They have never participated in the Finnish equivalent of Melodifestivalen, but now the Finland-Swedish Kaj is this year's unexpected success in Melodifestivalen.
I actually think that if we had participated with this song in UMK, it's not at all certain that it would have been the same success. It wouldn't stand out in the same way in Finland, says Jakob Norrgård.
Number one on Spotify
Kaj was founded in 2009 and has since then captivated the part of Finland's population that speaks Swedish as their native language, while the Finnish-speaking part of the audience has been more difficult to win over. But now the latter has taken them to their hearts.
We are number one on Spotify in Finland. It has almost become like a hockey mentality, that now our boys are going to the European Championship and competing for Sweden, says Jakob Norrgård.
Axel Åhman thinks it's unique and that the reactions were unexpected.
It was completely the opposite for Marcus & Martinus last year. In Norway, they were called traitors...
The Finnish hopes are therefore high on the group. They are second on the betting sites after Måns Zelmerlöw – and would have actually been satisfied with that result.
We get along really well with Måns. So, at first, we thought it would be great if he wins and we come second. But the longer time goes, the more you want to win. I would have appreciated it if a Käärijä-Loreen situation arose, says Axel Åhman.
He refers to the Eurovision Song Contest 2023, where Loreen got the jury votes while Finnish Käärijä won the audience's favor.
"Best in class"
Sweden is also known for being unpopular in Eurovision circles, since we have won so many times.
I've talked to Måns about that, that he gets so much hate from Europe. It's completely unacceptable, he does a great job. But people feel that they're kicking upwards if they hate on Sweden. You should always be the best in class, says Jakob Norrgård.
The song "Bara bada bastu" they have written together with a Swedish songwriting team, including Anderz Wrethov.
This mix between two countries is the recipe for success, it's a deadly combo. For us who are so influenced by Swedish music and culture, it's enormous to be in such a context, with songwriters and artists, says Axel Åhman.
John Lundvik – "Voice of the silent"
099-908 01 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 01 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Dolly Style – "Yihaa"
099-908 02 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 02 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Greczula – "Believe me"
099-908 03 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 03 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Klara Hammarström – "On and on and on"
099-908 04 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 04 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Scarlet – "Sweet n' psycho"
099-908 05 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 05 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Erik Segerstedt – "Show me what love is"
099-908 06 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 06 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Maja Ivarsson – "Kamikaze life"
099-908 07 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 07 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Meira Omar – "Hush hush"
099-908 08 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 08 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Måns Zelmerlöw – "Revolution"
099-908 09 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 09 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Saga Ludvigsson – "Hate you so much"
099-908 10 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 10 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Annika Wickihalder – "Life again"
099-908 11 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 11 (3.60 kronor per vote)
Kaj – "Bara bada bastu"
099-908 12 (9.90 kronor per vote, of which 9.20 kronor goes to Radiohjälpen)
099-208 12 (3.60 kronor per vote)
