Welcome to our new series of posts – “The Looker” where we will share our wish list of artists participating in Eurovision.
But before we start, let us remark that our recommendations will not necessarily come true (as for example some countries select their artists by reality shows)
1st post (Belgium, Israel, The Netherlands) and 2nd post (Denmark, Iceland, North Macedonia) are available as well
This is the 3rd post in the series and it will concentrate on 3 countries: Finland, Norway, Sweden:
#1. BEHM
Rita Marketta Behm is a 26-year-old Finnish singer-songwriter. She used to write and produce her music by herself and also wrote songs for others. In 2016, she was selected to take part in a song camp for young authors organized jointly by the gaming company Veikkaus and the Apulanta band.
Behm met Ella-Noora Kouhia, with whom she formed a duo called Behm & Ellis.
Together they performed as guest artists in “UMK 2017” (The Finnish national selection in 2017).
At the end of 2017, she collaborated with the Finnish Pikku G. Their song “Solmussa” was in the top 5 of Finland’s official singles chart for 12 weeks.
In 2018, she signed a record deal with Warner Music Finland. Her first single (as a solo singer) was ”Hei rakas” (Eng: Hello Dear). She was invited as a special guest to perform in “UMK 2020” (The Finnish national selection for Eurovision 2020):
The song rose to first place on the official single list of Finland. In total, it has been at the top of the singles chart for nine weeks. In early 2020, it also rose to the top of the radio list for a total of ten weeks. In 2020, she released her debut album, “Draaman kaari viehättää” (Eng: The charm of the drama arc).
In March 2020, Behm released her second single, “Tivolit”:
In July 2020, she released the song “Frida“:
The YleX Breakthrough panel selected Behm as the most promising artist entrant in 2020.
Behm collected a total of six Emma nominations: Artist of the Year, Newcomer of the Year, Album of the Year, Song of the Year, Pop Song of the Year (”Hei rakas”), and Artist of the Year in the public vote.
She received a record number of awards for an artist in Finland.
Being so successful only in her first years of activity proves she is to stay and slay.
Regarding all that, I’m sure BEHM will be a wonderful choice for Finland.
#2. Haloo Helsinki!
Haloo Helsinki! is a Finnish pop-rock band that consists of 4 members: Elisa Tiilikainen (lead singer and bass), Jere Marttila (guitar and backing vocals), Leo Hakanen (guitar and backing vocals), and Jukka Soldan (drums).
The band was formed in 2006 by Leo Hakanen and Jere Marttila.
The band’s debut album “Haloo Helsinki!” was released in August 2008 and rose to 6th place on Finland‘s official album chart.
So far, the band has released 6 studio albums (including their debut album):
- “Haloo Helsinki!” (Eng: “Hello Helsinki” in 2008 – the album peaked at 6th chart position.
- “Enemmän kuin elää” (Eng: “More Than Life” in 2009 – the album peaked 7th chart position.
- “III” – The album was released in 2011 and was in 1st place on the Finnish chart.
- “Maailma on tehty meitä varten” (Eng: the world was made for us) – The album was released in 2013 and was in 1st place on the Finnish chart.
- “Kiitos ei ole kirosana” (Eng: Thank you is not a curse word) – The album was released in 2014 and was in 1st place on the Finnish chart.
- “Hulluuden Highway” (Eng: Madness Highway) – The album was released in 2017 and was in 1st place on the Finnish chart.
During their careers, they have released 21 singles. Get to know 3 of their wonderful songs
In 2014, they released the song “Beibi” (En: Baby):
In 2016, they released the song “Rakas” (Eng: Dear):
In 2018, they released the song “Kaksi ihmistä” (Eng: 2 people)
In 2021, the band released the single “Piilotan mun kyyneleet” (Eng: I hide my tears). They have been invited to perform it as special guests in “UMK 2021“:
Haloo Helsinki! it is a band with a lot of good and diverse music to suggest. They have an impressive repertoire throughout their years of activity. I believe they can bring a new spirit to Eurovision.
#3. Cyan Kicks
Cyan Kicks is an alternative rock band from Helsinki that has been active since 2016. The band combines heavy rock music, pop melodies, and electronic instruments in their music.
