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Alma (Finnish singer)

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Alma
Alma in March 2018
Alma in March 2018
Background information
Birth nameAlma-Sofia Miettinen
Born (1996-01-17) 17 January 1996 (age 28)
Kuopio, Finland
GenresPop
Occupations
  • Singer
  • songwriter
InstrumentVocals
Years active2013–present
Labels
Websitecyberalma.com

Alma-Sofia Miettinen (born 17 January 1996), known professionally as Alma (stylised in all caps), is a Finnish singer and songwriter. Beginning her career in 2013, she placed fifth in the seventh season of the Finnish version of Idol. Her breakthrough came in 2015 when she was featured on the single "Muuta ku mä" by Sini Sabotage, and was subsequently signed to Universal Music Group.

The following year she released the singles "Karma" and "Dye My Hair", both of which became top ten hits in Finland. Her 2017 single "Chasing Highs" repeated this success, and also reached the top twenty in Germany and the United Kingdom. Her extended play Heavy Rules Mixtape was released in 2018 and reached the top ten in Finland. She has collaborated frequently with English singer Charli XCX, Swedish singer Tove Lo, Danish singer MØ, English DJ Digital Farm Animals who produced most of the songs of her debut album and most recently, American singer Miley Cyrus.

Career

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2013: Idols

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In 2013, at age 17, Alma auditioned for the seventh season of Finnish Idols. She progressed to the live shows, where she finished fifth.[1]

Idols performances and results
Episode Theme Song Result
Audition — — Through to live shows
1. Final — "Welcome to My Life" – Sunrise Avenue Safe
3. Final — "Price Tag" – Jessie J Safe
5. Final — "Sekaisin" – J. Karjalainen Safe
7. Final — "In the Shadows" – The Rasmus Eliminated

2015–2016: Dye My Hair and breakthrough

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In 2015, she was featured on Sini Sabotage's single "Muuta ku mä".[2][3] In March 2016, Alma was signed to Universal Music, and in June she released her first single "Karma". The song peaked at number 5 on the Finnish Singles Chart.[4] She is also the featured vocalist on the Felix Jaehn song "Bonfire". The song was released as a single in July 2016.[5] In September 2016, Alma was confirmed to play at the 31st edition of Eurosonic Noorderslag in Groningen, NL.[6] On 28 October 2016, she released her debut EP Dye My Hair.

2017: Chasing Highs, Phases and collaborations

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She released the single "Chasing Highs" in March 2017. The song peaked at number 10 on the Finnish Singles Chart. In June it was released in the UK, and became Alma's first UK top 20 hit.[7] She was featured on the Sub Focus' song "Don't You Feel It", released as a single in May 2017.[8] She was also the featured vocalist on Martin Solveig's song "All Stars" which was released as a single in June 2017.[9] In September 2017, Alma released stand-alone single "Phases" with Moroccan-American rapper French Montana.[10] In December 2017, she collaborated with Charli XCX and Tove Lo on track "Out of My Head" from XCX's fourth mixtape Pop 2.[11]

2018: Heavy Rules Mixtape, Bitches and Cowboy

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On 26 February 2018, Alma announced that her second extended play which is called Heavy Rules Mixtape will be released on 2 March 2018.[12] The record peaked at number nine in Finland and number 41 in Sweden. "Good Vibes" with Swedish singer-songwriter Tove Styrke peaked at number 91 on Swedish Charts, despite not being released as a track from the project. On 4 June 2018, Tove Lo announced the remix of her song "Bitches" from her third studio album Blue Lips. Aside from Alma, the song, also features Charli XCX, Icona Pop and Elliphant. The track was released on 7 June.[13][14] In October 2018, Alma released a stand-alone track "Cowboy".[15]

2019: Stand-alone singles, EP and Bad News Baby

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On 1 February, she released "When I Die" which was supposed to be a lead single from her debut studio album.[16] Two weeks later, on 15 February, Alma released "Summer" a supposed second track from her debut album. "Lonely Night" was announced on 11 June and was later released on 15 June.[17] Her third EP Have U Seen Her? (Part I) consisting of two tracks was released on 1 November. Both tracks were later included on Have U Seen Her?.[18] An actual lead single from her debut album "Bad News Baby" was released on 22 November.[19]

2020: Have U Seen Her?

