Life after Helsinki 2007 Eurovision

  Estonia has revealed today half of the Eesti laul 2020 participants and among them we find this blogger's soft spot Laura with STEFAN, Uku Suviste, Traffic and Rasmus among others and also the writers include several very familiar names from Uku and Sarag Vaugh, Tanja Mihhailova-Saar, Victor Crone with Stig Rästa. Not forgetting Finnish Janne Hyöty who has co-written Laura's song. He holds the record number of Euroviisut entries written - shared  with Lasse Mårtensson - (14) in the Finnish national final between 2004-2012. These days he writes songs mainly for the Asian market through his Sugar House Publishing having several Japan #1s under his belt with various groups.  Beautiful Lie - Jaagup Tuisk  (Jaagup Tuisk) Break Me - Laura  (Janne Hyöty, Jessica Hyöty, Laura Põldvere) By My Side - STEFAN  (Karl-Ander Reismann, Stefan Airapetjan) Lean On Me - Ziggy Wild  (Laura Prits, Valdur Viiklepp, Sander Nõmmistu, Henri-Hann...

Estonia is one of the big favorites this year and for a reason. They topped the odds even before the Estonian final was held thanks to this song, Goodbye to yesterday . When Elina & Stig won the final with 79% of the votes there was no doubt we have having something special here. A nice cocktail of experience and inexperience, old and young (well, sort of, Stig is 35, Elina 20 but then this is not the first time Estonia sends a duet of this kind...), two different ways of singing, a story to tell.... Everything falls in right place from melody to the vocals, the retro arrangement. All we need is a good staging and camerawork and we might be off to Tallinn next year. Maybe.

Kaliningrad born Tanja (Tatiana Mihhailova, 30) isn't a new comer to Eesti laul as she already was a runner up back in 2002 with NightLight Duo and Another country song and took part again in 2003 . Since then she has become a household name and much admired person in theater, musicals and TV-shows. Several bands, talent shows and international festivals later she lands Copenhagen 2014 with partly self-penned Amazing . Robert: Like previous years, a very interesting preselection in Estonia. I like many songs of this Eesti laul like Maiken , Sandra Nurmsalu, Lauri Pihlap, Körsikud, Lenna Kuurmaa and MiaMee but in the end Traffic's song Fur Elise is the best for me. The winning song by Tanja is not at all appreciated by me. No final. Blogilkar :  I have to admit I didn't pay much attention to this among the Eesti laul semifinalists. The dancing & singing performance seemed a bit akward and yes, a bit Loreen-ish. The Estonian final was full of worthy songs, ...

Estonia will have its final this Satuday after two semifinals where half of the songs were kicked out. Eesti laul has been the past few years rather indie, exciting, provocative (just think about Winny Puhh ) and innovative. This year wasn't so bold I'm afraid. Relistening the final line up it's pretty safe stuff and who knows what the Estonians will vote to Copenhagen? I don't. Estonia has now made three times in a row to the final, twice with a ballad in Estonian, will the wind change this year, as Sandra suggests? I would still go for that, meaning Maiken. Sandra would do again as well, I like her song and it makes me think of this for some reason, which is a good thing as I loved it. Lenna and Traffic are also potential winners, I think. I would be surprised of anyone else. Except Tanja but not in a good way. Oh hang on, what about Norman?! Here's a recap . Brigita Murutar -  Laule täis taevakaar   Traffic - Für Elise   Norman Salumäe - Search   Wilhel...

Tonight the second semifinal of Eesti laul 2014 took place and additional five names were chosen . In the end I may have changed Brigita with Nion and it would have been perfect. Estonian final takes place next week in Tallinn. Brigita Murutar - Laule täis taevakaar Maiken - Siin või sealpool maad Norman Salumäe - Search Sandra Nurmsalu - Kui tuuled pöörduvad Traffic - Für Elise      

Estonian songs are also online now and once again there's a bit everything for everyone. EDM, folk, ballads, rock... but nothing like Winny Puh to mix it up and in general the mix of songs is less surprising as the few previous years. Or should I say boring? With the first quick listening I kinda liked Maiken, Nion, MiaMee, Traffic, Wilhelm.... fans will propably go for Tanja. The one I was waiting for the most to hear or Sandra is not yet there! The Estonian semifinals will be on February 14 and 21 and the final on March 1, 2014. ERR wil upload the performance videos of each artists in coming days and some of them are already there.... Semifinal 1 - February 14, 2014 Tanja - Amazing   The Titles - Flames   Wilhelm - Resignal   State of Zoe - Solina   Nimmerschmidt - Sandra   VÖÖRAD - Maailm on hull   Super Hot CosmOs Blues Band - Maybe-Maybe   August Hunt - Kus on EXIT? Kõrsikud - Tule ja jää Lenna - Supernoova     ...