Takasa
| Company type | Musical ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 2012 |
| Headquarters | Switzerland |
| Products | Music performances, singles |
Takasa—initially known as Heilsarmee—was a Swiss ensemble that represented Switzerland at the Eurovision Song Contest 2013 held in Malmö, Sweden. The lineup was composed of six members who were all Salvation Army soldiers.
Eurovision Song Contest 2013
The group participated in the Swiss national selection with their track "You and Me", advancing through the online voting phase managed by SF. On 15 December 2012, they secured victory in the national final, granting them the opportunity to perform for Switzerland at Eurovision.
However, on 17 December 2012, the European Broadcasting Union (EBU) determined that the band could not compete under the name "Heilsarmee" (the German term for "Salvation Army") due to contest regulations that forbid political or religious references. Consequently, in March 2013, they adopted the name "Takasa," inspired by a Swahili verb meaning "to purify." The new name also functioned as an acronym for "The Artists Known As Salvation Army," reflecting a naming approach seen in music history.
The members' ages varied widely; bassist Emil Ramsauer was 95 years old, while lead vocalist Sarah Breiter was 22 during their Eurovision performance. Because of contest rules, they replaced their customary Salvation Army attire with alternative clothing for their stage appearances.
Later activities and disbandment
After their Eurovision participation, Takasa's live performances were limited to a few Swiss local events. By 2015, Christoph Jakob reported that the band had dissolved, citing members’ professional obligations as a barrier to continuing the group.
In 2018, Emil Ramsauer made history as the first Eurovision participant to reach the age of 100. He passed away on 22 December 2021 at the age of 103.
Singles
| Title | Year | Chart positions | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| SWI | |||
| "You and Me" | 2012 | 21 | TBA |