Tampere’s Nokia Arena will host the greatest UMK night ever, with songs from Cyan Kicks, Sexmane, Sara Siipola, Jesse Markin, Windows95man, Sini Sabotage, and Mikael Gabriel x nublu. For more UMK-related news, make sure to follow UMK's web pages in English.
Cyan Kicks – Dancing With Demons
In 2022, Cyan Kicks competed in the Contest for New Music UMK with its entry Hurricane, placing second in the final. Their success in UMK was followed by numerous gigs all over Europe, a headline tour in Germany and, just recently, a tour in the United Kingdom and continental Europe along with rock group Smash Into Pieces.
The band is made up of vocalist Susanna Alexandra, guitarist Niila Perkkiö, bassist Leevi Erkkilä and drummer Pietari Reijonen. Cyan Kicks’ sound is easily identifiable, thanks largely to the band’s guitarist and producer Niila. Described as being ”electric”, their ultimate sound finally took shape in 2017.
”You could say that our music is a metal heart in a pop wrapper,” states Niila.
The UMK entry Dancing With Demons is the result of long, hard work. It received its finishing touches in London’s legendary RAK Studios with the help of British songwriter Dan Lancaster. The song deals with harnessing one’s inner demons and turning them into a strength.
”Everyone has their weaknesses and demons, which we’re ashamed of and don’t want anyone else to see. Then, we thought what if we were able to make our inner demons our allies - what would happen?” describes Susanna.
UMK24 jury: ”Placing second in the 2022 Contest for New Music UMK, Cyan Kicks is convincing with its song entry, which brings the group back to the competition for a second time round. The song has a catchy, strong chorus as well as depth and unexpectedness, which will help it withstand the test of time and keep it eminently listenable. The sound and interpretation of singer Susanna are full of emotion, both during the slow sections and the more powerful parts of the chorus. The explosive energy of Dancing With Demons cements the band’s place as a strong, modern bearer of the Finnish rock tradition”.
Cyan Kicks’ Dancing with Demons will be released on Thursday, 11 January at midnight.
Sexmane – Mania
Sexmane, a.k.a. Max Sene, is currently one of the most listened-to artists in Finland. His 2019 debut album Sextape was a roaring success, sitting on the Official Finnish Albums Chart for over 100 weeks. His second album Väärinymmärretty earned the artist four Emma nominations (Finnish Grammys). His 2023 album Sextape II sealed his success. After the album’s release, 18 of its 20 songs made the Finnish Top 50 chart. Sene was nominated for four Emmas in two consecutive years and won the title of Finnish Artist of the Year.
Music was a big part of Sene’s life already in his early childhood. Sene grew up in a religious Laestadian community, where it is common to sing hymns and the community’s own songs. Commercial music was forbidden in the community, but the attraction to it was powerful.
His UMK entry Mania was formed slowly from different pieces. Sene wrote the song at different times and in different moods, which is also apparent in the song lyrics.
”The words in the chorus crystallize my thoughts: it’s quite all right to be a bit ‘crazy’. I know that a lot of young people are struggling with mental health challenges. I want to give them the strength and courage to hang in there.”
Until now, Sene has followed UMK from the audience, as his older brother Isaac Sene competed in UMK in 2022, with his hit song Kuuma Jäbä. Now, Sene has his sights set on doing what Finland just missed out on last year.
UMK24 jury: ”Sexmane (a.k.a. Max Sene) is one of Finland’s most listened-to artists, the winner of the audience poll at the 2023 Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammys) and a wonderful addition to the UMK music lineup. Renowned as a new wave rapper, Sexmane creates music in which a wide variety of influences can be heard. This time round, Mania, with its strong opening hook, goes for a big rock sound, culminating in an epic guitar solo. The strengths of Max Sene’s music have always been authenticity and honesty. This is also very much the case in this intense song, which is virtually tailor made for big arenas”.
Sexmane’s Mania will be released on Friday, 12 January at midnight.
