Samanta Tīna has given her first live performance of Latvia’s entry for Eurovision 2021 “The Moon Is Rising”.
Last night Samanta Tina performed “The Moon Is Rising”, Latvia’s entry for Eurovision 2021, live for the first time. She performed her entry live at the Zelta Mikrofons 2021 (Annual Latvian Music Recording Awards 2021) which took place in Riga.
“The Moon Is Rising” was chosen from a total of 11 songs composed for Samanta at a song-writing camp last year, which was attended by Latvia’s 2015 entrant Aminata, 2005 entrant Kārlis Būmeistars, and head of the Latvian Music Export Association Agnese Cimuška-Rekke were among the participants. “The Moon Is Rising” was eventually created using themes from 4 of these songs, and was produced by Oscar Wuhan. Samanta had previously spoken about the message behind her song:
In my song, I advocate that we all women are equal, no matter who we are. We are not women, but The Woman, we are each a Queen, and each has its own crown. There’s also text that dirty games aren’t my thing, I can go with an open heart. My role will be the same. To say how it is and it will be.
Samanta will perform “The Moon Is Rising” in the 2nd half of the 2nd semi-final on 20 May.
Who Is Samanta Tīna?
Samanta Poļakova, better known as Samanta Tīna, was born on March 31 1989 in Tukums in western Latvia. She first came to public attention after winning the music show O!Kartes akadēmija, which allowed her to study in the Tech Music School in London.
Samanta has attempted to compete at Eurovision on a number of occasions. In 2012, she finished second in Eirodziesma, performing the song “I Want You Back” along with Dāvids Kalandija. In 2013, she finished second as solo artist with the song “I Need a Hero”. The same year, she took part in the Lithuanian national selection with Vudis performing “Hey Chiki – Mama”, which did not advance from the first heat.
In 2016, Samanta participated in Supernova with two songs. “We Live for Love” did not advance from the first heat. “The Love Is Forever” advanced to the semi-final from the second heat. After performing in the semi-final, Samanta decided to withdraw. In 2017, she participated in the Lithuanian national selection with Tadas Rimgaila. Their song “Tavo oda” did not advance from the first heat. In 2019, Samanta finished 7th in the final of Supernova with “Cutting the Wire”.
Image Source: LTV / Arturs Martinovs
Latvia debuted in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000, being the last of the Baltic nations to join the contest. On their debut, Brainstorm finished in 3rd place with the song “My Star”. Latvia won the contest for the first and only time in 2002, with Marie N’s “I Wanna”. Latvia only participated in 2002 thanks to the withdrawal of Portugal from the contest, as Latvia’s poor result in 2001 had relegated them from the 2002 contest. Latvia struggled in the contest after 2002, failing to qualify for the final for six years between 2009 and 2014. In 2015 and 2016 Latvia has finished 6th and 15th in the final respectively.
