With a number of national selections fast approaching, we wanted to learn more about the people and personalities behind some of the entries hoping to reach Rotterdam this year.
The next artist we speak to from Latvia needs no introduction. Already a favourite with many on our forums, Samanta Tīna is no stranger to the fight to represent Latvia at Eurovision. Can she make it this year?
We spoke to Samanta about how her mother knew she’d be a singer, the deeper meanings behind her entry and her previous relationships with Eurovision selections…
Hello Samanta!
First of all thank you for taking the time to talk to us. How are you? What has changed for you in the year since we last talked?
Hey! Nice to hear from you again! Everything has changed! We will never be as we did yesterday! Reality is not unstable!
The song that you will be presenting for Supernova is “Still Breathing”. What can you tell us about the song?
A story of a woman’s inexorable power, drawing attention to society’s stereotypes of women – we must be ideal mothers, wives, mistresses, and successful careerists with big future career plans, sometimes able to be masculine to exist for ourselves, our loved ones and our dreams. At the same time, you must maintain a perfect look and be able to take care of everyone around you too. One big SYSTEM with a number of obligations that don’t give you discounts!
We women don’t have time to stop – We keep breathing and doing. But what really matters most is that we are happy and in love with ourselves, without losing ourselves as a woman, that we find time for ourselves – not as mothers, wives, careerists, but simply as women, whatever our social status, marital status, size and public stereotypes. Because we can! And yes I am one of those strong women as well! 🙂
What was the inspiration for the song, and did you write it specifically for Supernova and Eurovision?
This is really funny, because I did not plan to send this song to Supernova! We started to work on this song more than 1 year ago…and all the time I could not find the right sound and temperament for it! But this day has come – and I found it!
This is your second time participating in Supernova. What are you planning differently this time to reach a better place?
Hmm…no it is my 3rd time! 🙂 1st time was in 2016 when I left at prime time! 2nd time was last year with “Cutting the Wire” and this is my 3rd time with “Still Breathing”. I just will do my best, I can not change our audience’s taste! 🙂
Has going through the Supernova process helped improve you as a musician and performer? What has been some of the most valuable feedback you’ve received as a result of your Supernova appearances?
Supernova is a really good platform to improve yourself to Europe as an artist! It is a really great way to show up in a different level. The best feedback is from Eurovision National selections in 2013 when I placed 2nd with the song “I Need a Hero”, this song is still sung by lot of new singers in singing comepetitions around Europe.
Do you think performing at the Eurovision Song Contest will have a positive impact on your career?
Definitely! 🙂 The biggest work is there, not only those 3 minutes on main stage!
What is the best bit of advice you have ever been given?
Never pay attention to little details in your life! What are the little details? EVERYTHING!
What’s the one thing that might surprise people about you?
I can not read notes!
Can you tell us about your first experience with music?
As my mother told me, at first she thought that something is wrong with me, because every time when the radio was singing – I opened my mouth with no sound and was moving along! Then she realised… “She’s gonna be a singer!”
Thank you for your time Samanta. We wish you the best of luck for the upcoming competition. Maybe we see you in May in Rotterdam!
Thank you! See you!
Samanta will compete in Latvia’s Supernova final on Saturday 8th February with “Still Breathing”. #YOU can check out and follow Samanta on Facebook, Instagram and Spotify.
What do #YOU think of Samanta Tīna and “Still Breathing”? Share your thoughts with us on our forum HERE or join the discussion below in the comments and on social media!
