Category: LITHUANIA
Lithuania 2018 🇱🇹 second rehearsal: heartbreaking and sentimental
LITHUANIA – Ieva begins her performance on the floor and with lots of close ups she stands still and performs in a somehow black stage. The camera work needs to be fixed by thee vocal performance is spreading the sentiment. The camera work needs to get better when Ieva meets here husband. Lithuania was one of the surprises in the first round and seems good enough for qualification but I am afraid that this is sentimental enough just for the Eurofans. Odd predictions consider Lithuania as 10th potential qualifier but really struggles with Azerbaijan. Somehow this is the sweetheart song of the Eurofans and will not appeal to the viewers that much. Vocally though Ieva is great. The outfit is an interesting choice – in a blush pink colour jumper and same coloured skirt.
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LITHUANIA 🇱🇹 ON THE WEB
ESCKAZ.COM: In the 2nd run she’s back to both last lines in Lithuanian, so it seems they are still trying to work out what works better for them.
ESCBUBBLE.COM: Good strong vocals have been used and I like how she sees her husband at the end of the song. Having said that I’m not sure if this will qualify as I think there are stronger songs in this Semi final.
ESCXTRA.COM: For the final chorus, Ieva moves onto the staircase and belts her song out from the bridge. Once again, Ieva’s husband then joins Ieva for the final lines of the song which are sung in Lithuanian. Yet again, big applause from the press centre.
EUROVOIX.COM: The performance however was just as beautiful as the first take. Once again they’ve managed to create a very intimate setting for the mood of the song despite it being a very big stage.
Lithuania 2018 🇱🇹 Erica Jennings withdraws from Eurovizijos and explains why via social media
LITHUANIA – Irish-Lithuanian leads singer of SKAMP who represented Lithuania in the 2001 Eurovision Song Contest, Erica Jennings announced this morning her withdrawal from the Lithuanian national selection not baring with the attitude of the jury.
ERICA’S STATEMENT
I’ve been mulling it over in my head for a while. Yes I do have a great song – in my humble, but experienced opinion. “The Truth” means a great deal to me. I wrote it while I was still pregnant with my daughter who’s now just turned 7 months. It’s a big song and yes it’s perfect for Eurovision. If I didn’t feel that way about my song I wouldn’t have wanted to take part in the first place.But I’ve decided to pull out. And I’ll tell you honestly why. I simply don’t want to jump through all those hoops again. I am an established singer. I’ve been to Eurovision already, with my own song and we did pretty well as I recall. And so the idea of having to, once again, be in that almost “school girl” position of having to stand there, listening to a commission, after performing my heart out is simply cringeworthy. And with all due respect, most of them are less experienced than me in these particular topics of Eurovision, singing and songwriting. I’m fine with there being a panel in general. I’ve been on commissions myself. But I honestly believe the format should be reconsidered with all due respect to everyone involved.
Just scrolling down fb after the tv show has aired, you see all these so called “experts” complimenting themselves on how they got rid of the “rubbish” and didn’t “hold back”, patting each other on the back and massaging their egos. When most of them have never a) written a song b) written a hit or c) been anywhere near performing at Eurovision. I mean I’m just amazed at their gall.
When I went to Eurovision, there was a commission then too but their verdict was decided off camera. You performed and that was it. I get it – it’s tv and ratings and I’m fine with that too. It’s just this particular format, is not for me. I would suggest that perhaps they consider making some changes for the future.
And I hope that those on the commission this year will appreciate their position and behave accordingly. Constructive criticism, empathy and compassion. It’s not what you say but
how you say it. If someone would like to try with “The Truth”, let me know.Lastly, I wish everyone taking part this year the very very very best of luck!
Lithuania 2018 🇱🇹 First Heat show concluded, here are the results
LITHUANIA 2018 🇱🇹 EUROVIZIJOS FIRST HEAT
| PARTICIPANT(S) | SONG TITLE | JURY | PUBLIC | TOTAL | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ieva Zasimauskaitė | "When We're Old" | 12 | 12 | 24 | Qualified |
| Godo | "Fire Fountain" | 12 | 8 | 20 | Qualified |
| Milda Rasilavičiūtė | "I Think About You" | 6 | 7 | 13 | Qualified |
| Lukas Norkūnas | "Tegu" | 8 | 4 | 12 | Qualified |
| Germantė Kinderytė | "Turn It Up" | 0 | 10 | 10 | Qualified |
| Benas Malakauskas | "My Memories" | 3 | 6 | 9 | Qualified |
| Aušra Difartė | "Someday" | 5 | 3 | 8 | 7 |
| Natalija Chareckaja | "Serious" | 7 | 0 | 7 | 8 |
| Evaldas Vaikasas | "Blind" | 2 | 5 | 7 | 9 |
| Justin3 | "Born to Be Wild One" | 4 | 2 | 6 | 10 |
| Monee | "Standing Here" | 1 | 1 | 2 | 11 |
| Dangė | "Netikra Laimė" | 0 | 0 | 0 | 12 |
| Meda Meškauskaitė | "Blood Roses" | 0 | 0 | 0 | 13 |
Donny Montell 🇱🇹
works on Eurovision 2018 bid!
LITHUANIA – Donatas Montvydas aka Donny Montell and Egidijus Dragūnas seem they are interested in returning in the Eurovision Song Contest 2018. They announced their intention to enter the Lithuanian national selection according to local newspaper 15min.lt.
The two Lithuanian artists posted a video on Facebook recently working together on their song for the national selection. In the meantime Donny is following his tight schedule of live gigs.
Speaking about potential return to the Eurovision stage, sexy Donny said “Why not, it’s the third time for me I hope it will be with Egiu”.
Egiu said: “I think our experience and this piece of work are exactly what we need for Eurovision. For many years I’ve been on stage, but from those who have not yet seen this competition. Maybe it’s time itself?”
