of loved once, fear, pain. Many people have been questioning the part where my loved one in the music video dies, and been wondering "aren't we suppose to be safe in the Circle Of Light"? But that is the point of the song, how do we survive and stay strong through situations that feels helpless and painfull? It can be anything from beeing bullied in school, feeling lost, or losing a loved one - we find our inner Circle Of Light and we are safe there because of the power of our thoughts and minds.

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition? Any favorite?
Yes, I've heard them all! I really like Alva, Norma John and Lauris songs.

What do you like about Eurovision?
I like that so many people around the world (not only Europe now a days :) ) unites in one night to celebratre music, friendship and love! And I also love to see all the different cultures coming together and learning from each other! So amazing to see!

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
I don't know! Is there anything to dislike about the Eurovision? :)

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Northern lights: Finnish Lapland
Hair: Messy in the mornings!
Fear: Comes from ones mind, not ones heart!
Watermelon: Summer!
Cats: That I love my dog! ;)
Dreams: Standing on the Eurovisioin stage, singing my heart out and sharing my biggest dream with you!

What are your plans for 2017?
Well I hope I'll get to travel to Ukraine this spring but other than that I hope to realese more music and perform as much as I can.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
I'm grateful for all the support you've shown me so far! It gives me energy to continue and reminds me of why I'm doing this! Thank you so much for that. I really hope to see you all in Kiev.

Thanks to Emma for the interview! Wish her all the best in the UMK final!

Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/emmaoffinland/
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/emmaoffinland/
Twitter: https://twitter.com/emma_of_finland

Lauri Yrjölä: "I’d like to show to the Finnish people that they can be proud of their weird language"

Photo: Jessica Häyhä

Hei hei everybody! Its time for the 1st interview of 2017. We will start with one of the finalists from Finland's UMK. He is a pretty cool guy and his song is one of my top 3 favs. Here are Lauri Yrjölä's answers:

Name: Lauri Yrjölä
Birthday: 12.11.1982
Height: 188cm
Favorite color: Green
Favorite food: Grilled salmon salad
Shoe size: 12 US
Where are you right now? Home, Helsinki
3 things that make you happy: Music, my god-son, Huge (dog)
What’s your strangest talent? I don't snore
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A hobby horse
What are you really good at? Playing the guitar
What are you really bad at? Getting out of bed
Childhood idol: New Kids on the Block
Childhood memory: Orange vacuum cleaner
Celebrity crush: Hayley from Modern Family
What would you do if you were invisible? Do Snapchats and wonder why the filters aren't working
Favorite movie: Scent of a woman
Favorite TV series: Isänmaan toivot
What is your guilty pleasure? Chocolate
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Examine myself a lot and memorize
Name a song that never fails to make you happy: I Will Wait for You by Michel Legrand
Can you teach me some interesting words in finnish? Mun täytyy mennä vessaan = I have to use the toilet. I do that a lot.

Hello Lauri! Welcome to the Eurovision bubble! How are you?
Good thanks! Playing some guitar.

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Professional, confident, funny and hard working.

You are one of the participants of UMK 2017. How did it all begin?
I wrote 12 songs last Nov. and decided that I need to perform them as an solo artist. Then in the summer I realized that UMK would be a great way to gain publicity for me and Finnish pop music overall and I wrote a few more songs and with my producer Kasperi Kallio we picked out Helppo elämä and sent it in.

Photo: YLE

“Helppo elämä” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
I’m singing about a bohemian person who wants to think deeply and save the world and be compassionate but who has no discipline or perseverance. Someone who wants things quick and easy. That person is quite the opposite of me in the sense that I like to put time and effort in whatever I do.

Photo: Jessica Häyhä

Describe the song with 4 words:
Catchy, meaningful, modern and international.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
Me without the guitar which is pretty new.

Tell me about the official video of “Helppo elämä”:
It's about a gold digger who's going after the luxurious life without working hard for it. The video follows quite a lot of the lyrics.

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition? Any favorite?
Of UMK? My two favorites are Emma and Norma John.

