The Roop on the Eurovision song: genuineness is a virtue
The Roop band, which has already represented Lithuania in Eurovision, is once again entering the competition for the right to participate in the largest European song contest. Today, they are presenting the song 'Simple Joy'.
Simultaneously, on February 10, The Roop will participate in the Eurovision selection stage with a new song. The charismatic performers are starting 2024 with a light rhythm and profound thoughts.
Inspired by personal experience
"The song is about joy in everyday life—moments when we feel sufficient and self-sufficient. What do we need to fully accept ourselves and our lives? There is also light in every day, which leads through difficult stages," said the group's vocalist, Vaidotas Valiukevičius.
According to him, in order to understand the meaning of small things again, he had to overcome a difficult stage in his life. These challenges inspired him.
"I realized that I need to sing about what matters, what I live for, and what hurts. There was a long period when I hardly felt joy, when it felt like my world was exploding and there was nothing left," he said. "However, it helped me to rediscover the joy in a cup of coffee, in the sunshine, in a meeting with loved ones. Small joys are the biggest part of life; you just need to notice them."
Different, but the same
"This year, The Roop is determined to conquer Eurovision with authenticity and genuine emotions. The song 'Simple Joy' differs from the band's previous Eurovision hit, 'Discoteque'. According to the group members, it is essential not to repeat themselves but to move forward.
"Each era has its own topicality and sound. We feel that there is no need for monochromatic costumes or strict choreography now. We believe that what is needed is an air of simplicity with whistling and encouragement to navigate through life at such a pace," said the leader of the group.
According to him, this time the group wants to delve into fundamental questions and real values that emerge for people, such as the truth lost in a world full of artificiality.
"When considering the conclusions of psychologists that current society is increasingly depressed, and more and more people do not feel happiness, the question naturally arises: where is that simple joy?" said V. Valiukevičius. "The answer is obvious: when we return to human nature, when we listen and accept ourselves, when we start feeling gratitude for what we already have, then happiness returns."
A personal challenge
In both the music video and on the stage of the National Selection, the group's vocalist experiences something new. Vaidotas performs the song while wearing shorts, presenting another personal challenge for him.
"I only started wearing shorts a few years ago. I used to be ashamed of my thin legs. However, now I am happy with what I have, and I feel content. I hope that by overcoming my challenge, I will inspire other people to confront their own," said The Roop's vocalist.
The band is delighted that the song also features a mixed Bel Canto choir that joins in at the end of the tune. If The Roop were to go to Eurovision once again, "Simple Joy" would be the first Lithuanian song to feature a choir.
A desire to feel the full spirit of the competition
The members of The Roop, who have previously represented Lithuania at Eurovision, assert that if they succeed in securing this opportunity once again, they will finally experience the full scope of the competition.
In 2021, when they captivated Europe with the song 'Discoteque,' the competition still operated under strict pandemic restrictions. Consequently, they are making another attempt to earn the privilege of gracing the grand Eurovision stage and participating in a comprehensive contest.
"This time, we aspire to embrace the complete intensity of the competition and proudly wave the Lithuanian flag on a global scale. Drawing from our past experience, we comprehend that it's not only the song that matters, but also the band's history, personalities, and visions. We possess all these elements, and we aren't approaching it as a mere lottery; we have devised a strategy," stated V. Valiukevičius.
Multi-layer music video
The new song by The Roop is presented with a music video directed by Lithuanian creator Mija Kembrė, and overseen by Veronika Tamulionytė and Kamilė Gaidytė, producers of the music project agency Cunamis Music. They have produced music videos for many well-known Lithuanian artists.
In the music video for the song, the world is struck by a nuclear tragedy, and the last three minutes of its life are recorded. According to V. Valiukevičius, one can even see several layers of themes in the video, and the group leaves the choice to the viewer to find the one closest to them. M. Kembrė, the author of the music video's idea, mentioned that the script was dictated to her by the song itself.
"The idea of the video is captured in the lyrics, suggesting that people find happiness by learning to enjoy simple things. After hearing the song, I thought that it is often a characteristic of humanity to understand things by the principle of contrast. In the music video, Vaidotas seems to measure the end of the world, thus experiencing his daily routine with new eyes," she said.