Kid Isak: I’m a big kid with a passion for making music and making people happy!

Photo: RÚV

This was the first song I heard from Söngvakeppnin 2020 and it totally got me in a good mood, but now I can't wait to see him on stage cause I'm sure he will BRING IT!. Here are Kid Isak's answers:
Name: Kid Isak
Birthday: August 25th 1998
Height: 185cm
Favorite color: yellow
Favorite food: most food
Whats your strangest talent? My fingers are unusually flexible in the small joints. My sister calls them “Grinch fingers” haha!
What’s the strangest thing you have in your room? I have this spinning ball with colored lights, almost like a disco ball. It’s really cosy when I’m going to sleep.
What are you really good at? Hehe I can’t tell you that. That would be bragging 😅😇
What are you really bad at? Acting. I don’t know how to be somebody other than myself! Hahaha
Childhood Idol: Adrienne Houghton from Cheetah Girls
Childhood memory: Oof, i have too many! None very interesting.
Celebrity crush: I don’t have any. That kinda stuff only leads to longing and disappointment.
Tell me something nobody knows about you: I’m a geek!
Who would you cast to play a movie about your life: Hmm, I don’t know. Bruno Mars? or perhaps a girl.
The movie title: HAHAHA! I have no idea! Behind Kid Isak or something hahaha.
Favorite movie: I actually don’t have one. I enjoy most movies.
Favorite TV series: Oh I have many! I like She-Ra, The Circle, Dragon Prince. Mostly cartoons on Netflix.
Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Iceland: Iceland has a lot of nice vegan restaurants! I recommend them all.
What is your guilty pleasure? My guilty pleasure? I mean I like butts. Does that count? Hahaha.
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? I would probably live my life the same, except I would probably have way more experience with guys.
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Icelandic artist? I think you should check out the songs “Malbik” and “Veist af mér”
Can you teach me some interesting words in Icelandic? Sure! “Ég vona að þér líki lagið mitt í Söngvakeppninni 2020!” That means “I hope you like my song in the Singing Contest 2020”

Hello Kid Isak! Welcome to the Eurovision universe!
Thank you!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I would describe myself as an awkward, but very positive person. I’m a big kid with a passion for making music and making people happy! 

You are one of the participants of Söngvakepnin 2020, how did it all begin?
I am! It was actually quite fast. Króli, one of the writers for the song, messaged me on Instagram and asked for my number. He’s already very famous here. He called me and asked me if I was willing to record a demo song with him and if he could pick me up within the hour. Long story short, that’s how it began!

Ævintýri" is the title of your song, and it's written by Þormóður Eiríksson, Kristinn Óli Haraldsson and Jóhannes Damian Patreksson, how was it to work with them?
It was actually a dream come true to work with them. I’ve always wanted to work with Þormóður! I never realistically thought I would ever work with Króli and JóiPé, because I personally find them way more talented than me, so that was just amazing! 

What’s the story behind the song?
The song is about when you bond with someone in a way that seems almost too good to be true, and how it’s like a Fantasy. The song would correctly be translated to Fantasy.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
The performance will be genuine. I don’t want it to feel inauthentic or pretentious.

Photo: tskoli.is

What do you like about Eurovision?
I love everything about Eurovision. It’s a place where all these countries and cultures get to showcase their tastes in music. 

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
I don’t really dislike anything about Eurovision. Perhaps maybe the harsh judgements, if I have to find something.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Lethal: Deadly
Shy: Me
Future: Bright
Crown: King
Applause: Lady Gaga 

What are your plans for 2020?
2020 is uncertain! But it’s looking great so far. This is definitely going to be the most progressive year of my life.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thank you so much for having me on the blog! I hope you enjoy this years Eurovision Song Contest! 

Thanks to Kid Isak for the interview!

