Latvia is going to bake a cake in Copenhagen

The winner of tonight's final in Latvia is the easy-to-spell-band Aarzemnieki with the catchy tune Cake To Bake composed by Guntis Veilands. It was the one song that stood out among the many now-pop and heavy beated productions. This one is simple, folky, acoustic, singalong-able, colourful and with some lovely retro vibes.

Happy surprise! Happy tune! Happy cake!
Welcome to Copenhagen, Aarzemnieki!

Who gets the golden medal straight to Copenhagen

Tonight's the night where Latvia is going to find the representative for Copenhagen. There'll be some special guests in the final as well, several former Latvian winners: PeR, Lithuania’s Jurga, Fomins & Kliens, Lauris Reiniks, Norman Rutulis and Tenfold Rabbit from Estonia. In other words, a lot to look forward to!

Will Latvia in the end favour the same favourites as the jury did in the semi finals? Will Latvia go for modern pop, arty music, folk or something in between? Last year the best performance won, and by judging from the semi finals it seems as the Latvias do love a good show. So ya' betta' watch out for them lights, them propz and them dancin' moves!

Actually, it's not exclusive for Latvians - YOU can vote as well on LTV's website by using Facebook or Twitter.

Dziesma 2014 running order

The running order in Dziesma 2014 has been announced:

1. Revelation - Ralfs Eilands & Valters Pūce
2. Lights on - Markus Riva
3. Moment and tomorrow - Katrīna Bindere
4. Pēdējā vēstule - Dons
5. Stay - Samanta Tīna
6. Here I am again - Niko
7. Going All the Way My - RadiantU
8. Saule riet - Olga un Līgo
9. I can breathe - Aminata Savadogo
10. Cake To Bake - Aarzemnieki
11. If I Could Get Away - Eirošmits
12. You Are The Reason - Katrine Lukins

Looks like it will be a very exciting final on February 22nd in Ventspils! Pixies will be watching! Stay tuned!

Photo from Eurovision Club Latvia

More info @ LTV

How wrong can you be...

2pixies was very, very wrong this evening. We only got 3/6 right of the Latvian qualifiers in Dziesma. But after watching the show we can conclude that it was the strongest performers that went through. And oh my gotssschhhh, apparently they had run out of potatoes! Instead the qualifiers got drawn out of a mitten like a rabbit in a hat. Totally different experience. But that's Eurovision. You never know what you're gonna get. One day it's a potato, the next day it's something with mittens. We love it.

Something with mittens

Here's the qualifiers from tonight who'll compete in the final on February 22nd, along with the 6 qualifiers from yesterday.

Pēdējā Vēstule - Dons

If I Could (Get Away) - Eirošmits

Moment and Tomorrow - Katrīna Bindere

Lights On - Markus Riva

Revelation - Ralfs Eilands & Valters Pūce

You Are The Reason - Katrine Lukins

Some facts and statistics for all facts and statistic lovers out there:

- It was the first time at Eurovision national song selection, when it was possible to vote for songs online in addition to sending text messages and calling in.

- 6680 people voted for their favourite songs at eirovizija.lv. 4038 people used their draugiem.lv account to register their votes, 1840 voted using their facebook profiles, but 802 voted via Twitter.

- 9959 unique users connected to Dziesma online broadcast on February 1st.
(source: a VIP from LTV)

Who will win the lucky potato heads tonight?

In just a few hours it's time for the second semi final in Latvia. Who will win tonight's potato heads?

 We have once again listened and can conclude this is the stronger semi. Here's what we think:

1. Ralfs Eilands and Valters Pūce – Revelation
Ralfs Eilands was a part of PeR, who represented Latvia last year. Will he do it again? It's a different song from last year, and good different. High quality music and a different approach to a Eurovision tune. We like. Will qualify.

2. Katrine Lukins – You are the reason
Modern pop/rock tune, easy to the ear and catchy with some standout hooklines. Katrine has a great voice, hope she can pull it off on stage. Will qualify.

