ESC+Plus has talked to Norma John, finalists of this year’s Finnish national selection for Eurovision. The duet will perform “Blackbird” in the final of UMK 2017 set to take place on January 28th.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Finnish national selection for Eurovision 2017!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
Norma John: We’re two musicians and old friends, Lasse and Leena, together Norma John. We’ve known each other since high school and that’s when we started making music together. Lasse has been working with several artists in Finland for over 15 years, doing also TV shows as a pianist/keyboardist. Leena has worked as a singer as well as writing lyrics for other artists.
ESC+Plus: What impelled you to take part in “UMK 2017”?
Norma John: UMK is one of the few arenas in Finland where new bands get the chance to take their music to the next level. We felt that now was the perfect time for Norma John to share our music with the rest of the world.
ESC+Plus: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the final? Did you expect it?
Norma John: We didn’t expect it so it felt very good when we found out! It feels really good that we get the chance to compete with a song that is very different from the rest of the artist in UMK this year.
ESC+Plus: What would it mean to you to represent Finland?
Norma John: It would be a great honor and we would do our very best to make both our finnish and international fans proud!
ESC+Plus: Can you tell us about your song? What is the story behind the lyrics?
Norma John: The song is about a breakup and the feeling when everything you do seems to remind you of that one person even though you are trying your very best to forget. It’s melancholic but also re-empowering in it´s own beautiful way.
ESC+Plus: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Kiev? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
Norma John: The song stands out from the crowd. At it’s best, music can have a healing effect and we hope that this song is able to touch the people who listen to it.
ESC+Plus: Have you thought about your performance for UMK 2017?
Norma John: Yes, we have, it’s going to be in the same style of the song, melancholic, simple and beautiful. That is all we can share with you at this point. You will just have to wait a little longer for more. 🙂
ESC+Plus: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?
Norma John: Yes, both of us have watched Eurovision since we were kids and there have been a lot of great songs over the years, to name a few; Euphoria by Loreen and Birds by Anouk.
ESC+Plus: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing along with, who would it be?
Norma John: This one is a bit tricky, but it would be fun to know what a song with Norma John and for example Johnny Logan would sound like. 🙂
ESC+Plus: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
Norma John: We are really glad to hear that our music is finding people also outside Finland! We are overwhelmed by the support shown in just a few days and hope that we can have you with us until the final. Follow us on Facebook: Norma John Official and on Instagram: @normajohnofficial for all the latest info, videos and updates.