Sara Siipola – Paskana
Sara Siipola’s dark and soulful voice has enchanted Finns with such songs as Rohkee sydän, Susta tulee tähti and one of her latest, Uusi musta. A veritable forge of hits, Siipola grew up in the Ostrobothnian town of Laihia, where finding herself was not easy. In school, those with big dreams were quickly put into their place.
Siipola had trouble finding her own place when she was young. In 2016, she graduated with a vocational qualification in business in Vaasa. Shortly thereafter, she began her singing career. Within five years, she had a raft of singles, a debut album and music programme Tähdet Tähdet under her belt.
”I love writing songs on big topics. I really want people to be able to listen to my songs whenever they want to feel self-confident and connect with others.
Her UMK entry Paskana (”’m a f***ing wreck”) is about a friend who loses their father and the feelings that the loss stirs up. During one evening, Siipola watched how her friend tried to be present at a dinner party after experiencing such a loss.
Paskana deals with grief and lets the listener feel heartbroken: why do others go grocery shopping and go on with their lives when my own world has stopped cold? According to Siipola, the power of the song stems from the fact that it doesn’t romanticize the idea of grief, that there will be a happy ending.
UMK24 jury: ”Sara Siipola is one of Finland’s rising vocalists with a stunning voice. Paskana is a touching and dramatic song, offering both tender vulnerability and uplifting power. It is easy to identify with the song, because each and every one of us has felt low (paskana) at some point. The lyrics and interpretation are full of raw emotion, for which the modern production gives a lot of space and support”.
Sara Siipola’s Paskana will be released on Monday, 15 January at midnight.
Jesse Markin – Glow
With his debut album Folk in 2019, Jesse Markin became one of Finland’s most captivating new artists overnight. Markin was voted Newcomer of the Year and his album won the Critics Choice award in the annual Emma Gaala (Finnish Grammys). His popularity manifested on sold-out gigs, including everything from the iconic rock club Tavastia to the massive stage of Flow Festival.
There was some push to brand Markin as a rapper, but he felt it was too restrictive. He says he understands that many artists choose a single genre and style to focus their efforts on. However, Markin wanted to infuse his music with many different worlds.
He found inspiration for his music in movies, literature and his own life. Where Folk focused on social perspectives, his 2021 album Noir explored Markin’s personal life. In addition to everything else, Markin has also made music for the second season of the Moominvalley series.
Markin decided to enter UMK because his entry Glow felt right. The song is an excellent example of how Markin combines genres and styles that are important to him right now in one single.
”One of the main points of the song is ‘don’t give up’. Even the smallest spark can get things going if you just try. Musically speaking, the song contains afro-vibes, cosmic soundscapes and so much more,” describes Markin.
UMK24 jury: ”Jesse Markin is one of Finland’s most highly respected indie names and internationally renowned artists. Glow is a unique combination of afro-house, uplifting summery energy and Jesse’s technically masterful lyrics and rapping. The song is full of interesting details, which build a stylish and personal whole around the optimistic chorus and dance pianos”.
Jesse Markin’s Glow will be released on Tuesday, 16 January at midnight.
Windows95man – No Rules
Windows95man is an embodiment of the 90s, who frees a once timid family man from his everyday life. It all started when Teemu Keisteri’s home videos on YouTube began to circulate all over the world. One of the videos even ended up in a commercial aired during an NHL game.
In 2013, a DJ gig the Flow Festival brought the character known as Windows95man to life. His artist costume consists of a pair of very cut-off shorts made by Keisteri’s friend and a Windows95 t-shirt ordered online. Since then, Windows95man has performed at Helsinki’s New Year’s celebration in 2022, as an opening act for Käärijä at the Helsinki Ice Hall and at numerous smaller events.
Many have also come across his character, who is known for his wild and crazy stage performances, in a YouTube video, where he gets an entire planeload of passengers to lose control to Darude’s Sandstorm.
At UMK, Windows95man will be releasing his very first single, No Rules. The song title refers to the artist’s motto, which appears in both his music and other artistic productions. In addition to his DJ gigs, Keisteri is a visual artist who is known for his artist persona, Ukkeli: a representation of cultural phenomena.
Henri Piispanen is the singer in No Rules. Keisteri explains that the chorus of the song was so challenging that he had trouble finding a singer with enough technical skill to pull it off. Piispanen was the only one whose voice could go high enough.
