KAJ (group)

KAJ (Finland Swedish: [kɑjː] ) are a music and comedy group from Vörå in Ostrobothnia, Finland. The group is part of the Finland-Swedish cultural sphere and primarily performs in Swedish with lyrics in the Vörå dialect. The group consists of Kevin Holmström, Axel Åhman, and Jakob Norrgård, whose first name initials form the band's name.

KAJ's music spans multiple genres, including pop (K-pop, latin), rock, rap, opera, disco, and schlager, often incorporating humor and satire. The group also has a satirical rockabilly alter ego called Vörjeans, which parodies raggare subcultures.

They are set to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 with the song "Bara bada bastu".

Background

Axel Åhman and Jakob Norrgård first met through football in Vörå, where they became close friends. Later, Kevin Holmström got to know Axel when they met at a motocross track in Röukas, Vörå, where they helped push Axel's stalled Suzuki out of the woods. Kevin and Jakob met at a school disco in Maxmo, as they both had Axel as a mutual friend.

The trio later attended the same school, strengthening their friendship, and eventually formed KAJ in 2009.

Musicals and awards

KAJ has produced two musicals at Wasa Theatre: Gambämark (2018) and Botnia Paradise (2021).

In 2013, KAJ were the recipients of the inaugural Leif Sjöström prize awarded by Harry Schaumans stiftelse. That same year, their song "Heimani i skick" won the award for Best Amateur Production in Film/TV/Video at the Finland-Swedish Nöjesgalan. In 2014, KAJ were awarded the Svenska Natten medal for their promotion of Finland Swedish dialects. In 2015, the group was awarded the title of Honorable Ostrobothnians of the Year. In 2021, KAJ won the Ostrobothnian distinction for Rural Face of the Year, awarded by Aktion Österbotten and Österbottens förbund. Following their Melodifestivalen win, KAJ were named the 2025 Sauna Promoter of the Year (Swedish: Årets bastufrämjare) by Svenska Bastuakademien, which is set to be awarded on 14 June.

Chart performance

On 16 March 2025, KAJ's song "Bara bada bastu" reached number one on the Swedish radio chart Svensktoppen with 192 points, marking the group's first time topping the chart. The song also topped Digilistan on 22 March 2025, after three weeks on the chart, climbing from second place the previous week.

Melodifestivalen and Eurovision 2025

In 2025, KAJ participated in Sweden's Melodifestivalen 2025 with the song "Bara bada bastu", qualifying directly to the final. They eventually won the final with 164 points, and are scheduled to represent Sweden in the Eurovision Song Contest 2025 in Basel, Switzerland. The entry will be the first entry sung in Swedish sent by Sweden since 1998. The song reached extreme success globally, topping Spotify's global viral 50 chart. The last time an entry was sung in Swedish at the Eurovision Song Contest was in 2012, with Finland-Swedish singer Pernilla Karlsson representing Finland with När jag blundar. KAJ is said to have to change some of its lyrics according to Eurovision rules, because using the Finnish expletive perkele is prohibited.

Band members

The members of KAJ were born in three different municipalities which have since merged to form Vörå.

Kevin Holmström (Finland Swedish: [ˈkevin ˈholmstrøm] , born 12 December 1993) – vocals. From Komossa in the former municipality of Oravais. Studied sound production and design for film and TV at Arcada University of Applied Sciences. Lives in the Kallio district of Helsinki with his wife. His cousins are cross-country skier Matias Strandvall and former professional footballer Sebastian Strandvall.
Axel Åhman (Finland Swedish: [ˈɑksel ˈoːmɑn] , born 6 February 1993) – vocals and accordion. From Palvis in the former municipality of Old Vörå. Is also a writer of short stories, children's books, and novels, having published four works since 2020. Placed third in the 2017 Arvid Mörne competition for Finland-Swedish authors organised by Svenska folkskolans vänner. Studied journalism at the University of Helsinki's Swedish School of Social Science and worked as a journalist for Vasabladet. Lives in Vaasa with his wife after previously living in Helsinki.
Jakob Norrgård (Finland Swedish: [ˈjɑːkob ˈnorːɡoːrd] , born 22 March 1993) – vocals. From the former municipality of Maxmo. Studied photography and editing for film and TV at Arcada University of Applied Sciences. Was a radio presenter for Yle X3M in 2017. Lives in Helsinki with his fiancée.