The first song of this year’s Uuden musiikin kilpailu (UMK) has been released. You can listen to the song ”Dancing with Demons” by Cyan Kicks here:
Cyan Kicks is more than familiar to Eurovision and UMK fans. The band participated in the Finnish national selection also in 2022, finishing runner-up with their song ”Hurricane”. You can rewatch the great performance Cyan Kicks gave us two years ago here:
Cyan Kicks is an alternative rock band from Helsinki. The band was founded in 2016, and their music is a combination of heavy rock music, pop melodies and electronic instruments. Cyan Kicks consists of four members: Susanna Alexandra (vocals), Niila Perkkiö (guitar), Leevi Erkkilä (bass) and Pietari Reijonen (drums).
In 2017 Cyan Kicks made a recording deal with a Finnish record company Ranka Kustannus, and their first single ”Feathers” was released in July 2017. Cyan Kicks released their debut album ”I Don’t Love You” in August 2019, and their second album ”I Never Said 4ever” in 2023. In 2022 Cyan Kicks described their music as modern rock that combines different styles.
According to YLE, after UMK22 Cyan Kicks has been touring around Europe, had a headline tour in Germany and, just recently, a tour in the United Kingdom and continental Europe together with the rock band Smash Into Pieces. The sound of the band is very recognizable, and that is mostly thanks to the band’s guitarist and producer Niila Perkkiö:
”You could say that our music is a metal heart in a pop wrapper”, states Perkkiö.
Cyan Kicks’ UMK24 song ”Dancing with Demons” was born after a long process and its final shape the song got in London in the legendary RAK–studio with the help of a British songwriter Dan Lancaster. The band tells YLE that the song is about harnessing one’s inner demons and turning them into a strength.
”Everyone has their weaknesses and demons, which we’re ashamed of and don’t want anyone else to see. Then, we thought what if we were able to make our inner demons our allies – what would happen?” describes the vocalist Susanna Alexandra.
The jury of UMK24 says the following about the song ”Dancing with Demons” by Cyan Kicks:
”Placing second in the 2022 Contest for New Music UMK, Cyan Kicks is convincing with its song entry, which brings the group back to the competition for a second time round. The song has a catchy, strong chorus as well as depth and unexpectedness, which will help it withstand the test of time and keep it eminently listenable. The sound and interpretation of singer Susanna are full of emotion, both during the slow sections and the more powerful parts of the chorus. The explosive energy of Dancing With Demons cements the band’s place as a strong, modern bearer of the Finnish rock tradition”.
What do YOU think of the song ”Dancing with Demons” by Cyan Kicks? Do you think the second time is the charmed for Cyan Kicks and they could take the victory of UMK24? Let us know in comments or our social media channels!
