Over the past few years, the Tautumeitas ensemble has gone from performing at national festivals to taking the stage at Europe’s largest music venues. Today, the ensemble is considered one of the most recognizable representatives of contemporary Latvian ethnic music, blending folk traditions with a contemporary sound. Thanks to their unique style, polyphonic singing, and focus on cultural heritage, the performers have captured the attention not only of audiences in the Baltics but also of an international audience.
Interest in the group grew significantly after their participation in the national selection for Supernova and their subsequent performance at the Eurovision Song Contest 2025. For many viewers, that was when they first became acquainted with the group, even though its history spans many more years. Tautumeitas’s story is an example of how respect for national culture and a desire for musical experimentation can lead to international recognition.
What Is Known About Tautumeitas
Tautumeitas is a Latvian folk group that performs ethno-pop and contemporary folk music. The group was founded in Latvia and given a name that, in Latvian culture, refers to a young woman in traditional dress—a symbol of beauty, femininity, and respect for traditions. It is this very idea that forms the basis of the ensemble’s creative concept.
Today, the group consists of six female vocalists:
- Asnate Rancāne;
- Aurēlija Rancāne;
- Laura Līcīte;
- Gabriēla Zvaigznīte;
- Annemarija Moiseja;
- Kate Slišāne.
All the girls are involved in creating the music, working on the vocal parts and their stage personas.
The Group’s Origins
The group’s story began in 2015, when several performers who had previously been involved in folk music and the study of Latvian folklore decided to launch a collaborative project. Their goal was to show that traditional music can sound contemporary and appeal to a young audience.
Almost from the very first months of its existence, the group began actively performing at cultural events dedicated to folk music. Gradually, the group began experimenting with electronic elements, modern arrangements, and original material, while retaining the foundation of traditional polyphonic singing.
A Brief Overview of the Lineup and Biographies of the Members
Today, Tautumeitas consists of six professional performers, each of whom is responsible not only for vocals but also for shaping the group’s overall artistic image. Some members play the violin, mandolin, clarinet, percussion, and other instruments, which gives their live performances a particularly rich sound.
Despite the group’s fame, its members rarely discuss their personal lives in the media. They focus primarily on their art, the study of folk music, and the development of their own musical style.
The Childhood and Creative Paths of the Tautumeitas Members
It is known that many of the members have been involved in folk singing since childhood, performing in children’s folk ensembles and participating in cultural events.
In interviews, the performers have repeatedly noted that Latvian folk songs, family traditions, and an interest in ethnomusicology have had a major influence on their worldview. This is precisely why the group’s repertoire frequently features ancient texts, folk motifs, and nature-inspired symbolism.
According to publicly available sources, the members have professional training in music and vocals, as well as experience studying ethnomusicology. This knowledge helps them combine an academic approach with contemporary musical arrangements.
2015: Breaking onto the Big Stage
Although the group was founded in 2015, it took several years to achieve widespread recognition. The early years were devoted to finding their own sound, recording their debut material, and performing at national events.
The performers sought not merely to perform folk compositions, but to demonstrate that Latvian folklore can blend organically with contemporary musical genres. A key feature of the group became the use of authentic polyphony, elements of ethnic percussion, and modern arrangements.
Early Performances and Rehearsals
Early in their career, Tautumeitas were closely associated with folk festivals, open-air concerts, and cultural events in Latvia. It was there that the members honed their on-stage chemistry, experimented with their repertoire, and refined their vocal parts.
Over time, the group began releasing their own compositions, and later full-length studio albums. Among their most famous releases is the album *Skrejceļš*, following the release of which the group embarked on a large-scale concert tour across several European countries.
International Recognition
Their international fame truly began to grow after they performed at major European music festivals. The artists performed at Eurosonic in the Netherlands, Glastonbury in the UK, the Rudolstadt Festival in Germany, and the Festival du Bout du Monde in France.
At the same time, the ensemble’s popularity in Latvia itself continued to grow. The group regularly took part in television projects, cultural events, and national music festivals, and their songs began to win professional awards and receive positive reviews from critics.
Participation in “Eurovision 2025”
The highlight of recent years was their participation in the national selection show Supernova. In February 2025, the group won with the song “Bur man laimi,” receiving the most support from viewers among the finalists. It was this song that earned the group the right to represent Latvia at the international contest.
On the “Eurovision 2025” stage, the group performed the song entirely in Latvian. The performance featured minimalist staging, natural imagery, and complex harmonies, which helped Tautumeitas stand out from most of the contest’s participants. In the semifinals, the group took second place and confidently advanced to the finals, where they finished in 13th place—Latvia’s best result in the past decade.
The Group’s Signature Style and Sound
The defining feature of Tautumeitas’ work is their reverence for their national heritage. The performers use ancient Latvian texts, elements of ritual singing, and folk motifs, combining them with electronic music, contemporary rhythms, and unusual vocal harmonies.
