Erika Vikman aims for Eurovision again: “I didn’t plan this”

Finland The metal band One Morning Left and the artists are aspiring to become Eurovision representatives in the New Music Competition (UMK) this year Neea River, Nellie Matula, Costee, Delay, Goldielocks and Erika Vikman.

485 songs were sent to the competition, which according to Yle is a record number. Chairman of UMK’s professional council Tapio Hakanen is happy that more and more artists and songwriters have wanted to participate in the competition.

Artists’ interest in the competition has grown significantly over the past ten years. It has seemed so in the background Wrapper visa success as well as Blind Channel’s international popularity.

The song selection process was renewed this year in such a way that, in addition to the professional jury, five public jury participated in the selections, to which a number of representatives from different fields were invited.

UMK songs are released for the public to hear one song at a time every weekday from 9 to 17. January at midnight.

UMK artists remained a surprise this year until their announcement. Last year’s artist list published a year in advance among other things, the message service in X. Also in 2023, UMK artists leaked to the public the night before.

The UMK winner and Finland’s Eurovision representative will be chosen on February 8 in Tampere. The Eurovision will be held in Basel, Switzerland in May.

HS asked each UMK participant three questions. This is how they responded.

Neea River

From the English language performing pop music Neea River participates in UMK with a song Nightmares. River, from Nurmijärvi, aims for an international career and wants to show that quality pop music is also made in Finland.

“Finland doesn’t pale in comparison to the neighboring country Sweden, which has long pop roots,” River says confidently.

River’s song will be released on Thursday, January 9.

1. If your UMK song was a television series, what would it be and why?

“Drama series. Maybe a ten-part TV series, the beginning of which has rough episodes about the brutality of life. In the middle, we start to move towards better things, and the final climax is that everything will work out.”

2. Let’s imagine a situation where you should perform on the UMK stage with a live band without backing singers. Would it be a nice challenge or a nightmare for you?

“Definitely a nice challenge. Live music is the best!”

3. If you could shout any slogan into the microphone after your performance, what would it be?

“With a Finnish flavor! I am proud to be Finnish. I want to bring Finland and Scandinavian female energy to the fore.”

Nellie Matula

Pop-artists Nellie Matula participates in UMK with a song in Finnish Slower to the grave. The general public knows Matula from, among other things, the 2018 radio hit Pet mixed Stars, start music program from 2017.

Matula has been planning to participate in UMK for a long time when the right song hits the spot. The artist’s song will be released on Friday, January 9.

1. If your UMK song was a television series, what would it be and why?

“I don’t really watch TV. I only listen to podcasts. If it were a book, it would be self-help literature. Such a free therapy session.”

2. Let’s imagine a situation where you should perform on the UMK stage with a live band without backing singers. Would this be a nice challenge or a nightmare for you?

“I feel like I’m flourishing. I’m a real live guy. Can these rules still be changed?”

3. If you could shout any slogan into the microphone after your performance, what would it be?

“Listen to this song again! My whole UMK song is that slogan.”

Costee

Melancholy known for pop music Costee eli Jussi Tiainen participates in UMK with a song in Finnish I messed up. Like the artist’s previous production, the song will be a minor hit, but there is also a hint of hope in it.

Tiainen’s song will be released on Monday, January 13.

1. If your UMK song was a television series, what would it be and why?

”Friends this How I Met Yout Mother. It’s a bit of a mess.”

2. Let’s imagine a situation where you should perform on the UMK stage with a live band without backing singers. Would this be a nice challenge or a nightmare for you?

“That would be amazing. I like to pull with the band, not with the backing band. I wish the whole band could be at the fair.”

3. If you could shout any slogan into the microphone after your performance, what would it be?

“All the sentences would probably be things that can’t be said here. I would probably say rock and roll. I’m a rock and roll guy through and through. My music has a lot of influences from American rock music.”

Delay

delay, eli Viivi Korhonen participates in UMK with a song Always. Korhonen, who was awarded Rookie of the Year Emma in 2022, is known for, among other things Robin’s from a joint piece made with Wonderful pain and a radio hit What do you get with these cards?

