Markoolio

Marko Kristian Lehtosalo was born in early 1975 in Lahti, Finland, but moved just six months old to the Stockholm suburb of Orminge, where he went grew up and went to school. After finishing upper secondary school, he took a one year course at local television and while recording a mock music video on a bus he was spotted by two producers and his recording career as Markoolio started .

That was in 1998, and ever since he has regularly been releasing catchy party songs, which often have been frown at but nevertheless have become hits.  His television career has also continued. Marko has presented children’s programmes, starred in a viking comedy torn to pieces and co-presented the 2005 Melodifestival qualifying round from Skelleftea.  “Varsta schlagern” was an attempt to qualify for the contest himself, but despite being rejected by the jury, the song went on to become a major hit. He even recorded a Finnish version for Helsinki!

Homepage: www.markoolio.com

Linda Bengtzing
Linda was born in March 1974 and grew up in a small place called Gullspang in southwest Sweden. By profession she is an economist alongside her singing and presenting career.

One of the first recordings was a Swedish version of the 1985 German ESC entry “Fur alle”, followed the following year by a Swedish version of “J’aime la vie”, which also was released on single. As a grown-up she started her career as a performer in the Mediterranean area with the Swedish owned Sunwing Hotels, before returning to Sweden and joining the Wallmans theatres and restaurants. Alongside that she also presented the afternoon TV show “Ordjakten” (The Word Hunt) on commercial TV4.

She became a household name when taking part in Melodifestivalen 2005 with “Alla Flickor” followed by “Jag ljuger sa bra” the following year. For 2007 she teamed up with Markoolio, didn’t qualify but got as much (if not more) airplay than most of the songs from the actual contest.

Homepage: www.lindabengtzing.com