Vaidotas In Cannes

Vaidotas: I just returned from an international project. The first meeting took place in Cannes. Many new acquaintances from the world of music and movies. We learned how to use AI (artificial intelligence) tools to optimize work. AI does not replace the creator, rather it allows to achieve the result faster. An interesting experience: not to be afraid and not to demonize new technologies, but to try them and experiment, to be curious. And then decide.

And Cannes is amazing. There was some time to walk around the city. Spring is here with sun and flowers.

"Eurovision On Tour" Here We Come!

THE ROOP will embark on a "Eurovision" tour across Europe and Australia!

Our Eurovision journey continues. We have been invited to the first-ever "Eurovision On Tour" tour. These events will showcase numerous artists who have shined in the Eurovision contest. While the list of performers and concert locations is still being finalized, the initial dates include Europe and Australia. The tour is set to commence this autumn.

We accepted this offer because we wish to meet our fans, who have been eagerly awaiting our arrival in their countries. Additionally, it presents a wonderful opportunity to immerse ourselves in the rapid pace of tour life.

During the concert tour, we will perform several songs, including "On Fire", "Discoteque" and our latest release, "Simple Joy." The latter continues to resonate not only on Lithuanian radio stations but also internationally, with the music video having already surpassed the million views milestone.

Simultaneously, we are writing new songs and laying out the schedule for summer concerts in Lithuania and beyond. We look forward to seeing you there!

Vaidotas On the Jury Panel of "Musical Mask"

Vaidotas: this Saturday I will appear in the jury of the LNK TV project “Musical mask”. I’ll be there for a few shows. It seemed to me that all the participants are very involved in the project, very prepared. There was not a single one who came half-prepared, without delving into it. That’s the impression, all the participants are not only talented, fun, but also very hardworking.

Everything Is Only for the Good

Participation in the Eurovision selection gave us a lot of good. We met new people, presented a new song, received a lot of attention and new opportunities.

We don't see this competition in black and white. The crown didn't fall, we don't feel like we've lost something, on the contrary - we feel like we've taken a step forward. Therefore, we want to encourage other Lithuanian musicians not to be afraid to participate in the competition. Nothing bad will happen! Everything is only for the good.

Congratulations to Silvester Belt and we wish him to maintain that lightness.

Jūsų Palaikymas Šiandien Yra Pats Svarbiausias 💚

Svarbu žinoti, kad Jūsų palaikymas balsavime yra pats svarbiausias. Negalvokite, kad “kiti jau balsuoja” arba “bus kaip bus” ar “tai čia viskas aišku”. Dar NIEKAS neaišku. Šiandien, 21 val, prasideda Eurovizijos Atrankos Finalas. Jeigu patinka mūsų daina “Simple Joy” ir manote, kad kūrinys, jos žinutė ir mes patys, kaip asmenybės, galime tinkamai atstovauti Lietuvai, labai visų prašome prabalsuoti. Tik surinkti balsai lems rezultatą.

Palaikykite mus šiame kelyje. Transliacijos metu galite siųsti sms numeriu 1669, tekste įrašę 10. Arba skambinti 1669 ir tuomet surinkti 10. Balsuoti galima 10 kartų iš vieno telefono numerio. Prašome palaikymo visų, kurie tiki mumis! 💚

Jeigu galite ir norite, pasidalinkite šia nuotrauka pas save ir su savo draugais. Labai dėkojame🙏

Mes esame labai dėkingi už palaikymą! Einame į finalą su atvira širdim ir šviesa 💚☀️

Happy Day of Love! 💚

Happy Day of Love!

We all need love. And not just to receive it, but also to give it. It's incredible how allowing love and joy to lead the way, rather than anger, can transform every aspect of our lives 💚

Shorts And Legs

Vaidotas: Discussions about shorts and my legs are ongoing. How interesting. I watch and think that the profession of “body inspector” is very widespread.

And what about me? I continue living. One of my challenges was finally not being ashamed of myself. Just a few years ago, I dared to start wearing shorts at all. I used to have complexes. For no reason.

In the song “Simple Joy” I sing about feeling enough. And that’s how it is. Enough to be on stage, enough to be in this life, enough to accept this body and generally be happy to have legs that carry me to the mountains without getting tired, legs that don’t hurt, that are flexible and agile. I feel grateful to Life for taking care of me this way.

At the same time, discussions are good. Because it’s much worse to be just neutral, dull, uninteresting. Creators should raise questions and touch on various topics, not just cater to the audience. By the way, a very good saying is: “If you want to make a mistake - ask everyone’s opinion.”

I wish all to turn more towards yourself, accept yourself, see the simple joy in every day.

Unadorned Reality

Unadorned reality: Vaidotas fell seriously ill right before the filming of the “Eurovision” selections. The show was filmed three weeks ago. Treatment of Lyme disease with antibiotics weakened Vaidotas's immune system, contributing to other ailments, and leaving him bedridden.

Three days before the filming, there was still a real thought of not participating at all. However, after discussing it, we decided to accept the challenge, not to give up easily, and to seize the opportunity to get on stage, albeit with incomplete strength.

On the day of filming, Vaidotas arrived having lost 5 kilograms but was full of hope. He tried to conserve his strength.

We are glad that we managed to get on stage! Vaidotas has already recovered, and we are preparing for the final performance (we really want to make it to the final). There will be new beautiful things!

And this Saturday, we will be in the selection, with our number 07. We ask for the support of everyone who believes in us!

Simple Joy Spreading

Currently, Lithuanian radio stations are already playing "Simple Joy". We are happy about it! Additionally, since Friday, several foreign radio stations have also added the song to their playlists. This is important because it introduces more and more people to Lithuanian creators. We continue to work to spread the word about Lithuania as widely as possible. Thank you all for your support, it is much needed!

Why Are We Going to Eurovision Again?

We want to answer the question, why are we going to the "Eurovision" selection again?

We have been to the big "Eurovision" only once, in 2021, the contest was held under strict restrictions of the pandemic. Basically we were sitting in a hotel. There were no meetings with fans, there was no “Eurovision” Village. Even after the contest, we could not visit foreign radio stations or TV for a long time due to the restrictions still in force.

When we went to Liverpool last year to open the "Eurovision" party, we said to ourselves "Wow, this is how everything should look".

This time we want to feel the full power of the competition and firmly carry the Lithuanian flag far into the world. We have experience, we understand that not only the song is important, but also the band's history, personalities, visions.

It is important to have something to say to the media and to represent your country strongly. We have all this, we are not going to enter it as a lottery, we have prepared a strategy.

Ease, experience, important message, good mood.

Acoustic Simple Joy

This is probably the first song of our creation that sounds so easily and enough just with the guitar. This led to the idea of ​​recording a professional acoustic version of the song "Simple Joy". We will definitely do it and share it.

📷 Elvis Žaldaris / RC

Thank You for YOUR Amazing Feedback!

The messages from you keep coming and coming. We were so strongly prepared for rejection that this acceptance disarmed us. We just wanted to create something that resonates with us, and not just predict what others might like. We wanted to be ourselves. We wanted to change. And this is not always accepted in society. But we could not remain the same. Now we see that we are not alone in need of simple joy. Thank you for listening to “Simple Joy” and writing to us!

THE ROOP - Simple Joy: Genuineness is a Virtue

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.