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 hear what Southern Estonia’s Mari has to say.
escXtra: Hey Mari! 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!
Mari: Hi, thank you for your questions
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?
M: My name is Mariliis, I study fashion in Academy of Arts and I like most when my little son sings my songs with his own twisted words.
X: Is there any particular reason you use the stage name ‘Mari’ as opposed to your full name?
M: Mari is my nickname and has stuck to me as long as I remember.
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?
M: I had some friends coming over when one of my band member messaged me and told about good news. I felt really lucky as I got so many good wishes from others and we took a moment to celebrate before the hard work started.
X: Was your song “Kolm Päeva Tagasi” made specifically with Eesti Laul in mind, and what was the inspiration to create it?
M: I wrote this song in summer and left it in my drawer for a few months. When the competition was called out it came back to my mind, so I finished it and sent it to the competition.
X: Can you tell us what “Kolm Päeva Tagasi” means, and what the song is about?
M: It means “Three days ago” and it’s about new beginnings and letting go of things that are not meant to be, as all good things will happen to us when the time is right.
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?
M: I’ll be on stage with my two backing singers, a drummer and 2 guitarists. I feel really blessed to have such talented band members and I really enjoy working and performing all together.
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?
M: Singing and writing songs are the things that I enjoy doing most and if I have an opportunity to share it with others, I most definitely use it.
X: What are your feelings on the fact that if you win you will be representing your nation at Eurovision in Vienna in May?
M: I don’t think that far yet. One thing at time 🙂
X: Now some questions to get to know you a little better, how did you spend your most recent birthday?
M: With my good friends in one small and cosy South-Estonian mansion. We had a nice dinner and some quality time together.
X: Can you tell us a secret about yourself that very few people know?
M: No, it won’t be a secret then.
X: Where is your favourite place in Estonia and/or where would you recommend someone visiting Estonia go see?
M: South of Estonia is definitely my favourite, because of its amazing nature and I was lucky enough to spend my childhood there.
X: What is your favourite food to cook?
M: My favourite cuisine is Italian and especially I like different kind of pasta dishes.
X: If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you choose?
M: A dog. I love dogs. And I have a golden retriver named Wilson who is my true lifelong friend. He got his name after the movie “Cast away”, where Tom Hanks played.
X: What is your favourite colour?
M: Gray, because life is not only black and white, but million shades of gray.
X: Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
M: Show your love and care about each other!
Mari takes part in the second semi-final on Saturday, February 14th with the song “Kolm Päeva Tagasi” which you can hear below. On behalf of everyone at escXtra we would like to thank Mari for her time and wish her all the best in the contest and with whatever comes next.
