Image: LRT / D. Umbraso
Heat 2 of Pabandom iš naujo! (PiN) (Let’s try again!) kicks off on the 28st of January 2023, where more Lithuanian hopefuls will take to the stage to try and represent their country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2023. They’ll be looking to get through to the semi-final stage and then of course, the all-important grand final. Time to take a look at what artists and songs we’ll hear from this week!
Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys – ‘Sėdi ir važiuoji’
Antikvariniai Kašpirovskio dantys (Antique teeth of Kashpirovsky) are a Lithuainan music group who use a wide range of genres in their songs, from post-punk to reggae. Their songs are always accompanied with ironic lyrics featuring anything from how to write a hit song for the clubs to being a pilgrim. Not to mention, their 2019 Lithuaian national final entry ‘Mažulė’ which was a love song to a car. This is going to a be a LOT of fun on stage and will no doubt feature a catchy hook too!
I. T. – ‘Žinau, tai tu’
I. T. is the stage name of Ingrida Toleikytė, who has competed on the both Lithuanian versions of The X Factor and The Voice – where Eurovision alumni Monika Liu was the first judge to turn her chair for her! Not much is known about her own music, so it was great to hear her song before the competition starts – comtermoy product inspired by tractional elements in her native language, ticking lots of boxes for many Eurofans!
Donata – ‘Dreamer’
Donata has dipped her toes into national final competitions before, in 2021 she entered PiN with ‘The Way I Am’ which unfortunately didn’t make it out of the heat stage. ‘Dreamer’ has already been released – a very country inspired track, could it have the same success as other country PiN entries such as Monika Marija’s ‘If I Leave’ which finished 3rd in 2020? Only time will tell.
Matt Len – ‘Midnight Train’
The only release we have to go off with Matt Len is his track ‘Northern Wind’ from 2020. The song stays true to the genre of soft-rock and perhaps this is what we’ll see from him in PiN.
Melona – ‘Song Of Whispers’
It’s extremely difficult to find any information on Melona but thanks to this Twitter thread, it seems they have affiliation with other PiN 2023 contestants Justin3 and Il Senso. We look forward to learning more about them!
Monika Linkytė – ‘Stay’
A former Eurovision representative! Monika was part of the duo with Vaidas Baumila at Eurovision 2015 with the song ‘This Time’ that finished 18th place in the final. Since then, she has continued to have success in Lithuiana and is now looking to take the national final stage again after withdrawing in 2022 due to health reasons. Will she live up to her big name status in Pabandom iš naujo! 2023?
The Pixls – Šaukt
The Pixels were actually a late addition to the line up after it was discovered that ‘My Body’, the entry by Lina Štalytė was released in 2020. It looks like The Pixls will be bringing us a much welcomed Lithuanian language entry. Their music offers a low key vibe with guitar and piano riffs throughout – but their entry is a little bit heavier.
Viktorija Faith – ‘If You Ever Miss Me’
Many fans will remember Viktorija Faith from her PiN 2022 entry ‘Walk Through The Water’ which unfortunately stayed in the heat stage. Now she is back again to try her luck with ‘If You Ever Miss Me’ which gives a similar ballad style but this time with a country feel. Let’s hope she can get further in this year’s competition!
Agnė – ‘New Start’
A very exciting time for trained opera singer Agnė, as her first ever single ‘New Start’ is taking part in PiN this year. The track was released in November featuring atmospheric and folky elements – you can listen to it below before she takes to the stage this weekend.
Gebrasy – ‘Saw Your Ghost’
One of the most recognisable names in the Pabandom iš naujo! 2023 line up for Eurovision fans, Gebrasy has taken part twice with his entries becoming huge fan favourites. His most impressive result saw him finish second to The Roop in 2021 with ‘Where’d You Wanna Go?’ He’ll be looking to impress fans once again with this pop mid tempo number.
MoonBee – ‘Rumour’
A newcomer to the music scene, MoonBee has a couple of releases within the last few months including ‘heat of the summer nights’ which plays on dreamy vocal effects with a pure pop indie sound. Her song for the competition is in a similar vain with a mix of a bit of rock too as it features a distorted guitar throughout.
Voldemaras Petersonas – ‘Things’
Voldemaras Petersonas is no stranger to PiN, taking part four times in a row, most notably last year with his song ‘Up!’ dressed as an anime character. His song this year is what you’d expect, it’s another uptempo version of soft rock this time around too, but what will he be wearing on stage this year!?
Petunija – ‘Love of my life’
Petunija’s entry is a simple stripped back piano ballad which allows her vocals to take centre stage. The lyrics are about letting go of someone you love, which will no doubt be relatable to many and pull on the heartstrings. Despite it’s simplicity it’s executed well and accessible – if we don’t have anything else like this in the competition, it could easily stand out. Her previous national final experience in 2016 and 2020 will help her too!
Beatrich – ‘Like a Movie’
Beatrich already has an established following, with 102k Instagram fans alone. Her latest album ‘Songs About You’ came in out November 2022 featuring a modern pop sound with a touch of indie. which sounds like the route she will take for ‘Like a Movie’ as heard in this snippet here. This genre is definitely having a moment in the charts so she could gain a good result here!
Mario Junes – ‘Do What You Do’
Mario Junes is another contestant who has been on The Voice Lithuania in 2017 and since then, has released some great pure pop tracks. His PiN entry ‘Do What You Do’ has dark, contemporary production and builds around the chorus. Could be one to watch!
So that’s your full line up for Pabandom iš naujo! 2023 – what do you think? Be sure to let us know in the comments below and on our Twitter and Instagram!
You can watch Heat 2 of Pabandom iš naujo! 2023 at 20:00pm CET on LRT, Saturday 28th January 2023.
