Today, the sad news came to us that Finnish singer Laila Halme passed away. Laila Halme, born Laila Soppi in the Finnish town of Jääski, was a Finnish singer and actress. She began her career in the 1950, singing in several orchestras. Her first single “Kaunis rakkaus” was released in 1959. In 1960, she released several singles and EP’s at the Philips label. In 1961 she debuted as an actress in two films: “Penkki” and “Tähtisumua”.
In 1963, she participated in Euroviisut, the national final for the Eurovision Song Contest, with the song “Olen mikä olen”. She became 3rd, while the song “Muistojeni laulu” won and Irmeli Mäkelä was chosen to sing it in the Eurovision Song Contest. However, Finnish broadcaster YLE decided to let Laila Halme sing it in the international final. She did not receive any point at all. A year later, Laila Halme represented Finland in the festival of Sopot in Poland. She released a couple of singles but left showbusiness in 1967. We only saw her back in 1987, when she hosted Euroviisut. Her son Jussi Halme is also a singer, he took part in Euroviisut in 1990.
Laila Halme was 87 years old.
Road to Vienna: Moldova
Road to Vienna: Moldova We cannot wait for the Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna Therefore, we take a closer look at one of the contestants each day. Today, we highlight Moldova. Satoshi: Moldova’s Rising Star Vlad Sabajuc, professionally known as Satoshi, is a Moldovan singer-songwriter and rapper quickly gaining recognition as one of the most exciting emerging artists in Eastern Europe. Born in Cahul, Moldova, Satoshi discovered his passion for music at an early age, writing his first songs as a teenager and teaching himself to play the drums. He later studied at the Academy of Music, Theatre and Fine Arts in Chișinău, officially launching his music career in 2019. Since his debut, Satoshi has built a strong reputation through a consistent stream of releases, including multiple albums and popular singles. His breakthrough came in 2022 with the release of his debut album under the Versus label, solidifying his position in the Moldovan music scene. Known for his productivity and artistic growth, he has continued to expand his audience both locally and internationally. Satoshi’s music stands out for its balance between energetic beats and introspective, emotionally driven lyrics. His versatile sound draws influence from artists like Linkin Park and Eminem, while also reflecting elements of Moldova’s local music culture. This unique blend allows him to move seamlessly between reflective tracks and high-energy anthems. Viva Moldova Satoshi delivers a vibrant statement with his track “Viva, Moldova!”, a high-energy anthem that blends national pride with modern pop appeal. Known for his ability to fuse meaningful themes with infectious production, Satoshi uses the song to celebrate Moldovan identity, culture, and community. Driven by playful lyrics and a festive rhythm, “Viva, Moldova!” highlights the importance of heritage, family values, and togetherness, while remaining accessible to an international audience. The track combines traditional influences with contemporary sounds, creating a dynamic and uplifting listening experience. Moldova in the Eurovision Song Contest The first Moldovan entry for the Eurovision Song Contest was “Boonika bate doba” by Zdob şi Zdub in 2005. It was the first of 3 entries by this band in total, and reached a 6th place. The best scoring entry so far for the country was “Hey mamma” by Sunstroke Project in 2017. They were 3rd. Also Sunstroke Project took part before, in 2010. With “Run away” they became famous: the sax player and his solo became the ‘epic sax guy’. The Bookmakers Currently sitting at 17th place in the odds, Satoshi is shaping up to be one of the competition’s most intriguing dark horses. While not yet among the frontrunners, “Viva, Moldova!” , Satoshi could easily climb the rankings and turn expectations on their head.