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Have U Seen Her ? (Part II), singer's fourth EP was released on 13 March, the project has three tracks which were later included on an actual album.[20] Her debut studio album Have U Seen Her? was released on 15 May.[21][22]

2022–2023: Time Machine

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After a two-year hiatus, Alma started to tease a new single starting from 3 June 2022.[23] She came back on 1 July 2022, with "Everything Beautiful" which serves as the lead track from her second studio album.[24] "I Forgive Me" was released on 12 August 2022, as the second track from her second album.[25] Alma dropped "Summer Really Hurt Us" on 23 September 2022, as the third track from her second album. "Hey Mom Hey Dad" was released on 20 January 2023, as the fourth track.[26] Alma finally announced that her second studio album Time Machine will be released on 21 April 2023.[27] "Tell Mama" was released as the fifth and final track from Time Machine.[28] Later that year, Alma toured Europe to promote her second studio album.

2024–present: Collaboration, documentary release

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On 12 January 2024, Slowboy has released his collaboration with Alma and Digital Farm Animals called "Fake Friends". In March 2024, a documentary film called "Life Must Be Beautiful" was released in Finnish theaters. It was directed by Finnish actress and director Pamela Tola.[29] A day before the documentary was released, Alma dropped a single with the same name.

Personal life

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In a March 2019 article in Gay Times, Alma confirmed she is a lesbian and in a relationship.[30] Her partner is the Finnish poet and civil rights activist Natalia Kallio.[31]

Discography

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Main article: Alma discography

Selected releases

Filmography

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Year Title Role Notes
2013 Idols Herself; contestant Season 7
2018[32] Yökylässä Maria Veitola Herself Season 3, Episode 9
2024 Life Must Be Beautiful Herself Documentary

Tours

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Headlining

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  • Minitour Europe (2016)
  • E.U.R.O Tour (2018)
  • Have U Seen Her Tour (2019)
  • Europe Tour (2022)
  • Time Machine Tour (2023)

Support

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Awards and nominations

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Award Year[a] Nominee(s) Category Result Ref.
Danish GAFFA Awards 2021 Herself Best International Solo Act Nominated [33]
Have U Seen Her? Best International Album Nominated
EBBA Awards 2018 Herself European Border Breakers Award Won [34]
Emma-gaala 2016 Herself Export Emma of the Year Won [35]
Newcomer of the Year Won
Artist of the Year Nominated
Dye My Hair Pop of the Year Nominated
"Karma" Song of the Year Nominated
Music Video of the Year Nominated
2017 Herself Export Emma of the Year Won
"Chasing Highs" Song of the Year Won
2018 Herself Female Artist of the Year Nominated
2019 Have U Seen Her? Pop of the Year Nominated
2023 Time Machine Critics' Choice Won
Album of the Year Nominated
Herself Artist of the Year Nominated
Time Machine Pop of the Year Nominated
MTV Europe Music Awards 2017 Herself Best Finnish Act Won [36]
2019 Nominated [37]
Rober Awards Music Poll 2018 "Out of My Head" (with Charli XCX & Tove Lo) Floorfiller of the Year Nominated [38]
Satellite Awards 2019 "Don't Call Me Angel" Best Original Song Nominated [39]
Sound of... 2018 Herself Sound of 2018 Nominated [40]
Sweden GAFFA Awards 2019 Herself Best International Artist Nominated [41]
WDM Radio Awards 2018 "All Stars" Best Dancefloor Track Nominated [42]

Notes

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  1. ^ Indicates the year of ceremony. Each year is linked to the article about the awards held that year, wherever possible.

