KaYra: This song is not that funny, despite the optimistic melody, it is a tragedy wrapped in a colorful paper

Photo: Jurga Urbonaité

"Alligator" grabbed my attention right away when I heard it for the first time but when I saw it on stage I went nuts for it to the point where I got a little emotional during the semifinal performance, and I'm very excited to see what the final performance will look like, meanwhile let's get to know more about KaYra, here are her answers:
Name: KaYra
Birthday: September 18
Height: 169 cm
Favorite color: Yellow
Favorite food: Everything my Grandma cooks
What’s your strangest talent? I can make myself cry immediately
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? Probably myself 
What are you really good at? Cooking and shopping
What are you really bad at? Cleaning and any sports
Childhood idol: Whitney Houston, my mom
Childhood memory: I burned my fathers car down (it was an accident)
Celebrity crush: Jason Momoa
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Kristen Wiig
What would the title of that movie be? Imperfect
Favorite movie: ”Breakfast at Tiffany’s”
Favorite TV series: “Friends”
Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Lithuania: Šimtalapis
What is your guilty pleasure? “High school musical” and “Ben&Jerry’s”
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? I don’t think it would be that different. Probably, everything I do everyday. 
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Lithuanian artist? Aktorių Trio - Paukščiai
Can you teach me some interesting words in Lithuanian? Aštuonkojis - Octopus.

Hello KaYra! Welcome to the Eurovision universe!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Creative, sometimes spontanious, sensitive, flexible, expressive, giving, loving, very passionate, sincere, devoted.

You are one of the participants of Pabandom iš naujo! 2020, how did it all begin?
I’m a huge fan of ESC since forever. I tried to participate once, 6 years ago, but I was very young and didn’t understand back then, what this competition means to me. Now I see it as an opportunity of bringing my message to the world, telling my truth and showing that my country is full of love and colors. I want to make my friends and family proud, who are, by the way, so supportive. I didn’t want to participate in Eurovision without a good song and message. And one day, I came home after a gig and realised, how tired I am of pretending. Pretending of being someone I’m not. So I tried to write a song about it. I created a lot of different characters in my mind, characters from my past, or just fictional ones. My music video shows the ironic view of my thoughts about being true to myself. I see this as a very big problem nowadays. People stopped talking, being sincere and open. Social media is doing a bad influence on us, I think. We are comparing us to the others, we are pretending and scared of showing the reality. For me, as an actress/ singer/ artist it is especially relevant, because I am always in some kind of character on the stage. And the saddest part is that you actually don’t know if people like you when you are not a charecter, but just your true self. So as you can see, this song is not that funny, despite the optimistic melody, it is a tragedy wrapped in a colorful paper, and I just love this contrast.

“Alligator” is the title of your song, and it is written by you and Marius Leskauskas. How was it to work with him?
I was pleasantly surprised when I heard the bells, birds and other interesting sounds in the song. That was a moment when I thought: “Wow, it’s totally me!”. I thing we did a pretty good job together, he heard me and gave some fun ideas. 

What’s the story behind the song?
It’s a story of my life. I think, many of our lifes. It is about the insecurities, fears and being our true selves. What if they don’t like me? What if I’m different? What if the society won’t accept me? It is about dealing with ourselves and self love. 

What can we expect to see on stage for the performance?
It will be colorful and different. That I can promise.

Photo: Jurga Urbonaité

Tell us about the music video of "Alligator":
It is the ironic view of some characters, we create during our lives. Sometimes it is very hard to not pretend, and it’s more safe to be someone else. One person described it all: “It is a tragedy wrapped in a colorful paper.”

What do you like about Eurovision?
It’s an opportunity to represent your country and show the world your point of view, your music, maybe even make a statement. It is positive, colorful and entertaining. I love it.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
Nothing. Maybe the political part, a little bit.

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Brain: Pinky
Loud: Jennifer Lopez
Scarecrow: Pumpkin
Flame: Candle
Pancake: Blueberries

What are your plans for 2020?
Well, I have one of the main roles in Lithuanian tv series called “Monikai reikia meilės”, which I am planning to continue, obviously. And there are some new songs on my mind, I want to record. But for now, I am focused on Eurovision.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Yes. Just be yourself, treat people well and take care of everyone around you. Don’t forget that we are all the same and we all deserve love. 
Love,
KaYra

Thanks to KaYra for the interview!