So, will we see a song already prepared and published as they are eligible according to the 1st of September rule? Adjustments to comply with the overall EBU terms of course will apply.
Donny Montell, is a Lithuanian singer-songwriter who represented Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2012, held in Baku, Azerbaijan. He did so for a second time in 2016, when he represented his country in Stockholm, Sweden.
Mia speaks about scandals, suicidal nights and coming out of depression
LITHUANIA – Mia was born on 19 July 1983 as Vilija Pilibaitytė in the village of Kaukolikai, located in Skuodas District Municipality. She grew up in Samogitia. Mia released her debut single “Kiekvienam” in 2004, which became a hit. In the same year she released her debut single “Aš krentu”. Later she signed a contract with Lithuanian record label, Melodija, and started recording her first album. In 2005, she released the song “Nešk mane”, which was recorded with basketball player Tyrone Nesby. Mia went on to release another song with Tyrone called “Ar tu tai žinai?”.
Mia covered the song “Sapnai” by SEL, which was complimented by band leader Egidijus Dragūnas. Later they wrote a song together, called “Muzika”, for the new SEL album. In 2007 they won an award for Best Song at the Bravo Awards. Mia was also nominated for Best Female Singer at Vaikų Balsas. In the same year, Mia released the new song “Yra, kaip yra”, that later won the Best Song Award in Radiocentras and Vaikų Balsas in 2008. Mia also won the Best Female Singer award at Vaikų Balsas. She then released her debut album Yra, kaip yra and participated in projects like Žvaigždžių duetai and Kaimo grožybės. She also hosted a television reality show Trečias nereikalingas.
In 2009, Mia was nominated for the Best Female Singer Award at Vaikų Balsas and participated in the music project Žvaigždžių duetai. After that, Mia participated in another TV3 project called Žvaigždžių karai and also hosted Muzikos karuselė. In November, Mia released her second album Stiklo namai.
In 2010, she participated in another TV3 project Chorų karai, hosted Muzikos čempionų taurė, and won Best Female Singer at Vaikų Balsas. In 2011, Mia recorded a song with Marijonas Mikutavičius and Mantas Jankavičius, titled “Nebetyli sirgaliai”. An English version of the song, “Celebrate Basketball”, became the official basketball anthem for EuroBasket 2011. Later, TV3 created a television series based on her life, titled Kas nori nužudyti Mią?. Mia created a song for series, “Apkabink”.
Mia participated in the dancing project Kviečiu šokti and singing projects Dainuok, jei gali and Žvaigždžių duetai. In 2014, Mia competed to represent Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2014, but placed second behind Vilija Matačiūnaitė. She returned the following year in Lithuania in the Eurovision Song Contest 2015, but placed second again, behind Monika Linkytė and Vaidas Baumila. She returned in 2017, and competed with the song “Sacrifice”.
She recently discussed her personal problems with her husband, her failed business plans, the nights she thought she would suicide and her overall depression. Scandals were after her in the press and there were times there were problems with the police ending up in courts. Rumours, extensive press posts pressured her and she even tried to sell everything in Lithuania and immigrate to Spain. But she is saying now that she is ready to recover and come back to life as the only reason that gives her life is her son.
Now that would have been a great Eurovision kiss, Vaidas
LITHUANIA – Do you remember the Lithuanian duet in Eurovision 2015 where they kissed on stage during the song upon lyrics “one kiss”? Yes Vaidas Baumila and Monika Linkyte were the Lithuanian representatives. Since then a lot of people tried the same-sex kiss on the song and worked.
This time Vaidas Baumila, guest on a Lithuanian TV snow and despite his 18th place in Eurovision, performed the song but he needed someone to kiss. Vaidas calls the host, Justinas Jankevicius on stage and kisses him during the performance. Well that would have been quite successful for Vaidas and Lithuania if it happened on the Eurovision stage but still we are happy to see it happening here.
Back in Eurovision 2015 although Vaidas kisses Monika, the backing singers made of same-sex couples, kissed along the signers.
Eurovision Live Concert 2017 in Setúbal: interview with Sasha Song
LITHUANIA – During the 2017 edition of Eurovision Live Concert in the wonderful city of Setúbal, oikotimes.com’s correspondent Ricardo Duarte had the chance to meet with the 2009 Eurovision representative Sasha Song from Lithuania. He represented Lithuania at the Eurovision Song Contest 2009 in the second Semi-Final and advanced to the Final where he finished in 23rd place.
Dmitry has earlier worked with Eurovision Song Contest 2008 winner Dima Bilan. At Eurovision pre-selection final he received full points from all the juries. He participated again in Lithuania’s national selection for Eurovision 2010 along with Nora with the song “Say Yes to Life.”
INFORMATION ABOUT SASHA SONG
Sasha Song (Dima Šavrovas – Dmitrij Šavrov) is an exceptionaly talented artist, singer-songwriter, vocal-music arranger and co-producer. At the age of 12 he released his first studio album, “Svajoniu Laivas” (The Ship of Dreams) and his voice was often compared to the legendary Robertino Loretti. His song “Mamai” has become legendary. In 1995 – 1998 Sasha has received a “Bravo” award for New-comer of the year.
He has won numerous international competitions throughout Europe and received a letter of gratitude from the President of the Republic of Lithuania. After a period of 10 years in London, where he had studied music and worked with such record labels as EMI and QBM under the management of Martin Moulton (SONY/BMG MUSIC UK) Sasha has returned home.
In 2009, he represented Lithuania in Eurovision Song Contest in Moscow where he became one of the finalists and was the only Lithuanian performer in the Eurovision Song Contest history to win a special prize for the best Eurovision performance by the “OGAE Rest of The World” internet voting.