ESC+Plus has talked to Würffel’s members Rosanna Lints, main vocalist, and Kaspar Kalluste, keyboard and backing vocals, semifinalists of this year’s Estonian national selection for Eurovision. The band will perform “I’m Facing North” in the first semi-final of Eesti Laul to take place today.
ESC+Plus: Hello! First of all, thank you so much for your time and congratulations on having been selected to take part in the Estonian national selection for Eurovision 2016!
Can you tell us about you, your musical career and important achievements?
Rosanna: I started singing at 8 and reached 3rd place in Estonian Idol at 16. After that have released few singles with different songwriters, visited some radio stations and tv-shows, done some tours, competed in Eesti Laul and so on. But Würffel was definitely an important turnaround in my life. Within two years of making the band we have released 6 singles (including I’m Facing North), debut album “Beats And Bubbles” and music video for Dance Dance. Also we have given live in various tv-shows, radio stations and performed in showcases and festivals in Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Finland, Slovakia and Austria.
Kaspar: I started with classical piano at the age of 7, started to play drums when I was 12 years old. At the age of 16 I went to Georg Otsa music school to study jazz drums and after that school I went to Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre where I did my Bachelor and Masters. In 2012 I won the Young Jazz Talent Award. I have played in many jazz and pop bands and projects, (just to name a few who have participated in Eurovision contest: Tanel Padar & The Sun, Ines, Maarja)
E+: What impelled you to take part in “Eesti Laul 2016”?
Kaspar: Actually it was the producer of Eesti Laul, Mart Normet. He asked us to send our demo and this year we decided to do it.
E+: How did you feel when you knew you had qualified for the semi-finals? Did you expect it?
We didn’t have any expectations. We had the song already and this was going to be our next single. But of course we were happy and excited about it.
E+: What it would mean for you to represent Estonia?
We would be very happy to represent our country! It means a lot.
E+: Can you tell us about your song “I’m Facing North”? What is the story behind the lyrics?
I remember us hanging out at a friend’s place and talking about the country we live in and how it’s climate and northern vibe influences us. In the end of the discussion Kaspar mentioned that he sent us a demo, while what he kept in mind that northern vibe. So when I started writing lyrics for the song, wintery metaphors started haunting my every thought, so that led to: I’m Facing North.
E+: Why do you think your song has to be selected for Stockholm? What are you strengths to reach the top in the competition?
Rosanna: I don’t actually believe in competing – it just doesn’t ring a bell. It may also be the reason why at sports I was only successful in long distance running, so I didn’t actually feel that I was in a competition with anybody. Maybe that fact that we don’t compete in our mindset gives us more freedom to express ourselves.
E+: Have you started to prepare your stage performance for “Eesti Laul”?
Yep. And it’s recorded already :).
E+: Do you usually watch Eurovision? What are your favorite songs in the history of the competition?
Rosanna: I’m not the biggest TV shark, but I bet that Tarvi knows his favourites.
E+: If you could choose a Eurovision former participant to sing with, who would it be?
Tanel Padar – he’s the winner!
E+: Besides Eurovision, what are your plans for this year?
Release Würffel’s second album, give concerts, work hard and have fun.
E+: Finally, can you send a message for our readers and Eurovision fans?
Even though butterfly’s have only one day to survive, when they know they got it right than it’s all that matters!
E+: Thanks for your time and good luck!