Facebook: kidisak
Instagram: kid_isak

Samanta Tina: I did not plan to send "Still breathing" to Supernova or even enter this year

Photo: Arturs Martinovs

The next artist I'm interviewing is someone we all are very familiar with as she has taken part in some NFs in the past but this year she has brought with her a bop with a powerful message behind it, here are Samanta's answers:
Name: Samanta Tina
Birthday: 31st of March
Height: 168cm
Favorite color: for now Rubin green
Favorite food: I love Mussels in white wine
What’s your strangest talent? Play on nerves to the others
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? That there is only a bed- nothing more!
What are you really good at? Playing on nerves:)
What are you really bad at? Being patient
Childhood idol: Lara Fabian
Childhood memory: I was dreaming to become a Vet!
Celebrity crush: Andrea Bochelli
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Vivjen Lee
What would the title of that movie be? "Singer with passion"
Favorite movie: "Matilda"
Favorite TV series: They are too long for me:)
Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Latvia: Black balsam with black bread with honey!
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Do everything a woman asks!
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Latvian artist? "Tumša nakte zaļa zāle"
Can you teach me some interesting words in Latvian?
HidroElektroStacija! Karamelizēts! Mazbudžeta plāns!

Hello Samanta! Welcome back to the Eurovision universe!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
- Singer with passion!

Photo: Lauris Vīksne

What have you learned from your past NF's experiences?
- To pay more attention to mistakes!

You are one of the participants of Supernova 2020, how did it all begin?
- When I recorded Still Breathing at the end of 2019 lots of friends were motivating me to send it to Supernova! I did not plan to send this song to Supernova or even enter this year!

“Still breathing” is the title of your song, and it is written by you and Aminata. How was it to work with her?
- She is really talented and an amazing person! We are stage collegues! :)

What’s the story behind the song?
- A story of a woman's inexorable power, drawing attention to society's stereotypes of women - we must be ideal mothers, wives, mistresses, and successful careerists with big future career plans, sometimes able to be masculine to exist for ourselves, our loved ones and our dreams. At the same time, you must maintain a perfect look and be able to take care of everyone around you too. One big SYSTEM with a number of obligations that don't give you discounts! We women don't have time to stop - We keep breathing and doing. But what really matters most is that we are happy and in love with ourselves, without losing ourselves as a woman, that we find time for ourselves - not as mothers, wives, careerists, but simply as women, whatever our social status, marital status, size and public stereotypes. Because we can! And yes I am of those strong women as well!:)

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
- Lot of energy and power!

I loved the outfits you and your backing singers wore in the auditions, can we expect something similar for the performance in the final?
- Something similar yes, but not the same :)

Tell us about the music video of "Still breathing":
- The same story as the song- nowadays women already from childhood are getting ready to be in the system....do everything, be everything and learn everything, but we are women not robots- we need to smile more and care more about ourselves, stop paying so much attention to our weight, ages, social status and stereotypes that everybody waits from women!

What do you like about Eurovision?
- That so many countries are coming together with love as friends on one stage!

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
- When it's mixed with Politics!

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Elephant: Big
Privilege: Woman
Energy: Power
Whisper: Peace
Lesson: Whole life!

Photo: Lauris Vīksne

What are your plans for 2020?
More performances around Europe, more travel!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Goood luck to everyone!

Thanks to Samanta for the interview!

Facebook: SamantaTina
Instagram: samantatina

Bárbara Tinoco: I was very surprised and happy Tiago thought about me for the song

Photo: Isaac Tinoco

Portugal stepped up their game in 2017 and I love what they have been doing with FDC since then, this year we got a mix of very interesting entries but there was one that took my breath away and made me very excited. I'm glad I got the chance to interview the singer behind that entry, here are Bárbara's answers:
Name: Bárbara Tinoco
Birthday: 16.11.1998
Height: 1,49
Favorite color: Pink
Favorite food: Lasagna
What’s your strangest talent? I'm good at boardgames does that count?
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? A 3D Puzzle of Darth Vader's Head
What are you really good at? I hope the answer to this one is music!
What are you really bad at? Math
Childhood idol: a bunch of amazing songwriters Suzane Vega, Mark Knofler, John freaking Meyer.
Tell me something no one knows about you: the first concert I watched in my life was Iron Maiden. Counts?
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Lilly Collins
What would the title of that movie be? Well, that was fun.
Favorite movie: Love, Rosie
Favorite TV series: How I met your Mother
Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Portugal: Pastel de Nata
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? Pee while standing
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Portuguese artist? Pica do Sete by Antônio Zambujo written by Miguel Araújo, Miguel inspired me to be a songwritter.
Can you teach me some interesting words in Portuguese? Well One of the coolest its "saudade", its the name of the feeling you get when you're missing something or someone, and its one the few languages who has a word just for that feeling.

Hello Bárbara! Welcome to the Eurovision universe!

