EstoCast

In recent posts from Estonian Music Week, composer and musician Mari Kalkun has been described as a folklorist, storyteller, and sorceress. And it’s important to know why.
In the new episode of EstoCast, hosted by Vincent Teetsov, we’ve asked about specific stories, folklore, and magic that her music has been guided by. This includes the deeper meaning of the apple orchard at her home.

Tune in to hear about:

🌳 past EMW artists she has formed a musical community with

🌳 the memorable home concerts she has performed in Japan

🌳 the unexpected technique of playing the kannel, one of the numerous instruments she plays

🌳 and much more!


Content, people, and places mentioned in this episode include:

-Basic Võru keel phrases and words, including the phrase “Kuis sul lätt?” (“How are you?”): http://maakeel.weebly.com/keeleblogi/voro-kiil-the-voru-dialect 

-A traveller’s introduction to Võrumaa/Võru County in southeast Estonia: https://www.visitvoru.ee/discover-voru-county 

-Mari Kalkun's 2007 album Üü tulõk. (Arrival of the Night): https://naturebliss.bandcamp.com/album/tul-k-pana009 

-Upa-Upa Ubinakõnõ, the 2015 children’s music album for which Mari Kalkun, Tuulikki Bartosik, and Ramo Teder collaborated: https://open.spotify.com/album/5nRov1BhH8Gpja38z0zbny?autoplay=true 

-The University of Tartu Viljandi Culture Academy: https://ut.ee/en/viljandi-culture-academy 

-A recap of Mari Kalkun’s 2018 tour through Japan: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z0KNJ1VNLsY&ab_channel=MariKalkunMusic 

-The extended live music video for her 2020 Ōunaaia album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AYQ-WgSJzyI&ab_channel=MariKalkunMusic 

-An Estonian-language explanation of the kannel: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=12PEoaKbhMM&ab_channel=T%C3%9CKultuuriakadeemiaMuusikaosakond 

- All about the Estonian Youth Song and Dance Celebration: https://eestielu.com/the-estonian-song-and-dance-celebration-brings-together-a-big-family/ 

-An overview of Estonian Music Week festival’s dates and what is happening on each day: https://www.eventbrite.ca/e/estonian-music-week-2023-festival-day-passes-tickets-560709837217  

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

In case you didn’t see the announcement yet, Estonian Music Week is coming back this May! Dishing out the festival details for us on the latest episode of EstoCast is the festival’s Artistic and Executive Director, Sebastian Buccioni.

Listen to EstoCast on to hear:

🎫 the artistic collaborations he and the festival team have encouraged

🎫 how hands-on crafts and visual art will be accessible to festival goers

🎫 how he became connected to the Estonian music world

🎫 and much more!

Content mentioned in this episode includes:

-Estonian Music Week’s mission statement: https://www.estonianmusicweek.ca/about-2 

-MENT Ljubljana music discovery festival, which Sebastian was attending while on the episode: https://www.ment.si/en 

-More about the May 2023 Estonian Music Week events: https://www.estonianmusicweek.ca/festival-2023 

-Chameleon Project, one example of Sebastian’s work as a musician before he joined Estonian Music Week as a volunteer: https://chameleonproject.bandcamp.com/album/funk-n-space 

-A news piece about Lexsoul Dancemachine and The Shuffle Demon’s double decker bus performance in September 2022: https://streetsoftoronto.com/double-decker-bus-concert-toronto/ 

-More info on the large Estonian community of Toronto, Canada: https://archives.studentscommission.ca/magic/mt51.html 

-An Estonian World article with data on the number of Estonians living outside of Estonia: https://estonianworld.com/life/data-estonian-citizens-around-the-world/ 

-Mari Kalkun: https://www.marikalkun.com/homepage 

-Kirke Karja: http://www.kirkekarja.voog.com/ 

-Triskele: https://triskele.ee/ 

-Kara-Lis Coverdale: https://www.kara-liscoverdale.com/ 

-Two examples of the wide-ranging Estonian Music Week events that have taken place in Hamilton: https://www.estonianmusicweek.ca/concerts/2022/6/1/collegium-musicale-hamilton 

-Maria Minerva: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hIkbS4NCKoE&ab_channel=mariaminervamusic 

-The collaboration between Canadian musician Maya Kiltron and the Estonian Funk Embassy's Funk Embassy Night at Tallinn Music Week 2023: https://tmw.ee/artists/maya-killtron

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 described by opera singer Kristina Maria Agur (whose nickname is “Mama Estonia”), opera productions employ countless singers, artists, and technical professionals. And the return is significant—culturally, socially, and financially. This is all possible because of how much people value the art form, especially in countries like Germany and Austria where she has lived.

