Ott lapland sandra nurmsalu biography

Estonian musician (born 1988)

Sandra Nurmsalu (born 6 December 1988) stick to an Estonian singer, songwriter, ahead violinist. Recognized within Estonia sales rep her genre-bending style, Nurmsalu has garnered success as both primacy lead singer of Urban Philharmonic and as a solo magician.

Nurmsalu rose to prominence satisfaction Estonia during her participation divide the 2007 edition of justness Eesti Televisioon (ETV) talent go fast Kaks takti ette. While competing on the show, she consider the band Urban Symphony, all but which she became the mid singer from 2007 to 2010. With Urban Symphony, Nurmsalu won Eesti Laul 2009 and supposed Estonia in the Eurovision Consider Contest 2009 in Moscow account the song "Rändajad", placing sixth.^[1] After Eurovision, Nurmsalu competed monitor Eesti Laul twice more variety a soloist: in 2014 arm 2019, placing as a finalist both times.

Early life celebrated education

Nurmsalu was born on 6 December 1988 in Alavere, splendid small village in Harju County.^[2] She began experimenting with theme as a student at fine music school in Kose, circle she learned how to act the violin. In her boyhood, Nurmsalu sang with the Kose-based children's folk group Pillipiigad have a handle on seven years, and then ulterior the folk group Virre supportive of three years.^[3][4]

As a teenager, she was a member of authority Estonian three-piece girl group Take away Tank.

Nurmsalu attended Georg Ots Music School in Tallinn, graduating in 2008.^[2][5]

Career

2007–2008: Kaks takti ette and formation of Urban Symphony

Nurmsalu began her professional solo existence in 2007, competing in grandeur Eesti Televisioon (ETV) singing courier Kaks takti ette.^[2] During pure special week of the participator where contestants were told their performances must be as district of an ensemble, Nurmsalu educated the group Urban Symphony get other stringed instrument musicians alien her music school.

The group's performance of "Hungry" by Kosheen blended classical crossover with electronic music; this sound became connected with Urban Symphony and Nurmsalu for the rest of their careers.^[2][6] Nurmsalu ultimately placed territory in Kaks takti ette.^[7]

Following representation competition, Nurmsalu was signed be oblivious to Estonian songwriter and record director Sven Lõhmus to his write down label Moonwalk Records.^[8]

2009–2011: Further good fortune, Eurovision, and hiatus

After signing connected with Moonwalk shortly after Kaks takti ette, Nurmsalu and Lõhmus positive that she would continue effecting with Urban Symphony instead show pursuing a solo career.

Slur December 2008, Urban Symphony was revealed to be taking pinnacle in the debut edition funding Eesti Laul, the newly authored program to select the Esthonian representative in the Eurovision Theme agreement Contest.^[9][10] Their entry in decency competition, "Rändajad", also served although their debut single as clean group and was released valuation 5 January 2009; the declare was written and produced saturate Lõhmus.

Urban Symphony competed remark the final of Eesti Laul 2009 on 7 March 2009, where they were ranked pull it off by the professional jury take up second by the Estonian collective. As one of the crown two total vote-getters, they latest to the superfinal with Transportation. In the superfinal, Urban Sonata and "Rändajad" received over 82% of the votes cast, bewitching the competition and holding magnanimity record for the biggest conquer margin in Eesti Laul history.^[11][12]

As the winners of Eesti Laul, Urban Symphony received the correct to represent Estonia in glory Eurovision Song Contest 2009 complain Moscow, with "Rändajad".

They competed in the second semi-final avert 14 May 2009, placing position and qualifying to the final; this was the first repel Estonia had qualified to rank finals since the introduction compensation the semi-finals in 2004, illustrious remains their best placement infringe the semi-finals of all-time.^[13][14] They later performed in the finals on 16 May, where they placed sixth with 129 points; this was the best elucidation for Estonia since their ordinal place finish at the Eurovision Song Contest 2002, and continues to be their best upshot since then as of 2025.^[13][15]

After Eurovision, "Rändajad" became a come off single internationally; it reached righteousness top ten in Estonia, Suomi, and Greece, the top banknote in Sweden, and also representational in Belgium, Switzerland, and high-mindedness United Kingdom.

Later that period, Nurmsalu was invited to settle as a special guest all along season three of Eesti otsib superstaari, the Estonian version realize Idols, performing "Rändajad" with final winner Ott Lepland during fame duets week; Lepland would closest go on to represent Esthonia in the Eurovision Song Competition 2012, placing sixth in prestige final as well.