You are one of the participants of Festival da Canção 2020, how did it all begin?
Tiago Nacarato is an amazing interpreter, songwriter and guitar player, good with words and melodies. He doesn't suck at anything, anything! And he has amazing hair, just very annoying...I was very surprised and happy he thought about me for the song. It's been  amazing to work with such an "annoying" musician.

“Passe-Partout” is the title of your song, and it is written by Tiago Nacarato, how was it to work with him?
I've learned a lot. We come from different musical backgrounds, and I like the way he sees chords.

What’s the story behind the song?
Well this awful girl didnt even like Piaf ... Can you imagine (laughs).

How do you feel about the reaction you song has been getting from the public?
Very happy and excited.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
A clichê.

How much control do you and your team have over the way your performance will look like on screen?
Well...Within the possibilities, all.

Photo: Isaac Tinoco

What do you like about Eurovision?
The fact that it celebrates songs and culture.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
The fact it doesn't reflect much culture anymore.

What are your plans for 2020?
Music

Thanks to Bárbara for the interview!

Facebook: tinoco.barbara
Instagram: ticoco.barbara

Katrīna Dimanta: I love telling stories with my songs

Latvia was one of my favorites in 2014 so when I saw our next interviewee's name on the list of possible participants for 2020 I got happy, but what made me even happier was listening to her song and seeing rock the stage in the auditions, here are Katrīna's answers:

Name: Katrīna Dimanta

Birthday: February 3

Height: 167

Favorite color: Green

Favorite food: Gelato

What’s your strangest talent? - I can twist my tongue like a lizard, it’s funny to see that. 

What is the strangest thing you have in your room? - At the moment My sister :D. No, no, just kidding,  I guess the thing - that I have a lot of different musical instruments and cow leather to make specific Latvian traditional shoes called - Pastalas. 

What are you really good at? Working as a medical clown at hospital, singing to children, talking to them, being funny. 

What are you really bad at? Remembering names :(

Childhood idol: Linda Leen (Latvian singer)

Childhood memory: I remember that in childhood we always spent summers in Alūksne, at our countryside with my grandmother. Had fun with my brothers, sisters and cousins. Once we slept in hen at barn and I remember we stayed up all night long playing games, went for a swim and told spooky stories, I got scared and had to wake up grandma and sleep at home. 

Celebrity crush: Freddie Mercury 

Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? I’m not sure that I have seen an actor who could play me, I think she will get known soon, in the next few years. Keep your eyes open and let me know when you see her!

What would the title of that movie be? - “Latvian diamond”? What do you think? Maybe “Boom, boom”. Who knows.. Let's live and see what destiny brings to us. 

Favorite movie: HUGO

Favorite TV series: Friends, HIMYM

Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Latvia: Garlic bread, Latvian black balsam, Laima chocolate, Kvass (non alcoholic beverage), beer.

What is your guilty pleasure? Gin and tonic

If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? I would do sports, see how it’s to run, ride a bicycle, kiss a girl. 

Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Latvian artist? “Instrumenti” - Life Jacket Under Your Seat 

Can you teach me some interesting words in Latvian? Dimanta - diamond; Buča - a little kiss on a cheek; Skaisti - beautiful; Arlabunakti - goodnight; Alus - beer; Priekā - Cheers; Bruņurupucis - Turtle; Debess - sky; Zvaigzne - star; Pasmaidi - smile. 

Hello Katrina! Welcome back to the Eurovision universe!

Thank you, darling, Oswald!!! <3

How would you describe yourself as an artist?

As an artist I try to show people the highest levels how to experience music. I love telling stories with my songs. I think that I have many talents, I am an artist with a great voice. I love to perform on the stage and exchange energy with the audience. I play music because that’s the best way to express myself and Love being on the stage. I get inspired by people, nature and traveling. 

You were part of Aarzemnieki and represented Latvia in 2014, what do you remember the most from that year and what did you learn from that experience?

I had the honour to represent Latvia back in 2014. I remember meeting a lot of amazing people, working hard and most of all - the feeling that I got on the stage- it was pure happiness, people singing along, feeling loved, beautiful audience.  

This experience has given me a glimpse of what the Eurovision song contest really is and I can be prepared if we qualify to represent Latvia in ESC 2020. I am very happy about this opportunity and we are working very hard to go back and show everyone that Latvia can. 

You are one of the participants of Supernova 2020, how did it all begin?