”In my opinion, all Finns are a bit looney tunes deep inside, and I wanted to bring that out more. Now I can share my music with an even bigger audience as well as spread the joyous message of No Rules,” says Keisteri.
UMK24 jury: ”Known until now as the ultimate party DJ, Windows95man is releasing his first own song in UMK. Nostalgic Eurodance influences and fast tempos are on the rise all over the world and No Rules offers both in a fabulous package. The song has the same irresistible exuberance and unique energy which Windows95man has used to captivate people all over Finland and the world.
Windows95man’s No Rules will be released on Wednesday, 17 January at midnight.
Sini Sabotage – Kuori mua
Having sung and played music since childhood, Sini Sabotage rose to fame with her 2013 hit Levikset repee. The song shot up the Official Finnish Charts to number one for Singles and Downloads, and it went gold in 2013.
Sabotage’s accomplishments blazed a trail for female rap artists in Finland.
Sabotage’s first album 22 m² was released in 2013. The album was well-received and brought added exposure to Sabotage’s music. After 2013, Sabotage has released one EP and numerous singles: her meteoric rise to the top of Finnish music left a permanent mark on popular culture.
Sabotage considers her 2020 album Blueberry Makkonen to be one of her most important works. The album is the first one that Sabotage says she was able to write without any outside pressure.
UMK marks a new chapter for Sabotage, or in her own words, a completely new book. According to Sabotage, the colorful contest entry Kuori mua (”Peel me”) was inspired by ”a few fireball shots” and a collaborative brainstorming session. The song’s co-creator Vilma Virintie described how Sabotage is like an onion, with its many layers.
”We’re never just what we appear to be on the outside at any given moment. We all have many sides and so much more to give than just one picture, song or moment,” says Virintie.
UMK24 jury: ”Renowned for her classic song Levikset repee, Sini Sabotage is retaking the big stage with style and stepping back into the media spotlight with her UMK entry Kuori mua. The song is an unabashed dance banger and will be playing in clubs throughout Finland this year. The song beautifully combines Sini’s gorgeous singing voice, technical rapping, insightful lyrics and piano playing. A wonderful comeback for such a wonderful artist”.
Sini Sabotage’s Kuori mua will be released on Thursday, 18 January at midnight.
Mikael Gabriel x nublu – Vox populi
Mikael Gabriel and Estonian rapper nublu are among the most successful rap artists in their respective countries. Released in 2010, Mikael Gabriel’s debut album Pohjosen poika was well received, and the singles on his 2015 album Versus broke streaming records even before the album was officially released.
Nublu rose to become Estonia’s biggest artist and rap phenomenon when he was voted Hip-Hop/Rap/R&B Artist of the Year in 2020. A collaboration by Gabriel and nublu, Universum, was released that same year, quickly rising to become the most listened-to single in both countries on Spotify.
Gabriel and nublu found each other through social media. Gabriel had heard about nublu, but did not know anything about Estonian rap music. Gabriel admits that he had certain preconceptions, but hearing nublu’s material turned them right around.
Mikael Gabriel x nublu’s UMK entry is called Vox Populi. The song talks about how it is sometimes hard to know what’s true and what isn’t in such polarised public forums. According to the artists, the song is extremely topical in today’s world, which is filled with populism and people droning on endlessly about their own truths.
”The song deals with political and cultural divides, saying that even though we’re all entitled to our own opinions, it doesn’t necessarily make them true. Everyone should use their voice, but at the same time you should also keep in mind that you will be judged no matter what,” says Gabriel.
UMK24 jury: ”Mikael Gabriel and nublu are two of the most well-known and popular artists in Finland and Estonia, and they are entering UMK as a duo with a song that will surely be a surprise for many. Their previous collaborations were rap-driven, but this time round the song is a truly unique combination of dance sounds, punky rock and contemporary hyperpop. The crowning touch is an inescapably catchy chorus, which will grab you the first time you listen to it”.
Mikael Gabriel x nublu’s Vox populi will be released on Friday, 19 January at midnight.