The band members are Susanna Aleksandra (lead singer), Niila Perkkiö (guitarist and synthesizer), Leevi Erkkilä (guitarist and backing singer), and Peter Reijonen (drummer).
So far, the band has released 9 singles and one studio album. Their debut album “I Don’t Love You” in August 2019.
The band won Emma’s nomination for Best Rock Album of the Year on their album.
Here are 3 of the band’s songs:
In 2017, they released the single “Feathers“:
In 2020, they released the song “Beat of My Heart“:
In February 2021, they released the song “The Flood“
Cyan Kicks presents a young, alternative rock that should get more recognition worldwide and especially at Eurovision.
#1. Aurora
Aurora Aksnes is a 25-year-old Norwegian singer, songwriter, and record producer.
She started learning to play the piano when she was 6 years old. At the age of 9, she started writing songs. Her music genre can be described as a mixture of several genres: art pop, synth-pop, electropop, indie, dark-pop, and more.
She released her first song “Puppet” in 2012.
Aurora has mentioned Enya, Bob Dylan, Leonard Cohen, Underworld, Björk, and Kate Bush as her influences.
So far, the singer has released 2 studio albums:
- “All My Demons Greeting Me as a Friend” – The album was released in 2016 and reached double platinum in Norway. The album was a success in other countries as well, where it peaked in top charts positions: Austria, Belgium, Ireland, Germany, The Netherlands, Switzerland, the UK, and the USA. The album was in 1st place in the Norwegian chart.
- “A different Kind of Human (Step 2)“- The album was released in 2019 and reached platinum in Norway (including 4th position in the Norwegian chart). The album succeeded in other countries as well: Austria, Belgium, Germany, Switzerland, and the UK.
In addition, she has released 7 EPs (5 of them were released in 2021!) and more than 20 singles:
In 2015, she released the song “Murder Song (5, 4, 3, 2, 1)“:
In 2019, she released the song “The Seed“:
In 2021, she released the single “Runaway”
Aurora is one of a kind, an artist with a beautiful voice and sensitive soul. She always knows how to deliver. Her music has a different spirit that must be presented in a contest like Eurovision Song Contest.
#2. Ruben
Ruben Markussen (better known as Ruben) is a 26-year-old Norwegian singer and songwriter.
His breakthrough came after his debut single, “Walls,” which was presented with a huge streaming online charting on VG-Lista. The single peaked at 8th position on the Norwegian charts.
In 2018, he was nominated for the best newcomer in Spellemannprisen (The Norwegian Grammy Awards). Following that, he received a scholarship.
So far, the singer has released 11 singles and 2 EPs. His music became popular in Sweden as well.
In 2019, he released the song “So High“:
In 2020, he released the song “Burn Down This Room“:
In 2021, he released the song “Mama Don’t Know“:
Ruben is a young singer who has already proved how talented he is. His songs are mainstream material but still have character and uniqueness. I’m sure he will do well at Eurovision.
#3. Susanne Sundfør
Susanne Aartun Sundfør is a 35-yeard-old Norwegian singer-songwriter and record producer.
She rose to fame in 2005 when she toured Norway as the opening act for the British singer Tom McRae. In 2006, she joined the Norwegian band Madrugada on tour.
In 2007, she released her debut album that carried her name as a title. The album was released by the label Warner Norway and peaked in 3rd position on the Norwegian charts.
In 2010, she released her second album “The Brothel” which peaked at the number 1 position on the Norwegian charts. Later on, it became the best-selling album of the year. On that album, Susanne has brought a different flavor from her as an artist: less piano-oriented and more electronic.
The third studio album, “The Silicone Veil,” was released in 2012 and became a huge success as well. The album peaked at the number 1 position on the Norwegian charts as the previous one. This time, the singer decided to release it not only in Norway but also in the UK.
In 2015, she dropped her 4th studio album “Ten Love Songs,” which peaked at the number 1 position on the Norwegian charts, but was included in the top 50 charts in Sweden and the UK as well. The album was the key to international success and was the trigger for her tour in Europe.
