This week the 2024 edition of Eesti Laul kicks off with the semi final, and competing in an Estonian national selection for the sixth time is Sofia Rubina who is asking you to ‘Be Good’.

Before her performance Nick caught up with Sofia and asked her what inspired her to return this year and also about what makes a winning Eesti Laul or Eurovision song….

N: Welcome back to Eesti Laul. We last saw you in 2019 with the fantastic ‘Deep Water’. Was it always your plan to come back this year and what was it about your song ‘Be Good’ that made you want to participate in 2024?

S: I usually just send new songs to Eesti Laul… what’s ready at the moment. So we worked for a year on this song and we’re finally ready to share IT with The world.

N: Sofia, you’ve had so many excellent entries into Eurolaul and Eesti Laul over the last 20 years, which of your previous participating 5 songs was your own personal favourite and why?

S: I think My favorite Is “My Melody”… and it’s in a way similar vibe to “Be Good”. Funky and soulful!

N: Many Eurovision fans may not know that your husband Jason Hunter is not only is a writer on ‘Be Good’ but was also was involved with Anett and Fredi’s entry in 2023 ‘You Need To Move On’ and ‘Sunday Night’ by Rahel in 2021. How did you and Jason meet and was it through a shared love of music?

S: Yes! My husband of over 10 years in Estonia produced and helped to produce a bunch of songs… But this song he actually started to write because wanted to create something very special 🙂 So right away I was in love with this beat! And I’m glad it made it to Eesti Laul so our young audience can listen to good music!

I really think this song is made by a great team & it’s already being played in Germany & Uk jazz & soul radios… This song is inspired from 60’s Soul music from artists like -> James Brown, Curtis Mayfield… but the song overall sounds very very fresh!

N: Eurovision and Eesit Laul are both very competitive processes. What do you think makes a song a winning one when trying to appeal to both the public and juries?

S: As it’s always so many songs on a competition – it’s really hard to say… Every artist really trying to bring their best! I always see this competition just as a beautiful concert where everyone can shine! This year for the first time I have my team of dancers, director of the shoot – so for me it’s step up for sure!

For me I really appreciate an opportunity to shine on tv – this opportunity gives me a chance to reach my audience who for some reason never heard about me… and also present what I’m doing 🙂. Recently I released my 6th album “I am soul “… and I believe those people who liked my vibe – they will definitely dig deeper and check out what I’m doing.

N: Sofia, thank you so much for your time, is there any message you wanted to send to any of our readers who love your music or are discovering it for the first time?

S: I think I may have answered that already in a way.. But yes – if people like my vibe- they can discover more:) and just wanna share good vibes.

You can watch Sofia’s entry below, we wish her the best of luck in Eesti Laul!

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