Vienna 2015, 60th ESC 40 For 40: Aminata Savadogo "Love Injected"

And the 40 For 40 for Vienna 2015 continues. Up next is my review of Aminata Savadogo (pictured) with "Love Injected" (Latvia).

"Love Injected" is a semi-ballad that is almost a pop song. However her voice and flow of this song are just borderline mainstream to me. As a result, I really don't think this will even make it to the grand final. As much as I liked some of the Latvian entries of the past few years, I don't think this one will do it. She will perform on May 21 in the second semifinal.

Up next: Vaidas Baumila and Monika Linkyte "This Time"

Copenhagen 2014 Reviews: Aarzemnieki "Cake to Bake"

Aarzemnieki is a Latvian (and German) folk outfit which will represent Latvia in Copenhagen with "Cake to Bake."

"Cake to Bake" is a funny yet corny folk song that almost has the feel of another certain past ESC song--"You and Me" by Joan Franka (2012). Except that "Cake to Bake" has a different beat and feel as opposed to "You and Me." Still is a good song nonetheless, but the lyrics very corny. They will perform in the first semifinal on Tuesday, the 6th of May. Will be a tough semifinal (the same with the second semifinal), and with a stout amount of entries, I think these guys may not perform the 10th of May on grand final night.

Latvia has been around the ESC way over a decade. Marie N won in Tallinn 2002 with "I Wanna," one of my favorite Latvia ESC songs. However, nothing beats "Wolves of the Sea" by Pirates of the Sea, one of the best ESC entries ever, from 2008. PeR's "Here We Go" from last year and Anmary "Beautiful Song" (2012) were also good as well. Those are some of the good Latvian ESC entries from over the years (in my opinion). I hope for the best for these guys.

 

 

Up next: Vilija Mataciunaite "Attention." 

Sochi 2014: The Countdown Series: Latvia

64 days remaining until the opening ceremonies (63 until the first day of competition) at Sochi 2014. Up next on the countdown: Latvia.

Latvia made their winter Olympics debut at Chamonix 1924. They would skip Lake Placid 1932, and then returned to the winter games at Albertville 1992, where they have sent at least one athlete to the winter games since. No Latvian has won gold in the winter games, however three medals have been won in the winter games for Latvia, including two silver medals.

Both silver medals for Latvia in the winter games came at Vancouver 2010. The Sics brothers-Andris and Juris (pictured)-finished runner up in the men's mixed luge doubles, while Martins Dukurs won silver in the men's skeleton.

For Sochi, 27 quota spots available for Latvia. Men's ice hockey, coached by Ted Nolan, has qualified, as well as spots available in speed skating, biathlon and short track speed skating.

Up next: Lebanon

Malmo 2013 39 For 39: PeR "Here We Go"

Now back in semifinal mode now with "Here We Go" by PeR.

PeR is a trio from Latvia who will represent that country in Malmo in a few weeks. They will be the first to perform in the second semifinal May 16.

"Here We Go" blends pop with rap. It is one of two (I think) songs at Malmo 2013 with some hip-hop element (the other is the Who See Klapa "Igranka," which I will preview later). Rap has never found a place in the ESC, but this sounds good. Take a listen:

To summon this, this has nothing to do with Bud Light. Also they're trying to sound like the band from the Freecreditscore.com commercials (a couple references for us folks here in the states).

I think this could make the grand final May 18. It is just as good as "Beautiful Song" by Anmary, who was the Latvian representative at Baku 2012. No need to compare.

Hope for the best.

Up next: a review of Andrius Pojavis "Something."

London 2012: The Countdown Series: Latvia

126 days to go until the first day of the London Olympics. Next up on the parade of nations: Latvia (LAT).

A former part of the Soviet Union, Latvia first competed in the summer Olympics independently beginning in 1924 until 1936, and has since 1992. A total of 17 medals have been won by Latvian athletes in the summer games, including two gold medals.

Maris Strombergs (pictured) took home the gold in the men's BMX cycling race at Beijing 2008, Latvia's most recent and second gold medalist in the summer games.

At Sydney 2000, Igors Vihrovs won gold in the men's floor exercise (gymnastics), bringing home Latvia's first gold medal.

As of now, 22 Latvian athletes are headed to London to compete in seven events-including various athletics and swimming events as well as modern pentathlon, cycling and wrestling.

Next up: Lebanon