Ines says Eurovision memories remain mixed

Estonian singer Ines says her appearance at Eurovision was important but difficult, while continuing to perform alongside raising her children helps her maintain her sense of self, ERR reported.

Ines told the programme “OP” that she remembers singing as early as kindergarten and performing for others from a young age. She considers taking part in the television show “Kaks takti ette” the most important milestone of her career because it launched her professional path in music.

Another significant period came in 2005 and 2006, when she began writing and recording music more confidently. She said she had overcome some of her fears and inhibitions and had started believing more in what she was doing at the piano, following her work with Hendrik Sal-Saller and the 2 Quick Start team.

Ines does not describe her participation in Eurovision in 2000 as an equally clear milestone.

“It brings back so many mixed memories. On the one hand, it was a very important moment for me, but there was so much confusion and it was also so difficult. There were so many opinions and so much turmoil that it may have been a little too much for me at the time,” she said.

One of Ines’s best-known songs is “Iseendale”, which she said was created almost by itself. While writing lyrics is usually a lengthy process for her, both the music and the words for that song came quickly.

She said she still finds writing lyrics in Estonian difficult, despite wanting to sing only in Estonian.

Among her more recent songs, Ines considers “Taevasse” especially important. The song was written after the death of Arch Veimer, her band’s manager and a longtime friend.

“Losing a friend pushed us to work, and the song eventually came out of that in a really powerful way,” she said.

Ines’s children now take up much of her time. Her younger child is eight months old, and she described her current days as hectic, with much of her life revolving around ensuring that her children are well while also finding time for her own work.

She decided after the birth of her second child not to stay away from the stage for too long. Ines said that after a year or a year and a half away, it can be difficult to get back on track, as concert organisers may no longer find you and performing can feel uncomfortable again.

“Being on stage is a muscle that needs to be kept in shape,” she said.

Ines also considers performing important for her own wellbeing while raising young children. She said she has noticed that after giving a small concert, she returns home happier and feels like a better mother.