After the reveal of the competing artists at this year’s UMK, the entries are now being released. The third entry to be released is “Paskana” by Sara Siipola, which coincided with the release of the official music video of her entry.
Listen to “Paskana” on streaming platforms
Spotify
Apple Music
About Sara Siipola
Sara Siipola has been in the music industry for a few years now. She is renowned for her dark and soulful vocals. Her songs often are about serious topics such as loss. Outside of music Sara has graduated from university with a business degree. Sara has also taken part in TV shows in Finland, most noteably “Tähdet Tähdet”. When talking about her UMK 2024 entry “Paksana” she said the following
“I love writing songs on big topics. I really want people to be able to listen to my songs whenever they want to feel self-confident and connect with others,”
Sara Siipola on “Paksana”
Like all the UMK24 entries the jury that selected it for the national final had their say. This is what the UMK24 just had to say about “Paskana”.
“Sara Siipola is one of Finland’s rising vocalists with a stunning voice. Paskana is a touching and dramatic song, offering both tender vulnerability and uplifting power. It is easy to identify with the song, because each and every one of us has felt low (paskana) at some point. The lyrics and interpretation are full of raw emotion, for which the modern production gives a lot of space and support”.
The UMK24 jury on Sara Siipola’s “Paskana”
What do we know about UMK 2023?
Finland’s Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu will take place on 10th February 2023, and will be hosted by actress Pilvi Hämäläinen, singer Benjamin and presenter Viivi Pumpanenin.. The winning act will be chosen through a vote weighted 25% to the jury and 75% to the public televote.
The remaining entries in this year’s competition will be released as follows:
| Artist | Song-Title | Release Date |
| Jesse Markin | “Glow” | 16th January |
| Windows95man ft Henri | “No Rules” | 17th January |
| Sini Sabotage | “Kuori mua” | 18th January |
| Mikeal Gabriel X Nublu | “Vox Populi” | 19th January. |
Finland’s Eurovision Journey
Finland debuted in the 1961 Eurovision Song Contest, finishing 10th with Laila Kunnunen’s “Valoa ikkunassa.” Since then they have competed 56 times, and appeared in the final 48 times. Finland has finished in the top 10 an impressive 14 times. They have won the contest once in 2006, with Lordi’s performance of “Hard Rock Hallelujah” getting 292 points.
Finland’s most recent entry was “Cha Cha Cha” by Käärijä. He won the first semi-final in Liverpool, thus qualifying for the final. At the close of voting, he gained a total of 526 points, earning them 2nd place – Finland’s second best result of all time. Käärijä received 376 points from the televote, and an extra 150 points from the juries.
What do you think about this UMK entry? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we prepare for Eurovision 2024!
News Source: Yle
Photo Credit: Yle / Nelli Kenttä
Rory Gannon