#Piret Järvis

[eurovision-revisited]

Eurovision 2003 - Number 42 - Vanilla Ninja - "Club Kung-Fu"

Vanilla Ninja are big. Bigger than you think. They've sold huge numbers of albums and singles, not only in Estonia but across Central Europe. They sung with Justin Timberlake, supported Pink and won the Silver Seagull at the Viña del Mar International Song Festival in Chile. They're A-listers in Estonia and well-known as far away as Germany.

Eurolaul 2003 is where it all started. One member of the band, Maarja Kivi entered Eurolaul before, in 2002. That got her into the band alongside Lenna Kuurmaa, Piret Järvis and Katrin Siska formed earlier in 2003. They were put together by producer, song-writer and band manager Sven Lõhmus, himself at the beginning of what is going to become a career as perhaps Estonia's leading producer and the man behind many of Estonia's Eurovision entries.

Club Kung-Fu is the lead and title single from their first LP. Before it gets into its groove it uses an overly stereotypical Eastern musical motif (perhaps the main thing that puts me off this song), before it launches into some full throttle pop-rock that conjures Suzi Quattro to mind. Yes, its basic and the band members have some finesse to find, but its well-executed. A perfect career opener.

Eurolaul in 2003 was 100% international jury voted. Interestingly there was a phone poll performed, but it didn't contribute to the final outcome. It still got 77,729 votes. Club Kung-Fu landslided that televote, gaining over 37,000 - nearly 50% of the entire public vote. The international jury consisted of such luminaries and Eurovision alumni as Darja Švajger, Renārs Kaupers and Michael Ball. That jury tanked Vanilla Ninja, placing them joint 9th and last.

They'd be back, but that must have stung at the beginning - it wasn't enough to put them off though, and the public love translated into record sales. Four more singles followed in 2003, then a second album in 2004 as well as launching in Germany, Austria and Switzerland... ...which may be part of the next stage of their story.

But that's for another time.

[oldinterneticons]

[seojuhyun]

[vanillaninjaconfessions]

Eye colour + Classical elements

[lesterplatt]

Egert Milder - Free Again from Helen Takkin on Vimeo.

Music & lyrics by Kaspar Kalluste, Matteo Capreoli, Egert Milder Mix & master by Vallo Kikas

Cast: Markus Habakukk

Director: Helen Takkin Producer: Aili Maarja Cinematographer: Alvar Kõue Choreographer: Arolin Raudva Production Designer: Viktoria Martjanova Costume Designer: Liis Plato

1AC: Martin Venela 2AC: Reino Kuber Gaffer: Bertil Tarbe Electrician: Kevin Mardiste Location Manager: Artur Makku Production Coordinator: Maiken Palm Art Department Assistants: Mihhail Makoshin & Kevin Kohjus SFX: Kristjan Pütsep Catering: Kaie Rätsep & Tanel Reintam MOF Video: Kevin Kohjus MOF Photos: Egert Milder Editing: Helen Takkin Color Grade: Helen Takkin & Meelis Veeremets VFX: Andres Kluge

Special Thanks to: Riho Kivila Pigeons Robi and Tobi Art Hotel Rakvere Kadi Freja Felt Helise Ollin Oskar Lehemaa Triin Valvas Roman Neso Laupmaa Kamilla Kase Liis Orav Marii Reimann Piret Järvis-Milder Milli Milder

Shot on ARRI Alexa mini Camera and lighting equipment provided by High Voltage Produced by Get Shot Films

[helentakkin]

Egert Milder - Free Again from Helen Takkin on Vimeo.

Music & lyrics by Kaspar Kalluste, Matteo Capreoli, Egert Milder Mix & master by Vallo Kikas

Cast: Markus Habakukk

Director: Helen Takkin Producer: Aili Maarja Cinematographer: Alvar Kõue Choreographer: Arolin Raudva Production Designer: Viktoria Martjanova Costume Designer: Liis Plato

1AC: Martin Venela 2AC: Reino Kuber Gaffer: Bertil Tarbe Electrician: Kevin Mardiste Location Manager: Artur Makku Production Coordinator: Maiken Palm Art Department Assistants: Mihhail Makoshin & Kevin Kohjus SFX: Kristjan Pütsep Catering: Kaie Rätsep & Tanel Reintam MOF Video: Kevin Kohjus MOF Photos: Egert Milder Editing: Helen Takkin Color Grade: Helen Takkin & Meelis Veeremets VFX: Andres Kluge

Special Thanks to: Riho Kivila Pigeons Robi and Tobi Art Hotel Rakvere Kadi Freja Felt Helise Ollin Oskar Lehemaa Triin Valvas Roman Neso Laupmaa Kamilla Kase Liis Orav Marii Reimann Piret Järvis-Milder Milli Milder

Shot on ARRI Alexa mini Camera and lighting equipment provided by High Voltage Produced by Get Shot Films

[tihanamusic]

Spirit Of The Dawn (Vanilla Ninja Cover)

[caryled]

Tallinn Days - Raekoja Plats - Tallinn 15.05.2009 (EST)

[karrly3628]

[seojuhyun]

No Regrets

[amandabrouwers-blog]

A portrait of a Vanilla Ninja, Miss Piret Järvis, for the project Youropeans. 

Written in English, in December 2014. 

[vanillaninjaconfessions]

Vanilla Ninja name meanings

[stargenthasmoved]

[samary1175]

x

[caryled]

Butterfly Lounge - R2 Aastahitt, Tallinn 30.12.2015