What do you like about Eurovision?
I like the variety of artists. And also whenever there's a language other than English it's fresh. I don't mind if I don't understand the lyrics. If it sounds good it's good! But of course it's nice to know that there's some meaning also and not just some random Cotton Eye Joe stuff :D :D

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
Some of the acts seem to be more like jokes but I understand that ESC isn't all about the music. Other things matter also. But I'm all about the music. Then the rest.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Isac Elliot: Fun times always!
Something gay: Sanajahti (a word puzzle game)
Nightmare: Freddie Krueger
Fangirling: Really loud noises
Clowns: Stephen King
Stage: Home

Photo: Jessica Häyhä

What are your plans for 2017?
During the last year or so I’ve made nearly 20 good songs and I can’t wait to get to perform them more and more in front of people. So I’m building a career and UMK serves as a good ground to get new fans and media’s attention. Also I’d like to show to the Finnish people that they can be proud of their weird language and that we make good international pop.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
If you like Helppo elämä maybe you'd like my other stuff also so you can stay tuned by following me on Twitter @LauriYrjola, Facebook @yrjolalauri, Snapchat @lauriyrjola or Instagram @lauriyrjola. Not too hard to guess my usernames :D :D

Thanks to Lauri for the interview. I wish him all the best in the UMK final.

2016: National selections (2)

Here is the 2nd part of my favorite NF songs from 2016:

Kristi Popa - Ajo çfarë ndjej

Catalepsia - Damnation

NAVI - Heta ziamlia

Erna Mist & Magnus Thorlacius - Ótöluð orð

Kállay Saunders Band - Who We Are

Boris René - Put Your Love on Me

Pur:Pur  - We Do Change

Robin Bengtsson - Constellation Prize

Laila Samuels - Afterglow

Mick Pedaja - Seis

THE HARDKISS - Helpless

Mikael Saari - On It Goes

2016: National selections (1)

Here is the 1st part of my favorite NF songs from 2016

Muri & Mario - To Stjerner

Annica Milán & Kimmo Blom - Good Enough

SunSay - Love Manifest

Salvador Beltran - Días de alegría

Petruska - Trouble in My Mind

Enxhi Nasufi - Infinit

Margaret - Cool me down

Sophia Nohr - Blue Horizon

Eini - Draamaa

Saara Aalto - No fear

María Isabel - La vida sólo es una

Finland 2016: Sandhja

Here is the winner of UMK 2016: Sandhja with "Sing it away"

First thing Im going to say is: "FUCK YOU YLE!" I just really dont get the point of having random people as juries or having "eurovision experts" talking shit about the songs while the public is voting.
I knew this was coming when I saw the list of juries but whatever! I gave up UMK last year when I heard the songs but Im glad I came back to it this year cause there were really nice acts in the competition. 

Congratulations to Sandhja, who I really like as an artist but I wish she had a better song. It might grow on me later but right now is not one of my favorites. Good luck in may!

Shout out to my winner: Mikael Saari!

Photos: Mikka Varila (YLE)

UMK 2016: Semifinal 3

Welcome to the UMK Semifinal 3 post, here are my comments about this weeks performances:

1.Lieminen - Pehmeiden arvojen vaalijat

This was probably my favorite song in this semifinal, the performance was really fun but I can understand why it didnt get through. I would have liked him to enjoy the performance a bit more. (Loved some of his dance moves)

2.Tuuli Okkonen - Don’t Wake Me Up

Decent performance, maybe a bit too cold but I guess she was nervous, so I hope she can do it better in the final.

3.Gušani Brothers - Poom Poom

This was a big mess! 

4.Barbe-Q-Barbies - Let Me Out

This song is just ok but they were really good on stage! 

5.Pietarin Spektaakkeli - Liian kuuma

I think this was my favorite performance of the night! I liked it a lot! 

6.Sandhja - Sing It Away

I like her, I like her energy and I like her voice but sadly I dont care about the song. 

THE RESULTS

FINALISTS

Barbe-Q-Barbies

Tuuli Okkonen

Sandhja

Photos: Miikka Varila