3. Mad Show Boys – I need a soul-twin
Will Tom have Jerry and Bonnie have 

Clyde after tonight? A folkish on the Latvian road feeling. Will qualify.

4. Markus Riva – Lights on
Uptempo but slow.

5. Anete Volmane – Breathe slow
Nice ballad. The Latvian Miley Cyrus after she dumped Hannah Montana?

6. Rolands Ūdris – What if it was
Singer/songwriter meets pop meets country meets hard rock. Confused.

7. Katrīna Bindere – Moment and tomorrow
Nice to the ear. This moment, and maybe tomorrow. Star potential.

8. Andris Kivičs – Pa vidu tu
Hoppelihop, pixies hats are off. Latvian is a great language. Swinging from side to side. Can't stop. Wanna jump. We're already singing along. Will qualify.

9. Dons - Pēdējā vēstule
Eurovision drama with Dons. But will there be a big choir on stage?

10. Sabīne Vidriķe – Is it possible
Latvian disco. Yes, that is possible.

11. Sabīne Berezina – Pressure
Diva warning. Is she the new ballad queen? Will qualify.

12. Eirošmits – If I could (get away)
Aerosmith or Europe? Very rock, indeed. Will qualify.

 Ralfs Eilands and Valters Pūce – Revelation

An evening in the company of dolls, gymnasts, cakes, flowers & dancing folks!

2pixies guessed six out of six qualifiers - that is quite okay!

Our personal favourites were Olga and Liga, MyRadiantU and Aminata.

The six finalists from the first semi are:

Here I Am Again – Niko

Cake To Bake - Aarzemnieki

Stay – Samanta Tina

Going All The Way - MyRadiantU

I Can Breathe - Aminata Savadogo

Saule Riet (Take Away) - Olga & Līgo

Dziesma haz karizma

This year we will once again especially be following our friends in Latvia. Tonight they will have the first semi final of their national selection Dziesma, where they'll find 6 finalists who'll compete in the final on the 22nd of February. The big questions from the 2pixies is: Who will carry our bicycles this year? We will just have to wait and see. Let the games begin!

The competing artists tonight are:

1. DJ Dween & Sabine Berezina – Dejo tā
   A modern pop hit with k-pop influences.
   
   
2. Crazy Dolls – Bučas
   Some crazy dolls, a cozy song with funny sounds.
    
3. Tamara Rutkovska – I’m Happy
   A happy song with a happy ending?
    
4. Niko – Here I am again 
   There are you again with a modern song fit for your pop vocal. Will qualify.
   
   
5. Ivo Grīsniņš Grīslis – I’ve got
   Calm and collected.
   
   
6. Aarzemnieki – Cake to bake
   We're not sure what kind of cake this is, but good points. Will qualify.
   
   
7. Oskars Deigelis – Just stop
   Modern and noisy enough for the dance floor.
   
   
8. Samanta Tina – Stay
   Last year's queen of ballad and runner up. A big and anthem'ish song with some long notes. Will qualify.
   
   
9. MyRadiantU – Going all the way
   Yes, we expect you to go all the way! MyRadiantU. What a stage name, btw. Will qualify.
   
   
10. Aminata Savadogo – I can breathe
    Please breathe, Aminata, and sing beautifully. Will qualify.
    
    
11. Davis Matskins – I need more
    Drama and/or frustration with a vocal that will take us back to UK in the 80's.
    
    
12. Olga and Ligo – Saule Riet
    We love this for the name alone. We're looking forward to hear this beautiful language and see some flashdancing! Will qualify.
    
    

    

    Olga and Ligo - Saule Riet

    
    To those of you who might be wondering if the PeR guys will win again, we can confirm they won't, because they're not competing in Dziesma, but keep an eye on the song Revelation in the next semi, and you might see someone you know.