Eurovision 2023 Latvia profile: 'Aijā' by Sudden Lights

Latvia in the Eurovision Song Contest

Latvia made its debut in the Eurovision Song Contest in 2000 and went on to win only two years later in Tallinn, Estonia with the song 'I Wanna' by Marija Naumova. The country is supported by the broadcasting network, LTV and has participated every year since joining.

Latvia has failed to qualify for the Grand Final every year since 2016, when Justs received 15th place with the song 'Heartbeat'. Last year, Latvia sent 'Eat Your Salad' by Citi Zēni with some very memorable lyrics, but failed to make the final.

2023 Entry: Sudden Lights - 'Aijā'

• Sudden Lights will compete 4th in semi final 1

• My Eurovision Scoreboard ranking: 17th

• Odds to win ranking: 35th

(Rankings as of 12 April 2023)

About the Artists

Sudden Lights is a band comprised of lead singer Andrejs Reinis Zitmanis, guitarist Kārlis Matīss Zitmanis, bassist Kārlis Vārtiņš and Mārtiņš Matīss Zemītis. The group was formed in 2012 at Pāvuls Jurjāns Music School in Riga during their school days.

Their first success as a band was in 2015 when they won the upcoming musician competition Pirmā plate and used their prizemoney to record their first single 'Tik Savādi'. Since then they've gone onto release three studio albums and have made it clear they are eager to represent their country at the Contest.

About the Song

The title 'Aijā' comes from a word that is unable to be truly translated from the Latvian language, but the closest translation is 'lullaby'. The song acts as a modern day remedy to the horrors of modern life with rock ballad elements of Latvian tradition and folk music.

How Sudden Lights was chosen for Eurovision

Sudden Lights was chosen after they won Latvia's national competition 'Supernova'.

'Aijā' is actually the band's second attempt, having competed back in 2018 with the song 'Just Fine' which scored them second place. Fortunately, they returned five years later and won both the jury and public vote to secure their spot at Eurovision.

Latvia will compete in semi-final 1 on May 9 (European time) in Liverpool.

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