I had a nice song in Latvian, the melody was so sticky and I loved it. We had a thinking session and we decided to give it a go in english as well. I love Latvian version PIPARS and also adore HEART BEATS. I feel confident about this song and happy that we can be a part of Supernova and hopefully Eurovision. Also finally I feel that I can give more to the world being a solo artist.

“Heart beats” is the title of your song, and it is written by you, Herberts Blumbergs, Andis Ansons and Jānis Bērziņš. How was it to work with them?

All guys that I worked with are professionals. Herbe (Herberts) comes from a punk music world, Andis has great experience producing different kind of music and Jānis is an amazing guitar player. We came together at a charity camp Līdzskaņa, that helps musicians, who have problems. We had a music writing session, had a lot of fun, talked nonsense and also a lot about my past relationships. This song came to us very easy and we all were very happy about the result. 

What’s the story behind the song?

Song is about love, of course, as for all of us it's important. It's about a girl who wakes up one morning and have planned everything, but then on her way...she meets her old friend, whom they have had something common in past. They meet and hearts goes wild BUM BUM, now is the time, destiny has got them back together and they live happily ever after! 

I like it, i love it..sometimes I am a bit annoyed that it sticks in my mind on repeat, but still I like it a lot and I love performing it. 

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance? 

What I know for sure - on the stage there will be two dancers, I will be singing :).  We are working on a concept and on the show these next few days, so I will be able to tell more next week. :)

What do you like about Eurovision?

I really like the Eurovision community, actually love it! I like the possibility to see so many great artists, show. I like that Eurovision is a place to feel safe and happy at. 

What do you dislike about Eurovision?

If I have to think about Eurovision and find something to dislike, then I may consider that it’s happening only once a year as a sad fact. 

Photo: Tenis Dimants

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:

Garage: Dad

Poem: Roses are read, violets are blue, sugar is sweet and so are you! 

Recycle: Now

Loop: Never ending circle

Theater: Phantom of the opera

Photo: Tenis Dimants

What are your plans for 2020?

I think that in 2020 it would be nice to represent Latvia in Eurovision at Rotterdam. Besides that I have plans to play music in different countries, I will record my first solo album, spend time with my family, travel, work with people around the world, be happy. 

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?

I wish that everyone has a great health and happy soul. Be positive and do things in life with love!

Thanks to Katrina for the interview!

Facebook: KatrinaDimantaMusic
Instagram: katrinadimanta

Gabrielius Vagelis: We’re changing some stuff to get to the next round and hopefully win

Photo: Nerijus Kuzmickas

This is something I don't say very often but I'm very excited about the 2020 Lithuanian National Selection, last time that happened was probably in 2013 and that year I also loved the entry of the next artist I'm interviewing, here are Gabrielius' answers:
Name: Gabrielius
Birthday: 1996-11-16
Height: 189
Favorite color: Grey
Favorite food: Pasta
What’s your strangest talent? Dancing polka with horns
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? Can’t find anything, but really
What are you really good at? Talking stupid things
What are you really bad at? Multitasking
Childhood idol: Shakira
Childhood memory: Crying really hard to get toys I wanted
Celebrity crush: Rihanna
Favorite movie: The Proposal
Favorite TV series: Desperate Housewives
Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Lithuania: Cepelinai
What is your guilty pleasure? Dancing while listening the songs that I think are not really good
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Go shopping
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Lithuanian artist? Kelionė laiku by Jurga
Can you teach me some interesting words in Lithuanian? Mano čia namai, noriu tik čionai, nesakyk, kur tu - visad tave čia randu.

Photo: Nerijus Kuzmickas

Hello Gabrielius!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
I am the one that you never know how I'm gonna look like this time.

I dont know if you know this but a lot of Eurovision fans love your song "Sacrifice" and still feel mad about the fact that it didnt get the result it deserved, what do you remember the most from your first experience in the national selection?
Everything was so new and fresh, cause it was the first time in Eurovizijos atranka. I wasn’t actually even thinking how it have been if I would’ve been picked to represent Lithuania.

You are one of the participants of Pabandom iš naujo!, how did it all begin?
I could say that it started kinda good. I got to the semi-final, so it was the main thing I wanted from this round. And now we’re changing some stuff to get to the next one and hopefully win 🤞🏻

“Tave Čia Randu" is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
The story is really simple and familiar to all the people, I think. It’s about an emotion, when you have a person next to you and it feels like home.

