UMK 2024 Song Review - Jesse Markin

Oriente train station in Lisbon. Couldn’t decide in which colour I like it more...

“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines, sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”

Mark Twain

LUX Light Festival in Helsinki

Last of Bologna! Now I’m out! Should go back to shoot some more :) 

Lisbon and the Tagus river! 

Eurovision 2017 favourites vol. 2

14. FINLAND

Take a look for the live version cause it’s better than the studio one. It wasn’t my personal choice but since it received most of the points I can admit my defeat. It’s scandinavic, dark, beautiful, poetic, controlled but still emotional performed by two artists that have a true vision. I just love the piano! The live version completes what you hear. Among all these power ballads this simplicity could actually stand out! I hope it reaches its audience. 

15. ESTONIA

Wasn’t so sure of this when it qualified but it does get better the more you listen to it. Well produced mid-tempo ballad with a catchy beat and sound. One of the best ones this year. Also the duet version goes well with the story. The staging should be good too! 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4vq3GFVeVE8&list=PLsTa5HSM8gbFNBl2v0F2t0DmeCCdObZJt&index=15

16. MOLDOVA

I understand why someone wouldn’t like this but it’s just because I do! This is the clown of the show but in a good way! So entertaining! I find them funny, uplifting and corny but they stand out with their fresh performance which is rich in sounds. Looking forward to live show in Ukraine!

17. AZERBAIJAN

This one’s even scary and haunting. Dark pop at its best with nice modern sound. I especially like the contrast between the sound and angelic vocals.

18. UK

I didn’t like this when I saw the winning live performance but I think it’s improved. Great singer! Something’s still off and I find the studio version still better than in live. There’s obviously power and emotion in here but still can’t help the feeling that something’s missing. It’s a good song but I doubt it will stand out. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ac5xNUfzCY4&list=PLsTa5HSM8gbFNBl2v0F2t0DmeCCdObZJt&index=18

19. ICELAND

You either like this or then you don’t. It’s a bit weird, even cold but I think that’s part of the charm. Interesting and organic electro pop sound but will it be enough? I believe it gets better the more you listen but then in Eurovision it’s a bit risky cause many hear these songs only once or twice. 

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sFyl7h4_H1k&index=19&list=PLsTa5HSM8gbFNBl2v0F2t0DmeCCdObZJt

20. CYPRUS

Heavy sound and deep electronic beats. Great mysterious opening! Dramatic but still catchy. Similar to Azerbaijan but it can stand out.I hope he does well!

21. ITALY

My ultimate favourite this year and I truly hope we’re gonna have the competition in Italy next year! This is pure joy from the begining ‘till the end. I find it very stereotypical but still oh loveable! Francesco is so charming and real and the song with its happy, up-beat tune stands out. Not forgetting the gorilla, what a charismatic pair! 

The geography of my way

It has come a time for me to change scenery and this time permanently. Having lived abroad now twice (short term) and somewhat knowing what this process and making the decision takes I felt inspired to write about MOVING ABROAD. Even though after last days’ tragic events in UK... in front of these kinds of headlines - you always wonder your safety and choices affecting on it but there’s no stopping now. Or ever. 

“Be not afraid of growing slowly, be afraid only of standing still.” - Chinese proverb

Basically the rule of being prepared for everything or expect the unexpected would go here perfectly but never mind how many months or years you’ve been gathering information and prepared yourself for one of the biggest changes of your life, however YOU WILL NEVER BE READY.

There are million things which you cannot be prepared for.. like that the cheese is way more expensive here than what it was back home or that the ice cream section at your new local store only has magnum! Not to mention that the settling in the culture and society takes effort and huge amount of time and patience or way more of everything than what you ever expected. Moving abroad ain’t one of those romantized movies you’ve seen on tv.

“Travelling is a brutality.  It forces you to trust strangers and to lose sight of all that familiar comfort of home and friends. You are constantly off balance.” - Cesare Pavese

Travelling is hard work. Goes for a full day at the office. Who knew that just moving your ass from one place to another and your brain having to deal with ALL that information fed by your eyes, ears and body can be so exhausting! But it is the adrenaline, the feeling of experiencing something new and unique that makes us learn, grow, change and so, to go back for more. Not necessarily to the same destination but just to hit the road again. During my travels the part I’ve ALWAYS hated is the part of coming back. So this time I’ll skip that one.