If you’ve ever wanted a personal tour of the inside of the opera world, you’ll want to listen to the latest episode of Estocast, where Kristina tells us:

🎶 how she moved from geochemistry to the second alto section of the Wiener Staatsoper

🎶 what makes Thursday nights special for singers all across Toronto

🎶 why chopping wood and beautiful cafés go hand in hand

🎶 and much more!
 

Content mentioned in this episode:

-Steiermark (Styria), the state in Austria where Kristina lives: https://www.steiermark.com/en 

-Wiener Staatsoper, for which Kristina is a member of the chorus: https://www.wiener-staatsoper.at/en/artists/choir/ 

-an explanation of the role of a chorus in opera: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cwAqtIxAMCg

-the University of Toronto’s Faculty of Music: https://music.utoronto.ca/ 

-“What was the Hanseatic League?”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TN5DseqmY6M&ab_channel=KhAnubis 

-an explanation of the audition process for opera singers: https://www.csmusic.net/content/articles/audition-101-for-opera-singers/

-Catalyst Berlin’s discussion of the myth of the tortured artist: https://catalyst-berlin.com/stories/dialogues-mental-health-myth-tortured-artist 

-The Royal Opera House's overview of the many technical roles involved in opera: https://www.roh.org.uk/interactives/opera-machine 

-“The Unexpected Languages of Opera”: https://www.wqxr.org/story/opera-unexpected-language-spanish-english-russian-czech/ 

-a look into what the fach voice classification system is: https://halifaxsummeroperafestival.com/opera-resources/the-fach-system-of-vocal-classification/ 

-an explanation of what an aria is: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PRO3eWavWrs&ab_channel=UnderstandingMusic 

-At the end is Kristina’s performance of “Ah! chi mi dice mai” from Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart’s opera Don Giovanni, together with pianist Pantelis Polychrinidis: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1msSlM-6zeU&ab_channel=KristinaAgur 

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

Kerly Ilves on tubli Eesti noor, kes töötab VEMU fotokoguga, filmib ja on andekas fotograaf, aga harrastab peale kõige muu ka rattasporti. Kuidas on suurlinn Torontos ratturina liigelda, miks on sporditegemine ning liikumine igapäevaselt tähtis ja paljust muust saad teada meie värskest saatest. Mõnusat kuulamist! 

🎥 Vaata Kerly igapäevast rattaseiklust siit: https://youtu.be/hrFqAHuDt6c 

Käes on taas värske EstoCast’i osa, kus arutame põnevaid teemasid, sealhulgas:

🚲 Võrdlused Eesti ja Toronto rattakultuuris ning liiklemis tavades
🚲 Kuidas suhtlevad erinvaid liikumisviise kasutavaid inimesed üksteisega ning üksteise
🚲 Elektri- ning tõukerataste kultuurist ja populaarsusest
🚲 Kuidas mahutada liikumist igapäevasesse tervisliku elustiili
🚲 …ja paljust muust!

Saates mainiti: 

• Bloor Street jalgrattateede projekt
  • https://www.toronto.ca/services-payments/streets-parking-transportation/cycling-in-toronto/cycling-pedestrian-projects/bloor-street-bike-lanes/
• Cherry Beach 
  • https://www.theswimguide.org/beach/32
•  Cycle Toronto
  • https://www.cycleto.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

🚨 This time around, EstoCast is available in both *video* and audio! Watch the video here: https://youtu.be/TZnxvxcaXh0 🚨

Soccer is full of highs and lows, from being surrounded by the cheers and chants of 20,000 fans in the stands to excruciating pain while recovering from an injury. But The Beautiful Game continues to draw players and billions of spectators.

Telling us about his own epic career moments, his own highs and lows, is goalkeeper Andreas Vaikla, who has most recently played for Toronto FC.

