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 the duo of Demie feat. Janice.
escXtra: Hey guys! Thanks for taking some time to speak to us today! Firstly we’d like to congratulate you all on your qualification to the semi-finals of Eesti Laul 2015!
Demie & Janice: Hi!
X: For those of us who aren’t so familiar with you, can you please introduce yourselves and tell us an interesting fact about yourself?
Demie: I’m Demie. I love all kinds of music, starting from classical to rock and everything between. I started making music as a hobby and it really has been fun so far for me. I’m just enjoying the ride. Please check me out, I have a lot of new and exciting music coming up! Say hi to me!
Janice: I’m an Estonian EDM music singer. My real name is Jaanika Merelaht and I’m 26 years old. I am my own boss and all the music what I do comes from my heart. I have been singing since I remember. The first single that I did was 10 years ago. I have taken part in different pop groups and for about 3 years I have performed as Janice. Please check out my Facebook page!
X: How did the two of you come together to work on Kuum?
D&J: Janice wrote to Demie and and he agreed to collaborate. Our teamwork went fine. We didn’t write that song especially for Eesti Laul, the idea came later as the song processed.
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? Who found out first?
D&J: Demie heard it first, driving around in the city, almost having a car crash after such news! Janice didn’t believe it at first and thought that this was a bad joke. But when she saw that this is real, she walked around with a big smile on her face.
X: So ‘Kuum’ wasn’t made especially for Eesti Laul? What then was the inspiration for ‘Kuum’?
D&J: No that was just a good mood song and the idea to send it Eesti laul came later. The lyrics were written in summer/early autumn, so you can hear summer vibes in this song.
X: What does ‘Kuum’ mean and what is the song about?
D&J: ‘KUUM’ means HOT in Estonian. The story is about two fresh lovers who are totally in love. You know that feeling, when you’ve just fallen in love with somebody and you just think about that other person 24/7.
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 consider recording an English version?
D&J: We think our language is beautiful and the song will remain in Estonian, should it make it to Eurovision.
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?
D&J: On the stage there will be Janice and 4 more people. There will be passion, fire and drums 🙂 You will have to see it for yourself!
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?
D&J: We have always loved Eurovision and the Eesti Laul contest and to participate there was always our dream. It means a lot to both of us. Eesti Laul is a great way to introduce us both to wider audience in our native Estonia and Eurovision of course is a great way to showcase us to whole Europe and why not to the world.
X: What are your feelings on the fact that if you win you will be representing your nation at Eurovision in Vienna in May?
D&J: It would be our pleasure, a dream come true! Should it happen, we promise to represent our country well and with pride.
X: Are you Eurovision fans, and if so do you have any favourite Eurovision songs? Perhaps a favourite Estonian entry?
D&J: We are. Our favourite is “Everybody”, a song from Estonia which won Eurovision in 2001.
X: Now some questions to get to know you both a little better, how did you spend your most recent birthday?
J: With my family.
D: I was out DJing in a club! Had a great time.
X: Do you have a favourite alcoholic beverage?
J: Rum.
D: Water!….oh wait – does it have alcohol in it?
X: Where is your favourite place in Estonia and/or where would you recommend someone visiting Estonia go see?
J: Pärnu city in Summer. 🙂
D: Estonia is beautiful all around. I have recently discovered South-Estonia for myself. Very beautiful landscape. I also like Tallinn’s Old Town a lot.
X: What is your favourite food to cook?
Janice: Chicken pasta.
Demie: Something spicy!
X: If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you choose?
J: Cat and dog.
D: I already have him! My best friend, my dog 🙂
X: What is your favourite colour?
Ja: Black
D: Black
X: What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
J: I was performing (singing) and I fell down funnily because my shoe got stuck to the stage floor.
X: Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
D&J: Do what you love, no matter what others say!
Demie feat. Janice take part in the second semi-final on Saturday, February 14th with the song “Kuum” which you can hear below. On behalf of everyone at escXtra we would like to thank them both for their time and wish them both all the best in the contest and with whatever comes next.
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