Some countries just can’t catch a break at Eurovision, and Finland is one of them. It has one of Europe’s most eclectic music industries. Yet it also has one of Eurovision’s worst track records. Finland is one of our most beloved countries in the contest, and it breaks our hearts whenever they do poorly. Since UMK, the Finnish national selection, is accepting submissions from September 1 until September 8, wiwibloggers Sami and Sopon have put their heads together and found ten artists they would love to see represent good ol’ Suomi.

Lordi, Finland’s sole victors

What exactly is Finland’s problem?

UMK is part of the problem. Finland has so many established artists that have expressed interest in participating, yet the contest is only open to unknowns. Finland would fare better with an internal artist selection, while letting the public choose between three or four of their potential songs.

Finland is also very experimental: they’ve done it all from monster rock, Ke$ha-esque trash pop that you love, lullabies, alternative modern rock, and screamo. If they were to settle for something safer yet classy, they would find more success.

Finally, they need to take advantage of their language. Finnish is one of the most “pure” languages, from a linguistic standpoint. The less pure Estonian language sees great success in the contest, and foreign language songs stick out more than English ones nowadays. Sure, the Finnish language hasn’t done too well recently, but the two times they opted for Finnish over English since 2000 were in more polarizing songs (a traditional folk song and a screamo song). In short: Finland needs a non-polarizing song (preferably in Finnish) by an established artist.

Who can accomplish this?

1. Jenni Vartiainen

Jenni-Vartiainen-Eurovision

With the looks of Loreen and the voice of Björk, Jenni is certainly a threat to any Joe Schmoe amateur artist in the contest. Rather than using her hips to sell records like many other European pop artists, she inserts class into her songs. She always keeps it dark and mysterious, but she has shown versatility in genre. From the epic electropop in “Junat ja naiset” (Trains and Women), to the dramatic ballad that is “Missä muruseni on” (Where My Sweetheart Is) to the honky tonk-influenced pop song “Eden“, she never fails to impress us with her amazing voice.

2. Sara Forsberg

This is certainly an unfamiliar name to some. She hasn’t released a song yet, but this musically-gifted young woman has bright things in her future. Sara came to prominence earlier this year under the moniker “Smoukahontas” when she posted a video of her mimicking native speakers of various languages. Some weeks later, she posted a video of her impersonating 14 different (sub)genres (including 3 different types of indie/hipster pop and 2 types of schlager). This video led to a record deal from Capitol Records, making Sara the first Finn in history to sign to a major American label. Given her bubbly personality, her flexibility in all genres and ranges, and her youth, she’d make a great addition to the 2015 lineup.

3. Sanni

Sanni-Eurovision
Sanni is one of the hottest names in the Finnish music industry right now and has over 8 million views on her music videos in Youtube. Her debut album “Sotke mut” (Mess Me Up) has reached gold status in Finland. She has written all the songs on the album by herself, making the songs very personal. Influenced by electro pop and hip hop, Sanni does not fit neatly into any box.

4. Robin

robin_finland-Eurovision
Known as Finland’s Justin Bieber, this teenage star will be eligible to perform in the adult contest next year. Robin has already had multiple hits (pre and post-voice crack), such as the skater anthem “Frontside Ollie“, the teenage love song “Puuttuva Palanen” (Missing Piece), and the pop ballad “Onnellinen” (Happy). One of his most recent hits, “Erilaiset” (Different), is also a love song, but shows off his now-mature vocals. This supercute guy would certainly be a hit with younger Eurovision fans, and on a side note, be a real contender for the title of Eurovision’s Next Top Male Model.

5. Krista Siegfrids

Krista Siegfrids Eurovision
Finland’s Ke$ha has already been to the contest before, and made the final, but this was back when she had no fan base or standing in the Finnish music industry. Now that she has gained more popularity and has become a household name, we think she should take another shot at Eurovision glory. After all, she has stated repeatedly that she would love to return to the contest. Her modern, loud taste matches her personality. She is a proud, bold and thoroughly twenty-first century artist. She has also shown that her best music can be different than what we know her for after she released “Can You See Me?” And although charismatic Krista missed out on receiving the Miss Congeniality Award, she would have another shot at it in Vienna!

6. PistePiste

PistePiste Eurovision

PistePiste only released his debut album in 2013, but has already had big success with his singles “Elän sut uudelleen” (I Live You Once Again) and “Hetken maailma on tässä” (For A Moment the World Is Here). PistePiste (or Harri Arhio) makes very laid-back R&B music and has a story behind each of his songs. His songs with catchy choruses and beautiful melodies might be the perfect choice for Finland.

7. Chisu

Chisu Eurovision

Thirty-two year old Christel Sundberg, a.k.a. Chisu, is extremely versatile. With three number-one hits, two gold records, and one platinum record since 2008, she has made a great impression in the Finnish music industry. She conveys different moods in her songs, from the more somber “Sabotage” to a more chipper in “Baden-Baden” to the other-worldly “Kohtalon oma” (Destiny’s Own). Would her less-than-flashy style work in a contest where bold entries reign supreme? After seeing the Netherlands triumph with something more laid-back, maybe Chisu can do the same for Finland.

8. Nikolai Alho

Nikolai Alho Eurovision

Nikolai Alho is better known as a player in the premier division of Finnish football, but after his covers on YouTube went viral, he signed to PME Records. Nikolai started his music career in 2013 and his singles “Standing Right Here” and “Leggo” have got lots of air play in Finnish radios. Recently he released “Hold Up” with American rapper Drama B. Alho mixes hip hop and pop in his music and he does both very well. This makes his sound very fresh and international.