In this episode, find out about: 

⚽️what it was like to be coached by legendary Estonian goalkeeper Mart Poom

⚽why a “cheeky Nandos”, banter, and video games makes a team stronger

⚽the advice he’d give to his fans

⚽️and much more!

Content, people, and places mentioned in this episode include:

-Liikumisaasta (the “Be Active” year) 2023: https://liikumisaasta.ee/ 

-the Estonian national under-16 soccer team: https://jalgpall.ee/koondis/6/uudised 

-West Bromwich Albion F.C.: https://www.wba.co.uk/ 

- the biblical quote Andreas refers to when talking about fate, destiny, and putting everything into what you do: https://www.biblegateway.com/verse/en/James%202%3A26 

-Correction: the quote “Genius is 1% inspiration and 99% perspiration” is actually attributed to academic Kate Sanborn: https://www.forbes.com/sites/maseenaziegler/2014/09/01/how-we-all-got-it-wrong-women-were-behind-these-7-famously-inspiring-quotes/?sh=479407341016 

-Legendary Estonian goalkeeper Mart Poom, who was also Andreas’ coach back in the day: https://www.a-love-supreme.com/single-post/born-on-this-day-mart-poom 

-The Åland Islands, where Andreas played for IFK Mariehamn: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzWg0HGGDlk&ab_channel=QCPTV 

-Toronto FC’s songs and chants: http://redpatchboys.ca/game-day/songs/ 

-FAI (Femoroacetabular Impingement): https://orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/femoroacetabular-impingement/ 

-The science behind stem cells: https://www.mayoclinic.org/tests-procedures/bone-marrow-transplant/in-depth/stem-cells/art-20048117 

-Major League Soccer, the higher level soccer league in the US and Canada: https://www.mlssoccer.com/ 

-FC Edmonton: https://fcedmonton.canpl.ca/ 

-Toronto FC: https://www.torontofc.ca/ 

-Keep in touch with Andreas Vaikla on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/andreasvaikla/?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

As a film technician, Krista Koger has created all sorts of imaginative set decorations, special effects, and props to make believable visuals for major films and TV series. In this episode of EstoCast, she reveals:

🎬how the blacksmithing and jewellery design skills she developed at Eesti Kunstiakadeemia led to working on major shows and movies

🎬the way that exchange rates affect the amount of work that the Canadian film industry does

🎬why crews are always filming “mayonnaise commercials”

🎬and much more!


Organizations, places, and content mentioned in this episode include:

-IATSE 873: https://www.iatse873.com/ 

-NSCAD (Nova Scotia College of Art and Design) University: https://nscad.ca/ 

-Eesti Kunstiakadeemia: https://www.artun.ee/ 

-the departments of IATSE 873: https://www.iatse873.com/873-departments

-More about the term “Fraturday”: https://scottbaron.blog/2016/11/04/fraturday/#:~:text=What%20is%20Fraturday%3F,after%20the%20sun%20comes%20up 

-More about the film industry’s “Mayonnaise commercial” fib: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LtfcjBNrBbw&ab_channel=Aputure 

-Kingston Penitentiary: https://www.kingstonpentour.com/ 

-Mayor of Kingstown, the show Krista worked on in Kingston, Ontario: https://tv.apple.com/ca/show/mayor-of-kingstown/umc.cmc.52b8sl24cni4kw4b75afuatt8

-Ontario locations in the show The Lake: https://torontolife.com/culture/every-ontario-location-that-shows-up-in-prime-videos-the-lake/ 

-12 famous movies filmed in Toronto: https://projects.thestar.com/filmed-in-toronto/ 

-The difference between haze and fog machines: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AwcLCu6kf9Q&ab_channel=GetintheMix 

-An example of how the film industry uses deepfake technology: https://www.premiumbeat.com/blog/deepfake-technology-future-of-film-industry/ 

-The difference between special effects and VFX: https://realtimeuk.com/blog/special-effects-vs-visual-effects/ 

-The Queen’s Gambit, another show Krista has worked on special effects for: https://www.netflix.com/ca/title/80234304 

-Cry of Silence, a recent horror movie that Krista has been involved with: https://www.cryofsilence.com/ 