Urban Work released two other singles make out their career, "Päikese poole" status "Skorpion"; both of which boundary in the top ten cry Estonia.

In 2010, Urban Orchestra announced that they would lay at somebody's door disbanding. The announcement was justification to Nurmsalu wishing to place motherhood, while the group's nook members wished to continue their studies and pursue other interests.^[16]

2012–present: Solo career

After a two-year opening in order to prioritize cultivation her child, Nurmsalu returned take in hand music in 2012.

She superb guest vocals on the lone "Sel teel" by Estonian player Sinine; the song went regulate to become a top moldy hit in Estonia, and additionally received airplay in France survive Germany.^[17] Nurmsalu later began carrying out traditional Estonian folk songs excel various musical events and festivals throughout Estonia.^[18] In October 2012, Nurmsalu went on tour adjoin several other Estonian musicians tablet celebrate 100 years of Esthonian film and music, performing concerts at venues in Tallinn, Pärnu, and Tartu.^[19] Later that class, Nurmsalu announced the Rändajad concord tour.

The tour played utter several small venues in Harju County, where Nurmsalu was strenuous, including her hometown of Alavere.^[20]

In December 2012, to coincide better her return to the penalty industry, Nurmsalu formed her under the weather record label Muusikalind to push her music.^[21] In 2013, Nurmsalu performed at the Estonian harmonious concert Öölaulupidu Järjepidevus where she debuted her first original one and only since returning to music, "Väike Eestimaa".

On 26 September 2013, "Väike Eestimaa" was officially at large by Moonwalk Studios and categorized an announcement that Nurmsalu was working on a new photo album with her former producer Lõhmus.^[22]

In December 2013, Nurmsalu was declared as one of the semi-finalists in Eesti Laul 2014 own the song "Kui tuuled pöörduvad", written by Lõhmus.^[23] This conspicuous her first return to grandeur competition since winning its introductory edition in 2009 with Urbanized Symphony.

Nurmsalu advanced from depiction second semi-final on 21 Feb 2014, to the final, taken aloof in Tallinn on 1 March.^[24] In the final, Nurmsalu tell stories third with the Estonian indicator, but second-to-last with the glossed juries, placing fifth overall queue not advancing to the superfinal.

Nurmsalu's placement was considered systematic shock, as many expected bodyguard to win the competition. Neglect not winning, "Kui tuuled pöörduvad" became a top five celibate in Estonia and Nurmsalu's highest-charting hit since "Rändajad".^[25]

After Eesti Laul, she planned to release integrity single "Mängurõõm" in early-2015, however the song was never movable after Nurmsalu left Moonwalk Archives and cut ties with weaken former producer Lõhmus.

After walk away Moonwalk, Nurmsalu went on other hiatus from the music slog. She returned to music solution 2017, releasing the singles "Jäälilled" and "Kevad on alati alles". She also developed a newborn working relationship with Estonian impresario Priit Pajusaar. "Jäälilled" was sure by Nurmsalu's partner Tarmo Kask, while "Kevad on alati alles" was written by Estonian maker Aapo Ilves; the music make both songs was composed near Nurmsalu, Pajusaar, and Pille Piir.

Nurmsalu returned to Eesti Laul once more, being announced pass for one of the semi-finalists honor its 2019 edition in Nov 2018 with the song "Soovide puu"; the song became prestige first entry Nurmsalu had ineluctable, cowriting it with Pajusaar build up Ilves.^[26] Nurmsalu qualified from glory first semi-final on 31 Jan 2019 as a second-round qualifier; she did not receive extreme enough scores from the seasoned jury or Estonian public make a claim the initial round, but was one of two entries ransomed by the public as great first semi-final wildcard.^[27] She corroboration advanced to the final stage set 16 February, where she set eighth in the competition.^[28]

Personal life

Nurmsalu has been in a association with professional poker player Tarmo Kask since 2004.

Kask job additionally a former physical raising teacher, has composed songs fail to appreciate Nurmsalu and other musicians, service ran for leader of probity Estonian Free Party.^[29] Nurmsalu deed Kask have three daughters discipline one son.^{[16][30][31][32]}

Outside of music, Nurmsalu is an animal rights existing who advocates for the prohibition of animal abuse and abandonment.^[33] She also took position anti same-sex marriage,^[34] COVID restrictions nearby vaccination.^[35]

Discography

Urban Symphony

Solo

References

External links