Jarek Kasar is an innovator in Estonian music, not only having created his own approach to hip hop in the Estonian language but also combining this with singing over the years.

Prior to his recent concerts in Toronto, he shared how it all began and the many historic moments that he has participated in through his music.

In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:

🎵 living part-time in New York City, the birthplace of hip hop

🎵 the significance of performing his song “Minu inimesed” at the Youth Song Festival

🎵 the time he made a painting with a grass trimmer

🎵 and much more!

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

-Chalice’s 2003 album Ühendatud inimesed: https://www.discogs.com/release/220193-Chalice-%C3%9Chendatud-Inimesed

-Agrofon: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=j579LJwAu78

-Beep Shop Boys: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=IjZ27kW0qDg

-Must Q: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PPIAp2l6kgw

-Jarek Kasar’s song “Kellad”: https://open.spotify.com/album/30tmqNM0e6m4h3UxBBCi2q

-his album Liiga palju viiuleid: https://open.spotify.com/album/29kY3mg2AY68A3ycEgMl7t

-Serge Gainsbourg’s song “La Javanaise”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=51pK2k_Sa4o

-Chalice/Jarek Kasar’s song “Minu inimesed” performed at the 2007 Noorte Laulupidu: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZJGa7z9Z6bU

-The New York Estonian House: https://www.estonianhouseny.org/eng/home

-Ehatare Retirement and Nursing Home: https://www.ehatare.com

-Seeing song through the ears of a synesthete: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1LUbxfnpez4

-Tõnis Mägi & Jarek Kasar's song “SIUH” performed in 2013: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=f9LngKIPfbQ

-“Üks linn Eestis”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vDsoVvWifO4

-Jarek Kasar on Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/jarekkasar/?hl=en

-on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/p/ChaliceJarek-Kasar-100063484242360/

-and Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/artist/3v4UP1mAdltgfCbirWEKeR

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

Having a culturally diverse background has a truly positive and often eye-opening effect on your life, the world, and to the people that surround you daily. Young Estonian-Canadian Nicole Pede is visiting our studio, where we get into a discussion that touches upon many topics, among them how multiculturalism broadens horizons and opens up many new doors and how familial support helps strengthen ties to your cultural background and languages.

Tune into this fresh episode of EstoCast to explore topics relating to multiculturalism and being Estonian, such as:

🇪🇪 how multiculturalism has had a positive effect on Nicole’s upbringing and life

🇪🇪 the benefits and challenges of a culturally diverse society

🇪🇪 how French and Estonian languages and cultures intertwine and mingle within Nicole and in her daily expressions of identity and culture

🇪🇪 and much more!

People, place and content mentioned in this episode:

• Toronto Estonian Supplementary Schools: https://eestikool.ca
• Jõekääru Summer Camp: https://joekaaru.com/en
• Song and Dance Celebration/Festival: https://2025.laulupidu.ee/en/

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events

Singing, songwriting, and performing are things that have always felt natural to ALIKA. Music has always been there in her life. Audiences could tell this right away when she recently performed in Canada. But the path to singing for millions of viewers and listeners still has its challenges, as much as it’s exhilarating.

In this episode of EstoCast, hear about:

🎙️her “Bridges” songwriting and recording session in the Netherlands prior to 2023’s Eurovision Song Contest

🎙️how multiple languages offer meaning for her as a musician

🎙️some of the most memorable experiences she’s had with fans

🎙️and much more!

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

-ALIKA’s performance of her song “Bridges” during the Eurovision Song Contest: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HsbC-OYMA3s

-Her debut album: https://open.spotify.com/album/2qGwXvw1kIv5zPpwqXVLjR

-photos of her performance at Tartu College, Toronto: https://eestielu.ca/gallery-alika-live-at-tartu-college/

-an overview of how the Eurovision Song Contest works: https://eurovision.tv/about/how-it-works

-"Honest Vocal Coach" reacts to Alika's 2023 Eurovision performance of "Bridges": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ma1E8tNQfuc

-Duncan Laurence - "Arcade": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Eztx7Wr8PtE

-Gjon's Tears - "Tout l’Univers": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bpM6o6UiBIw

-Loreen - "Euphoria": https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Pfo-8z86x80

-Hertogenbosch, Netherlands: https://www.netherlands-tourism.com/s-hertogenbosch/

-Wouter Hardy, the producer of "Bridges": https://www.instagram.com/wouterhardy.producer/?hl=en

-Narva, Estonia, Alika's hometown: https://www.visitestonia.com/en/why-estonia/discover-narva-and-ida-viru-county

-ALIKA performing at a benefit concert for Ukraine in 2022: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mxP8cjnDEpg&t=1s

-ALIKA performing for a Christmas special on Estonian television: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bur-PColdO0

-ALIKA’s guitarist, Markus Nurmsaar: https://www.instagram.com/nurmstaar/

Socials:

➡️ @estonianmusicweek
https://www.facebook.com/EstonianMusicWeek

➡️ https://www.facebook.com/vemu.ca

➡️ @eestielu.ca
https://www.facebook.com/eestielu.ca/events