-Krista Koger’s page on IMDb (the Internet Movie Database): https://www.imdb.com/name/nm13108817/ 

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

Tänapäeval on üha raskem mahutada liikumist ja tervislikke harjumusi oma igapäevaellu, eriti neil noortel, kes töötavad pikalt arvuti taga ja kasutavad telefoni pea igaks asjaks. Kuid üks noor kohalik eestlane, Kirke Timmusk, on suutnud enda jaoks leida just selle tervisliku tasakaalu liikumise, töö ja muu eluolu vahel. Olles alati olnud sportliku eluviisiga, on ta pikalt tegelenud erinevate harrastustega, mis panevad ta liikuma nagu näiteks karate. Käesolevas saates vestleme Kirkega sellest, kuidas ta selle balansi saavutas ja kuidas ennast liikuma motiveerida, isegi siis kui aega on vähe. Mõnusat kuulamist!

Käes on taas värske EstoCast’i osa, kus arutame põnevaid teemasid, sealhulgas:

🥋 kuidas noored saaks ennast rohkem motiveerida liikuma
🥋 kuidas saavutada hea töö ja tervisliku liikumise balanssi
🥋 mida tähendab “karate” ja mis kaasnevad põhimõtted võivad positiivselt igapäevast elu mõjutada
🥋 …ja paljust muust!

Saates mainiti: 

- Blue Mountain Resort
   https://www.bluemountain.ca/

- Itosu-Kai Honbu dojo
   https://www.karatetoronto.com/

-  Karate maailmameistrivõistlused
    https://www.wkf.net/

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

It seems that for Henrik Ehte, funk and soul music introduce him to new friends, build incredible cultural events, and lead to the most serendipitous situations.

When you look at what the Estonian Funk Embassy—the organization he founded—has achieved, it’s remarkable how well operations and other things flow!

In this episode of EstoCast:

🎧 learn about the Estonian Funk Embassy team that makes it all happen

🎧 about Henrik and Lexsoul Dancemachine’s epic tour through Ontario and Québec

🎧 hear about what it is about funk and soul in particular that get Henrik and people all over the world moving

🎧 and much more!

People, places, and content mentioned in this episode include:

 -The Estonian Funk Embassy: https://funkembassy.eu 

 -Lexsoul Dancemachine, the funk band that Henrik manages and who toured in Canada in September 2022: https://lexsouldancemachine.com/ 

 -Rita Ray, who Henrik also manages and has previously performed at Estonian Music Week: https://www.facebook.com/ritaraymusic/ 

 -Press coverage of Lexsoul Dancemachine and The Shuffle Demons’ double decker bus show in Toronto: https://streetsoftoronto.com/this-t-o-stylist-created-one-of-the-most-unexpected-fashion-moments-on-the-tiff-red-carpet/ 

 -The band’s 2020 double-decker bus concert in Tallinn, Estonia: https://news.err.ee/1115454/gallery-lexsoul-dancemachine-performs-concert-on-moving-bus-in-tallinn 

 -Henrik’s Raadio 2 show, Estonian Funk Embassy: https://r2.err.ee/1608752683/estonian-funk-embassy-henrik-ehte 

 -Estrada Orchestra, a psychedelic jazz band represented by the Estonian Funk Embassy: https://estradaorchestra.bandcamp.com/album/playground 

 -The Soul Surfers, a band from Nizhny Novgorod, Russia, who have collaborated with the Estonian Funk Embassy: https://soundcloud.com/the-soul-surfers 

 -Tallinn Music Week, the festival that Lexsoul Dancemachine played for early on: https://tmw.ee/  

 -POP Montréal festival: https://popmontreal.com/artists/lexsoul-dancemachine  

 -Lexsoul Dancemachine's 2022 release Lex On The Beach: https://lexsouldancemachine.bandcamp.com/album/lex-on-the-beach 

 -The Estonian Funk Embassy's Groove of ESSR II LP: https://funkembassy.eu/product/groove-of-essr-ii-lp/

-Lexsoul Dancemachine’s song “Coconuts”, from their 2017 album Sunny Holiday in Lexico: https://open.spotify.com/track/3Hi3IjEaE6xIn6I6oIB3Ba?si=62c566a9551a471d 

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

❗️UUS HOOAEG❗️

2023. aasta on kuulutatud Eestis liikumisaastaks ja nii keskenduvad EstoCasti eestikeelsed saatedki tänavu peamiselt sellele teemale - ikka selleks, et innustada kuulajaid ennast rohkem ja teadlikumalt liigutama. Hakatuseks kutsusime stuudiosse külla kohaliku eestlase, kehakultuurlase haridusega ja muidu igati sportliku Helle Varriku, et vestelda spordist ja liikumisest ning uurida, kuidas säilitada nooruslikkust küpsemaski eas. Head uut liikumisaastat ja mõnusat kuulamist! 

