Finland’s viral Eurovision 2023 star Käärijä has spoken to NME about crashing the High 10 singles chart along with his entry ‘Cha Cha Cha’ – in addition to the response to the competitors, future plans and discovering followers within the likes of Rammstein.
- READ MORE: The 20 maddest Eurovision moments… ever!
The singer’s monitor, fusing rap, steel, digital and schlager music, proved a favorite amongst Eurovision viewers on the closing of the Music Contest final Saturday (Could 13) – profitable the viewers vote and racking up thousands and 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 track to ever land within the High 10.
“It feels nice – I wasn’t anticipating that,” Käärijä instructed 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 know the way 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 numerous followers who wished to see me for autographs and images, however I didn’t know that I had so many on the market. I simply need 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 superb. It was so loopy to see all of the individuals chanting your title and the track – it was unbelievable. All artists have the identical guidelines, and Loreen gained and that’s OK. I’m simply comfortable that so many individuals gave me so many votes and supported me.”
Was he anticipating to come back out victorious?
“I wasn’t ready for that,” he replied. “After we made the track and launched it the primary time, in fact we thought we had been going to Eurovision to win. We thought we actually had an opportunity. That’s all we wished to do, however 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 model – 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 instructed NME.
OH MY GOD BBC North West Tonight interviewed a Käärijä fan considering 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 carrying a selfmade inexperienced bolero outfit or copying your coiffure. I’m from Finland and all the way in which 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 beloved ‘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 buddy despatched me a screenshot, which was superb as a result of I’m an enormous fan.”
Whereas the win for this yr’s victor Loreen marked her second win on the Eurovision Music Contest, Käärijä downplayed the probabilities of him getting into once more – as a substitute lending his focus to constructing on his present momentum and penning some new music.
“I feel I’m carried out with Eurovision. I’ll do it as soon as,” he stated. “This yr was my likelihood to win and I gained’t get one other. I don’t need 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 need to put out a brand new album, possibly subsequent yr, however I don’t know when.”
Can we count on any songs like ‘Cha Cha Cha’?
“A few of it’s the identical model,” he replied. “There’s some guitar music, some exhausting sound and a few sturdy melodies. I don’t need to have all of my songs like ‘Cha Cha Cha’ as a result of individuals get bored with the identical factor. They need one thing new, however there will likely be a few of the identical components coming.”
As for the quick future, Käärijä stated he was at present reserving a busy schedule of worldwide reveals and festivals.
“I’ve to take a seat down with my crew and determine it out,” he stated. There are 70 international locations who need to see Käärijä so possibly I have to do some sort of European tour. I need to – I promise.”
What about Glastonbury? “Is it potential?” he laughed.
In different Eurovision information, this week noticed winner Loreen announce a UK pageant look at The Mighty Hoopla Competition in London.