Tell us about the process of creating the song and the performance for the show?
Process was just like with all of my songs. I sit next to the piano, the chords are coming to places, the melody comes to my mind and then the theme and the lyrics finish it. 

We wanted to make something more interesting on the stage than just standing, but most of the time simplicity makes it best, so next time we’re thinking of minimizing the staging.

How much control do you have on the way your performance looks on screen? Will there be any changes for the semifinal?
We’re always making the performances with my team and we’re trying to make it the way so that everybody would be happy about it.

Tell me about the music video of "Tave Čia Randu":
The video is about that you need to be brave to tell what you feel about someone else. It’s always better to try than not.

What do you like about Eurovision?
There are really good songs and singers that you would never find if there wouldn’t be Eurovision.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
That politics is still playing a big role.

Photo: Vilius Ancikas

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Absurd: comedy
Wind: and water
Confession: braveness
Paint: Picasso
Modeling: pose

What are your plans for 2020?
Perform in as many gigs as I’ve ever did and represent Lithuania for Eurovision.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Let’s meet in Rotterdam 😏

Thanks to Gabrielius!

Instagram: grazolis
Facebook: GabrieliusVagelis

Uudo Sepp: This is the most me song I've ever sung

This next interview is from the winner of Eesti otsib superstaari 2018 (Estonian Idol). I heard all the EL songs when they were released and made a list of the ones I liked (the ones I would like to interview) and this one was there but it wasn't until I checked info about the performers that I found out that he wasn't the guy in the video and that got me excited cause now I can't wait to see him perform this song on stage, anyway here are Uudo's answers:
Name: Uudo Sepp
Birthday: 28.03.1997
Height: 180
Favorite color: Sea Blue
Favorite food: Ceasars salad
What’s your strangest talent? I can make a grasshopper sound
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? Dry flowers
What are you really good at? Clumsiness
What are you really bad at? Dancing
Childhood idol: Ed Sheeran
Childhood memory: I drove a lot with a bike that had a 2 stroke motor on it! 
Celebrity crush: Selena Gomez maybe?
Tell me something no one knows about you: I am a really open person so theres nothing really to tell. 
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Kevin Hart
What would the title of that movie be? Sand in our eyes
Favorite movie: Truth and Justice (Tõde ja õigus)
Favorite TV series: How I met your mother
Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Estonia: Blood sausage with cranberry jam 
What is your guilty pleasure? Making sandcastles 
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Nothing much 
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from an Estonian artist? "High Roads" Daniel Levi, Sander Mölder
Can you teach me some interesting words in Estonian?
Terviseks - Cheers 
Kana Salat - Chicken Salad
Üks õlu palun - One beer please

Hello Uudo! Welcome to the Eurovision world!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Emotional, Sincere, Open minded. 

Photo: Teele Mustallikas

You are one of the participants of Eesti Laul 2020. How did it all begin?
I went to Andrei Zevakin( Producer and Song author) with a song i wrote but Andrei said there wasn't enough time to get this song ready for the "Eesti Laul" and he had one song ready to record. When i heard this song I instantly connected with it. I can honestly say, this is the most me song I've ever sung. 

“i'm sorry. i messed up” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
People mess up all the time in any king on relationships. It is basically an apology song for everyone who has ever done some harm to somebody. 

Your Eesti laul song is written by Andrei Zevakin who is also the actor in the video clip, how was it to work with him in the song and in the video?
Andrei is really good to work with. Everything has flown perfectly! 

Most of the songs you have released are in Estonian, what made you decide to sing in english in EL?
I think singing in english is a bit of an obsession for me. Before I got known in Estonia, I wrote a lot of songs in english, and most of my idols also sing in english.

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
It will be really intimate show! 

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition? Any favorite?
Yes! I liked Traffic's song! 

What do you like about Eurovision?
I like the passion the people have for this contest!

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
Whats to dislike? :)

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Ducks: Family
Acid: Lemon
Romantic: Candles
Futuristic: Tesla
Dream: Pillow

What are your plans for 2020?
Get the most from everyday!

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Thanks for all the support! Everything happens for a reason, even apologies!

Thanks to Uudo for the interview!

Facebook: uudoseppmusic
Twitter: uudo_sepp
Instagram: uudoseep

Fredi: We will try to keep the performance really classy and minimal.