In 2017, she released the album “Music For People In Trouble“. Once again, the album leads the Norwegian charts and was a huge success in the UK as well.
In the years 2008, 2001, 2019 she released live show albums. In 2020, she released the EP “Self Portrait Original Soundtrack – EP”.
In 2015, she released the single “Delirious”:
In 2015, she released the song “Kamikaze”
In 2017, she released the song “Reincarnation“:
In 2020, she released the song “Amor est Mortis“:
Personally, Susanne Sundfør is one of my favorite artists ever. She has a dreamy voice, an infinite level of creativity, and a ton of talent. I believe she can bring additional victory for Norway.
Her music style is too sophisticated to be defined but it probably can be defined as art pop, electronica, folk experimental, pop-jazz.
#1. Normandie
Normandie is an alternative-rock and metalcore Swedish band. The band was formed in 2013.
In the beginning, it consisted of 5 members. However, since 2016, the band consists of 3 members: Philip Strand (lead singer), Håkan Almbladh (guitars), Jesper Malmberg (drums).
In September 2013, the band released their first EP, which carried their name with 4 songs.
In 2016, they released their debut album “Inguz“. The album was released in Sweden, but in the North American market as well.
In 2018, the band released their second album, “White Flag“.
In 2021, they released their third album, “Dark & Beautiful Secrets“.
During their careers, the group toured through several European countries and played at several music festivals, including Bochum Total, Rock the lake, and the Trebur Open Air.
In 2018, they released the theme song of their album “White Flag“:
In 2019, they dropped the song “Enough“:
In 2021, they released the song “Babylon“:
I would like to see Sweden sending something different and risky. Normandie brings a refreshing spirit of rock and creativity. I’m sure that Eurovision fans would love them.
#2. Sabina Ddumba
Sabina Ddumba is a 27-year-old Swedish singer. Her main genres are soul, gospel, pop, and R&B. She rose to fame in 2012 when she participated in “X-Factor Sweden“.
The singer has Ugandan roots. She started writing songs at the age of 10.
Sabina was born into a religious family and therefore has listened to a lot of gospel music as a child. Her inspiration in music was Ugandan nursery rhymes and songs she heard when she was a child. She also grew up listening to the hip hop and R&B of the late 1990s.
In 2014, she released her first single, “Scarred for Life“. In 2015, Sabina Ddumba signed a contract with Warner Music. In 2015, she released her second single “Effortless” which earned huge success and achieved platinum. Her next single, “Not Too Young,” received double platinum.
In 2016, she won the award for “Newcomer of the Year“.
So far, she has released 3 studio albums:
- “Homeward Bound” in 2016 (the album reached 10th position on the Swedish chart)
- “Så mycket bättre 2017 – Tolkningarna” (Eng: So much better 2017 – The Interpretations) in 2017 (the album reached 35th position on the Swedish chart).
- “The Forgotten Ones” – the album was released in 2021.
She has also released 19 singles to date.
In 2016, she released the song “Not Too Young“:
In 2018, she released the song “Small World”:
In 2021, she released the single “Damn Good Woman“:
Sabina Ddumba is a talented singer who brings heartwarming attitude. I think she could be a wonderful option for Sweden at Eurovision.
#3. Skott
Pauline Skött (better known as Skott) is a 27-year-old is a Swedish singer-songwriter.
The singer was born in a small community in Vikarbyn in Sweden that is well known for its traditional customs and own language. She showed interest in folk music following the music she has heard in Vikarbyn.
Pauline Skött rose to fame in 2016 after she released her first single “Porcelain“.
In 2018, she released her debut EP, “Stay Off My Mind“.
In 2020, she released her debut album “Always Live For Always” and has received positive reviews.
On January 2020 she was nominated for two awards: “Best Pop” and “Future Artist” at the P3 Gold Awards.
in 2019,she released the song “Midas“:
In 2020, she dropped the song “My Name“:
In 2020, she released the song “Kodak & Codeine“:
Skott is a talented artist who has already released excellent songs. Her fragile voice, mixed together with indie electro-pop music, can be a winning combination. I’m sure she has the ability to amaze us all.
Stay tuned for more recommendations to come, next time we will travel to other countries.
