EstoCast

Countermeasure, a Canadian a cappella band that’s performing at Estonian Music Week in Toronto on May 24th, is keen on defying genre, breaking down the sounds of instruments, and plenty of collaboration, which has resulted in some literally breathtaking music!

In this episode of EstoCast, Elora Burns, a member of this 12-piece group, shares:

🎤 the Estonian linguistic experience that played a role in making choral music a huge part of her life

🎤 their upcoming tour in Japan to promote their new album

🎤 the dopamine rush of coding and being gifted software compilers as a kid

🎤 and much more!

Things mentioned in this episode include:

-Countermeasure on Instagram (including info on their BC tour and upcoming album): https://www.instagram.com/countermeasuremusic/?hl=en

- “Takin’ It Home”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZre5Tu7M14 

-Evelyn Glennie: https://www.evelyn.co.uk/

-Sing! the Toronto International Vocal Arts Festival: https://singtoronto.com/ 

-Estonian Foundation of Canada: https://www.estonianfoundation.ca/ 

- Itzhak Perlman: https://muppet.fandom.com/wiki/Itzhak_Perlman 

-The 26th Estonian Song Celebration (XXVI laulupidu) 06.07.2014: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4ox72IFFxF4 

-the Korora choir family: https://kororachoirs.ca/ 

-Chris Poole explaining some of the tech used by Countermeasure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PP8EQFJ8BDE 

-"Someone" (featuring Rich Brown): https://open.spotify.com/track/0Yyv6XZRI8pTYszG8ztf18

-"Aubade" featuring Pamelia Stickney on theremin: https://open.spotify.com/track/3QZlGuaKSaqAdsinuLEnGk 

-The Spider-Man theme song, performed by Countermeasure and Ron Sexsmith: https://open.spotify.com/track/3FDTWrQxv7NAc3YQ1YRuTx 

-cellist Kevin Fox: https://aaronjensen.ca/project/kevin-fox/ 

-more about the popularity of CDs in Japan: https://hifiauditions.wordpress.com/2025/01/18/cds-are-still-popular-in-japan/#:~:text=Despite%20the%20growth%20of%20streaming,made%20up%20only%20about%2020%25.

-Estonian Voices: https://2025.estonianmusicweek.ca/estonian-voices 

-find out more about and get tickets for Estonian Music Week this year!: https://2025.estonianmusicweek.ca/ 

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

Winning an Etnokulp award (a big wooden ladle) was a surprise for flautist and composer Katariina Tirmaste. There she was, happily singing a runo song together with the audience at the Estonian Traditional Music Center in Viljandi… when all of a sudden her name was called out!

Of course, she’s very active as a musician, and in this episode of EstoCast, we hear about the:

🪈 the many projects and collaborations she’s been a part of—including Hypnosis Negative, which connects Canada and Estonia

🪈 the beauty of musical unison and the way phrasing and dynamics guide dancing

🪈 the multinational, spontaneous qualities of folk music

🪈 and much more!

Things mentioned in this episode include:

-Katariina Tirmaste on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3vyrq4dBjKK6dtdCXr9b6Z 

-the 2024 Etnokulp awards: https://news.err.ee/1609482664/gallery-2024-etnokulp-awards-ladled-out-to-estonia-s-folk-musicians

-the Etnokulp award-winners over the years: https://folk.ee/our-projects/folk-music-awards#:~:text=Folk%20Music%20Awards%20%2D%20ETNOKULP&text=The%20grand%20award%20ceremony%20takes,award%20categories%20and%20their%20nominees.

-DROM Taberna: https://www.dromtaberna.com 

-Viljandi Folk Music Festival: https://www.viljandifolk.ee 

-Katariina’s album Tule lill tudu on Bandcamp: https://katariinatirmaste.bandcamp.com/album/tule-lill-tudu 

-Robert Alan Mackie on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3RjB3MWVqK99FTyFaxgltM

-Hypnosis Negative: https://hypnosisnegative.com/ 

-Viljandi Culture Academy: https://viljandi.ut.ee/en 

-Percussionist Juan De La Fuente Alcón: https://www.instagram.com/juandelafuentepercussion/ 

-more about the album Notas Rotas by Chilean guitarist Tomás del Real: https://justinpetrone.com/2025/01/07/notas-rotas-by-tomas-del-real/ 

-Katariina and Kärt Pihlap’s duo, Kuula Hetke: https://www.instagram.com/kuulahetke/ 

-three corners, the album by Hypnosis Negative: https://hypnosisnegative.bandcamp.com/album/three-corners

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

Vahest juhtub nii, et leiame oma tõelise kutsumuse küpses eas. Nii juhtus meie tänase külalisega, Toronto eestlasest kirjaniku Eerik Purjega. Milline on olnud 98-aastase kirjaniku elu ja mida ta arvab kirjandusest ja kirjutamisest, saate teada meie järjekordses Eesti Raamatu Aastale pühendatud episoodis.