Before making the actual BIG decision of moving abroad you should understand that being on a vacation ain’t the same thing as living and working there. Life will have its routines, dull moments and troubles even across the borders which I imagine are similar to the ones you’ve already had in someplace else. There’s no running from it. It’s just the other side of the coin that makes you wanna stand the negative parts better. Whether it’s the sunnier culture or a better job or whatever that gives you the energy and desire to make it to another day but living without these positive things, life can be pretty heavy to bear.

Planning is always THE FIRST STEP, at least for me. Some do it without but it does smooth the way. Destination, practical things like working and living, then comes the paying taxes, having health and banking services. What about the currency? Do you speak the language? If you need to change/learn the last two things double the amount of work and time you will have to put in to survive! The beginning of the road is rarely easy and the unexpected part will come across more than once.

UNDERSTAND that you’ll be actually living away, you decide how far, from your family and friends. Your favourite things, tv shows and ice creams, everything you’ve called yourself a home and all that comfort will soon be gone. Then we’ll hit to the another painful thing. YOUR STUFF. You’re gonna have to give it all up. Everything apart from one or two suitcases and that my friend ain’t much. Unless you’ll have a storage (quite pricey in a long run) or another place (parents’ most often) where you can stuff them into. And to be honest, when I was in Canada for a year there wasn’t much I actually missed from my things in Finland. Unless you’re moving to the South Pole there will be stores and trust me you will be doing some serious shopping and buying new things that will replace the old ones.

I still don’t know what is it that makes me happier living abroad than home or what makes me go back to it. Especially coming and going, packing and unpacking, moving in and out which is so NOT my favourite thing to do. Wanderlust is is remarkable thing. There’s something very charming about starting over in a new place. There are no mistakes to be sorry for or things to regret. There’s the adrenaline whether you’ll make it and freshness of not having been embarrassed in front of anyone yet. And the feeling of uniqueness in each moment when you live something, meet someone, feel something. And having the power of your life in your hands knowing that any of this wouldn’t be happening without your leap of faith.

“Always do what you’re afraid to do.” - Ralph Waldo Emerson

Taking action is unique because we’re living in a world where people are talking mostly shit to be honestly. A lot of if’s, but’s, maybe’s and someday’s. I find this incredibly annoying. I wanna believe that I do have a control over my life and I can have an effect how and when things happen to me. You’re the only one that can make things like this happen to you and the only one stopping them happening. 

It’s also kind of cool thing to do. People will come to you to hear your stories but also give their respect for the big transformation you’ve been able to do in your life. It’s also equally rewarding to share these stories I OWN. Indeed my travels, experiences, memories and friends made are the most valuable things I’ll ever have. And if people don’t see the beauty and wisdom of it, then you’ll know they might not be your kind of people… or people who’d do the same as you. And that’s okay.

When on the road it does make you question yourself, who you are and where you come from and what is that you hope to become. You’ll learn new things, languages, habits, friends and still keeping the old ones, the best part of the past with you. Living abroad gives you perspective, contrast which is hard to predict in advance but afterwards you can’t remember a life without it.

Welcome is a cry and a comfort

So finally in CANADA!!

Toronto was huge and confusing with all of its different cultures.  Didn’t see much of it though.. gotta go back someday and figure out what’s that city is all about.

Because of the flight stuff I also missed the orientation at the local SWAP office which was the reason why I decided in first place to stay for the couple of days in the city and not continue straight to Montréal. But the staff was really helpful and they gave me all the information afterwards. I stayed in a hostel called Backpackers Inn and it was comfortable just for the one night but I was glad to go to Montréal and have a proper home there.

Like I said I definetely didn’t see that much of Toronto, only bit of the downtown area. The only sight/attraction I saw was the city hall or halls since there are two of them. The most recent one built in 1960’s and it was actually designed by Finnish architect Viljo Revell – never heard of him before though but all the publicity is for good right? Oh and I did see the CN Tower of course but you can see it from pretty much everywhere.  

I came to Montréal by train on Friday and I was super glad that I had the flat all worked out. I’m not a big fan of staying in temporary accommodations. The flat was as good as it sounded and most importantly not a false one! I like my room even though it’s small..but the size has obviously been taken account when decorating it.

Small things matter, I have a big mirror, trash can and a bedside table. I’ve never had those things in my room while living Spain. My roomies seem nice. All French! Don’t know anything about the rest of the people living the same building or in the flat downstairs where I’ll be moving in September.

I absolutely love the area of Mile End where I’m living. My home street is so pretty. There are lots of restaurants, cafés, grocery stores in the neighbourhood. The subway is at 15min walking distance and there are a lot of bus connections as well. I’ve got a bank around the corner and also Starbucks(!).  It’s a small town of its own. The landmark of city, “the mountain” of Mount Royal is also close.

