🇱🇹 Aistay Interview: “I was 3 years old when I took my first step into music.”

Eurovizija.LT participant Aistay.

Today we had the chance to catch up with Lithuanian musician and teacher Aistė Tomkeviciute, also known by her stage name Aistay. She first appeared on TV when she competed on The Voice of Lithuania in 2014 and has won a variety of singing competitions across Europe already. She is part of the first eight artists competing in the Eurovizija.LT semi-finals this Saturday. 

Thank you so much for taking some time out of your preparations for Eurovizija.LT to speak with us today! Why don’t we start by having you tell us a little about yourself?

Hello everyone! I am Aistay (pronounced as: I stay). And yes, I had a time when I wanted to give up on my life with music. But then I happened to get a Bachelor degree at a Music Academy, so I stayed 😂 My name is Aistė + stay = Aistay

I am a singing teacher and an artist. I really love to teach, because it’s really beautiful when voices open, and the singers are surprised by how they can sing. 🙂 

I love that your name has such meaning behind it, and that you chose to stay! Speaking of, when did your love of music and performance first begin? Do you remember your first live performance and can you tell us a bit about it?

Yes, I was 3 years old when I took my first step into music. That was in singers contest “Dainų dainelė” and I still remember the song 🙂 Now I sing that song to my daughter 🙂 

Of course being a musical artist isn’t the only thing about you – what are some things that our readers might be surprised to learn about you like some secret hobbies, talents, etc.?

I really like to be in the forest and nature. I enjoy every magic moment of flowers, sunsets… and it’s kind of a meditation to be here and now, especially in the countryside village of my husband’s parents. 

I make some jewelry from nature stones and also I like to cook! Pasta, thai food and buddha bowls are my favorite! 

If I asked you to describe your musical style, influences, and sound to our readers, what words or references might you use?

Oh no. I don’t like this question:)) No, I can’t describe my musical style on my own. I am influenced by various styles of music (from medieval church music to the classical / world / jazz / good pop music). 

When I create a song – my focus is on the feeling and lyrics, melody line, not on style. And no, I don’t have any references in my mind, so maybe it’s a good thing 😀 

I recall you competed in the national selection before back in 2020 with the entry “Dangas Man Tu”. What motivated you to return to the national selection this year to compete once again?

In 2020 with the “Dangus man tu” song – I just tried to participate without any expectation. Now I prepared a song which we created specially for the contest, so that’s why we tried to fit in time. We took an up tempo song, and we consciously wrote it in the English language. We wrote it in about 2 weeks from the very beginning, it was a fast and fascinating time.

Also when we had a recording session – in my mind I already knew that at the stage I would be not alone, so I took a dancer’s. So this time we worked purposefully with a song, lyrics and everything else. 

You mentioned that this song was written in English, which is a little different from your recent releases all in Lithuanian. Can you tell us a bit more about why you decided to make this change for your entry?

What about language – it’s not my only song in English. I wrote some songs in English with different music producers many years ago. Now I think I am prepared to write in English more 🙂 

And of course I wish that I will be heard by more people. But on the other hand – it’s really hard to write lyrics in English and sound not skin-deep. 

That’s very true – sometimes the most mundane lyrics sound like magic when they aren’t in English ha! So as of today you’ve already filmed your performance for Eurovizija.LT which premieres on Saturday. What can our readers expect to see from you? Any teases you want to give?

On the stage I will be not alone:) I think that my performance will be esthetic and stylish.

For those who want to connect with you all ahead of or after the selection– where can they find you and continue to support your musical career?

You can find my music on youtube, Spotify, everywhere else. Follow me on instagram (you can find me as aiste.tomkeviciute or Aistay). Also I do gigs with a band at private events (I really love to sing not only my own songs!!). 😄

Do you have any final words or a final message you’d like to send to the readers of ESCUnited?

It’s really great to be a little part of this Eurovision party, especially with a song which was written for this contest. Thank you if you listen my song 🙂

Thanks so much Aistay and we wish you the best of luck in the Lithuanian National selection! 🙂