 Saates kuuleme:  

✍🏻 kuidas jõudis luuletajana alustanud Eerik romaanide ja mälestuste kirjutamiseni

✍🏻 milline on tema loomeprotsess

✍🏻 kes on need kirjanikud, kellega elu Eerikut kokku on viinud

✍🏻 millist rolli raamatud, lugemine ja kirjutamine võiksid inimese elus täita

✍🏻 ja palju muud!

Saates mainiti: 

Eesti raamatute andmebaas: https://www.ester.ee/search~S1*est

Eeriku kõige uuem raamat: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/222540465-leeilne-inimene-mosaiik

“Laste maailm,” “Taluperenaise” ajakirja kaasaanne: https://www.digar.ee/arhiiv/et/perioodika/82182

Mait Metsanurk: https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mait_Metsanurk

Nimed Marmortahvlil, Albert Kivikas: https://rahvaraamat.ee/p/nimed-marmortahvlil/666488/en

Isade Maa, August Gailit: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/13608436-isade-maa

Teraspoiss, Jüri Parijõgi: https://rahvaraamat.ee/p/teraspoiss/1241729/et?isbn=9789949855193

Hea sadam, August Mälk: https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hea_sadam

Peeter Lindsaar: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list/19688454.Peeter_Lindsaar

Eerik Laidsaar: https://www.goodreads.com/author/show/6682380.Eerik_Laidsaar

Arved Viirlaid: https://sisu.ut.ee/ewod/v/viirlaid/

Salme Ekbaum: https://sisu.ut.ee/ewod/e/ekbaum/

Urve Karuks: https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Urve_Karuks

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

As Gerda Märtens describes the creation of a picture book, text is at the core; but for an illustrator, there’s both expressive freedom and a sense of responsibility, considering how much space there is to work with.

In this episode, she’s sharing more about what goes into the making of a book. Learn about:

🎨 the essential, foundational things we all gain from children’s literature

🎨 how Italy has influenced her work as an illustrator and author in a major way

🎨 Estonia’s role as a guest of honour at this year’s Bologna Children’s Book Fair

🎨 and much more!

Things mentioned in this episode include:

-the Year of the Estonian Book: https://raamatuaasta.ee/en 

-Hädaoru kuningas (King of the Valley of Woes): https://www.apollo.ee/hadaoru-kuningas.html 

-La Creazione (The Creation): https://www.amazon.ca/creazione-poster-Dino-Buzzati/dp/8896806046 

-Minu Linn (My City): https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/57756925-minu-linn 

-the article in Eesti Elu about Virmalised (The Northern Lights): https://eestielu.ca/kids-corner-virmalised-the-northern-lights-by-gerda-martens/ 

-a video of Märtens making an illustration for the book: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1DstNExi98 

-Bologna Children’s Book Fair: https://www.bolognachildrensbookfair.com/en/home/878.html 

-More about climate anxiety: https://sustainability.yale.edu/explainers/yale-experts-explain-climate-anxiety 

-Basel, Switzerland: https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-ca/destinations/basel/ 

-Gerda Märten’s Instagram page: https://www.instagram.com/gerdam/?hl=en 

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

2025. aasta on kuulutatud Eesti Raamatu Aastaks - möödub 500 aastat esimese eestikeelse trükise ilmumisest. Sel puhul kutsub EstoCast külla põnevaid inimesi - lihtsalt kirglikke raamatusõpru, aga ka selle valdkonna professionaale Eestist, Kanadast ja mujalt. Meie esimeseks külaliseks on Muhumaalt pärit dr. Kadri Tüür, kirjandusteadlane ja semiootik, kes õpetab alates 2024. aasta sügisest Toronto ülikoolis eesti keelt, kirjandust ja kultuuri. Vestleme Kadriga raamatute ja lugemise olulisusest eile, täna ja homme.

Tänases saates kuuleme sellest:

📕 kuidas raamatud Kadri ellu tulid

📕 mida ta arvab kohustuslikust kirjandusest kooliprogrammis

📕 kuidas inglise keel mõjutab noorte eesti keele oskust ning mida teha, et neid meelitada eestikeelset kirjandust lugema

📕 miks on eestikeelse trükisõna alalhoidmine ja toetamine tähtis

Saates mainiti:

- Raamatuaasta 2025: https://raamatuaasta.ee/et

- Toronto Eesti Täienduskoolide “Eesti Kirjanduse Päev 2025”: https://eestikool.ca/eesti-kirjanduse-paev-2025/