I’ve given myself these couple of weeks just to adapt the change, the city and the language around me. I won’t even try to look for the job yet. I’ve just been shopping (because all my clothes were in the lost luggage), getting canadian phone number, bank account and sightseeing. This goes for a full-time day job, you know :D No problems getting a sleep in the nights.

The challenging part with the French quebécois is that the language is very old. They have an accent of their own, some expressions which don’t go together with the European French. Québecois won’t have a problem understanding Europeans francophones but it doesn’t work the other way. So I’ll have a bit of work to do there.  

Though they aren’t as unflexible as I had imagined. Lots of people seem to be quite comfortable in English and there are of course some English speaking natives as well in the city. I do try always to start at least in French even though I’d have to change the language along the way. There are lots of tourists as well whom they “have” to speak English naturally. But otherwise it’s very French here. The emergency exits, stop signs etc everything is just in French.

Things are different here than what I imagined but definitely not disappointing. 

Welcome

Even though it’s still early days of my life in Portugal - here’s a ”quick” update about my first 9 days in Lisbon! Tons of things I’m still missing, practical things like having a local bank account or a phone number and obviously the city, the country within its culture and language haven’t still quite opened for me yet.

Back in Finland I did manage to squeeze the last 30 years of my life into two luggage (apart from a few bags of clothes and dvd’s and cd’s which my mom took in) and get rid of everything else that didn’t fit in. People wondering how do you do that, but it is literally like peeling an onion. Prioritizing. One layer at the time. And yes it can make you even cry – or at least sad. Not everything you want or even need does fit in. Farewells  were as expected but it was comforted by the thought in my head that leaving Finland felt still very natural and necessary thing to do. I was on the right track. 

(Not all in that pile ended up coming with me)

My first down side came along already back at home when I was trying to get a travel insurance (or any insurance) which no finnish insurance company will provide me cause I don’t have a permanent address there anymore and I’m moving permanently out of the country. So I went on as insuranceless and hoped that all my stuff, all 56 kg of it would arrive safely in Lisbon with me. Luckily no problems there. I’m covered in health issues by my employer but not sure if I can get some insurance for my stuff from a portuguese insurance companies. Still working on that one. 

In my new employer’s support package for foreign employees included a pick up from the airport which was super handy since I didn’t know where I was gonna live (the flat was also provided by Teleperformance). And the guy picking me up wasn’t part of any international human trafficking as mom was so afraid. Positive things, you know. No, he was very friendly and professional.

But to be honest - I was super relieved that the company I applied EXISTS and everything was what they said it would be. Because when you agree online to something - you never know. But everything went fine and I didn’t become one of those horror stories you hear out there. 

(My new home - My room, the two pics, the messy ones above in the left)

The neighborhood gave me first a chill and not in positive sense of the word. It didn’t exactly wow me even though I wasn’t expecting any Ritz – I do pay only a few hundreds of euros monthly. The flat was nice though. A lot of light. There are 3 other people, at the moment all girls (2 from Austria, 1 French). Not super close with them but that isn’t necessarily a bad thing. However they’re friendly and helpful. 

In a nutshell there are washing machines (dishes, laundry + tumble dryer), one broken coffee maker (working on that), freezer (ice cream), two bathrooms, no balcony. And basically I have the other bathroom for my use only – a bit confused about why that is but apparently it has something to do with the locations of the rooms I guess (not complaining). Down sides.. we could have more kitchen wear, I CANNOT ACCOMMODATE ANYONE and it could be tidier here... but oh well it’s a start. I can look for something else if I get super irritated. Oh and we have a cleaning lady coming in once a week but she doesn’t touch the rooms naturally. And yes still people can’t mind their own messes! Apart from once locking myself outside of the flat even with a key (don’t ask me) there haven’t been any difficulties.

(Not my photo - I live 10min to the left from this traffic circle) 

But the location is really good. I guess I live somewhat in the Areeiro neighborhood. Feels safe. Lots of people with children, old couples.. Not a party district clearly. 10min away from the metro, train stations. Bus stops, pharmacy, groceries are right in front of my house. In the next block there are cafes, gym, more grocery stores, banks, hotels, restaurants… Airport is super close also. Not prettiest neighborhood in the city but living here – it works!

About the work. Well haven’t started that one yet properly. I’m having four weeks of training with 4 other Finns. It’s been confusing, interesting, cool, difficult, horrifying, fun and the list goes on… Tons of things to learn! But overall so far so good! I do feel like I’m at the right place and this is what I wanna do!