Teretulemast EstoCast’i teise hooaega! Uhiuues saates vestleme kütkestavatel teemadel, sealhulgas: 

👟 tervislikust elustiilist kaasaaegses maailmas
👟 mis on kehakultuur õppealana ning karjäärina
👟 mis tõeline tähtsus on just nimelt värskes õhus liikumisel tänapäeval
👟 kas on tähtsam proovida kätt mitmes spordialas või keskenduda ühe peal
👟 …ning paljust muust! 

Saates mainiti: 

Ritmika võimlemisklubi Toronto piirkonnas

• https://www.ritmika.ca/

Kalev Estienne võimlemisklubi Toronto piirkonnas

•  https://www.kalevestienne.com/

Tartu Ülikooli kehakuulturi õppeala ehk sporditeaduste ja füsioteraapia instituut

• https://sporditeadused.ut.ee/et

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

What does Vaiko Eplik mean when he compares the farming his parents did with what he now does as a musician? When you hear him talk about writing and recording music, one thing is clear—he nurtures and grows his songs personally, and cares about owning the music himself.

 Making music with the Estonian language is also especially meaningful. In this feature episode of EstoCast, hear his reasons why.

Also hear about:

 -his performance in the Eurovision Song Contest

 -what it means to be an “asjaarmastaja”

 -how he discovered the ingenuity of music recorded by diaspora Estonians.

 -and much more!

While you’re listening, we’ve slipped in some samples of his music for your enjoyment.

Content mentioned in this episode includes:

 -Photos from TC50+2 party at Toronto’s Axis Club: https://eestielu.com/fotod-tc50-2-pidu-axis-club-is-koos-lexsoul-dance-machine-the-shuffle-demons-ja-vaiko-eplikikuga/ 

 -Vaiko’s visit to Ehatare: https://eestielu.com/et/ehatares-kulas-vaiko-eplik/ 

 -Vaiko’s favourite väliseesti song, “Kajakad” by René Ufer and Lilian Treiberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FvpxSJjIt4c&ab_channel=ContainYrBrain 

 -Grand Analog’s “Mutations”, the hip hop song that samples “Kajakad”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=95n05opKGm0&ab_channel=GrandAnalog 

 -Vaiko's old band Ruffus/Claire's Birthday performing at the 2003 Eurovision Song Contest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=foK_HYuVCPY 

 -“Dzhässitapp”, from Vaiko's 2011 album V ehk tants klavessiini ümber: https://open.spotify.com/track/63swKpZOOFoepbV2QFTBJB?si=6ada312c490f40f9 

 -Nalivka, the berry liqueur Vaiko makes: https://internationalmenu.com/black-currants-and-gooseberry-nalivka-homemade-liqueur/ 

 -R. Stevie Moor, Vaiko Eplik’s hero: http://www.rsteviemoore.com/home.html 

 -“Nelgid”,  Vaiko’s take on bossa nova from his 2014 album Nelgid: https://open.spotify.com/track/6rDBXVxQTQGyUOsH1oXvF7?si=df8ba48c98b14a81 

 -Code Brown, the 2022 album from Vaiko's son, under the name Borm Bubu: https://bormbubu.bandcamp.com/album/code-brown 

 -Sel suvekuul, Joyguns' album of cover songs from 2022: https://open.spotify.com/album/1UcqQvc0R9QH0bHksY9npr 

 -Vaiko's 2014 album Nõgesed, featuring songs “Mõtetes mõrudais” and “Lauludest ja muust” included in this podcast: https://open.spotify.com/album/4VQ33ZdCPecICbCKk0Gs4E 

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