Stella Christine, from Finland, will participate in the Final of Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2016 with her song ”Ain’t got time for boys”. During the first semi-final, Saara Aalto, Eini and her qualified for the Final.
She took the time to talk to ESCBubble about her song and about her forthcoming participation in the Finnish national final:
What was your first reaction when you were told that you had qualified for the Finnish national selection for Eurovision?
A lot of jumping and laughing and crying 😀
Is there a message behind your song?
The story itself in the song is something I think only a part of people can relate to, i.e. strong women who aren’t afraid to love and want to be treated better by their men. The message behind the song and my performance however is even deeper. I want to inspire people to stay true to their own thing and who they are and chase their dreams even when the odds of succeeding seem small. I’m called the “black horse” in the Finnish pre-selection of ESC because of my rare genre but I’m proud to be that. I hope people will be more open minded about the type of music that is sent to the ESC. I’m afraid only certain type of music is really considered to be qualified as “Eurovision music”. UMK has done a great work in Finland by giving different music styles a chance to be heard.
Could you tell us a bit more about yourself and your musical career?
I’m a 23-year-old starting artist who writes her own songs. I like to push the limits and combine different styles that are close to my heart. I write stories that inspire me, about true things in life, mainly love. I’ve graduated as a professional musician in 2014, I now work as a freelance musician and do gigs all over Finland in different ensembles. I’m in the beginning of my career and UMK is my biggest achievement so far.
Do you have any special ideas for your live performance during the national selection (choreography, dress,…)?
For me the main thing is that the music is the top priority, it has to be enough in itself. We’ve (me and the amazing UMK crew) only added small things that highlight the music and the story in the song, we’ve kept it simple but through that strong I think. On the stage there’s me with the guitar, two background vocalists and two dancers – a man and a woman dancing a very expressive and sensual choreography.
Do you have other plans for 2016?
I want to record and release more of my music. How and when we’ll have to see.
Do you have any goals for the contest?
To get my music out to a bigger crowd is my main goal.
Why and how did you decide to enter the contest?
I’ve watched UMK since it started and found it as a very good way for unknown artists to showcase their music. I knew I was ready to give my all and made a demo of the song I wrote and sent it to UMK. It was unbelievable that I was chosen out of hundreds, just a random 23-year-old gal from a small town and I was given a chance.
What would it mean to you, to get the chance to represent your country at Eurovision?
It would mean the world to me. The fact that the people of Finland would want me and the song I’ve written to represent Finland in the ESC would be such an honor.
Are you a Eurovision fan? What are your favourite Eurovision songs?
I am definitely a Eurovision fan. I have a lot of favorites but to name a few of the biggest “Rise Like A Phoenix” by Conchita Wurst, “When the Music Dies” by Sabina Babayeva, “Hero” by Måns Zelmerlöw (love so many of the Swedish songs) and of course one of our Finnish deputies from 2014 Softengine with their song “Something Better”
What do you think of the previous Finnish participants in Eurovision?
I’m proud of them all even though we haven’t been that successful besides 2006 when Lordi won the ESC. I think we’ve developed a lot over the years.
What would you like to say to your fans who are going to support you during the national selection?
I want to say a big thank you, thank you for believing in me and helping me to reach my biggest dream.
We would like to thank Stella for taking the time to do this interview and we would also like to wish her the best of luck for the Finnish national Final. Until the show, you can watch her performance, during the first semi-final :
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NmN5f6HJhOQ
