1.Laura de Carvalho Risotto is a 23 year old singer, songwriter and pianist born in Brazil, to a Latvian father and a Brazilian mother of Portuguese descent.

2.Her family moved to the United States in 2005, and settled in Edina, Minnesota. She spent her childhood between Rio de Janeiro and the United States.

3. At the age of fifteen, Laura started performing in the Rio de Janeiro's music scene. Her first record deal came up one year later. Her debut studio album, Made in Rio, was released in 2011.

4. In 2015, Laura moved to New York City to pursue a Masters degree in Music Education, at Columbia University, graduating in May 2017.

5. Laura decided to apply to Supernova and winning the contest and the fact that she will represent Latvia in Portugal makes it all extra special as it will be Laura´s first time in Portugal as she also has Portuguese roots! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9aelOYkjJws

 

She is the Latvian representative in Portugal, being half latvian and brasilian. It was her first time sening a song to a national final and it was a first shot first victory.

Being the grandchild of portuguese it will very special for her and Portugal to be in Lisbon.

Read now what Laura has to say about Portugal, the family story and Eurovision.

1. When you think about Portugal, what is the first thing having in mind? And what does it specially means to you participating in Portugal?

I have dual citizenship: Latvian and Brazilian. My mothers’

Brazilian family is from Portuguese descent, so representing

Latvia in Portugal is the most perfect familly combination.

2. Have you ever been to Lisbon and what did you like the most? Or what are you the most excited about Lisbon, if it is your first time?

This will be my first time in Portugal. I look forward to visiting

Lisbon and hopefully, also other cities in this amazing country,

which is Brazil’s closest friend. I am excited about the legendary

Portuguese charm and hospitality, making new friends and

tasting the delicious Portuguese culinary treats. I specially love

freshy baked “pastel de natas”.

3. What was your reaction about the victory of Salvador last year?

It was well deserved. Salvador sung with all his heart and the

audience felt it.

4. How did the idea come up to participate at the national final?

It was serendipity. My family and I had already made plans to visit

Latvia in 2018, for the centennial celebrations, the Song and

Dance Festival that happens every 5 years, and to visit my

cousins who have moved from Brazil to Latvia. While doing

research for our trip to Riga, I came across a piece of news about

Supernova and decided to submit my latest original song, “Funny

Girl”.

5. What was your link to Eurovision so far?

I am a huge fan of Eurovision and enjoy discovering new acts

every year. This is the first time that I submitted an entry to the

contest, though.

6. What do you expect from Eurovision for your musical career?

It will be an unique opportunity to connect with a larger audience.

7. What does the theme “All aboard” means to you?

The 2018 Eurovision slogan enhances the core values and the

unifying power of this outstanding song contest. We are “all

aboard”, coming together to enjoy a fantastic journey through

different cultures, celebrate our diversity and share our Music and

wonders in peace.

8. Eurovision this year will be without big LED walls, what do you think about that fact?

The fact that there will be no LED screens and no projections will

focus a lot of atttention on the uniqueness of each performer and

their songs. The Lisbon stage is extremely versatile and offers

cutting-edge technology. Memorable visuals can be created with

a good light design.

9. The inspiration for the theme of this year was the ocean. Which meaning does it has for you?

I was born and raised in Rio de Janeiro, facing the Atlantic Ocean.

I have a very close connection with the sea, which means peace,

wonder, discovery and adventure.

10. What is the story behind your song?

The song tells the story of a girl who falls in love with her best

friend. She always makes him laugh and her feelings are her best-

kept secret, until she decides to open up. Unfortunately, it was too

late: he had already fallen for someone else. To him, she became

only a friend, just a “funny girl”.

All of my songs are inspired by personal experiences. One night, I

was alone at home, playing the piano, reflecting upon everything

that was going on at that time, and the song just came to me, all

at once, lyrics and music.

We say "muito obrigado, beijinho e até já Laura".

Boa sorte

Pedro de Almeida

Marija Naumova,  Uz ilūziju tilta, is th emost recent album since a long abstence.

Marija presents a very mature album with folk and jazz influence, far from the song that gave her victory in Eurovision in 2002.

"The illusion of the bridge" is my symbolic bridge between the two buildings - Australia and France, as well as a bridge between two generations - my generation and older generations. It is a bridge between what was ten years ago and what I am now ... " says the singer.

Marija is touring  along with French musicians who took part in her new album- Sebastien Giniaux, Samy Daussat, Laurent Epstein, Olivier Lorang, Maryll Abbas, Meivelyan Jacquot. 

source: draugiem

Marija Naumova returns with a new single titled Vasaras nakts, after a break of several years working on a new album. It is expected to be released this autumn with the title Uz ilūziju tilta (The illusion of the bridge). 

The forthcoming album "The illusion of the bridge" will have 10 new original compositions. The album is a collaborative project between Latvia and France. With lyrics by Latvian wrtiters Janis Peters and Karlis Verdins,  the music is composed by Sébastien Giniaux, one of the best  guitarists in the world in the Jazz area.

Listen the first single here:

https://soundcloud.com/user-895809078

He is Justs, this year representative of Latvia. Find more about him:

1. His real name is Justs Sirmais.

2. He names Ray Charles, Michael Jackson, The Neighbourhood and Glass Animals among his musical influences.

3. Justs began his musical journey as a street musician in Riga.

4. Heartbeat was composed by Aminata, last year’s Latvian singer.

5. Justs is studying at Riga Teacher Training and Educational Management Academy to become a vocal coach of popular and jazz music