Latvian electronic pop duo ELPO may be a relatively new project, but their rise within Latvia’s music scene has been fast and deliberate. Formed by vocalist Amanda and producer Mārtiņš, the duo will compete in Supernova 2026 with their song 'Blakus', a restrained, atmospheric track rooted in vulnerability and emotional honesty.
“We are an electronic pop duo making music in Latvian. Every song is a little bit different. We’re quite broad emotionally.”
While 'Blakus' leans into melancholy, she is quick to clarify that it does not represent the full emotional range of ELPO.
“It’s quite a sad song, but that’s not our general mood. We like to make music that makes people feel something, and hopefully feel better. Dance it out. Shake it off.”
ELPO’s story began without formal plans or expectations. Amanda had been living in the UK for nine years, performing with her band Bash, when she first connected with Mārtiņš through his work at Radio 5 in Latvia.
“I sent him my band’s music, and they were playing it on the radio,” she recalls. “Then in 2022, I emailed him a demo in Latvian. I was thinking, I want to come home more and do something creatively in Latvia.”
That demo sparked a longer conversation. Amanda shared hos interest in building an electronic project in Latvian, and soon the two were exchanging files remotely. “We were basically sending each other ideas back and forth for about a year” Amanda says.
Their first proper meeting came later. “We just went for a coffee to check the vibe” she laughs. “Like, are we crazy people or are we normal?”
The partnership solidified quickly. Their first release arrived in January 2023, followed by an EP, and now ELPO are preparing to release their debut album in February.
“It’s been about three years of no pressure,” Amanda reflects. “Just understanding each other, good energy, and a good environment.”
One of ELPO’s defining choices is their commitment to writing primarily in Latvian. For Amanda, it was about connection. “When you release music as a DJ or producer, you see numbers, but you don’t always feel that real-life connection,” Amanda explains. “Doing it in Latvian allows you to see people in the room. It feels more real.”
For Amanda, the decision carried personal weight. “Writing in Latvian was a challenge,” she says. “There are things I can say in Latvian that I just can’t say the same way in English.”
That vulnerability also comes with consequences. “When I write in English, my parents don’t really know what’s going on,” she jokes. “But in Latvian, they’re like, ‘Is everything okay? Do you want to talk?’”
'Blakus' ELPO’s Supernova entry, began from a place of grief. “The starting emotion was probably grief and helplessness,” Amanda says. “All the good stuff.”
Rather than telling a single personal story, the song blends different experiences. “It’s not entirely my own story,” she explains. “It’s a mix of stories from people around me, things I’ve read, things I’ve seen.”
The song is written from the perspective of someone who has lost another person. “It’s about that feeling of asking yourself, ‘Could I have done more?’ or ‘Why did things happen the way they did?’” she says.
Despite its sadness, she insists the song is not hopeless. “There’s warmth in it,” she says. “It’s also about being grateful — for people, for moments, for memories.”
'Blakus' has never been performed live. Its Supernova appearance will be its first. “We honestly don’t know yet how it will feel on stage,” Amanda admits. “We haven’t had rehearsals at the TV studio yet.”
Rather than aiming for spectacle, ELPO are focused on authenticity. “It’s not a vocally explosive song,” she says. “And that’s okay. We don’t want to force something big just because it’s expected.”
She is realistic about the challenges of live television. “There are so many things at play — sound, cameras, timing,” Amanda explains. “Some things are in our control, and some things really aren’t.”
Still, she remains optimistic. “We’ll just do our best, sing the song honestly, and hope the stars align.”
For ELPO, entering Supernova was a conscious decision. “We’re a new project, and it’s a great opportunity to showcase ourselves to a Latvian audience,” Amanda says.
Exposure was a key motivation. “The goal was to gain new listeners, new fans, and screen time” she adds with a smile. “I want my nan to watch it on TV.”
While international attention is welcome, their focus remains local. “We wanted to grow our community at home first,” she explains. “And Supernova felt like the right place to do that.”
With their debut album about to be released, ELPO are already thinking beyond it. “This album is quite melancholic,” Amanda admits. “So maybe next we’ll make something happier."
Experimentation remains central to the project. “We have house tracks, more trip-hop sounds, drum and bass influences,” she says. “We want to keep it interesting — for ourselves and for listeners.”
Ultimately, what matters most is emotional honesty. “I just hope people feel something,” Amanda says. “Whatever comes up for them.”
As ELPO step onto the Supernova 2026 stage, 'Blakus' stands as a quiet but powerful statement: a reminder that vulnerability, when shared honestly, can be its own form of strength.
Watch the full interview:
.jpg)