Facebook: KaYra-Kristina-Radžiukynaitė
Instagram: radziukynaite.kayra

Moniqué: As a little kid, never in a million years I would've thought I’d have people listening to me sing

Photo: Nerijus ir Gintaré

As I said before Lithuania has one of the best national selections this year and it makes me happy to bring you all a very good interview with one of its participants. Her performance in the heat was so captivating, I couldn't take my eyes off the screen and from that moment I became a "Make me human" stan, here are Moniqué's answers:
Name: Monika Pundziute - Moniqué
Birthday: 1997.09.20
Height: I recently discovered that I’m not aware of my height and my whole life I’ve been telling it wrong to people. It’s 1.76cm. I guess.
Favorite color: Uhh! Baby blue. Just like my upcoming duet song.
Favorite food: Anything from the Mexican kitchen.
What’s your strangest talent? Mind-reading and imitating a kid’s and Britney Spears’ voice.
What is the strangest thing you have in your room? Kitchen tools. It has always been a mystery to me.
What are you really good at? I am really good at overthinking. And writing stories. These two are actually very related.
What are you really bad at? I am extremely bad at lying.
Childhood idol: First one, was Celine Dion.
Childhood memory: I remember myself realizing that I wanted to be a singer. It was such a strong feeling I cannot shake it off of my memory.
Celebrity crush: Shawn Mendes
Who would you cast to play you in a movie about your life? Nice question. Elizabeth Berkley. Because recently I discovered a photograph of her from Show Girls which looks too much like me. Or Jennifer Aniston. She is my ultimate favorite actress and a role model for me as a woman.
What would the title of that movie be? 1997
Favorite movie: I love Marvel movies and it would be too hard for me to pick just one as there’s so many of them.
Favorite TV series: Brooklyn Nine-Nine
Dish/Snack/Beverage/Candy we should try if we ever visit Lithuania: Actually I am very proud of what Lithuania, in particular Vilnius can offer in the food area. It’s the variety of cuisines and talented chef’s who always bring their A game whether it’s Lithuanian food or any other.
What is your guilty pleasure? Scaaary movies in a movie theater. With my best friend.
If you were a boy for a day, what would you do? If I were a booooooooyyyy… even just for a day. If I were a boy I think I could understand. How it feels to love a girl. I swear I'd be a better man.
Can you recommend us a song (old or new) from a Lithuanian artist? My pleasure. Justinas Jarutis – It’s my fault
Can you teach me some interesting words in Lithuanian? Dviratis. It means bike. Lietus. It means rain. Tulpė. It means tulip. Here you go, three Lithuanian words that remind me of the Netherlands.

Hello Monique! Welcome to the Eurovision universe!

How would you describe yourself as an artist?
Hello and thanks for the welcome. Shortly, I am an artist who represents emotions. I am entirely dedicated to every single thing that I feel therefore everybody does. It’s the most important thing for me as an artist and an aspiring songwriter.

You are one of the participants of Pabandom iš naujo! 2020, how did it all begin?
The very thought of it was first born in my head when I heard the song. It was actually written for my upcoming third album. Then, Vytautas and my manager said the same thing as an idea later on. I couldn't believe it. We all thought the same thing about the same song separately. Then through the whole summer we were still wondering, discussing, making plans and finally we dedicated ourselves and since then our lives are all about Make Me Human. 

Photo: Martynas Stankaitis

“Make me human” is the title of your song, and it is written by Vytautas Bikus. How was it to work with him?
Vytautas is such a good person. I always like to stress it out before talking about his great talent. I am extremely lucky to have been working with him since day one of my career. He is the first producer I’ve ever known and he is my role model in songwriting. So, working with him on a song that is going to be in Eurovision changes absolutely nothing and that is what I love most about it. He always says the same phrase before my concerts as well before my entrance to Eurovision “Don’t be nervous and don’t make mistakes.” It’s a joke, of course. But it’s also not.

What’s the story behind the song?
It asks you a question. What makes you feel like a living human-being? For me, it’s love. Love from the fans, from the significant other or family and friends. It’s what makes me feel alive. Only then I wanna sing. Who am I without love? Some existing-being who only sleeps, gets up, goes to work, eats and goes to sleep again. 

