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Eirodziesma final set March 1 in Ventspils

Andris Straumanis

February 26, 2008

Ten finalists will compete March 1 to become Latvia’s entry in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, which despite recent unrest is still scheduled May 20-24 in Belgrade, Serbia. The Latvian Eurodziesma contest will take place in Ventspils.

Voting already is taking place online through the social network draugiem.lv.

The 10 finalists and their songs are:

• Déjà vu, “I’m a Part Of You.”
• Kristīna Zaharova feat. Julian, “Until You Find a Friend.”
• Sabīne Berezina, “If I Only Knew.”
• Pirates of the Sea, “Wolves of the Sea.”
• Peter Garden and Juris Vizbulis, “Memory Lane.”
• Funky Drivers, “Summertime.”
• Triānas parks, “Bye Bye.”
• Elizabete Zagorska, “Take Me Home.”
• Aisha, “You Really Got Me Going.”
• Andris Ērglis, “Broken Lullaby.”

Of the contestants, the best-known perhaps are Aisha and Andris Ērglis. Aisha, whose full name is Aija Andrejeva, is the daughter of Opus Pro guitarist Alex (Oļegs Andrejevs). Her first album, Tu un es released in 2006, saw her teamed with her father’s band.

Ērglis, who is both a singer and a drummer, has been performing since he was a young boy. Most recently he has been associated with the group Cacao, which he formed in 2006 with guitarist Tomass Kleins. Ērglis also was a member of Bonaparti.lv, Latvia’s six-man, Italian-singing entry in last-year’s Eurovision.

Déjà vu is a female trio that includes Rūta Reinika, sister of singer Lauris Reiniks and a member of the girl group 4.elements.

The contestants also include the silly ensemble Pirates of the Sea, who appear on stage in full pirate costume. Among the trio is Roberto Meloni, who like Ērglis was a member of Bonaparti.lv.

Andris Straumanis is editor of Latvians Online.