How has your work experience in television and radio contributed to your music career?
Certainly, various work experiences have helped, whether as an event host or a band leader. Each has shaped me in its own way, but above all, they’ve helped me get comfortable with being on stage. There’s always room for growth in every field, but broadly speaking, they share a common thread—connecting with people. This has been a consistent aspect of my career, enabling me to be a sort of Swiss Army knife, ready for anything that comes my way.
Continuing on the topic of entertainment, what was it like acting in TV series?
Although I’ve acted in several series like *Kättemaksukontor*, *Nurjatud tüdrukud*, and *Valetamisklubi*, getting into each role required a lot of time and focus. At the same time, I was sweating bullets, which didn’t make things easier when I was acting opposite legendary figures like Argo Aadli or others. Acting demands the ability to pull yourself together instantly and focus to adapt to the role.
You’ve mentioned that your approach to songwriting is unique, sometimes described as surreal?
I actually use this approach more in English-language songwriting. In English, it’s more intuitive to align humming with syllable counts and then match them with specific words. In Estonian, it’s trickier to do this because, in English, I was writing for disco or dance-oriented music, which made this so-called surreal approach easier. In Estonian, I start songwriting with sentences since my native language feels more personal and, in a way, more demanding in the process. While in English I sometimes rely on sounds and tones, in Estonian I write in a more traditional way, developing the lyrics from the start.
What life lessons have you gained from playing in multiple bands?
To some extent, the experience of playing in different bands is similar to acting. In both cases, you grow as a person and discover that one genre or role resonates with you more, helping you mature. Overall, keeping my career and work diverse suits my personality better. If I were to compare myself to the average person, I’d say I get bored faster if I have to focus on just one responsibility. While I enjoy copywriting and would happily do it as a job, I can’t imagine doing only that for years. I love that my current life involves hosting a wedding or corporate event one day, working with the band the next, and then tackling a TV project the day after. Some might call me restless, but I have discipline in place, steadily progressing and growing in each field.
Who are your musical role models and idols?
I can’t pinpoint one specific role model in music, but given how deeply their roots influence my work, the British Invasion is definitely among my favorites. My most intense music-listening phase was probably as a teenager, around 15 years old. Every night, I’d put on headphones and listen until my ears hurt from both the headphones and the music. My love for music stems from that era and movement, with The Beatles, The Rolling Stones, and The Animals being the closest to my heart. While I’ve experimented with various styles in my music, I’ve never fully shaken off the British Invasion’s influence.
You’ve also played in youth bands—how does that differ from what you do now?
The toughest part about youth bands is probably the financial side and making a living from it, as you often end up paying for your own projects for years. This isn’t a complaint, as music is, in a way, a noble pursuit, and many artists make music out of pure love for it. Over all the years I spent in youth bands, the biggest payment I ever got was 500 kroons. As a young person, I thought I’d make big money as a musician in the future, but now I’ve found a balance between musical passion and my career. Still, playing in youth bands fueled my love for music, and nearly 20 years later, I’m very grateful for that wonderful time.
How has your collaboration with the Estonian Artists Agency helped your work as a musician?
I can only speak highly of my collaboration with the Estonian Artists Agency. Joining the agency has undoubtedly increased my visibility in the industry. Given the agency’s diverse interests in the entertainment field, it’s easier for me to reach a broader clientele as both an event host and a musician.
What was your impression of participating in Eurovision in 2010?
Performing at Eurovision was definitely an opportunity to grow and an overall life-changing experience. Beyond the event’s peak moments, the preceding weeks were filled with rehearsals that added so much to my growth as an artist that now hardly any stage makes my knees shake. You can’t buy an experience like that, and many performers would surely want to be part of it. Now working as a TV professional, I’m incredibly grateful for the insight I gained into the making of a major TV show—an invaluable experience. It also came with massive media coverage, which was its own adventure, feeling like I was racing a rally like Ott Tänak. It reinforced how important Eurovision is—it’s like it’s in the soul of Estonians and an extraordinary chance to make a mark on the international stage.
Vaiko Eplik proposed a collaboration with you that same year—how did that go?
That collaboration happened quite suddenly and in its own unique way. Broadly speaking, I had five or six songs ready, which I’d been quietly working on for a while. One day, Vaiko called me and suggested we make an album together. He initially asked if I had enough material ready, to which I slightly bluffed and said I did. In reality, I had about half an hour’s worth of material, but clearly, I needed more. So, over the next two weeks, I wrote about ten more songs, staying up all night making music.
In the end, I sent him the songs, which he skillfully curated and edited. His touch is in every track, and he played drums or other instruments as needed. Collaborating with Estonia’s indie icon of the time was incredibly inspiring, and I think that’s why that album became one of the best in my life. Every artist’s debut album is probably the most heartfelt and memorable, where you pour in so much soul, balancing idealism and pragmatism.
Speaking of inspiration, what do you still want to achieve in your career?
I’ve had several ideas, but starting a rock band would definitely be at the top. I’ve thought about what that project would look like and even found like-minded people and interested collaborators, but right now, it’s on hold due to family and work. At the same time, Malcolm Lincoln hasn’t packed things up either, and an album that’s been in the drawer for a long time is still waiting to be released. It’s really cool material, but I won’t promise a specific release date yet.
To wrap up, what do you enjoy doing outside of work?
Although I do a lot of work-related things in my free time, it’s not a burden—it’s still enjoyable entertainment and a way to pass the time. What I’d like to do more is spend time with my family and take things easier in the summer. Hopefully, I won’t have to work every single day of the week and can help my wife out a bit more.
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