Tell us about the process of creating the performance for "Make me human":
We instantly knew it should be something meaningful and minimalistic. Also, I love dancing. So we invited Šarūnas Kirdeikis, a choreographer and director to help us out with the whole concept. We knew we had to have some little specific detail, which would stand out and be remembered. Šarūnas thought of something that would turn on and glow. Then we came up with the symbol - a heart. It’s a symbol of living. The designer drew a specific shape of a heart and you can see it in my first performance. We knew we wanted choreography so it would help explain the story and live out the emotion. When I learned it, I rehearsed a lot. And step by step I made every movement my own. So it would be organic and would come entirely from my heart. Even if it’s not correct from a dancer’s POV, it’s mine. No one could do an identical one. When we had all of that, we reached out to Lithuanian designers to create a look. They did a great job. I absolutely love it. And then, we had visualizations and lighting created. We spent all night reviewing it and making it look perfect. But we  will develop it even more through time, I expect.

Photo: Martynas Stankaitis

How do you feel about the reaction your song has been getting?
It’s absolutely overwhelming. Of course, flattering, but I really need people who liked the song on the Internet to really support me through voting. People tend to think someone else will, since the song is very loved and supported, but I always try to encourage people to speak up for themselves at all times. Also, I took my friend’s advice to have a tunnel vision through this whole contest. I must not look around since it can be very disturbing. I need to focus on what message I am going to send to people watching me. That’s the most important thing.

What do you like about Eurovision?
I love that it brings people closer together.

What do you dislike about Eurovision?
I hate that it tears people apart.

Photo: Martynas Stankaitis

Tell me the first thing that comes to your mind when you hear the word:
Cloud: Nine. That’s where I’ll be if I win.
Fearless: Soldier
Popcorn: Things stuck at my teeth
Women: Power
Dancing: with a stranger. Uh! Me me me!

What are your plans for 2020?
To win. A lot of hearts from the whole wide world. And of course, a third album full of beautiful songs. I love that it will have more songs written by me than in the albums I've released before.

Is there anything you want to say to close the interview?
Yes. To you, the one, who’s reading and have gotten to the end of the interview. Thank you. For having an interest and maybe even supporting my song. I really appreciate that. As a little kid and a dreamer, never in a million years I would’ve thought I’d have people listening to me sing.

Thanks to Monique for the interview!

Facebook: monikapundziute.monique
Instagram: monikapundziute.monique

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

Lithuania 2019: Jurijus

Photo: E. Blaževič/LRT

This is the act that will represent Lithuania in Tel Aviv: Jurijus with "Run with the lions"

Hmmm I don't dislike it but that doesn't mean that I like it, I just find it okay, not something to be excited about.

Lithuania 2018: Ieva Zasimauskaitė

Photo: sciuka

This is the song that will represent Lithuania in May: "When we're old"

This is a cute song and she performs it so well, I like it.

Lithuania 2017: Fusedmarc

Here is the lithuanian entry: Rain of revolution by Fusedmarc

I dont like it

Lithuania 2016: Donny Montell

Photo: Gediminas Žilinskas

Here is the song that won the endless Lithuanian national final: I've been waiting for this night

This is what I would call a "David Lindgren" song but what can I say? Donny is a really charismatic performer and he sells the song very well on stage.

Lithuania 2015: Vaidas & Monika

I had no interest for the lithuanian selection cause lets be honest it was an awful mess but here are the winners:

Not bad! They work really well together and the song sounds ok! Good luck Lithuania!

Rehearsals 2014: Day 5

My favorite rehearsals from Day 5 were Greece, Switzerland and Malta. Here are some pictures from the press conferences:

Rehearsals 2014: Day 5 - Lithuania

Time for Lithuania, here is the video:

The best of this act is that both Vilija and her dancer enjoy the performance!

Rehearsals 2014: Day 3 - Lithuania

Attention! Here is the lithuanian 30secs rehearsal video:

Nice rehearsal!

Photos: Thomas Hanses (EBU)
Sander Hesterman (EBU)

Lithuania 2014: VILIJA!

Hello Lithuania! I didnt follow this national selection cause it was too long and complicated but i always liked this Vilija so im very happy with the results!

She is really good on stage and the song is not bad! I dont know about her chances in Eurovision but im glad she won cause she was the best in the NF! GO VILIJA!

Rehearsals 2013: Day 5 - Lithuania

What can i say? I love Andrius and i love Something so Go Lithuania!!!

Photos: Dennis Stachel (EBU)