ESC+Plus has had the honour to talk with Siru, one of the candidates to compete at Finnish national selection for Eurovision 2015. The young singer will perform “Mustelmat” at the UMK’s second semifinal set on February 14.
E+: Hello Siru! Firstly, we would like to know more about you. Can you tell us about you, your musical evolution and important achievements?
I have always been interested in music. I started singing and performing before I could talk. I have played many instruments and been in different productions (musicals and operas) through my life. Winning the Voice of Finland was a dream come true and at the moment I’m working on my first album. I am studying theatre music and music drama in a University of applied sciences to become a musician (musical singer). My former profession is Practical Nurse.
E+: Why did you decide to enter UMK 2015?
I’ve always watched Eurovision and secretly dreamed of being someday there singing my heart out. I got the choice of participating in UMK so I thought “why not, it’s a great show and competition”. UMK is a smaller version of the Eurovision so by UMK I could achieve part of my dream even if I don’t win.
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Finland in Vienna?
It would be an honour to stand on Eurovision stage representing Finland, singing my own song to all the millions of viewers! It would also be nice to be back in Vienna, because few years ago I went there to visit my brother and Vienna was such a beautiful city.
E+: In 2014 you became the winner of the third edition of “The Voice of Finland”. How do you think this experience can help you to succeed in UMK? Do you feel any pressure to be considerate one of the favourites?
It helps that I have sung in the live shows before and I have experience performing on a big stage. I’m quite laid back person, so I don’t want to take any pressure about it. I’m going to do my best, put my 100 % to the show and just enjoy. Then we’ll see what happens. 🙂
E+: Have you received any advice from your coach Michael Monroe or any other artist?
We have become friends with Michael and he has helped me after the Voice and made sure, that the “big, bad music world” will treat me well 🙂 He’s given me really good information and advice for the future.
E+: Your song is called “Mustelmat”. Can you tell us about the song and the story behind the lyrics? How was the composition procedure?
“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”.
E+: How are you preparing your stage performance? Can you reveal us anything about it?
I will practice a lot so that the performance will be perfect. There’s going to be a light show and I’m going to dance on stage. Let’s keep the rest of the show a surprise. 🙂
E+: What are your main strengths so as to get the support of juries and televote to reach Eurovision?
I am just going to be myself, just like I did in the Voice of Finland. Doing my hardest and enjoying. I’m going to keep my fans close through the whole journey.
E+: If you win the Finish competition, would you sing in Finish or in English at Eurovision? Would you make a new version?
If I win, I would weigh it really carefully, in which language I would be singing at Eurovision. The lyrics and the meaning in “Mustelmat” is so powerful, so the translation should be as powerful as in finnish. I think Mustelmat is already the way it’s suppose to be so there won’t be any new versions of it.
E+: Do you have any favourite song among the other UMK 2015 participants?
There’s so many good songs in UMK, but if I have to say one song, it would be Eeverests song Love it all away or Shava’s Ostarilla.
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? Do you have any favorite song in the history of the contest?
I have watched Eurovision every year, at least the finals. The stage is so huge and so is the crowd, not to mention the show. My all time favourite is Loreen’s Euphoria. I don’t get bored to it ever, even though I have heard it million times.
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your other plans for this year?
I’m finishing my first album at the moment. When the album is published, starts touring. I will continue writing songs and I’m just going to enjoy my life, because it’s brilliant atm. 🙂
E+: Finally, would you like to send a message for our readers?
Take care and thank you for the support, it means a lot!
You can find me on Facebook, Instagram.com and Twitter. Hugs!