- Eesti Lastekirjanduse Keskus: https://elk.ee/

- VEMU 2. tõlkevõistlus: https://www.vemu.ca/teine-vemu-tolkevoistlus-on-puhendatud-raamatuaastale/

- Muinasjutt “Naeris”: https://www.ester.ee/record=b1275781*est 

- “Mees, kes teadis ussisõnu”: https://www.apollo.ee/mees-kes-teadis-ussisonu.html

- “Rehepapp”: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/6347735-rehepapp-ehk-november

- “Nimed marmortahvlil”: https://rahvaraamat.ee/p/nimed-marmortahvlil/666488/en

- “Sügisball”: https://www.goodreads.com/en/book/show/7647947-s-gisball

- luuletaja Triin Paja: https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triin_Paja

- Triinu Laan “John the Skeleton”: https://restlessbooks.org/bookstore/john-the-skeleton

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

For Karl Raudsepp Hearn, visiting Estonia for the Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival wasn’t just exciting because he was premiering his latest film, The G. It was also the first time he had ever been to Estonia, ever.

The release of his film has seen its share of heart-warming and thought-provoking moments. In the latest episode of EstoCast, hear Karl talk about:

🎥 The important Estonian diaspora legacy of his family in Canada

🎥 Why some people sob and some people call out for more when they watch The G

🎥 The real-life person who inspired the main character in this film, and the actress who brought the character to life 

🎥 and much more!

Things mentioned in this episode:
-Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: https://poff.ee/en/ 

- The G on Amazon Prime: https://www.primevideo.com/dp/amzn1.dv.gti.a1481151-90d0-4cad-a900-96566f4f2099?autoplay=0&ref_=atv_cf_strg_wb 

-More about Karl’s first feature film, Touched: https://letterboxd.com/film/touched-2017/ 

-film critic Richard Crouse: https://richardcrouse.ca/ 

-a bit of history from Montréal Estonian Society about Bishop Raudsepp, Karl Raudsepp-Hearne’s grandfather: https://mtlmes.ca/2014/09/

-one of Karl’s interviews at Tallinn Black Nights Film Festival: https://elisastage.poff.ee/landing/bc/mZ1D2CpUpk/QtMzSrVeV9/w3d8FwqQSe/m_Ju-CdmPv3 

-Karl’s interview with Hajala ringvaade: https://menu.err.ee/1609165996/poff-il-osalev-eesti-juurtega-rezissoor-mind-on-hammastavalt-soojalt-vastu-voetud 

-Glasgow Film Festival: https://www.glasgowfilm.org/home 

-Fantasia Film Festival: https://fantasiafestival.com/en 

-Film4: https://www.channel4.com/collection/film4 

-Karl Raudsepp Hearne on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/karlr.hearne/?hl=en 

-the official Facebook page for The G: https://www.facebook.com/3buckproductions/ 

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

Head uut aastat, hea EstoCasti kuulaja! Uus aastaring toob meie stuudiosse värske külalise - Toronto eestlase Elle Rosenbergi. Aktiivse kogukonnaliikmena on Elle tegutsenud mitmetes organisatsioonides, muuhulgas juhtinud pikka aega Toronto Eesti Seltsi Täienduskooli ja viinud koolikoori mitmel korral Eestisse laulupeole. Räägime Ellega üleskasvamisest väikeses eesti kogukonnas St. Catherines´is, eestluse ülalhoidmisest ja kõigest, mis sellega seondub. 

Saates saame teada, kuidas:

 🇪🇪 eesti kogukond aitas Ellel juba varases eas leida eluaegseid sõpru

🇪🇪 vanemate põgenemislugu mõjutab teda veel tänapäevalgi 

🇪🇪 hoida eestluse lippu kõrgel nii, et noored sooviks seda edasi kanda  

🇪🇪 ja palju muud!

Saates mainiti: 

- Toronto Eesti Seltsi Täienduskoolid: https://eestikool.ca/

- St. Catherine’s piirkonna istanduste ja mahlatööstuste ajaloost: https://www.niagarathisweek.com/news/juice-plant-closure-an-end-of-an-era/article_8771ea1f-69cf-5196-ad6d-e0748fae854d.html?

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

Singer, songwriter, and soundscape builder Mart Avi is bound to turn your head when you first hear his music. Even through the sounds alone, you can tell he has a very physical approach to music, including an almost percussive style of singing. And there are an abundance of stories to dig into lyrically.

Before he hits the stage at 2025’s Estonian Music Week festival, hear him speak on the latest episode of EstoCast, including points about:

🧠 How the art he saw when performing during the Venice Biennale infiltrated his subconscious

🦕 Why his upbringing in a newly re-independent Estonia makes him feel “Jurassic”

🌴How the seaside city of Ubatuba, Brazil impacted his and Ajukaja’s new album

🎙️ and much more!

