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 only a day to go until the second semi-final, we took the opportunity to speak to a few of the contestants, and today we hear what Stig Rästa who is the current favourite along with his duet partner Elina Born has to say.
escXtra: Hello Stig! 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!
Stig Rästa: Hey.
X: Most of our readers should be familiar with you, but for those that aren’t could you please introduce yourself and tell us a fun fact about you?
S: My name is Stig Rästa and also my given name is Raul-Stig.
X: You’ve been writing songs for Elina for a while now. What was behind the decision to team up and enter Eesti Laul as a duo?
S: I thought that together we can make a strong song and Eesti Laul is a perfect place to publish a song.
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?
S: I think I was at home and found out through our national television.
X: Was “Goodbye to Yesterday” made specifically with Eesti Laul in mind, and what was the inspiration behind the song? does it from personal experience?
S: This song was actually made few years back but put on hold. I rediscovered it myself in autumn and thought it would be nice to finish it.
X: This is quite a different style for you both, but particularly Elina who previously has sung more traditionally pop songs. Does this represent a shift in style for you both?
S: I have never been so strict in one genre and I think there are many genres I would like to write music in. It just happened and I think that this kind a old sound is quite popular at the moment.
X: At this point in time you are not only the favourite to win Eesti Laul, but on the back of that Estonia is currently the favourite to win Eurovision as a result. Do you feel this puts a lot of pressure on you both or do you ignore such odds?
S: I try not to think about it but to focus on the performance. Yeah its already a win when people think so but we’ll see what happens.
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 English and would you record an Estonian version?
S: It is recorded in English to get the bigger audience and I’m sure we wont record it in Estonian.
X: At this point in time we have seen a few performances of ‘Goodbye to Yesterday’ with you both on stools. Is this what we can expect from your Eesti Laul performance, or do you have a surprise in store?
S: This time we are standing 😀 This song is simple and I think that the performance needs to be simple as well.
X: Participation in Eesti Laul means many things to many people. Why did you enter Eesti Laul and what do you hope to achieve from the contest?
S: I hope that my songwriting skills are noticed and the incredible voice of Elina gets a bigger audience.
X: What are your feelings on the fact that if you win you will be representing your nation at Eurovision in Vienna in May?
S: No special feelings just hope that it’ll be a fun experience.
X: Are you a fan of the Eurovision Song Contest?
S: I can’t say I’m a fan but I watch the show every time.
X: And do you have a favourite Eesti Laul entry from the years that you have participated?
S: This year’s entry ‘Idiot’ is a cool song.
X: Now some questions to get to know you a little better, how did you spend your most recent birthday?
S: It’ll be on the 24th of February and I don’t even remember how I spent it last year.
X: Do you have a favourite alcoholic beverage?
S: I think I like beer of all of them
X: Where is your favourite place in Estonia and/or where would you recommend someone visiting Estonia go see?
S: There are two but I don’t want people to visit them. I go these places because there are very little visitors.
X: What is your favourite food to cook?
S: Lasagne.
X: If you could have any animal in the world as a pet, what would you choose?
S: My dog.
X: What is your favourite colour?
S: I’d like to say green right now and I don’t know why. I think it varies.
X: What is the most embarrassing thing that has ever happened to you?
S: As you get older there are so little things that embarrass me so I don’t actually remember any.
X: Finally, do you have a message for our readers?
S: Live life to the fullest and be true to yourself ’cause the time you have will go by very fast.
Stig, along with Elina Born take part in the second semi-final on Saturday, February 14th with the song “Goodbye To Yesterday” which you can hear below. On behalf of everyone at escXtra we would like to thank Stig for his time and wish both he and Elina all the best in the contest and with whatever comes next.