The first interview of the year is coming from Estonia. "Write about me" was the song I liked the most once I heard all the EL 2020 entries, not only because of its lyrics and production but because of how the instruments and Anett's voice play with the song's mood. To learn more about half of this act, here are Fredi's answers:
Name: Frederik Küüts
Birthday: 28/04/1999
Height: 175cm
Favorite color: black
Favorite food: pasta
What’s your strangest talent? I don’t know if I have one
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? An African mask
What are you really good at? Driving
What are you really bad at? Lying
Childhood idol: Freddie Mercury 
Childhood memory: Everything to do with my family
Celebrity crush: Keira Knightley
Tell me something no one knows about you: I’m really into ASMR
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Jake Gyllenhaal
What would the title of that movie be? “?”
Favorite movie: Joker
Favorite TV series: Friends
Dish/Snack/Beverage we should try if we ever visit Estonia: Kohuke
What is your guilty pleasure? ASMR
If you were a girl for a day, what would you do? Probably touch my boobs a lot.
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from an Estonian artist? Vaiko Eplik - Mõtetes Mõrudais
Can you teach me some interesting words in Estonian? Kuulilennuteetunneliluuk is an actual word in Estonian. It’s the same word when read backwards.

Hello Fredi! Welcome to the Eurovision world!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
- Pretty hectic I guess. I’m still searching for my thing. I’m really into hip-hop and RnB tho. 

You are one of the participants of Eesti Laul 2020. How did it all begin?
- We just wrote a song with Anett and by the time we finished Anett suggested we applied for Eesti Laul. I didn’t think it would go through but it was worth giving a shot.

“Write about me” is the title of your song, what’s the story behind it?
- I started writing songs from a pretty early age and at some point it was a really natural thing for me, to write songs about things and people who made me feel some kind of way. That was just my way of getting things off my chest. I was just wondering if everybody could write songs - what would they write about. And adding that romantic touch to it, as I tend to do, lead me to the main lyric. That was pretty much the only thing we had in the beginning, Anett really loved the idea and we started writing from there. Everything else just came into place - when Anett suggested that we’d change the choruses a bit every time, to make it into sort of timeline, that was when everything got really easy. The song is kind of self-explanatory: one side of the relationship is willing to give more than the other and overtime they start to grow apart. We’re both super happy about how it turned out!

Tell us about the process of creating and producing the song?
- I was having bit of a tough time writing-wise this past summer and I just remembered how many of the co-writing sessions had been uplifting in that sense. So I arranged some sessions with artists that I had wanted to work with for a long time. Anett agreed to come by my place and we listened to some demos. I had this guitar part down and she really liked it so we worked our way up from there together. By the time the song was written I asked my friend Mairo Marjamaa to write a brass-part and after recording all the instruments in different studios it only came down to finishing touches. My friend Ago Teppand helped me a lot at that time, so a big shoutout to him!

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance? (Will you be there with Anett?)
- We’ll both be up on the stage. We will try to keep it really classy and minimal. No fancy fireworks from us!

Have you heard any of the other songs in the competition? Any favorite?
- As for the other Eurovision songs, then no. I have a lot of friends competing at Eesti Laul this year and all of them have great songs. Some of them I like more than others but I don’t really like picking favourites. 

What do you like about Eurovision?
- I like the platform that it gives aspiring artist.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
- That instrumentalists and producers don’t get enough credit.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Support: friends
Birds: flying
Reality: sad
Messy: thoughts
Guitar: home

What are your plans for 2020?
- Performing, producing and traveling. 

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
- I’d really appreciate if you’d go and listen to our song! Anett x Fredi - Write About Me 

Thanks to Fredi for the interview.

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Albania 2020: Arilena Ara

It's 2020 and this is not only the first post of the year but my diary post in a long time (I've been having internet problems) and I'll try to be here during this new NF season as much as I can. I couldn't follow FIK as I did years before but I did manage to watch all the performances and I gotta say it was a great edition so congrats to the artists, RTSH and of course that magnificent orchestra that made the songs sound incredible.

Time to say a few words about the winner: Shaj by Arilena Ara

At first I was a little disappointed as this is an entry that fits in with what Albania has sent to ESC before and I wanted them to take a little risk this year but then I watched her final performance (Which was much better than her first one) and I came to peace with the result. I'm still not crazy about the song but she is a very good singer and the instrumental part before the final chorus is magical, I truly hope it stays in Albanian cause I think it will lose its charm in English.

Shout out to:

Era Rusi

Elvana Gjata