Kuumaa is a Finnish pop band founded in 2016 in Helsinki, Finland. They released their first self-titled album Kuumaa in April 2019[1] and have since become one of the most popular bands in Finland with close to 150 million streams and three released albums.[2]

Kuumaa
The band's logo
The band's logo
Background information
OriginHelsinki, Finland
GenresPop
Years active2016–present
LabelsUniversal Music Group
MembersJohannes Brotherus
Jonttu Luhtavaara
Aarni Soivio
Okko Saastamoinen
Past membersAapo Närhi
Antti Heiskala
Websitehttp://www.kuumaakuumaa.fi

The band consists of singer Johannes Brotherus, drummer Jonttu Luhtavaara, bassist Aarni Soivio and keyboardist Okko Saastamoinen (live performances).

The band's most streamed songs are "Tulipalo" and "Ylivoimainen", which have both gathered over 24 million streams each and so streamed six times platinum.[3]

Career

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Career beginnings and Kuumaa (2016-2019)

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The band signed a record deal with Universal Music Group based on their first demo in October 2016.[4] Kuumaa was also signed to perform at the 2017 Provinssirock music festival before even releasing any music. At the time of the performance, the band had released their first single "Uppoon suhun", which was released in May 2017.[5] The band released the song "Hulluista runoista" as their second single in July 2017. The demo version of this song had led to their record deal.[4] After a total of six single releases between 2017 and 2019, the band's debut album Kuumaa was released on the 26th of April 2019. The album has since received the gold record certificate and the most listened song of the album is "Siks kai mä con sun".

Single releases, UMK and Hyvikset ja pahikset (2020-2023)

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After their debut album, Kuumaa released several singles such as "Kolme toivetta" and "Tarkotin sua" between 2020 and 2021. The production style of the single releases varied, and for example the single "Rakastaja" caused discussion inside the group as to whether it fit the bands catalogue. The song was still released, and created new visibility to the group on TikTok.[6]

At the time of the single release of "Älä sano sitä vielä" in 2020, the band made an unofficial world record of continuously playing a single song. The band performed the single for six hours at Mutterigalleria in Helsinki.[7][8]

At the end of 2021, the first single of the upcoming album Hyvikset ja pahikset was released. The single, "Oo vielä sekunnin mun" was added to YleX and Radio Suomipop playlists and won the NRJ Hitti vai huti (Hit or miss) voting a historical 12 times in a row.[9] The single has also crossed three times the platinum certificate limit with over 12 million streams.[10]

In the summer of 2022, the second single of the new album "Tulipalo" was released. It is the band's most streamed song with over 24 million streams.[11] At best, it reached number one on the Official Finnish Charts 9 times.[12] It also won the Radio Suomirock vote for "Song of the Year" in 2022.[13] The band released another single "Edelleen sua" in October 2022. The release wasn't as popular as its predecessor, but still has close to 7 million streams.[14]

On the 11th of January 2023, Kuumaa was announced as one of the seven participants in Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023, the Finnish national selection for the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. Their entry "Ylivoimainen" was released on the 18th of January 2023 and is also the last single of the album Hyvikset ja pahikset.[15] In the UMK final, they finished in fifth place with a total of 107 points (63 points from the televote and 44 points from the juries).[16] Despite the outcome of the competition, the song and participation to the contest greatly boosted the popularity of the band, especially in the "municipalities" according to the lead singer Johannes Brotherus.[17] "Ylivoimainen" climbed to the top of The Official Finnish Charts in May 2023 and stayed number one for 12 consecutive weeks.[18] The song has been streamed over 24 million times on Spotify[19] and it won the "Radio Song of the Year" -award at the yearly RadioGaala event in April 2024.[20]

Kuumaa won the 2023 Emma Gaala award for "Band of the Year".[21]

On 30 March 2023, the band released their second studio album Hyvikset ja pahikset.[22] After its release, the album has gathered over 80 million streams and so crossed 4 times the platinum record limit.[23] Since the release, the album has reached number one on the Official Finnish Charts 20 times.[24]

In 2023, Kuumaa played around 120 gigs around Finland.[25]

Pisara meressä and arena tours (2024-)

