Throughout this week and the next esctoday.com will be interviewing the acts competing in this years Eurovision Song Contest. Today we had the chance to speak with Aarzemnieki from Latvia.

Aarzemnieki from Latvia talk to esctoday.com

Aarzemnieki is a Latvian-based music group led by German Jöran Steinhauer. The group initially got their start back in 2013 when Steinhauer took a special interest in the introduction of the Euro in Latvia, creating a YouTube hit Paldies Latiņam!, or Thank You, Lat. The reception he received gave him the idea to make Latvia a permanent home. Although having a previous fascination with the country – and their Eurovision history – previous to this, having the warm support of the Latvian people make his decision to move abroad much easier.

The band now consists of three members, including Katrina Dimanta on violin and vocals, Raitis Vilumovs on drums, and Guntis Veilands on piano. They won their right to represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest in February when they won the Latvian national selection Dziesma 2014 with their entry Cake to bake. They will take the stage for Latvia on the 6 May in the first semi-final.

Cake to bake

Aarzemnieki at their 2nd dress rehearsal.

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