In an intimate and thoughtful interview with Hashtag Eurovision, Estonian singer-songwriter Robert Linna opened up about his artistic journey, his relationship with music and the deeply personal story behind his Eesti Laul 2026 entry 'Metsik roos'.
Best known as a member of Elephants From Neptune and Lexsoul Dance Machine, Linna has spent more than a decade performing in English across rock, soul, funk, and groove-driven projects. However, his current chapter marks a significant shift: singing in his native Estonian and stepping forward as a solo artist.
The son of well-known musicians, Robert explained that music was always present in his life. While he never felt external pressure to follow in his parents’ footsteps, there was a time during his teenage years when the constant presence of music at home and his parents’ frequent touring made him want to choose a different path.
That distance, however, was temporary. “I naturally gravitated back to music,” he said, describing his parents as his best teachers and calling their influence “more of a blessing than a burden.”
After years of performing in English, Robert Linna decided it was time to embrace his mother tongue. While he admits that English feels technically easier to sing, Estonian allows him to go deeper emotionally. “In Estonian, there’s nowhere to hide,” he explained. “Every word has to mean something.”
That honesty is at the heart of 'Metsik roos', a song that began as a birthday gift for his wife and later grew into his Eesti Laul 2026 entry. Despite its personal origins, he feels comfortable sharing it with a wider audience. “It’s easy to perform because I know exactly what the song is about.” he said, describing vulnerability as a natural part of being an artist.
Although studio work plays an important role in his creative process, Linna sees live performance as the ultimate test of a song. “Concerts are the real reality check,” he noted. From singing off-key to forgetting lyrics — and even famously tearing his pants on stage — he believes failure is an essential part of growth as a performer.
I love being on stage because there’s no way back. You have to make it work.
At this stage of his career, the artist main focus is completing his first solo album, which he plans to release later this year. More than international ambitions, his priority is connecting with audiences at home. “I feel it’s important to do something for Estonian people first.” he explained.
As for Eesti Laul and the possibility winning the contest, he keeps his expectations grounded. “Winning someone’s heart is more important than winning,” he said, emphasizing that his goal is simply to deliver a performance he can be proud of.
With authenticity, emotional depth and a clear artistic vision, Robert Linna’s journey into his native language feels less like a reinvention and more like a homecoming.