In Korhonen’s UMK song, according to the artist, you will hear great emotions, which need to be performed an “arena-level framework” is required.

The song will be released on Tuesday, January 14.

1. If your UMK song was a television series, what would it be and why?

“I’ve been watching a lot with my parents lately Emmerdaleaso maybe it. Although there are a bit too many emotions in it.”

2. Let’s imagine a situation where you should perform on the UMK stage with a live band without backing singers. Would this be a nice challenge or a nightmare for you?

“I’ve done a lot of gigs with a live band, so it would be even more familiar to me than playing with a backing band. I haven’t played a gig with a backing band except maybe once, because I’ve refused them. However, the song would be very different with a band.”

3. If you could shout any slogan into the microphone after your performance, what would it be?

“Maybe something from my song. The name of my song is Always. I can’t think of anything now. Peace and love!”

One Morning Left

Metal band One Morning Left participates in UMK with a song about puppies Puppy. The band started in 2008 in the IRC gallery.

It includes the lead vocalist Mika Lahtiguitarist and songwriter Leevi Luotobassist and backing singer Miska Sipiläinenthe drummer Dennis Hallbäck and working as a songwriter, guitarist and background singer Juuso Turkey. In recent years, the band has combined influences from the 1990s and 1980s with heavy music.

“Maybe something similar is also planned at UMK”, reveals guitarist Leevi Luoto.

One Morning Left band’s UMK song has featured Käärijän Cha Cha Cha– the song was produced by Kiro ie Johannes Naukkarinen.

The song will be released on Wednesday, January 15.

1. If your UMK song was a television series, what would it be and why?

“The Serrano family. It’s a feel-good series,” explains lead vocalist Mika Lahti.

2. Let’s imagine a situation where you should perform on the UMK stage with a live band without backing singers. Would this be a nice challenge or a nightmare for you?

“It would be a dream for us. We’d love to play live,” says bassist Miska Sipiläinen.

3. If you could shout any slogan into the microphone after your performance, what would it be?

“Group Hau! It will become clear when the song is released, why,” says guitarist Leevi Luoto.

Goldielocks

From the English language Goldielocks making pop music ie Ella Mäntynen participates in UMK with a song Made Of. Mäntylä describes himself as “a normal river-mouth tyller”. Before his solo career, he has made music for, for example, Gazelles, Isac Elliotille and to Abreu.

Mäntynen, who is pursuing an international career in Berlin, describes his UMK song as a catchy and pure pop song. It will be released on Thursday, January 16.

1. If your UMK song was a television series, what would it be and why?

“The Serrano family, because there is such a good mix in my habitus and mood.”

2. Let’s imagine a situation where you should perform on the UMK stage with a live band without backing singers. Would this be a nice challenge or a nightmare for you?

“A nice challenge. I’m an over-preparator. Then I would practice day and night so much that the performance would come from the spinal cord.”

3. If you could shout any slogan into the microphone after your performance, what would it be?

“Heissulivei or that track. I can’t say.”

Erika Vikman

Erika Vikman attends UMK for the second time. His 2020 UMK song Cicciolina finished second in the final. Now Vikman seeks revenge with a song I’m coming.

“When I heard the demo version of the song, I thought, let’s go again. I didn’t plan this,” Vikman laughs.

They have been making a song that combines Finnish disco and machine music rave aesthetics Christel “Chisu” Roosberg and Jori Sjöroos.

The song will be released on Friday, January 17.

1. If your UMK song was a television series, what would it be and why?

“A really perverted German police series with really dirty stuff as well as serious stuff.”

2. Let’s imagine a situation where you should perform on the UMK stage with a live band without backing singers. Would this be a nice challenge or a nightmare for you?

“That would be my standard gig and a nice challenge. I don’t miss background tape performances in my life, but unfortunately this UMK is now like that.”

3. If you could shout any slogan into the microphone after your performance, what would it be?

“I came, married and won. It opens when you hear the song.”