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Kuumaa won the "Band of the Year" award for the second consecutive year at the 2024 Emma Gaala awards. The Hyvikset ja pahikset album released the previous year also won three awards: "Album of the Year", "Pop of the Year" and "Best Seller of the Year".[26]

Their third studio album Pisara meressä was released on the 19th of April 2024 [27] and upon its release also reached number one of The Official Finnish Charts,[28] topping the list for four weeks. The album launch event on the 26th of April sold out the Helsinki Ice Hall.[29]

In the summer 2024, Kuumaa will be performing at some of the biggest music festivals in Finland such as Provinssi, Ruisrock, Ilosaarirock, Qstock, Kesärauha, Himos Juhannus, Tahko Juhannus and Tammerfest. They also have several shows at the Allas Sea Pool in Helsinki.[30]

The band will head on their first arena tour Maasta kuuhun (Earth to the moon) in November 2024. Performing in seven different major cities in Finland, the band will take on some of the biggest stages in the country such as the Gatorade Center in Turku, Metro Areena in Espoo and Energia Areena in Oulu. The tour will finish on the 22nd of November at the Nokia Arena in Tampere and upon finishing the tour, the band will take a break from performing until summer 2025.[31]

Members

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Current members

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  • Johannes Brotherus – vocals
  • Jonttu Luhtavaara – drums
  • Aarni Soivio – bass
  • Okko Saastamoinen – keyboards (2022–present, live performances)[32]

Past members

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  • Aapo Närhi – guitar (2016–2021)
  • Antti Heiskala – keyboards (2016–2022)

Discography

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Studio albums

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Title Details Peak chart positions
FIN
[18]
Kuumaa
  • Released: 26 April 2019
  • Format: Digital
  • Label: Universal Music Group
10
Hyvikset ja pahikset
  • Released: 30 March 2023
  • Label: Universal Music Group
1
Pisara meressä
  • Released: 19 April 2024
  • Label: Universal Music Group
1

Singles

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
FIN
[18]
"Uppoon suhun" 2017 Kuumaa
"Hulluista runoista" Non-album single
"Huuda lujempaa" Kuumaa
"Kuumaa" 2018
"Mun pitäis se jo tietää" (featuring Sonny)
"Siks kai mä oon sun" 2019
"Romuna" 2020 Non-album singles
"Rakastaja"
"Sä pilasit laulut"
"Älä sano sitä vielä"
"Ikävä sua" 2021
"Kolme toivetta"
"Tarkotin sua"
"Oo vielä sekunnin mun" 20 Hyvikset ja pahikset
"Tulipalo" 2022 3
"Edelleen sua" 16
"Ylivoimainen" 2023 1
"Tässä on kaikki" 3 Non-album singles
"Satama" 4
"Tuhoaisti" 2024 5

Other charted songs

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Title Year Peak chart positions Album
FIN
[18]
"Anna mulle mitä vaan" 2023 6 Hyvikset ja pahikset
"Eteisvalssi" 29
"Elokuva" 31
"Hyvikset ja pahikset" 22
"Hyvästejä ihanasti" 47
"Aaveisiin" 2024 28 Pisara meressä
"Kerran sadassa vuodessa" 2024 32 Pisara meressä
"Loppujen lopuks" 2024 41 Pisara meressä
"Luotan tulevaan" 2024 23 Pisara meressä
"Pisara meressä" 2024 8 Pisara meressä
"Suuren päivän ilta" 2024 27 Pisara meressä
"Täydellisin" 2024 22 Pisara meressä
"Valmiit" 2024 50 Pisara meressä

