Heidi Pakarinen: “I have been watching Eurovision since I was little” (Finnish participant – Interview)

ESC+Plus has talked to Heidi Pakarinen, participant of the Finnish national selection for Eurovision 2015 “UMK”. Heidi will sing “Bon Voyage” at today’s semi-final.

ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, congratulations on having been selected to compete at the Finnish selection for Eurovision 2015.

Hello and thanks for congrats, I’m very happy to be part of this competition!

E+: Can you tell us about you, your musical evolution and important achievements?

I was singing before I was speaking and my first public performance was when I was three years old!

At the age 13 – like teenager I found tango music and traditional Finnish schlager music, then I started to sing those songs as well. Then I had a dream, I want to be tango queen some day.

In Finland we have very popular “Seinäjoen Tangomarkkinat”- festival and singing competition every summer, and the winners are “crowned” as tango queen and tango king.

In the year 2013 I finally got my dream to come true and after that, I have been making gigs actively at the dance restaurants and dance halls with my band. We make people dance and happy by music!

E+: Why did you decide to take part in UMK 2015?

I am very emotional person and I got just big feeling about participating when I heard an advertisement via YLE. I just got the feeling, “this I must try to experience”.

After that I made a phonecall to Simo, the composer and told him, what I had in my mind.

This is not our first song and co-operation, we have been working earlier as well too.

 

 

E+: What it would mean for you to represent Finland in Vienna?

Finland means me very much. when I travel, I am proud to tell that I am from Finland, that I am a Finnish woman!

Eurovision song contest is one of my favourites, dreams to come true, so it would mean very much to me and people, who made this song. I think the song is just fabulous, it’s full of energy, what everybody wants to dance and sing!

Actually, I have always got party, when I have been watching Eurovision. Since I was little girl, we had somehow very special evening; we ate well, and maybe the best part of these evenings was, that I had a permission to stay awake long!

And now, how great it would to be part of this party in Vienna!!!

E+: Your song is called “Bon Voyage”. Can you tell us about the song and the story behind the lyrics? How was the composition procedure of the song?

“Bon Voyage” tells a love story which doesn’t exist any more. Me as a storyteller and the woman in this song, let her love go, because there is no future for them together. She loves this man and wishes him all the best in his life, she wants him to be happy.

Love is the most powerful feeling in the world, and even you don’t get the person you love, you wish just the good things for your love.

“Bon Voyage” is made after my “grand feeling”. The composer Simo Koho made this with Maria Söder, the songwriter actually we all had some visions about this song to “Wannabe”, and this satisfies us all, we made it in the teamwork.

 

 

E+: How are you preparing your UMK performance? Can you reveal us anything about it?

We have had some rehearsals with this wonderful YLE-team! I have been thinking very much “Bon Voyage”, how far is this trip going to be, but maybe the best part of it is, that future shows it. Everything is meant to be and happen, what in the world it is, the future will show it. I believe so.

I have been doing just normal things at home and at the work, jogging, gym, singing and enjoying the life, the moments.

I had one nice trip to “Playa del inglés”, where I was on the holiday and just little working. I get nice suntan and energy… 😉

E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What is your favourite song in the history of the competition?

I have been watching Eurovision since I was little girl! I have loved the Finnish songs as:
-“Valoa Ikkunassa” by Laila Kinnunen -year 1961 was the first year, when Finland took part of Eurovision.
-“Fantasiaa” by Ami Aspelund. This song is also in my gig repertuar!
-“Hengaillaan” by Kirka, who was my favourite singer also since I was a little girl.
-“Katson Sineen Taivaan” and “Tule Luo” by Katri Helena.

I have been enjoying as well the performances of Carola Häggvist, Laura Voutilainen, Hanna Pakarinen ( my far away cousin!), Jari Sillanpää (tango king as well!) and maybe the biggest surprice have been Lordi “Hard Rock Hallelujah”!

Last year I was fascinated about the winner song “Rise Like a Phoenix” and Conchita Wurst, just wow!

E+: Do you have any favourite song among the other UMK participants?

I have been listening very little of other participants, I haven’t got time! I think the most important thing in this UMK is, that we all participants have the same passion-music.

The best thing is, that we can make a great show with high professional YLE-team by music, we make entertainment to the people and to other participants too! Just love the music and people!

E+: What is your favourite music style? Do you have any favourite singer?

I like many kind of music, I love to open my mind also to the new things, and decide then, do I like it or not.

My favourite music is tango and schlagers, traditional dance music. “Bon Voyage” is schlager as well, it’s so great to see people dancing it!!!

I have many favourite singers, most of them are finnish.. Katri Helena, Kirka, Reijo Taipale, Paula Koivuniemi.. many good singers, many fabulous “feeling makers”.

 

 

E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your goals for this year?

I’m so pleased and very happy to have a trip to Argentina in march, to the “Cumbre del Mundial”- international festival, where we go with Seinäjoen Tangomarkkinat organisation. We are going to perform finnish tango there! My passion, my big love, tango!

I’m looking forward to Eurovision too in may, of course and Seinäjoen Tangomarkkinat- festivals in the summer, where we have great summer party!

Shall we meet in Seinäjoki in the summer, where tango and music plays in the lightful and beautiful summer nights?

E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?

I wish always all the best to everyone, I hope that every people can enjoy their life, live and feel the moments, because it is all we have at this moment.

I wish love, happiness and positive energy, which are the strength in life. It’s like “Bon Voyage”, have a lovely and happy life trip.

You can follow Heidi Pakarinen on her Official Website and Official Facebook Page.