Eesti Laul exploded back onto our screens on Saturday night with the first semi final, where we saw 5 acts progress to the Grand Final, which will be held on March 3rd at Saku Suurhall, the venue of the Eurovision Song Contest in 2002.

The process continues on Saturday 17th February, where 10 further acts will compete for the last 5 places available in the final.

We were lucky enough to get to chat with one of those acts, Girls In Pearls who will be performing their song “Spellbound”

Welcome to Eesti Laul Girls In Pearls, also known as twins Viveli and Vivi Maar! Tell us a bit about yourselves

Vivi : We both have very similar musical education. Started singing at Estonian TV children choir at the age of 5, then after few years went to Nõmme Music School where I studied to play flute and Viveli chose violin. Also started singing at vocal ensemble in Nõmme Cultural Centre, then studied choir conducting and pop/jazz singing at Tallinn Music School, Georg Ots.
Right now we both work at a jazzclub called Philly Joe’s Tallinn. I also teach singing. And then there’s performing with bands.

Your entry “Spellbound” will be appearing in the second semi final of Eesti Laul on February 17th and it’s a gorgeous piece of ethereal synth pop. It comes as no surprise to me that it’s a collaboration with Rasmus Lill of Zebra Island, how did this come about?

We’re glad you like it!
We met Rasmus a couple of years ago when he called us and asked if we’d like to sing backing vocals to one of Zebra Island’s song. So few weeks after that was done, Rasmus called again and said that he’d like to try recording some songs with us. Then we started writing songs together and as we saw this kind of working method suits us all, we decided to go along with that. And that’s when we became Girls In Pearls.

Has Rasmus given you any tips about your forthcoming appearance in Eesti Laul? (Zebra Island participated in the 2016 selection with their song “How Many Times”)

Viveli: He has, he’s always telling us not to put so much pressure on ourselves and not to overthink.

Your look is very striking, has it been fun deciding how to present yourselves visually for Eesti Laul?

Vivi : It sure has! Trying to decide whether to have the same exact look, how to play with visuals to make it work for us and so on.
But I’m not gonna ruin it for you – you’ll just have to watch it yourselves!

We see that you have a gig coming up with Go Away Bird (also from Eesti Laul 2016), will it feel different from previous performances now that “Spellbound” has been gaining a lot of public interest?

Viveli : I think that everything’s still the same, but it’s going to be interesting as well. I was singing backing vocals for Go Away Bird when they performed at Eesti Laul and since that me and Vivi have been in the band so we are both going to be on the stage with them as always.

What do you like to do when not performing?

Viveli: Well, I recently discovered badminton and I’m trying to find as much time for it as possible. Also I really really really enjoy cooking!

Vivi: Yes, badminton – I also gave it a go. When I have much speare time I like to do pencil drawings.

What are your plans following Eesti Laul and beyond?

We continue writing new songs and we’re trying to record our first album, hopefully during this year.

And finally, the quick fire questions!

What music are you listening to right now?
Vivi: Allen Stone, Jordan Rakei, Jose James
Viveli: Anderson .Paak, Vulfpeck, Allen Stone, Lianne La Havas.

What’s your favourite book?
Vivi: I like Remarque. For a long time my favourite book was “All Quiet on the Western Front”.
Viveli: ”Broken music”, an autobiography by Sting. I pick it up whenever I need inspiration.

What’s your favourite food?
Vivi: avocado, smoothies, goat cheese salad
Viveli: Fruits, vegetables & peanuts

Who would you like to perform on stage with?
Vivi: Sting
Viveli: Sting

Thank you for your time Vivi and Viveli and good luck for Saturday’s show!

Listen to Girls in Pearls’ song “Spellbound” here

Follow us here on ESCBubble as we will continue to live blog the shows from Eesti Laul, including the Final on March 3rd where Joe and Anne will be live from the venue bringing you all the action and news, as Estonia choose their entry for the Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon!

What do you think about Girls In Pearls entry? Let us know in the poll here.