Estonia: Exclusive! Interview with Triin Niitoja & John4 "We are two simple people who love music"

Triin Niitoja & John4  are one of the participants for the second Semi-Final from 'Eesti Laul 2015' in Estonia on 14th of February 2015 with the song called 'This Is Our Choice'.

We had the chance to talk to Triin Niitoja & John4 some days ago about their participation in the Estonian competition. Read our interview with them to find out what they had to say...

Hello Triin, hello John, first of all gratulations that you are one of the qualified participants for the National Selection ‘Eesti Laul 2015’ on 14th of February 2015.  

How does it feel to be part of ‘Eesti Laul 2015’ with the song ‘This Is Our Choice? 

Triin & John: It feels really, really good to have been chosen and to be able to perform on that stage. We are beyond excited! So cool! One of our dreams came true :-)

Who had the idea that you could participate in the Estonian national selection? 

Triin & John4: We all had. It is such a great opportunity for musicians to show their music to a bigger audience.

If people outside Estonia never heard about you before – what should they know about you?

Triin & John4: That we come from a little country called Estonia, filled with sweet people and beautiful mysterious forests. We are Triin Niitoja & John4 – a band that loves country-pop-rock music. We stubbornly do our own thing and believe in our own music – every person is so unique and has tons to offer as an individual – that is why we create our own music and really hope that someday our efforts pay off, they already have, but there are places to go from here :) Most of all we are simple people who love creating their own way of music.

Who decided ‘This Is Our Choice’ for ‘Eesti Laul 2015’?

Triin & John4: We all did.

Why it was choosen to sing the song in English and not in Estonian language?

Triin & John4: Let me put it that way : some of the song that we create come in English from the very start. You put your hands on a piano and just start singing. Many songs are in Estonian that we have written previously, but “This is our Choice” was written in English from the start and we didn`t feel the need to translate it. No matter what language, we are all one.

Can you tell us something about the story behind ‘This Is Our Choice’?

Triin & John: It is a duet and the story in about 2 people , who have been together as a couple, but something went wrong. This is their choice to try one more time. It is a love story , to put it simply

You started to work together in 2010. Can you tell us something about how that cames up? 

Triin: We met with Jaanus Saago (my duet partner and a life partner :) ) in a singing school and that is where we started communicating and after that Jaanus called me and asked, would I be interested to join a band?

John4: I gladly accepted and then it went on from there. Love for music has kept us going forward, although it is a very tough business, but really do love what we do and are so blessed that we have people around that can relate. I always want to have the time to be humble and just say : Thank You so much! This really means the world, because without a crowd we would not be. 

How has everything started doing music for both of you? 

Triin & John4: I started singing when I was about 4. My parents put me to a singing studio from early on. I started performing when I was about 13. Also finished Tallinn Music School, learned the piano. And soon I started to really like the adrenaline that came with performing. I simply loved to perform and sing. It is so weird how music just comes to me. I write the best songs when I am able to not think at all and just let go…totally forget that I am trying to write a song - just let go…and words, sentences that really do make sense just start coming out..its weird, but so cool, then again I always have to record because after I just forget what it was.

What are you expecting in the second Semi-Final ‘Eesti Laul 2015’ on 14th  of February 2015, are you excited?

Triin & John4:  We are expecting to have a performance that we ourselves can be satisfied with and hopefully the crowd too. It will be a positive vibe performance. Of course we super excited and hopes are up! :)

How do you prepare your performance?

Triin & John4:  We have already been having and will continue to have vocal rehersals, and everything starting from what we wear and ending with what we do on the stage. Let some things be a surprise, we'll not tell all ;)

Are you Eurovision fans? 

Triin & John4:  Of course!

Which are your favorite Eurovision songs and what is your favorite from Estonian participants?

Triin & John4: From the many really great songs - for this one I have to say Tanel Padar and Dave Benton “Everyobody”. Really goofy, fun and well performed song. Also love Brainstorm “Star”. TRIIN NIITOJA &  JOHN4 has voted :-)

Which kind of music do you hear in private?

Triin & John4: We listen to very different kinds of music, it all depends on our mood.

Who are Triin and John in private?

Triin & John4: Two simple people, who love music :-)

What makes you happy?

Triin & John4: The people that I care about make me happy, music makes me happy. Even a really small thing can turn my day around. I prefer to be positive and happy as often as I can, even when its tough, because complaining about it won`t get me anywhere. I also love to make surprises – the joy of giving! :)

What are your plans for 2015 beside ‘Eesti Laul’?

Triin & John4: Our main goal is to make an album, we already have almost everything set, so we just have to agree on the date of release :) I would also love to go and study music abroad, but we will see how that goes:)

What was the most excited moment in your life? 

Triin & John4: I think that getting into Estonian Idol top 10 was quite emotional and a great feeling. The show is so exciting and every activity that came along with it, I fully enjoyed – such a great memory and I have to say that that is when I fell completely head over heels for music.

How have you celebrated Christmas and how have you celebrated New Years Eve?

Triin & John4: At Christmas we travelled a lot to see all of the parents and grandparents who we have not seen for a while, because of the busy schedule – Christmas is quite a busy time :)  At New Years Eve we were at our friends house and celebrated with them! Went outside and flew all of our wishes into the sky with sky laterns and watched the fireworks, there was so much of it – sparks!

What are your wishes for the future? 

Triin & John4: I wish to be successful at music, I wish to do what I love the most – that is a true gift.

Why should the audience from Estonia vote for your song to represent Estonia at Eurovision 2015? 

Triin & John4:  Because we are real, we have a really good song , this is our own music and we are worth it, we love what we do and hope that it shows :)

Do you have a message for ‘Join Us on Eurovision’ readers and your fans? 

Triin & John4: Dear readers : Always do whatever makes You happy – happiness is the joy of life! don`t listen to other people and let them create Your way, Your journey, listen to Your heart, it will always guide You to the most wonderful places when You really decide to hear the small little voice inside. Watch the Eurovision song contest and of course vote for us! :) 

Thank you so much for answer those questions. Good luck for you and your song in ‘Eesti Laul 2015’ and maybe we see us in Vienna! 

Find out more about Triin Niitoja & John4 and follow them:

• Triin Niitoja & John4 (Facebook)
• Triin Niitoja & John4 (Google+)
• Triin Niitoja & John4 (Youtube)