Interview with Topi Latukka and Ossi Makela of Softengine

Interview with Topi Latukka and Ossi Makela of Softengine

Finnish alternative rock band 'Softengine' took the 2014 Eurovision in Copenhagen by storm when they represented their country with their self written song 'Something Better', earning them a very respectable 11th place finish in the Grand Final.

Now, just over one year on from the contest, the band are settling in to the life of stardom and are going from strength to strength, building up a very loyal fanbase, particularly at home in Finland.

I recently caught up with lead singer Topi Latukka and guitarist Ossi Makela for a quick Skype interview to find out what the guys have been getting up to!

But first... Let's hear about their Eurovision experience.

"It was crazy! But it was also incredible and so impressive. We were just a group of regular guys and all of a sudden we were performing on big stages and walking on red carpets. It was really different for us, but we really enjoyed it."

Softengine finished 3rd in the semi-final and then as I mentioned, 11th in the Grand Final, out of a total of 26 contestants, a feat that Topi and Ossi believe came as a massive surprise for the band.

"We didn't have any expectations at all going into the competition, so finishing 11th was a big surprise. We just wanted to perform really well, do our thing and then see what would happen!"

Since the Eurovision, the band have been working extremely hard on perfecting their music and promoting themselves. So they have been extremely busy!

"In October 2014, we released our debut album with Sony Music Finland called 'We Created The World'. It was really successful in Finland. We were surprised it went to well. So now we are recording our second album and a few weeks ago we released our first single called 'All About You and I'. We are releasing our second album in two parts, so we hope the first part will be out this October."

Obviously the album is the main focus for the band at this present time but they are full of energy and are currently on a tour around Finland.

"Yeah we are touring our home country at the minute and we are really enjoying that. The crowds are amazing! We have been playing in quite big clubs and at some festivals too. We were scared that people would think that we were just a Eurovision band but everything went well and everyone has been really supportive. We hope to maybe go to some other countries in Europe too! Maybe Germany? Germany is a possibility!" 

As I said, Softengine were signed to Sony Music Finland and the guys are really grateful for the work that they have done, in helping them become so successful.

"We are really lucky. Sony Music Finland does such a great job with our promotions, organising gigs and our merchandise. We sell t-shirts, bags, tank tops, sunglasses and stuff like that and fans can get these on our website!"

The ages of the band members range from 18-21 so they are still relatively young and they certainly have a huge career ahead of them. So what exactly do they plan on doing in the future?

"We would really like to become big all around Europe. Maybe do a tour and conquer the continent! We want people to look at us and say 'Okay, Finland can produce good music!' I mean, we were so young when we took part in Eurovision, we were really, really nervous. It was like a dream, but we loved it and we want to continue to create good music."

In truth, the Eurovision happened for the guys completely out of nowhere and it all happened so fast, so I jokingly asked the guys what their friends and family make of their new-found fame! I have to admit, Topi's answer made me laugh!

"They are really proud of us, but everyday my mom is like HOLY SHIT! So it is a little strange! But yeah, everyone is really happy for us!"

Well it certainly is the start of a promising career for this Finnish band and definitely a name to keep an eye on in the future, especially with their second album on the way.

You can contact the band on Twitter @softengineband
On Facebook - Softengine
Or on their website www.softengine.fi

EOIN!