Edea

Formation and Musical Style

Edea is a Finnish musical group that formed in 1997. The group consisted of five members, each with a different musical background. The band’s music blends pop with folk and mystical elements. Their song lyrics are written in an older form of Finnish and draw on ancient traditions. For example, the group took inspiration from Viking-age runic symbols and the works of composer Jean Sibelius when crafting their sound. This unique style gave Edea an ethereal and distinctive musical identity from the very beginning.

Eurovision Song Contest 1998

Edea’s rise to international attention came with the Eurovision Song Contest 1998. They won Finland’s national selection (Euroviisut) and went on to represent the country in the contest held in Birmingham. The group performed the song “Aava” (meaning “open expanse” in Finnish), composed by keyboardist Alexi Ahoniemi with lyrics by Tommy Mansikka-Aho. The performance stood out because Edea sang “Aava” in an archaic form of Finnish. The song contained only six unique words in its lyrics. Edea took the stage with an atmospheric presentation. They ultimately finished in 15th place, earning 22 points in the final. Notably, “Aava” holds a Eurovision record for having the fewest words of any song text in the contest’s history.

Post-Eurovision and Releases

After Eurovision, Edea released their self-titled debut album in 1998. The album featured “Aava” and showcased the group’s blend of modern pop and traditional sounds. Earlier, they had debuted with a single called “Jera” in 1997, following up with the Eurovision single “Aava” in 1998. The album reached the Finnish Top 40 charts, peaking at number 33 nationally. However, the group did not continue releasing new music beyond that year. Edea’s project was short-lived; after 1998 the band effectively ceased activities, and the members soon returned to their individual musical paths.

Band Members and Later Careers

Marika Krook was the lead singer and face of Edea. A classically trained soprano, she is a well-known Finnish actress, singer, and dancer. Marika began her career in opera and musical theater. In 1998 – the same year as Eurovision – she also starred in a feature film. She has since performed around the world in styles ranging from classical to jazz. Today, she also works as a vocal coach in addition to her stage career.

Alexi Ahoniemi was the musical composer behind Edea’s sound, playing keyboards and saxophone. He wrote the music for “Aava” and has composed and arranged for numerous other groups in Finland. After Edea, Alexi continued his career in the Finnish music scene. He became known in jazz and pop circles, collaborating with various bands and artists throughout the 2000s. He also worked with well-known Finnish rock and pop acts such as The Rasmus and Bomfunk MC’s.

Tommy Mansikka-Aho brought unique instrumentation to Edea, including the didgeridoo and jaw harp. He is a Finnish multi-instrumentalist active in folk and popular music. Before joining Edea, Tommy had been a member of the folk group Gjallarhorn. In later years, he remained involved in Finland’s folk music community and continued to perform with different ensembles.

Samuli Kosminen served as one of Edea’s percussionists. He was in his early twenties during Eurovision and later gained renown internationally as well. Samuli joined the acclaimed Icelandic experimental band múm and has worked on projects with famed artist Björk as a percussionist. His innovative rhythm work has made him a sought-after collaborator in the Nordic music scene.

Abdissa “Mamba” Assefa is an Ethiopian-born Finnish percussionist who provided Edea’s rich rhythmic foundation. After the group, Abdissa became one of Finland’s most in-demand percussion players. Over a career spanning decades, he has performed with major Finnish bands (including pop and jazz acts). He has also contributed to hundreds of recordings as a drummer, recording engineer, and producer. His versatility and skill have made him a prominent figure in Finnish music circles.