SMK24 • Announcements & Jury Applications [JURIES ANNOUNCED]

Marika Hackman is an British folk and indie rock singer and songwriter. Despite being born and raised in the UK, her father is Finnish and she has always maintained a close relationship with Finland, having lived there for lengthy periods from childhood to early adulthood. Though she doesn't really speak much Finnish and hasn't been to Finland since starting her career in music, her interest in taking part in the Finnish selection bloomed after she found out that her labelmate, Mirel Wagner, was also going to participate.

"Time's Been Reckless" is an uplifting indie rock song with a rather unconditional structure. The song is off Marika's latest album, I'm Not Your Man, which is largely themed around Marika exploring her sexuality, expressed through a selection of fun, bouncy folk and indie rock songs.

Vilma Alina is a Finnish pop singer, who rose into stardom following the release of "Juha88". Her latest release and SMK song, "Syliin" also features Jon-Jon, a Finnish actor and singer, and member of the Finnish band Roope Salminen & Koirat.

"Syliin" (In Your Arms), is a synthpop ballad in Finnish, with an powerful explosive chorus.

Mira Luoti is a pop artist originally from Pori. She is best known for having been a member of the group PMMP, who also represented Finland at the 16th North Vision Song Contest, but failed to qualify. Her debut album was released last year to some success.

"Musta laatikko" (Black Box) is a progressive rock song. The black box, also known as a flight recorder, is a metaphor for memories, particularly bad ones.

Femme En Fourrure are a Finnish electronic duo, consisting of Sandra Tervonen and Juuso Malin. Both are producers, but Sandra also provides the vocals. Femme En Fourrure has also founded their own music label, FEF Corp. They describe their music as "made for DJs and catwalks, also for nightly promenades and oceanside sexin'."

"Smell" is a deep house electropop song, with a decidedly dark atmosphere. "Smell" also sounds like something out of Banks' earlier repertoire.