Suntribe

Formation and Members

Suntribe was an Estonian pop girl group formed in 2005 to compete in Eurovision. The original members were Mari-Leen Kaselaan, Rebecca Kontus, Laura Põldvere, and Jaanika Vilipo, all students at the time. A fifth member, Daana Ots, joined later in 2005. The group was created as a one-time project for the contest, guided by producer Sven Lõhmus. Suntribe’s name reflected a sunny, youthful vibe, and the members bonded quickly as they prepared for national selection.

Eurovision Song Contest 2005 Performance

Suntribe gained national attention by winning Eurolaul 2005, Estonia’s pre-selection competition. Their upbeat song “Let’s Get Loud” earned 10,583 televotes, securing the ticket to Eurovision. At the 50th Eurovision Song Contest in Kyiv, Ukraine, the group performed in the semi-final on 19 May 2005. They delivered an energetic pop performance with strong harmonies and choreography. However, Estonia’s entry failed to qualify for the grand final. 

After Eurovision

After the contest, Suntribe disbanded as planned. The project had always been intended as a single-event band. With no further group activities or hits, the members went their separate ways. Failing to find wider success post-Eurovision, the group officially split up shortly after 2005. Suntribe did release an Estonian-language pop single (“Ei Tunne Mind”) in 2005, but no full album followed.

Solo Careers of Members

Each Suntribe member pursued her own path in music and media after the group’s breakup:

• Laura Põldvere – Laura launched a successful solo career in pop and jazz. She became one of Estonia’s most-played artists and continued competing in Eurovision selections. Notably, she returned to Eurovision in 2017, singing the duet “Verona” with Koit Toome. Laura has released multiple albums and remains active in music.

• Mari-Leen Kaselaan – Mari-Leen started a solo pop career soon after Eurovision. Her debut single (a cover song) shot to #1 on Estonia’s charts, and her first album Rahutu Tuhkatriinu also topped the charts in 2006. She earned several “Best New Act” awards and became a popular singer in Estonia. Mari-Leen took a break from music in 2011 but later returned to recording new songs.

• Rebecca Kontus – Rebecca shifted to a solo career focused on jazz, soul, and gospel influences. She had already been writing her own songs, and after Suntribe she recorded several albums in multiple genres. In 2005, Rebecca left Suntribe to pursue a solo path and even aimed to break into the U.S. music market. She continues to perform in Estonia’s music scene as a vocalist and songwriter.

• Daana Ots – Daana returned to her roots as a violinist. She became part of an electric violin trio called Violina, which gained fame in Estonia and abroad. Daana performs classical and pop music on violin and also works as a music teacher. Her unique background (with an Estonian mother and Congolese father) and talent have made her stand out in the arts.

• Jaanika Vilipo – Jaanika kept a lower profile after Suntribe. She had previously tried her luck in Estonia’s song contests and Eurovision preliminaries. Following 2005, Jaanika stepped away from the pop spotlight and did not continue in the public music industry in a significant way.