References

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  1. ^ "Album KUUMAA on Spotify". Open.spotify.com. 26 April 2019. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  2. ^ "Vuoden yhtye Kuumaa julkaisee kolmannen albuminsa". Universalmusic.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  3. ^ "KUUMAA". Open.spotify.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  4. ^ a b Suomalainen, Ninni (18 May 2023). "Miten uusi bändi löydetään, kun demoja tulee ovista ja ikkunoista? Näin huipputiimin taakseen saanut Kuumaa-yhtye kiinnitettiin" (in Finnish). YleX. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  5. ^ "Uppoon Suhun". Musa24.fi. Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  6. ^ "Kuumaa jääkahvikesää – Johannes Brotheruksen bändillä on kolme toivetta". Rumba.fi (in Finnish). 7 May 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  7. ^ "KUUMAA-YHTYE TEKEE MAAILMANENNÄTYKSEN – Universal Music Finland". Universalmusic.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  8. ^ "KUUMAA-yhtyeellä on yhä hallussaan maailmanennätys / YleX Game of Nose". Areena.yle.fi (in Finnish). 11 November 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  9. ^ "Kuumaa-yhtyeeltä rakkauskirje videomuodossa: oo vielä 7 minuuttia mun". Universalmusic.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  10. ^ "KUUMAA - Oo vielä sekunnin mun. Spotify". Open.spotify.com. 9 December 2021. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  11. ^ "KUUMAA". Open.spotify.com. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  12. ^ "Musiikkituottajat - Tilastot - Suomen virallinen lista: Kuumaa - Tulipalo". Musiikkituottajat (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  13. ^ Kujanpää, Lauri (25 November 2022). "Kuumaa-yhtyeen hitti äänestettiin Vuoden biisiksi". Voice.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  14. ^ "KUUMAA - Edelleen sua. Spotify". Open.spotify.com. 14 October 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  15. ^ Grace, Emily (11 January 2023). "Finland: Uuden Musiikin Kilpailu 2023 Participants Revealed". Eurovoix. Retrieved 11 January 2023.
  16. ^ Farren, Neil (25 February 2023). "Finland: Käärijä to Eurovision 2023". Eurovoix. Retrieved 26 February 2023.
  17. ^ "Kuumaa-yhtye paljastaa – näin UMK vaikutti suosioon". Mtvuutiset.fi. 10 February 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  18. ^ a b c d "Suomen virallinen lista - Artistit - Kuumaa". Musiikkituottajat (in Finnish). Retrieved 12 February 2023.
  19. ^ "KUUMAA - Hyvikset ja pahikset. Spotify". Open.spotify.com. 18 January 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  20. ^ "Niko Saarinen on jälleen vuoden radiojuontaja! RadioGaalassa palkittiin viime vuoden parhaat radiotekijät ja -teot". Radiogaala.fi (in Finnish). 12 April 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  21. ^ Sanabria-Rangel, Alvaro (6 February 2023). "Kuumaa: A Eurovision winner in Finnish? Why not? - Exclusive Interview!". EurovisionFun. Retrieved 13 February 2023.
  22. ^ "KUUMAA - Hyvikset ja pahikset. Spotify". Open.spotify.com. 30 March 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  23. ^ "Kuumaa juhlii uutta albumiaan Helsingissä huhtikuussa". Fullsteam.fi (in Finnish). 23 October 2023. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  24. ^ "Suomen Virallinen Lista". Musiikkituottajat (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  25. ^ Kokko, Tuomas (30 March 2024). "Musiikki | Johannes Brotherus kasasi puolivahingossa bändin, jonka suosio on kasvanut hysteeriseksi". Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  26. ^ "Emma-palkintojen 2023 voittajat – Emma Gaala 2024". Emmagaala,fi (in Finnish). 17 February 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  27. ^ "KUUMAA - Pisara meressä. Spotify". Open.spotify.com. 18 April 2024. Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  28. ^ "Kuumaa Pisara meressä". Musiikkituottajat (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  29. ^ Määttänen, Juuso (27 April 2024). "Kuumaa veti tyylipuhtaan popkeikan, jossa päästiin asiaan vasta kun pakolliset biisit oli esitetty". Helsingin Sanomat (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  30. ^ "Lisätiedot - Kuumaa". Fullsteam.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  31. ^ "Neljällä Emma-palkinnolla palkittu Kuumaa tekee tähän astisen uransa suurimmat keikat ja jää talven ja kesän kestävälle keikkatauolle". Fullsteam.fi (in Finnish). Retrieved 13 June 2024.
  32. ^ "Kuumaa 14 February 2022". Facebook.com. 14 February 2022. Retrieved 13 June 2024.