The city itself! Haven’t had much chance to discover it yet. Just the weekends basically. And there are so much to see here! I wonder what kept me away before. The city doesn’t exactly have that one, clear, symbolic sight which the people recognize the destination for but to be honest Lisbon doesn’t need one cause the entire city with its warm atmosphere and relaxed spirit is a landmark itself. It does remind me of Rome (old), Barcelona (green areas, palm trees, mediterranean atmosphere) or Québec City (stairs, hills). This is a perfect city just to get lost. Narrow old streets with tons of colours and details. Hundreds of hills and stairs make sure that wondering around here will go for a work out. People are friendly. They might not always speak English but they understand it pretty well. Super handy when you don’t speak a word of Portuguese! But I have managed with the help of my knowledge in Spanish, French, Italian and English – which ever language you manage to find the word the other person understands. I have a feeling I’m gonna be here for a while. 

The weather hasn’t been that bad as I expected. And yes by bad I mean HOT. I’m afraid of melting, you see. There were some +30 degree days but the there’s always such a strong wind in Lisboa that makes it feel cooler and then when it’s actually +20 it has a tendency to feel actually cold. 

When moving abroad what helps and has helped me tremendously in the past is to have someone at the destination. In Spain I had my future room mate getting me started with things. In Montréal and here in Lisbon I had a friend (THANK YOU!!) – and they were huge help when you just don’t have a clue about anything and for a brief moment you can just trust someone else to take the lead or you’ll always have someone to turn to. 

In general during this week  there have been ups and downs. I have LOVED and then I have just HATED living in Lisbon and Portugal. Strong emotions indeed. And so damn small things but very every day like! If I’ve learnt anything at all during these 9 days is patience! Not the thing itself but basically just that you should have it. I clearly don’t. I knew this and I was reminded of it but still somehow I was surprised. 

Always prepare yourself to have time and effort to have a second or third round of doing things before successfully finishing them. Especially if they are official ones. Forget customer service. Forget doing things online. And like I said in the beginning I haven’t even got myself a phone number or bank account yet. But like they say, no country was made to feel foreigners comfortable. I have definitely been feeling uncomfortable. But so did I in Québec and Spain. This is all part of the fun, the things you’ll be laughing about in a year. In the end things have a way of working out. You’ll find your way. You’ll learn how things work. You’ll adapt. You’ll have a different attitude. And that’s what I’ll be doing. 

UMK 2023 Song Review - Käärijä

The hype is very real around Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (UMK), the Finnish national selection for Eurovision and the race to Liverpool continues with ..... I don’t know what this is actually! 

Käärijä - Cha Cha Cha 

Most of Finns had never heard of Käärijä before the artist release of UMK23 a month back. Including me. So zero expectations. I didn’t know the language he was gonna perform, I maybe expected some dancy sounding tune based on the title. However, he described his song that “this track combines all three big Finnish loves together: party, pop and heavy music”. Should have known something crazy will be coming up ever since I read he’s a ESC Verka Serduschka fan (Ukraine 2007).  

Cha Cha Cha gets your attention from the first second untill the last one. You know right away that you have something in here. The song kind of starts with rap, there’s techno sounds also, the darkness reminds me of Hatari (Iceland 2019) the chorus is aggressive almost violent but catchy and memorable as hell. The music video is a perfect fit to this! Be prepared to be knocked out by some Cha Cha Cha!

There’s no one like this in UMK or in Eurovision. Then when you think you’re figured out the song everything turns upside down and the song becomes this pop-folk banger. I can hear Verka here actually! A definite late night dancefloor hit in a Finnish bar! The ending is explosive, just pure fireworks and you’re like WTF did I just hear. 

There’s a wide selection of genres here, just take your pick while trying to put this guy into one box.

Käärijä likes to confuse people and traditional sounds aren’t his thing. This is definitely clear! Cha Cha Cha will surely test boundaries, push some people away as it will cheer up and encourage others. This will surely cause a reaction and sometimes that’s all it’s needed from a decent hit and Eurovision song. In the end lovers count more than the haters. This is by far the most played and watched UMK entry this year in all the platforms. Foreigner ESC bloggers have been mostly excited about this and highlighting how Finnish language fits these hard sounds perfectly. 

I can definitely see this advancing to ESC (I don’t think even a bad UMK staging might stop people from voting for this!) and put my money on it that Europeans will this time around understand a piece of Finnish crazyness! 

What do you think of the fifth UMK23 track and would you vote for Käärijä’s Cha Cha Cha to go all the way to Liverpool? UMK final takes place on February 25th!