The Estonian national selection for Eurovision, Eesti Laul 2016, is holding its second semi final this weekend. Amongst the ten acts competing in the show is Gertu Pabbo, who will perform her song “Miljon Korda”. wiwiblogger Luis had a chat with the young singer to learn more about her song and her experience. Here are the highlights.
GERTU PABBO – MILJON KORDA
You’re one of the youngest competitors in Eesti Laul this year. Do you feel any added pressure because of this?
I don’t feel like I’m the youngest, but it doesn’t add any extra pressure anyway. I’m entering Eesti Laul because I want some experience and to have fun. Of course it would be amazing to represent Estonia at Eurovision, but I’m just living day by day right now. We’ll see what happens!
You finished second in Eesti otsib superstaari last year and there you sang songs from artists like Aretha Franklin, Tom Jones and Ott Lepland. How was that experience?
Eesti Otsib Superstaari was life changing for me and I will remember every second of it. My favourite singer in Estonia is Ott Lepland and it was not just singing his songs, but singing them in Nordea Concert Hall, when he was listening at the same time. That was just amazing!
Your mate at Eesti otsib superstaari Jüri Pootsmann is also taking part in Eesti Laul. Have you heard his song? After you finished as the runner-up to Jüri, are you seeking revenge?
Yes, I have heard his song and it’s really good. Of course, I want to do my best with my song, but we are very good friends and I wish only the best for him. I think he is going to do very well!
You’re one of the very few competing artists in Eesti Laul who will sing in Estonian. Why did you want to sing in your own language?
After Eesti Otsib Superstaari I knew that I wanted to sing only in Estonian. Just like my first single “Ei ma ootama jää“, the Eesti Laul song had to be in Estonian too. I think it’s a very beautiful language and I think Estonia should be represented with a song in it’s own language.
“Miljon Korda” starts as a ballad, but soon turns into a much less typical kind of song. The background music is really interesting. Can you tell us a bit more about it?
Not that it’s a bad thing, but we didn’t want a typical Eurovision ballad. So we did something different and I think it turned out very well.
Were you involved in composing the song or did you just pick it once they showed it to you?
No, I wasn’t involved in composing. The writers and composers sent me the song and I really liked it, so we went to the studio and everything started there!
Can you tell us a bit about the message of your song?
The message of my song is that, when you want something badly and you work hard for it, sometimes things don’t go as you would like them to go, but you just have to face these problems and move on with your life, as if you were at the beginning.
How would you describe “Miljon Korda” in just one sentence?
Beautiful and strong.
Tell us a bit more about the staging. What can we expect from your performance?
It will be beautiful, and you should look forward to that, but I want to keep it a secret right now.
You’ve sang with many Estonian Eurovision entrants in the past – such as Tanel Padar and Ott Lepland. How was the experience singing with them? Have they given you any advice for Eesti Laul?
To sing with them was a privilege and I will remeber it for the rest of my life!
Eesti Laul is taking place this year at Saku Suurhall, where Eurovision 2002 was held. There will be a huge crowd there, does that add any extra pressure?
Firstly, I have to get through to the finals and then I can think about that. But I don’t think it will add extra pressure on me. It’s not important if it’s five people or thousands, I will enjoy and love it anyway!
What would going to Stockholm mean to you both personally and professionally?
It would change me a lot being on the stage, as well as off stage. I’m quite shy when it comes to behind the scenes stuff and talking to media. I would love to meet singing all over Europe and get to know them.
And finally, do you have a message for our readers at wiwibloggs.com?
I wish everyone year full of music!
Gertu will be competing in the second semifinal of Eesti Laul on February 20. You can follow her on YouTube, Facebook and Instagram.
Believe me, if Estonia sends a song in English they’ll get better results.
Personally i like Stories Untold, but its so repetive…
As an Estonian, I definitely agree that we should send an entry sung in Estonian, but her entry isn’t even very good, and half of the time I’m not even sure what she’s saying. If we happen to send an entry actually sung in Estonian (which i deeply hope we will) then it should be Põhja-Tallinn or La La Ladies.