Introduction

• Participant(s): Carousel
• Song: "That Night"
  
• Writer(s): Sabīne Žuga
• Composer(s): Mārcis Vasiļevskis, Sabīne Žuga
• Broadcaster: LTV
  
• Social media:    
  
• Team review: 

Latvia has held a national final which is called “Supernova”. Out of eight finalist the duo Carousel could win with the votes from the jury and various public votes like televoting and internet voting. The duo consists of Sabine Žuga and Marcis Vasilevskis (guitar) and became well-known at the concert Pasaka ziema 2018. The group is specialized in indie pop with jazz elements. Initially Carousel has performed Latvian artists.

Carousel has grown from two member to four: Stanislav Judins on double bass and Mareks Logins on drums. Now this quartet can focus on its distinctive vibe and sound. Right now Carousel is working on the debut album.

The Latvian ESC entry “The Night” is about a lonely night, where love is the rescue:

Love, where are you
Love, I need you
Love, all night through
Where are you my love, oh

It’s a calm and groovy song with a certain sophisticated approach and an irresistible almost monotone chorus. Due to the fact that also quiet songs can win, this entry is should not be underestimated. For older music lovers of jazz and soul, this piece of music can be a gem.

History

• Debut: 2000
• Participations: 20
• Victories: 1
• Finals: 10 (6 since 2004)
• Top 10: 4
• Chances for Top 10: 20%
• Chances for Final: 38%

In the short history of Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest, the biggest success came in the third year after the debut. In 2002 Marie N. could win with her sexy dance performance „I wanna“, this was also a little surprise as nobody expected this entry to win. The following ESC 2003 took place in the wonderful capital of Latvia: Riga. Latvia describes itself as “the land that sings” which origins in the long singing tradition which takes place in singing festivals all over the country. This can also be said from the neighbour country Estonia.

From 2009 until 2014 Latvia could not reach the Grand final anymore, even if the Latvian songs seem to be contemporary, but a lovely young girl named Aminata could impress everybody with her self-composed song “Love Injected” and brought back a lot of Eurovision enthusiasm to Latvia. She made a wonderful 6th place. The year after Aminata acted as a composer and her entry “Heartbeat” which was sung by Justs came 15th in the Stockholm. After that the stroke of luck ended. Last year’s entry “Funny Girl” by Laura Rizzotto did not make it into the Grand Final in Lisbon. The chances to reach a Top10 position is now at 20% for Latvia and the chance to reach the Grand Final is about 38%.

Biggest successes

1x 1st place

• Marie N - "I Wanna" (2002)

1x 3rd place

• BrainStorm - "My Star" (2000)

Video Nostalgia

• “The War Is Not Over” | Walter & Kazha , Rank 6, 2005, Kiev
  
  
• “I Hear Your Heart” | Cosmos , Rank 16, 2006, Athens
  
  
• “Cake To Bake” | Aarzemnieki , Rank 13 (Semi Final), 2014, Copenhagen