Anna Eriksson facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Anna Eriksson
Background information
Birth name	Anna Sofia Eriksson
Born	(1977-04-22) 22 April 1977 (age 48) Ihode (Pyhäranta), Finland
Genres	Pop, rock, art pop, experimental, film score
Occupation(s)	Artist, filmmaker, composer, singer
Instruments	clarinet, piano
Years active	1995 – present

Anna Sofia Eriksson (born 22 April 1977) is a talented Finnish artist. She is known for being a filmmaker, composer, and singer. In September 2018, her unique film M had its first showing at the Venice International Film Festival. Anna directed and produced this film herself. Later, in 2022, her second movie, W, also premiered at a big film event called the Locarno Film Festival. Anna Eriksson is one of the most successful singers in Finland's music history.

Anna's Journey in Music and Film

Starting Her Music Career (1995–1999)

Anna Eriksson first became famous after joining a singing competition called Kiitorata on MTV3 in 1995. Her very first album, named Anna Eriksson, came out in 1997. It sold over 81,000 copies, which is a huge success, earning a "double platinum" award. This means it sold more than 80,000 copies! The album had popular songs like Juliet ja Joonatan and Kesä yhdessä. Because of her amazing first album, Anna won an Emma award for being the best Newcomer of the Year.

In 1998, Anna released a Christmas album called Anna Joulu. Even though it didn't appear on the music charts right away, it eventually sold enough copies to get a "gold" award. The next year, her third album, Odota mua, came out. It included the hit song Ilta yöhön kuljettaa.

Eurovision and More Hits (2000–2004)

In 2000, Anna Eriksson took part in the Eurovision Song Contest with her song Oot voimani mun. She came in second place in the final. However, her song later won the OGAE Second Chance Contest. This is a special competition where the best songs that didn't win their country's Eurovision selection get another chance to be recognized.

In 2001, Anna's song Kun katsoit minuun was voted the best iskelmä (a type of Finnish pop music) of the year by listeners of Iskelmä Radio. After selling over 57,000 copies of this song, Anna won another Emma Award, this time as the Female Artist of the Year.

Her album Kaikista kasvoista, released in November 2003, also sold very well, earning a "platinum" award. The main song from this album became one of Anna's most well-known hits.

New Sounds and Film Work (2005–present)

In the autumn of 2005, Anna Eriksson went on a concert tour to celebrate her tenth year as an artist. She also released the album Sinusta sinuun. This album sold more than 50,000 copies and included popular songs like Ei se mennyt niin. Anna wrote most of the songs on this album with Sipe Santapukki.

In 2007, Anna released her seventh album, Ihode, named after her hometown.

Changing Her Music Style

Eriksson presenting her film M in Prague

Anna's eighth album, Garden of Love, came out in 2010. This was her first album sung entirely in English. It was very different from her earlier pop music. This new album showed a more personal and dramatic side of her music. Anna wrote and composed all the songs on Garden of Love herself.

In 2012, Anna released her latest studio album, Mana. She composed, wrote, and produced this album too. In 2013, Anna won the Teosto Prize, which is one of the biggest art awards in the Nordic countries. The Mana album was seen as a "bold change" from her previous work. It quickly sold over 14,000 copies.

Anna also started writing columns for the newspaper Turun Sanomat in 2012.

Becoming a Filmmaker

In September 2018, Anna's unique film M had its first showing at the Venice International Film Critics Week. This is a special part of the 75th Venice International Film Festival. It was a big deal because only one other Finnish film had been chosen for this section before. Anna not only directed and produced the film but also played the main role, wrote the script, created the music, and did the sound and editing herself!

In 2019, M won the Grand Prix and Best Feature Film awards at the Prague Independent Film Festival. The same year, at the Vienna Independent Film Festival, the film won Best Feature Film and Best Cinematography awards. Anna also received the Best Director Tarkovsky Award in 2019 at The Blow-up Arthouse Film Festival in Chicago.

Anna Eriksson also had an art exhibition in 2020 at the Rauma Art Museum.

She has said she doesn't plan to release new music very soon, but she still wants to perform as a singer. She is also planning to film in the United States. In October 2018, Anna released a song called "Gaia's Child" with the band Stam1na.

In March 2021, it was confirmed that Anna received money from the Finnish government for her new film, W. In August 2022, this political art film, directed and written by Anna, had its first showing at the Locarno Film Festival.

Anna's Personal Life

When Anna was a child, she lived in different countries like India, Saudi Arabia, and Tanzania. This was because her father worked there as an engineer. She loved singing and performing from a young age. When she lived abroad, she performed at many children's parties, embassy events, churches, and school parties. Anna also enjoys painting.

Anna married Matti Pyykkö, a photographer and cinematographer, on August 9, 2008. She had a son in May 2013, and her family lives in Uusikaupunki, Finland.

Discography

Albums

Compilation albums

Singles

Featured in

Filmography

• M (2018)
• W (2022)

See Also

• List of best-selling music artists in Finland