The Rasmus’ hit song was given a whole new meaning by the Ukrainian band.
Kalush Orchestra became a huge success after winning the Eurovision Song Contest. PDO
The Rasmus band has recorded in recent years In the Shadows – completely new their hit songs. The new version also features the Kalush Orchestra, the Ukrainian band that won Eurovision this year.
The song bears the name In The Shadows of Ukraine (in Finnish in the shadows of Ukraine) and it combines Ukrainian folk music and rap lyrics.
Iltalehti reached out to The Rasmus to comment on the extraordinary collaboration. The group is currently on their European tour.
– This feels significant, big and exciting. This is also a big statement from us as a band, says singer Lauri Ylönen sitting on the gig bus.
– We want to support Ukraine. They feel wronged in this situation. The song is full of hope for the future of Ukraine, Eero Heinonen says.
– Maybe some of our fans have been waiting for an even clearer statement on whose side we stand. I believe there is no longer any doubt, Emppu Suhonen comment.
The Rasmus is grateful for the cooperation with the Ukrainian band. IL
The Rasmus got to know the Ukrainian band during the spring, when the musicians met at various Eurovision events. However, it all culminated in the five-a-side final, which was held in May in Turin. The bands performed together even then In The Shadows -song on a street corner in Turin. A video of the performance was already released at the time, which garnered a lot of attention.
– In The Shadows has been such a power song for them and they like the lyrics. Now they wanted to do it for this world situation and asked us to join, Ylönen says.
Emppu Suhonen says that the band practiced the words of the song together in Ukrainian.
This is how Ukraine aired its visa victory earlier in May. PDO
Ukraine has been in the news since February when Russia invaded the country. The long-lasting war situation has made musicians think.
– Yes, this war is on my mind every day. We talk about it quite a lot among ourselves, says Hakala.
– The situation is tragic. At the same time, it will be interesting to see how this turns out. Of course, we hope that we will still be able to perform in Ukraine for our fans. It is a dear place for us, says Heinonen.
The members of The Rasmus sitting on the couch of the gig bus hope that they will still be able to perform with the Kalush Orchestra on the same stage. They praise the Ukrainian band’s professionalism profusely.
– They have an important task of being Ukraine’s mouthpiece. At the same time, they bring joy and pride to their people, Ylönen describes.
The Rasmus is currently on their European tour. MIKKO HUISKO
Aki Hakala says that the Ukrainian band gave The Rasmus a special gift as a thank you.
– They gave us a flute, which was also seen in their five-piece performance. It was a pretty cool thing, he laughs.