Things mentioned in this episode include:

-Mart Avi’s website: https://avicorp.cargo.site/ 

-Badass Yuki: https://porridgebullet.bandcamp.com/album/badass-yuki-open-your-eyes-to-the-landmass 

-Stones & Holes: https://soundcloud.com/stonesandholes 

-Mart Avi’s 2013 EP After Hours: https://porridgebullet.com/pb004.html

-Ajukaja: https://open.spotify.com/artist/4SQmCLlTPWxgg2OU4mXx8G 

-the new album, Death of Music: https://open.spotify.com/album/6DLENPCPcJMwL8LyuUZPL4 

-the film Kihnu maraton: https://www.efis.ee/en/film-categotries/movies/id/21423

-the Porridge Bullet record label: https://porridgebullet.com/ 

-Röövel Ööbik: https://open.spotify.com/artist/2v7rG3uuuZplbm5RjTQV2D 

-Estonian artist Edith Karlson: https://cca.ee/en/artists-database/edith-karlson 

-details on the 2025 edition of Estonian Music Week festival: https://2025.estonianmusicweek.ca/ 

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

1944. a. suurpõgenemise 80. aastapäeva puhul kutsume stuudiosse neid, kes on pidanud ette võtma pika ja raske põgenemisteekonna. Vilme Pede oli üks nendest, kelle saatus tahtmatult niimoodi läks. Vilme on olnud pikaaegne aktiivne liige Toronto eesti kogukonnas ning hoidnud eesti keelt ja meelt tugevana ka oma peres. Kuidas oli jätta hüvasti kodumaaga, leida uus koht, kus juured alla ajada ja paljust muust kuulete juba käesolevas värkses Esto Casti saates.

 Saates saame teada, kuidas:

🇪🇪kulges keerukas ja käänuline põgenemisteekond
🇪🇪 algas uus elu võõral maal

🇪🇪 hoida eestlust alal Kanadas ja anda edasi oma järeltulijatele

🇪🇪 raskustega toime tulla. 

 
Saates mainiti:

-1944. a. Suurpõgenemine: https://www.rara.ee/uudised/suur-pogenemine-1944/

- Anija küla Eestis: https://et.wikipedia.org/wiki/Anija

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

How could a bowl of soup lead a family to safety in war-torn Europe?

Find out in the latest episode of EstoCast, where we met with Estonian-Canadian artist, award-winning community volunteer, and self-described people person, Mai Reet Vomm Järve.

Mai, who left Estonia as a little girl 80 years ago, with her mother Benita Vomm and brother Ants Erik Vomm, has an extraordinary story that takes us from a crowded train in Tallinn, to Germany, across the ocean to Venezuela, and finally to her artist’s life in Canada.

In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:

🎨 the studio her mother Benita Vomm opened up to teach art in Caracas, Venezuela

🏅 the time she received a medal from Queen Elizabeth II

🥘 making sült (meat jelly) in a hotel room as a family of refugees

🇪🇪 and much more

Things mentioned in this episode include:

-Mai’s bio and art on the Toronto Estonian Virtual Art Gallery site: https://www.tevag.ca/team/mai-reet-vomm-jarve/ 

-The Suurpõgenemine / Great Escape as explained by BaltHerNet: https://www.balther.net/the-great-baltic-escape-and-the-armada-of-boats-that-saved-so-many/ 

-Eesti Kunstnike Koondis Torontos (the Society of Estonian Artists in Toronto): https://www.estonianartiststoronto.com/ 

-more about the Pallas Art School (in Estonian): https://opleht.ee/2019/10/eesti-esimene-kujutava-kunsti-korgem-kool-sundis-tartus/

-Ado Vabbe, the teacher of Benita Vomm: https://kunstimuuseum.ekm.ee/en/syndmus/ado-vabbe-wunderbar/ 

-Hilda Mikkelsaar: https://digikogu.ekm.ee/eng/new_category_tree/estonian_art_in_exile/canada/painting/oid-4819/?&offset=1 

-August Vomm, her father: https://www.tevag.ca/team/august-vomm/ 

-Benita Vomm, her mother: https://www.tevag.ca/team/benita-vomm/ 

-Ants Erik Vomm, her brother: https://www.tevag.ca/team/ants-erik-vomm/ 

-El Museo de Bellas Artes de Caracas, where Mai’s brother exhibited at age 19: https://iamvenezuela.com/2015/04/museo-de-bellas-artes-de-caracas/ 

-Stephen Roman: https://mininghalloffame.ca/stephen-b-roman/

-The Willys Overland Company: https://www.kaiserwillys.com/willys-overland-company/ 

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
         https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek
 
➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
        https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

➡️ @vemu.emc
       https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca