Tomorrow night sees the second semi final of UMK 2015, ahead of the show we caught up with the winner of the Voice of Finland and UMK hopeful Siru Airistola. Here is what she had to say:
It’s just a day until you will be performing on UMK, how are you feeling?
I’m feeling so excited and not nervous at all. I’ve prepared my show so well that I don’t have anything to be nervous about. I will just enjoy and do my best. I can’t wait to perform already!
You’re heading into UMK after winning The Voice of Finland 2014, what was that experience like for you?
The Voice of Finland gave me a good start to my music career. I got experience to perform on a big stage on a live show. It was such a nice experience, I wouldn’t change a thing and I would go again! And plus: I got to know a lot of good people, for example Michael Monroe, and we have become friends.
Before you won the Voice of Finland, did you ever see yourself being in with the chance to represent Finland at the Eurovision Song Contest?
I have always dreamed of being there, but never could have imagined that it can be this close. I have always watched Eurovision and it would be an honour to represent Finland there!
What was it that made you decide to take part in UMK 2015?
Someone from UMK- team heard my song Mustelmat when the song was only a demo- version. She/he then said that I should apply to UMK and I did. And here I am now. 🙂
You’re song is called “Mustelmat” can you tell us more about it?
Mustelmat was made in a song camp last May. Ilkka Wirtanen (my producer) and Kari Haapala (lyricist) got the idea of Mustelmat. They introduced the song to me, I fell in love and we started working together with it. Mustelmat is about accepting you as you are, with your flaws. You don’t have to fit in a certain mold, if you don’t want to. “You can be beautiful, even though you have scars.
“Mustelmat” is currently one of the favourite to win UMK, how does that feel?
Wow! There’s so many good songs in UMK, so it’s so nice to hear that Mustelmat is one of the winning candidates. But this saturday means a lot, so I gotta do my best and after that we’ll see how far that will lead. I will keep my feet on the ground and work hard. Nothing is settled yet. :=)
You are releasing an album later this year, can you tell us a little bit more about it?
My album will be released 27th february, so really soon! The album title is Solmut (= Knots), and it tells stories about relationships and feelings and struggling with them. Most of the songs are from me and my feelings but those which are not, are really important to me and I can identify with.
What would it mean to you to stand on the stage in Vienna, representing Finland?
It would be an honour! In the Voice of Finland I represented myself but in Eurovision I could represent Finland, my own country. That would be the biggest honour.
Finally, do you have anything you’d like to say to the readers of Eurovoix.com?
Thank you so much for the support I’ve got from all around the world. It’s been so nice to hear that Mustelmat has inpacted on you and you see the song as your own. That’s my main goal. You can find me on facebook.com/siruofficial, on instagram.com/siruofficial and on twitter.com/siru_official. Have a great end of the week!
We wish Siru all the best for tomorrow night’s show and for the future. You can watch the official music video for her song below:
Hope she wins 🙂