Finland’s viral Eurovision 2023 star Käärijä has spoken to NME about crashing the Prime 10 singles chart together with his entry ‘Cha Cha Cha’ – in addition to the response to the competitors, future plans and discovering followers within the likes of Rammstein.
The singer’s monitor, fusing rap, metallic, digital and schlager music, proved a favorite amongst Eurovision viewers on the last of the Tune Contest final Saturday (Might 13) – profitable the viewers vote and racking up hundreds of thousands of streams on-line, however in the end coming second to Sweden’s entry Loreen.
Now, ‘Cha Cha Cha’ has landed at Quantity Six within the UK singles charts – making it the primary Finnish language tune to ever land within the Prime 10.
“It feels nice – I wasn’t anticipating that,” Käärijä informed NME. “I’m only a silly Finnish man who did one thing loopy after which it went viral. I’ve to take the time to consider what has occurred to me as a result of it’s so enormous.”
He continued: “I don’t understand how this occurred. There need to be some followers on the market within the UK. We performed a Eurovision pre-party in London and there have been lots of followers who wished to see me for autographs and pictures, however I didn’t know that I had so many on the market. I simply wish to say thanks to everybody who supported me. That is the most effective factor that’s ever occurred to me.”
Talking of the second when Finland topped the general public vote on the competitors in Liverpool and impressed some hope that they could win, the artist recalled: “It felt wonderful. It was so loopy to see all of the individuals chanting your identify and the tune – it was unbelievable. All artists have the identical guidelines, and Loreen received and that’s OK. I’m simply pleased that so many individuals gave me so many votes and supported me.”
Was he anticipating to return out victorious?
“I wasn’t ready for that,” he replied. “Once we made the tune and launched it the primary time, after all we thought we had been going to Eurovision to win. We thought we actually had an opportunity. That’s all we wished to do, nevertheless it hasn’t occurred and I used to be unhappy, however now I’m OK.”
In and round Liverpool and at Eurovision events throughout the weekend, many followers had been seen aping Käärijä’s trademark type – together with one hardcore fan who the BBC even mistook for the artist himself. “I noticed that! I’m unsure how actual that was, or if it was dishonest,” the singer informed NME.
OH MY GOD BBC North West Tonight interviewed a Käärijä fan pondering it was HIM pic.twitter.com/FweG13pwoz #Eurovision pic.twitter.com/cUwAEy85rO
— Scott Bryan (@scottygb) May 9, 2023
“It was so bizarre to see individuals sporting a selfmade inexperienced bolero outfit or copying your coiffure. I’m from Finland and all the best way over in Liverpool, and there have been individuals from Greece, Spain and in every single place doing the identical.”
Käärijä has even picked up some well-known followers since – together with members of Rammstein, whom he drew some comparisons to from viewers on-line throughout the weekend.
“[British-Norwegian DJ and producer] Alan Walker messaged to say that he liked ‘Cha Cha Cha’ and to ask if I wished to collab or one thing. The primary time I heard that I used to be like, ‘Wow’, however then Rammstein’s guitarist confirmed me some love on Instagram. A good friend despatched me a screenshot, which was wonderful as a result of I’m an enormous fan.”
Finland’s Eurovision entry Käärijä – CREDIT: Getty
Whereas the win for this 12 months’s victor Loreen marked her second win on the Eurovision Tune Contest, Käärijä downplayed the possibilities of him coming into once more – as a substitute lending his focus to constructing on his present momentum and penning some new music.
“I believe I’m finished with Eurovision. I’ll do it as soon as,” he stated. “This 12 months was my probability to win and I received’t get one other. I don’t wish to be an artist that individuals solely keep in mind for Eurovision.”
He continued: “I’ve some new songs and demos however don’t know when to place it out but simply because ‘Cha Cha Cha’ is so enormous and everybody is aware of who Käärijä is. I wish to put out a brand new album, perhaps subsequent 12 months, however I don’t know when.”
Can we anticipate any songs like ‘Cha Cha Cha’?
“A few of it’s the identical type,” he replied. “There’s some guitar music, some arduous sound and a few sturdy melodies. I don’t wish to have all of my songs like ‘Cha Cha Cha’ as a result of individuals get uninterested in the identical factor. They need one thing new, however there will likely be a few of the identical components coming.”
As for the fast future, Käärijä stated he was at present taking a look at reserving a busy schedule of worldwide reveals and festivals.
“I’ve to take a seat down with my group and determine it out,” he stated. There are 70 nations who wish to see Käärijä so perhaps I have to do some sort of European tour. I wish to – I promise.”
What about Glastonbury? “Is it doable?” he laughed.
In different Eurovision information, this week noticed winner Loreen announce a UK competition look at The Mighty Hoopla Competition in London.