Rebecca Kontus ja Tõnu Naissoo: hea võistluslaul tekitab hea emotsiooni

·25 min·2 clips

Rebekka Kohtus and Tõnu Naissoo discuss what makes a song win Estonia's longest-running book-making contest.

The episode begins with hosts Katli Maasik and Märt Reijär introducing the Hau Värne book-making contest, a long-running Estonian competition now in its 41st iteration. They welcome jury members Rebekka Kohtus and Tõnu Naissoo to discuss the contest. Tõnu Naissoo reflects on a familiar song from the 1960s, setting a nostalgic tone. Rebekka Kohtus explains her judging philosophy, valuing quality and emotional resonance over strict technical standards. She mentions her own music, which blends jazz, pop, and other styles. The hosts note that the final concert is upcoming, with half the work done—30 songs narrowed to 15. The jury describes the difficult selection process, often making decisions with a heavy heart. Kohtus contrasts her emotional approach with more technical methods, emphasizing whether a song affects her personally. The discussion reveals that the last two competitions were won by instrumental songs, specifically by Mik Kaasik and Martin Männa. This trend surprises the hosts, as it deviates from vocal-focused entries. Kohtus shares her experience as a past participant, noting she didn't win but learned from the process. The conversation explores whether young rhythm musicians are losing interest in competitions, with Kohtus suggesting competition is healthy for self-testing. She discusses the need for Estonian musicians to be diverse due to the small market, sharing her own struggles with being pigeonholed despite working in multiple genres. Tõnu Naissoo adds historical context, mentioning past participants like Kadri Vuorand. The episode concludes with a shift to how music is discovered today, with Kohtus arguing social media and live performances are more influential than books. The hosts thank the guests and remind listeners about the upcoming final concert.

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