Photo Credit: Venla Shalin
The Rasmus have revealed that they have entered Finland’s annual Eurovision selection contest, UMK, Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu (The New Music Competition). The band have also announced their Eurovision entry bid and new single Jezebel, which will be released on 17th January 2022 via Playground Music.
Jezebel was co-written and produced by Desmond Child, who collaborated with The Rasmus on their seventh studio album Black Roses. Pre-save the single HERE.
“It was awesome to work with Desmond again. He really knows how to put a hit song together. Jezebel is about a girl who takes what she wants, without asking. A free spirit,” says vocalist Lauri Ylönen.
Speaking about the collaboration, Desmond Child says: “Lauri gives me a call and says ‘Hey, I need to write the biggest, greatest song in the entire world, ever. Will you do it [with me]?’ and I said ‘Yeah but I am in Folegandros (Greece)’ and he says, ‘I’ll be right there’,” adds Child. “Jezebel is an homage, a tribute, to the strong women of today, who own their bodies, who are in charge of their sensuality, their sexuality, and who are determined to be an equal.”
The UMK winner and Finland’s next Eurovision Song Contest participant will be chosen at the UMK22 event in Turku Logomo on 26th February 2022. The final will be shown live on Yle TV1, Yle Areena and Yle’s radio channels from 9pm to 11pm EET. The winner will be chosen by TV viewers and the International UMK Jury. Those outside of Finland can watch the show HERE.
In other news, The Rasmus have announced the departure of their founding guitarist Pauli Rantasalmi.
“I have decided to make my departure from the band and seek for new adventures and challenges in life,” Rantasalmi comments. “I want to thank everybody that has made this journey possible, especially all you amazing Fans, for the best moments and memories, I Love You. I’m eternally thankful to my band brothers for everything and wish the best from the bottom of my heart. Lauri, Aki & Eero, I Love You. Music lives forever! “This is not the end, it’s just time to turn the page”.”
“We have always been like a family, more like brothers than a band. We are still very good friends, and we wish Pauli all the best,” Ylönen concludes.
The Rasmus will tour across the UK and Europe in October and November 2022. See them live at one of the following dates:
October 2022
Mon 10th – HAMBURG, DE – Markthalle
Tue 11th – BERLIN, DE – Metropol
Wed 12th – WARSAW, PL – Proxima
Thu 13th – KRAKOW, PL – Kwadrat
Fri 14th – LEIPZIG, DE – Taubchental
Sat 15th – PRAGUE, CZ – Forum Karlin
Mon 17th – BUDAPEST, HU – BNMC
Tue 18th – VIENNA, AT – Ottakringer Brauerei
Wed 19th – MUNICH, DE – Neue Theaterfabrik
Fri 21st – MILAN, IT – Fabrique
Sat 22nd – BERN, CH – Bierhubeli
Sun 23rd – PARIS, FR – La Maroquinerie
Mon 24th – ESCH-SUR-ALZETTE, LU – Rockhal
Tue 25th – WIESBADEN, DE – Schlachthof (Halfhouse)
Thu 27th – COLOGNE, DE – LMH
Fri 28th – HAARLEM, NL – Patronaat
Sun 30th – NOTTINGHAM, UK – Rock City
Mon 31st – MANCHESTER, UK – O2 Ritz
November 2022
Tue 1st – GLASGOW, UK – Garage
Wed 2nd – BRISTOL, UK – O2 Academy
Thu 3rd – LONDON, UK – O2 Forum Kentish Town
Sat 5th – KIEV, UA – Mc Hall
Sun 6th – LVIV, UA – Malevich Club
Mon 7th – ODESSA, UA – Musical Comedy Theatre
Tue 8th – DNIPRO, UA – Shynnic House Of Culture
Wed 9th – KHAREKIV, UA – Mekhanika
Fri 11th – MOSCOW, RU – Stadium
Sat 12th – ST. PETERSBURG, RU – A2
Tickets are on sale HERE.