Great attention is also paid to the visual aspect. Their stage costumes are inspired by traditional Latvian clothing but are given a modern twist. Natural fabrics, ethnic patterns, wreaths, earthy tones, and symbolism make each performance instantly recognizable.
Tautumeitas continues to develop this style today, staying true to its cultural roots while experimenting with its sound.
Awards and Achievements
Over the years, the group has received professional recognition in Latvia on numerous occasions. Among their achievements, the Zelta Mikrofons (“Golden Microphone”) national music awards hold a special place. In 2017, the collaborative album *Lai māsiņa rotājās!*, recorded with the group Auļi, was named the best folk and world music album of the year. Later, their debut album *Tautumeitas* also received this prestigious award, and the album *Dziesmas no Aulejas* repeated this success in 2020.
The group has also received high praise outside of Latvia. The album *Lai māsiņa rotājās!* entered the World Music Charts Europe and the Transglobal World Music Chart, which served as significant confirmation of European audiences’ interest in contemporary Latvian ethnic music.
Another notable achievement was their victory in the national selection for Supernova 2025 and their subsequent successful performance at Eurovision. Reaching the contest’s final and finishing in 13th place marked Latvia’s best result in recent years and significantly expanded the group’s international audience.
Projects and Collaborations with Other Artists
From the very beginning of her career, the artist has actively collaborated with musicians working in the genres of ethno- and world music. One of her first major projects was the recording of the album *Lai māsiņa rotājās!* together with the Latvian group Auļi. This collaboration combined traditional female polyphony with the powerful sound of bagpipes and percussion instruments, becoming one of the country’s most successful ethnic music releases.
In 2021, the group recorded the song “Tur, kur Dieva kamanas slīd” together with the well-known Latvian band Brainstorm (Prāta Vētra). The song was well-received by listeners and was named “Song of the Year” in the “Muzikālā banka” project on Latvijas Radio 2.
In addition, the performers have collaborated with producers Reinis Sejan and Pēteris Olsson, and have participated in joint cultural projects dedicated to preserving Latvia’s musical heritage. After their appearance at Eurovision, interest in collaborative projects with the group grew significantly both in the Baltic states and in other European countries.
The Members’ Personal Lives
There is little information available in public sources about the family backgrounds of the Tautumeitas soloists. The girls rarely discuss their personal lives in interviews and hardly ever comment on topics unrelated to music.
All that is known is that sisters Asnate and Aurelija Ranzane grew up in the family of Latvian folk musicians Andris Kapusts and Aida Ranzane. It was their parents who introduced them to folk music, which subsequently played a major role in shaping the creative paths of both performers. As for the other members, virtually no details about their family lives are published.
Current Activities and Future Plans
After their performance at “Eurovision 2025,” interest in the group has grown significantly in many European countries. The group has continued to tour actively, performing at major music venues, ethnic festivals, and solo concerts. Their repertoire continues to combine traditional Latvian folk songs, original compositions, and modern arrangements.
Today, Tautumeitas continues to develop its own unique style, in which traditional folklore becomes part of contemporary musical culture. The performers are working on new compositions, participating in international projects, and presenting concert programs in various countries. After the Eurovision Song Contest, the group received invitations to new European festivals and continued to expand the scope of their tours.
In interviews, the members have repeatedly noted that their main goal is to preserve and promote Latvian cultural heritage, making it accessible to a modern audience. That is precisely why the group does not seek to completely change its style for the sake of commercial success, but continues to develop a unique blend of folk polyphony, ethnic instruments, and contemporary musical arrangements.
Interesting Facts About the Group Tautumeitas and Its Members
Despite their widespread fame, the group maintains close ties to national traditions. Here are a few interesting facts about the group:
- the name “Tautumeitas” means “a girl in traditional folk costume” in Latvian and symbolizes beauty, feminine strength, and respect for cultural heritage;
All six vocalists not only sing but also play various musical instruments, which allows them to perform most of their concert programs almost entirely live;
- The group has performed at renowned international festivals, including Glastonbury, Eurosonic, the Rudolstadt Festival, and the Festival du Bout du Monde, even before participating in Eurovision;
- The song “Bur man laimi,” with which the group represented Latvia at “Eurovision 2025,” is performed entirely in Latvian and is based on folk texts and imagery;
- The band members pay close attention to their stage costumes. Their looks are inspired by traditional Latvian clothing but adapted for the modern concert stage;
- Among the group’s most famous albums are *Tautumeitas*, *Dziesmas no Aulejas*, *Skrejceļš*, and *Zem saules*, each of which reflects different stages in the development of the group’s creative style.
Today, Tautumeitas remains one of Latvia’s most recognizable musical groups. The performers continue to explore their country’s folk heritage, create new works, and represent Latvian culture on the international stage.
Thanks to a blend of authentic folklore and a contemporary sound, the group has carved out a unique place among European ethno-projects and continues to attract new audiences both in the Baltic states and far beyond.