References

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  1. ^ Koivu, Viivi (16 August 2016). "Artistilupaus Alma erottuu tyylillään ja rohkeudellaan: "Aina kun olen ulkomailla, jengi on innoissaan"". Gloria. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  2. ^ "Suomen Idolsista kansainväliselle uralle – poplupaus Alman hype on poikkeuksellinen". Ylex. 6 June 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  3. ^ Mäntylä, Eveliina. "Karma-tähti Alma Miettinen löysi kadotetun itsevarmuuden: "Ei saa jäädä himaan paskojen asioiden kanssa"". Me naiset. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  4. ^ "Idols-Alma solmi kansainvälisen levytyssopimuksen". MTV. 30 May 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  5. ^ "Alma yhteistyössä kansainvälisen huippu DJn kanssa – kuuntele uusi kappale". Kiss. Archived from the original on 2 September 2016. Retrieved 31 August 2016.
  6. ^ "First European Artists Confirmed for Eurosonic Noorderslag – Eurosonic Noorderslag". Eurosonic Noorderslag. Archived from the original on 2 August 2017. Retrieved 11 October 2016.
  7. ^ "Chasing Highs by Alma". acharts. Retrieved 7 August 2017.
  8. ^ Don't You Feel It (feat. Alma) – Single by Sub Focus, 11 May 2017, retrieved 19 November 2022
  9. ^ All Stars (feat. Alma) – Single by Martin Solveig, 16 June 2017, retrieved 19 November 2022
  10. ^ Myles, Tanzer (11 October 2017). "ALMA parties with French Montana in the Charli XCX-directed clip for "Phases"". The Fader.
  11. ^ Nied, Mike (8 December 2017). "Charli XCX, Tove Lo & ALMA's "Out Of My Head" Is A Glistening Bop". Idolator. Retrieved 8 December 2017.
  12. ^ Wass, Mike (26 February 2018). "ALMA Announces 'Heavy Rules' Mixtape Featuring MØ, Tove Styrke & Kiiara". Idolator. Retrieved 18 March 2020.
  13. ^ Trendell, Andrew (7 June 2018). "Tove Lo unveils NSFW video for new remix of 'Bitches' featuring Charli XCX, ALMA, Icona Pop and Elliphant". NME. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  14. ^ Jones, Abby (5 June 2018). "Tove Lo Teases New Single 'Bitches' Featuring Charli XCX, Alma, Icona Pop & Elliphant". Billboard. Retrieved 7 June 2018.
  15. ^ Renshaw, David (26 October 2018). "ALMA changes things up with new video "Cowboy"". The Fader. Retrieved 2 May 2020.
  16. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (1 February 2019). "ALMA announces debut album, shares infectious lead single "When I Die"". The Line of Best Fit.
  17. ^ "Lonely Night – Coming Soon 💚". 10 June 2019. Retrieved 11 June 2019 – via Twitter.
  18. ^ "Have U Seen Her? (Part I) / ALMA". Tidal. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  19. ^ "Bad News Baby – Single by Alma on Apple Music". Apple Music. 22 November 2019. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  20. ^ "Have U Seen Her? (Part II) / ALMA". Tidal. Retrieved 10 September 2020.
  21. ^ Ginsberg, Gab (13 March 2020). "Why Alma Had to Sign a New Record Deal in Order to Release Her Debut Album". Billboard. Retrieved 11 May 2020.
  22. ^ Padin, Malvika (14 May 2020). "It's finally here. The long-awaited debut from Finnish cyber-pop star ALMA". The Line of Best Fit.
  23. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (3 June 2022). "ALMA teases new single "Everything Beautiful"". The Line of Best Fit.
  24. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (1 July 2022). "ALMA returns with first single of 2022 "Everything Beautiful"". The Line of Best Fit.
  25. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (9 August 2022). "ALMA announces new song "I Forgive Me"". The Line of Best Fit.
  26. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (20 January 2023). "ALMA shares new song "Hey Mom Hey Dad"". The Line of Best Fit.
  27. ^ Kenneally, Cerys (2 March 2023). "ALMA announces second album 'Time Machine'". The Line of Best Fit.
  28. ^ Damara Kelly, Tyler (31 March 2023). "ALMA shares new single "Tell Mama"". The Line of Best Fit.
  29. ^ Iikka Taavitsainen (11 January 2024). "Laulaja Alman urasta ja elämästä kertova dokumenttielokuva ensi-iltaan maaliskuussa" (in Finnish). Savon Sanomat. Retrieved 29 January 2024.
  30. ^ "ALMA is ready to be the queer female popstar she always wanted to see". Gay Times. March 2019. Retrieved 31 December 2019.
  31. ^ Määttänen, Juuso (5 February 2020). "Natalia Kallio kirjoitti feministisen runokirjan mutta häneltä kyseltiin vain parisuhteesta laulaja Alman kanssa" (in Finnish). Helsingin Sanomat. Retrieved 5 February 2020.
  32. ^ "Full Cast & Crew: Yökylässä Maria Veitola (2015– )". IMDb. Retrieved 24 July 2019.
  33. ^ "GAFFA-PRISEN 2021 | GAFFA.dk". Archived from the original on 11 January 2020. Retrieved 29 March 2021.
  34. ^ "The European Border Breakers Awards (EBBA) | overview". Archived from the original on 28 October 2020. Retrieved 9 July 2021.
  35. ^ "Emma Gaala – Arkisto". www.emmagaala.fi.
  36. ^ "Here's the full list of MTV EMA 2017 winners". NME. 12 November 2017.
  37. ^ "THESE ARE THE BIG WINNERS AT THE 2019 MTV EMA". www.mtvema.com.
  38. ^ "The Rober Awards 2018 Music Poll | Rober Awards". 25 April 2019. Archived from the original on 25 April 2019.
  39. ^ "2019 Winners | International Press Academy".
  40. ^ "BBC Music Sound of 2018: Will these artists define the year?". BBC News. 27 November 2017.
  41. ^ "GAFFA-PRISET '21 | GAFFA.se". Archived from the original on 27 November 2018.
  42. ^ "WDM Radio Awards 2018". WDM Radio Awards 2018.
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