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Next up in our series of interviews with Estonian artists is Aden Ray, whose anthemic, breathy pop ballad “Everybody’s Dressed” takes part in tonight’s first Eesti Laul semi-final. What could we find out about the singer ahead of his performance?

Hello Aden Ray!

First of all thank you for your time talking to us. How are you? Can you introduce yourself? What can you tell us about yourself?

Thank you so much! I really appreciate it. I’m doing well, I’m in snowy Tallinn right now. I’m a singer, songwriter, music and vocal producer, model and product endorser, member of Grammy’s Recording Academy and European Authors’ Society. I’m also the CEO and creative/music production director of my music production company “Global Movements Media Group”, so we are producing music for us and for other artists.

The song that you will be presenting for Eesti Laul is “Everybody’s Dressed”. What can you tell us about the song?

The song Everybody’s Dressed was written and composed by me. This song is about us people, wearing social masks in our lives. It’s like we are always wearing good clothes, making sure our hair is done and so on, trying to look better and nicer to other people. But the main thing is that in the end of the day, when I meet people, I don’t see their ‘faces’ (like in the song I’m singing), like who they really are, how funny they can be, how easy going they can be! And only when love comes to our hearts, that’s the time when we can become bright, like a sunshine, real and natural, like who we really are. We don’t have to be scared of being who we are. So these masks, these fake feelings are making us sad and sometimes stressful. So, the last verse is about the fact that we must fight for not being afraid anymore to be who we are. So, in the end we will all feel blessed and loved and happy.

What was the inspiration for the song, and did you write it specifically for Eesti Laul and Eurovision?

Usually I write a song first and then while I’m writing, about halfway, I’m starting little by little to understand what am I writing about and so on. My inspiration was definitely my emotions after the loss of my late father who passed away a few years ago. So the second verse is about him, our relationship, but also the second verse is about a person’s inner strength. My inspiration was people, how we live, how we go through life sometimes without even knowing who we truly are, what we really feel, because whether we are not allowing ourselves to open in front of the mirror or society or the system is pressuring us. It’s hard to honestly say things to yourself sometimes. Sometimes it’s hard to even realize that something has to be said or done.

I didn’t write “Everybody’s Dressed” specifically for Eurovision, but I think it suits well.

What is your impression of the Eurovision Song Contest in general? Do you watch it every year? What is your favourite entry?

I love that it unites people. I heard a lots of great songs through this competition. I’ll give you a few examples. My all time favorite is the girl from Malta with her music, “Chiara – Angel”, Marija Šerifović’s “Molitva”, The recent winner also, Conchita Wurst with her track. So many to mention. A lots of great artists.

Apart from the Eurovision Song Contest, where would you dream to do a performance?

Oh, that place should be something interesting, because it’s possible to do a performance almost everywhere, so to dream big I’d say in the White House at one of their balls.

Do you think performing at the Eurovision Song Contest will have a positive impact on your career?

Definitely. The main reason is that Eurovision is giving me a chance to show my music to a large audience. To tell to the world about my music, about what I’m doing and to be able to connect with other people through love and music. And that connection means a lot for me. I’m getting so much from other people, from their love, from their support. And I hope my music finds a place in other people’s hearts. That’s also what my song is about – that we should help each other, stand for each other, fight for each other.

Can you tell us about your first experience with music?

I started singing in school and church choirs, but if you mean my first professional experience, then of course when I stepped into a vocal studio for the first time at the age of 12. Then when I start writing songs and music, already at the age of 16, my first recordings, my first songs. And then of course when I was doing my first album “The Revolution Of Me”. I put in it all that I experienced during my life until the age of 20 or 22 I think. I released this album under another name. I will remaster and re-release it some time soon.

How do you describe your music to people?

My music is always different. And it’s always in different genres. Like my first album “The Revolution Of Me” to my latest “33 Names” to the soundtracks that I’m doing. And the same thing with my musical taste. I like to mix music genres, all the styles, voices, music instruments to make something that I would most likely listen to. So I’d call it different.

What is a typical day like for you?

I don’t usually have typical days, although sometimes I really want to. But I usually start my day with a lot of water. By that I mean, that I’m drinking a lot of water in the morning, then after I do some yoga and eat my breakfast, I prefer to take a bath and to soak there for 30 minutes or so. After that I’m ready to move mountains.

We would like to thank Aden for his time talking to us and wish him the best of luck in Eesti Laul this weekend!

What do #YOU think of Aden Ray’s song in Eesti Laul? Share your thoughts with us on our forum HERE or join the discussion below and on social media!

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