9. Diandra

Eurovision Diandra Flores Colliding Into You

Diandra is one of the best singers in Finland and she’s also been noticed internationally. She has gotten vocal coaching from David Lee Brewer, who has coached Beyonce and Kelly Rowland, to name just a few. Diandra won Finnish Idol in 2012 and after that she released all kinds of music. Diandra has said that she is a huge Eurovision fan and that it’s her dream to sing on the Eurovision stage. She already took part in the Finnish selection back in 2013 and finished third with “Colliding Into You“. This sadly means that they might not take her back to this competition for a few years. However, Diandra had her biggest hit during this summer with “Paha poika” (Bad Boy). The song already has over two million streams on Spotify and a million views on YouTube.

10. Sturm und Drang

Sturm und Drang Eurovision

OK, fine, a Green Day-influenced metal band is the exact opposite of non-polarizing. And no, this band doesn’t sing in Finnish, but in English (most of its members are Swedish Finns). However, they certainly are a memorable act, and they do what they do well. Also, Swedish Finns often do well in the national final, seeing that three of the four past Finnish acts were of Swedish descent. While they have next-to-no variation in style from song to song, they certainly appeal to the more alternative side of Eurovision, and would do well with fans who are looking for something different from flashy schlager. Check out some of their hits, like “Hysteria“, “Break Away“, and “Molly the Murderer”.

Who would do the best for Finland? Are there any artists that we missed? Is Finland doomed, or can these artists give us hope? Kertokaa meille kommenteissa, kiitos! (Tell us in the comments, please!)

This story was co-authored by Sami Luukela

17 Comments
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CookyMonzta
CookyMonzta
9 years ago

Some very good songs here. If I had to pick from this list, I’d have to go with the wild child (Jenni Vartiainen), the wild card (Sara Forsberg) or the rockers (Sturm und Drang).

eurana
eurana
9 years ago

Just bring MIAU back

VILIJA
VILIJA
9 years ago

JIPPU

Levente Bakkay
Levente Bakkay
9 years ago

Jenni Vartiainen of course! With a song like this, she deserve a Top 10 place in final! This song is amazing!

Sami Luukela
9 years ago

@deli, I really think well-known artists are not so interested in taking part in UMK. UMK is more like training for the artists, it’s for getting experience in performing on big stage, helping to get to find your own style and the program “pushes” you to change your song throughout the program. Well-known artists don’t need this. When they have the song, it’s a song, not just a demo and they usually don’t want to change it. One of the jury members from past two years, Toni Wirtanen, said to Finnish tabloid today “don’t fall in love your song too… Read more »

Deven O'Kearney
9 years ago

What is it with Scandinavia and Justin Bieber acts:

Ulrik Munther (Swedish)
Jesper Nohrstedt (Danish Justin Bieber)
Robin (Finnish)
Knut Knudsen (Norwegian)

deli
deli
9 years ago

I don’t agree with authors regarding problems of Finland “UMK is part of the problem. Finland has so many established artists that have expressed interest in participating, yet the contest is only open to unknowns.” UMK is not only open to unknown artists but its main role is to discover new music (so new artists too). Known artists CAN take part in UMK. Jannika B is highly rumoured for 2015. Plus UMK was created as a response to the lack of interest of known artists in last years of Euroviisut. “Finland is also very experimental: they’ve done it all from… Read more »

Mumbo
Mumbo
9 years ago

Anna Puu and Indica are good options too.

Mumbo
Mumbo
9 years ago

“List is pointless without Nightwish or Tarja Turunen.” I agree, however, Tarja and Nightwish have participated in the Eurovision. I don’t think that they want to return.

Daniel
Daniel
9 years ago

Crap, crap, crap! Finland’s best exports are always METAL! Now that Nightwish has the explosive and beautiful Floor Jansen on the line-up, shouldn’t it be the time for Finland to blow away another stage and take the crown again?

ZoboCamel
ZoboCamel
9 years ago

Would love to see Mikael Saari back with a similar power ballad to his 2013 effort, perhaps in Finnish.

QwaarJet
QwaarJet
9 years ago

List is pointless without Nightwish or Tarja Turunen.

D
D
9 years ago

I think Finland could do very well if they tried a national selection like this, there’s two semi-finals of however many artists. One semi-final is 100% new artists and the other one is 100% experienced artists. Then they’re getting experienced Finnish artists likely to do well in addition to keeping the concept of getting fresh Finnish talent. It’s kinda like what Albania used to do.

D
D
9 years ago

Sara, Sanni, Diandra, or Jenni would all be so good and could definitely win given the right song or at least make top 5. I’d love to hear the Finnish language back in Eurovision also. I’m half Finnish and very proud of that part of me so Finland is easily one of my favourite countries in Eurovision.

Gilho Ahn
Gilho Ahn
9 years ago

Bring Lordi back!!!

Lytje
Lytje
9 years ago

Oooh it would be great to have Sara Maria (Smoukahontas) for ESC! I’m a big fan of her video’s and her amazing voice.

aCE
aCE
9 years ago

check Janna-Mari Hurmerinta or simply Janna. I personally think she’s the best Finish artist, closely followed by Jenni Vartiainen and Antti Tuisku.