The weekend is finally here, and Saturday sees the first semi final of Latvia’s selection process “Supernova”

One of the participants, and looking for one of only 4 qualifying spots, is 29 year old Latvian Singer, Samanta Tina.

This is not Samanta’s first attempt to become Lavia’s representative at the Eurovision Song Contest, and we chatted with her about this year’s song “Cutting The Wire”, her previous attempts and what’s in store in the future!

Samanta, welcome back to Supernova with your song “Cutting The Wire”, which was co-written by yourself, along with Arnis Račinskis (of Laika Suns) and the British performer Lisbee Stainton. Tell us about the song and how this collaboration came about?

Thank you very much. Honestly, I wasn’t even planning to participate in Supernova 2019. In the Autumn, I participated in a songwriting camp called “RIGA LIVE”, in which I ended up with one team with Arnis and Lisbee. Great team and now friends. So we were forced to create a song from zero in eight hours! And the result was “Cutting the Wire.”

The song is very “Me” according to my nature, I seem to have been heard. On a recent sign up day to Supernova 2019, Arnis called me and asked to try to with that song, I wasn’t sure about it. But I am grateful to him today, for being persuaded! Love this song!

I last chatted with you in 2016, when you were appearing in Supernova with your song “The Love Is Forever” and it was just before you removed yourself from the competition. What can you tell us about that?

Yes…. it was two years ago! If I had a chance to go back two years, I would do exactly the same thing! I don’t regret anything. It was the right choice. I realised that I had entered an artist, but had to ask myself “Is this song really competitive in the BIG Eurovision, so that I could represent the flag of my country proudly? No!” So I promised myself, until I could find a real song that would be cohesive in the grand finals, I would not be participating at all. It has always been important for me to represent my country in honour that I am sure of, no matter where I am performing or participating.

I always look forward to seeing you in these contests, you are always re-inventing your looks and your outfits are fantastic! You are currently giving us big bouncy blonde curls – what can we expect from you on January 26th?

Thanks! I am a woman and in my country I am used to wearing long silk dresses, but it is different from being known in other countries, like Lithuania for example – I am completely different there and I like it! So I can say that on 26th January I will not have a long silk dress but I will be ladylike for sure! But in this situation I’ll step on stage for the first time! I like that, I’ll be cool!

You have been very kind to people who follow your Facebook page and have given us some terrific video’s over the last few months, including a cover of AC/DC’s Highway To Hell and a brilliant re-work of your 2013 Dziesma entry “I Need A Hero”. Was it good to re-visit that song and does it hold good memories for you?

The song “I Need A Hero” is still in my repertoire, and I perform it very often in my concerts. it is also sung elsewhere in the world, in other performers’ contests, both big and small! I’m so glad it still happens!

This is your 5th attempt to represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest, are you still as excited about this opportunity as you were back in 2012 at your first attempt?

Unlike in 2012, I feel like I have nothing to prove now. This year it is more about choosing the right song for Israel. Back then in my first attempt I was showing my god-given voice and hoping that people would react positively.

And finally, what do you have planned for 2019? Any chance that you
could come over to the UK for a concert? I would be in the front row!

2019 will be very active because, alongside performing, I also have to finish high school in order to get a diploma – I’m on my final course! I plan to issue singles, both in Latvia and Lithuania, and appear at Summer Festivals away from Latvia. In the Autumn, I have a concert tour with Pauls Raimonds music, along with Roma folk musicians.

Thank you Samanta, and we look forward to seeing you take to the stage in tomorrow’s first semi final, live from the LTV Studio’s in Riga!

Watch Samanta’s lyric video for “Cutting The Wire” here, and stream on Spotify which counts towards the public vote!

Which 4 songs do you think should qualify into the Grand Final of Supernova 2019? Vote in our poll here! And stick with us on ESCBubble as we will be live blogging all the events, and bringing you more interviews and exclusive content from the Grand Final on February 16th!