Once again Estonia is using its popular Eesti Laul format to select not only Estonia’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, but as a showcase for local talent. With not long to go until the live shows begin, we took the opportunity to speak to a few of the contestants, and today we speak to Estonia’s country music Queen, Airi Vipulkumar Kansar.
escXtra: Hey Airi! Thanks for taking some time to speak to us today! Firstly we’d like to congratulate you on your qualification to the semi-finals of Eesti Laul 2015!
Airi Vipulkumar Kansar: Thank you so much, escXtra! 🙂
X: For those of us who aren’t so familiar with you, can you please introduce yourself and tell us a fun fact about you?
A: Ever since I was a young girl I have been singing every possible moment. I started to learn the guitar in school and began to study music. I have played in a number of successful bands with a number of styles but I am known most as the country music queen of Estonia and I have twice participated in Eurolaul in 2004 and 2005. n 2007 I went to India for my music video ‘Monsoon‘ and had a spiritual awakening which changed my whole perspective on life, and led me to my husband. For more information feel free to check out my full biography on my facebook page.
X: Where were you and how did you feel when you found out that you had made it to the Semi-Finals of Eesti Laul?
A: I was at home with my family, when I came to know the good news. I felt so happy that after 10 years I can participate in that show again!
X: Can you tell us what your entry “Saatuse Laul” is about and how you came to work with the team behind it?
A: ‘Saatuse Laul’ means The Song of Destiny. The music was made by Urmas Kõiv and lyrics by his wife-Anneli Kõiv. I didn’t actually know them before ‘Saatuse laul’. About the exact procedure of that song, only the authors can tell you, but I can tell you, how this song found me. I had already made one song in two languages (Estonian and English) for this Eesti Laul 2015 and I was preparing show and plans for that one. 2 weeks before the deadline, when the songs had to be given to the contest jury, an author of ‘Saatuse laul’ contacted me through the Facebook and offered this song. I listened to it and found it really beautiful, so I said yes, I will sing it. Next day, my dear grandmother had left her physical body and a little time after that I realized that this was the last good deed from her, to connect me and this song’s authors, because the message is exactly what she would have told me: The world is wide and there is so much beautiful in there. Enjoy as much as you can….every moment. We don’t know, what will the destiny bring us tomorrow, but the heart knows the right path. Everything that must happen will happen. Life is just a moment…..a beautiful moment.
X: This year there is a direct 50/50 split between Eesti Laul songs in English and in Estonian. Why have you chosen to sing in Estonian and would you record an English version?
A: At first I sent 3 songs, 1 in English and 2 Estonian, but the jury picked an Estonian song. For me there is no problem to sing in English, as I am more used to sing in English anyway. So, I would be glad to sing the same song in English as well.
X: Can you give us a hint as to what we might expect to see from your live stage performance? Will you be joined by anyone else on the stage?
A: Yes, I will be there with the band.
X: Participation in Eesti Laul means many things to many people. Why did you enter Eesti Laul 2015 and what do you hope to achieve from the contest?
A: Eesti Laul is probably the biggest music event that takes place in Estonia and it is a great opportunity for musicians and song-writers to get lots of publicity and work. I was offered a beautiful song and I was happy to take the chance. It is a great adventure! I also hope, it will give me nice chances to continue my work as a singer.
X: What are your feelings on the fact that if you win you will be representing your nation at Eurovision in Vienna in May?
A: It would be a great honor, a wonderful challenge, full of joy and excitement! I would definitely represent my country as best as I can!
X: Are you a Eurovision fan, and if so do you have any favourite Eurovision songs? Perhaps a favourite Estonian entry?
A: I haven’t followed the Eurovision each year, but there have been some songs, that have conquered my heart for sure. Through all the years; Linda Martin – Why Me?, Lordi – Hard Rock Hallelujah and Loreen – Euphoria. My favourite Estonian entry was ‘Tii’.
X: Now some questions to get to know you a little better, X: How did you spend your most recent birthday?
A: I had a very nice dinner with my 3 sons, husband and mom in an Indian restaurant.
X: Can you tell us a secret about yourself that very few people know?
A: I believe in fairytales!
X: Where is your favourite place in Estonia and/or where would you recommend someone visiting Estonia go see?
A: I personally like the islands…especially in summertime. There are many different islands with different size, character and history. Two of my favourite islands are very small lovely islands in Tallinn’s Bay- Aegna island and Naissaar (The women’s island).
X: What is your favourite food to cook?
A: I don’t have any special favourite, but the food must be vegetarian food for sure.
X: If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you choose?
A: A tiger.
X: What is your favourite colour?
A: Pink.
X: What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
A: I cannot recall any special embarrassing situation at the moment now, but I know there has been lots of situations, which seemed embarrassing in that very moment and later I took them as valuable lessons or experiences. Do dreams count? 🙂 If they do, then many times i have seen dreams, where I find myself in the crowd and I realize that I have forgotten to get dressed.
X: Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
A: I would share the same message as my grandmother shared with me, through my song “Saatuse laul”: The world is wide and there is so much beautiful in there. Enjoy as much as you can….every moment. We don`t know, what will the destiny bring us tomorrow, but the heart knows the right path. Everything that must happen will happen. Life is just a moment…..a beautiful moment. 🙂
Thank You for the good wishes 🙂 Lots of Love, Airi
Airi Vipulkumar Kansar takes part in the first semi-final on Saturday, February 7th with the song ‘Saatuse Laul’ which you can hear below. On behalf of everyone at escXtra we would like to thank Airi for her time and wish her all the best in the contest and with whatever comes next.’
