Camille

Early Life and Musical Background

Imbi-Camille Rätsep, known by the stage name Camille, was born in 1970 in Tallinn, Estonia. She grew up in a music-loving family with two brothers and three sisters. From a young age, she started violin lessons (also learning piano) and showed strong musical talent. Camille continued to hone her skills at the Tallinn Music High School and later at the Estonian Academy of Music and Theatre, where she studied violin under renowned professor Endel Lippus and graduated in 1995. This solid classical training laid the foundation for her future career. Her distinctive stage name “Camille” came from singer Tõnu Trubetsky of the band Vennaskond early in her career. It soon became the name she was known by in the music scene.

Band Career and Eurovision 1999

In 1993, Camille joined the popular Estonian punk-rock band Vennaskond as a violinist, bringing a unique melodic element to the group’s sound. She even played bass guitar and accordion on some songs. After five successful years with Vennaskond, she left the band in 1998 to pursue her own musical path. Camille achieved international recognition when she represented Estonia at the Eurovision Song Contest 1999. She performed in a duo with singer Evelin Samuel, presenting the song “Diamond of Night” on the Eurovision stage in Jerusalem. The entry ultimately earned a respectable sixth place in the final. This strong result made Camille known to a wide audience beyond Estonia and was a highlight of her early career.

Solo Albums and International Recognition

After Eurovision, Camille embarked on a solo career that blended pop and folk influences. She released two folk-pop style solo albums: Pill’ oll helle and Worldwide. The second album Worldwide came out in late 2000 and even saw an international release in Sweden. These records featured modern arrangements of traditional songs and showcased Camille’s skill at fusing genres.

Camille’s solo music often reimagined Estonian folk melodies in contemporary style. She also released several singles with accompanying music videos. Notably, she collaborated with the Swedish band VAN to produce the song “Ice Got My Love,” whose music video gained airplay on MTV and VIVA television channels. Her energetic violin performances and crossover appeal earned her the nickname “Estonian Vanessa-Mae” during the height of her popularity. Camille’s innovative approach helped bring violin-driven music into the Estonian pop scene and won her fans both at home and abroad.

Later Career, Education and Personal Life

However, in the early 2000s, after these successes, Camille unexpectedly stepped back from the spotlight. Following the release of her albums, she suddenly disappeared from concert stages and media appearances. During this quiet period, she devoted herself to other pursuits. Camille became involved in environmental education projects in Estonia. For example, she worked with the NGO Ökokratt to promote environmental awareness among youth and educators. Although she was away from show business, music remained close to her heart. In 2015, Camille began studying classical singing to broaden her artistic skills, training with esteemed vocal mentors and later continuing her vocal studies at the Estonian Music and Theatre Academy. This return to formal music education demonstrated her ongoing passion for personal growth in the arts.

Camille largely stayed out of the public eye for nearly two decades, focusing on her personal life and other interests. In 2021, she made a welcome return to the music scene, giving her first interview in twenty years and appearing on stage again. By her own account, restarting was never too late and she came back with the same passion that defined her earlier career.