This year, Latvia decided to drop the three-round selection format for Supernova, and have 1 Televised Final to decide their 2020 Eurovision representative.
Having received a record 126 submissions, an international 18-member jury panel evaluated the entries and shortlisted to 28 for a “Live Audition”. For the live auditions, 26 of the 28 shortlisted performed for an international jury, and 9 were sent through to the National final.
And here is what transpired at Supernova:
First cab off the rank was Seleste with “Like Me”. Alternative chick brings banjo, a crop top and a pride of herself to open the show. But kinda failed to “sing”. The pacy lyrics and intensity helped.
5/10
Next, Driksna with “Stay”. Now that is a big head! He believes in the song at least. While pleasant enough, it lacks production value of any kind.
5/10
Katrina Bindere brought us “I will Break Your Heart”. The use of black and while works throughout, but that outfit is a crime!!! The serial killer lyrics are glorious! And stunning as she is, there is a severe lack of vocal talent dragging this down.
6/10
Edgars Kreilis returns with “Tridymite”. This gorgeous man does the camera smoulder so well! The song has a nice ambience, but the vocal disappears to leave the backing singers to attempt to salvage a VERY weak performance.
3/10
Katrina Dimanta, a demented Bride with duelling hot guitarists stomps and growls in with “Heart Beats”. Add a bonkers chorus, some high camp energy and an ear worm of a song, and what’s not to LOVE! Endearingly weird in true Latvian style!
8/10
Miks Dukurs may look a little creepy in that hat, but he is at least a vocalist! “Im Falling for You” is performed with great passion and sincerity, just seems to miss a truly finished product somehow… Don’t watch, just listen… and it is
7/10
“Polyester” by ANNA (known as “T-Shirts” in this house) is next. Kirsten Dunst circa 1999 gives us comedic lyrics, white girl dancing, a little of a “lena” vibe… and T-shirts… I LOVE IT!
8/10
Penultimately, Bad Habits perform “Sail with You”. Mumford and Sons hipsters give it a red hot go… while the music is great, it is not altogether engaging enough lyrically or vocally.
6/10
Sans the giant hat, Samanta Tina takes the stage for “Still Breathing” to round out the show. Swimsuits and visors abound, before Sam and her lips burst onto stage! Production, vocal, visual and lyric all come together for a well-rounded, slightly deranged product that is strong! The dub step break works with the live shenanigans, and that rap is… bizarrely fitting.
8/10
Public voting took over (Internet and Tele-voting) to crown Samanta Tina the winner with a solid 35.42% of the voting. Second was the bonkers bride Katrina Dimanta with 28.12%, and third was T-shirts with 16.83%.
After many attempts, “Still Breathing”, written with Aminata, finally gets Samanta Tina to represent Latvia at the Eurovision Song Contest! Congrats to both her and her lips.