Most people remember Jüri Pootsmann as a voice before anything else – a golden baritone, a televised beginning — in other words, a version of him that was easy to define. Eleven years later, that clarity has dissolved into something more complex. These days he moves differently: more inward, more selective, and more at home away from the spotlight than in it.
In this conversation, we meet Jüri off-stage – somewhere between solitude and creation, where the performance drops and something quieter, but more honest, takes its place.
[PAULA] When you’re completely off-stage, no expectations, no audience, what kind of person are you on a regular day?
[JÜRI] Let’s start with the most difficult question, why don’t we?I’ve always had trouble defining myself like that – like, who am I really? I think there are many ‘me’s. Generally, I feel most comfortable when I’m home alone, doing what I want or not doing anything at all. I spend a lot of time with myself, but it didn’t use to be that way. Not too long ago, I still enjoyed going out and being around people, but it feels like it changed overnight. Something snapped, and when it did, it kind of scared me – and I think some of my friends as well.
Now that some years have passed, everyone I know has gotten used to the fact that I prefer being at home in my free time. I can still be outgoing and interested in other people, but I really choose who I spend time with. I have a decent filter in that way. I think I rather enjoy the person I’ve grown to be.
[PAULA] You mentioned something “snapping” and becoming more inward. When things go wrong now, where does your mind go first?
[JÜRI] I’m pretty tolerant of the mistakes I make, but of course there are times when it gets heated. I can go to a bad place and blame myself a lot, but I come back to reality pretty quickly. I just love the idea of failure as a seed for something positive.
[PAULA] When you’re in that more inward mode, what’s something that still brings you very simple, almost stupid-level joy?
[JÜRI] Real laughter. Some of my friends crack me up without even saying anything particularly funny. That’s real joy – having people around who genuinely make you happy.
Another thing is having those random ideas that might work or might not – ideas you might forget a second later, but that “light-bulb” moment brings me stupid-level joy.
And one last thing – playing tennis always takes me to my happy place. I’ve been obsessed with it for a long time. Not only does it bring me joy, it relaxes me. After a bad day, it helps me focus on just one thing – the neon green ball – and every nasty little thought is put on hold.
[PAULA] When you look back at your Eesti otsib superstaari period, what parts still feels like you and what parts feel like a past life?
[JÜRI] I think I’ve changed a lot. Eleven years have passed, and I’ve grown a lot during that time, as one does in their twenties. There have been lots of ups and downs. I’ve learned how to deal with huge anxiety. I’ve had it since I was a kid, but like with many things, a big part of it was accepting it and learning to live with it. It’s just who I am.
Overall, I’d say I’m a different person now – more calm. But deep inside, I’m still as quirky as back then. The inner child still lives rent-free in me.
[PAULA] You’re on the finish line with your studies at the Estonian Academy of Arts. Has design changed how you look at the world, or mostly how you look at yourself?
[JÜRI] I went to study design because I wanted to know more about myself. From the start, I felt like I was in the right place. You know that feeling when something is just right? That’s how it felt.
I’m still a rookie in the design world, but day by day it fascinates me more. I’ve realized that it’s possible to carve a new path for yourself a bit later in life too. I’ve learned more about creating, about staying true to myself, and about discipline.
It feels like a bit of a full-circle moment, since I loved to draw and create when I was a kid. After feeling a little lost in the music world, it now feels like a coming-home party. So the little kid in me is probably very happy with my decisions right now.
[PAULA] When you move between music, radio, and design, does it feel like shifting chapters, or staying the same person in different forms?
[JÜRI] I’d like to separate these three. Design feels like the most truthful “me” right now. I can just be myself without needing to put on a mask, which I usually do in the entertainment industry.
[PAULA] Being on the radio every day – has that made you more open or more careful about what you share?
[JÜRI] Working in radio is a strange mix of being authentic while still being filtered. Sharing my personal life has never really been something I do. I don’t think people should care too much about other people’s lives in that way. It’s risky – just live your own life, you know.
I need to have boundaries, otherwise I feel too vulnerable. I don’t really get people who overshare everything, but weirdly I also admire them – it takes courage in my opinion.
[PAULA] You mentioned needing boundaries. What have been the downsides of being well known?
[JÜRI] For me, fame has fed my anxiety over the years. It’s made it harder not to overthink certain artistic decisions. It’s a great challenge, but I don’t complain.
Fame has also brought up some personal issues that might not have surfaced otherwise, so in a way it has helped me grow.
[PAULA] You seem to exercise a lot. What does training give you that your other work doesn’t?
[JÜRI] Well, not a lot – enough, I’d say. I hate the gym, though. I prefer doing things on my own, so I usually exercise within the four walls of my apartment where no one can see how awkward I look.
As I mentioned before, I love playing tennis. It helps me stay in the moment. Lifting weights and things like that are mostly about building some muscle and not feeling bad about my body. I kind of know I’ll probably always try to get rid of my small belly. That’s another thing I’ll have to accept.
[PAULA] When you step on stage, does it feel like becoming someone else, or just turning the volume up on yourself?
[JÜRI] I have to become someone else, since I don’t really enjoy big crowds or being in the spotlight.
[PAULA] That’s interesting. When do you feel least aware of yourself?
[JÜRI] Lately, when I’m alone and drawing. It helps me reach a deep focus state, and once I’m there, I can get lost for hours without food or water. Many people probably know the feeling. I just can’t get enough of it.
[PAULA] You grew up in Rapla, a small town in Estonia, and spent part of your formative teenage years in Denmark. What from those places has stayed with you, quietly or not?
[JÜRI] I’m actually from an even smaller place than Rapla – Raikküla. Of course, as a teenager I wanted to leave as soon as possible. But once a country boy, always a country boy.
I enjoy the freedom of living in the city, but I also appreciate the stillness of the countryside now. At some point, I’ll probably need that peace and quiet again and return to my roots. I’m a simple guy, and growing up in a small village has shaped me in many ways – from what I eat to what I wear. I just feel safe when I go back there and smell horse shit everywhere.
Denmark, on the other hand, taught me how to communicate. It pushed me to be brave in moments when I would normally have wanted to disappear. I had to make friends – otherwise the whole exchange year would have been for nothing.
[PAULA] What’s your relationship with Tallinn now? When does it feel most like yours?
[JÜRI] I like my Tallinn. It’s somewhere between Põhja-Tallinn and Lasnamäe – home, fun, EKA, and work. That’s all I need.
I don’t like going to the city centre – I get mild anxiety there. Luckily, everything I need is around me, so I can live in my own little bubble.
[PAULA] You mentioned that inner voice – can you think of a moment when you really had to decide whether to trust it?
[JÜRI] Luckily, not really. But I recognize those moments from the past. I used to be very indecisive. There’s a voice inside us that screams in those moments – you just have to listen. I’ve learned more and more to trust that voice, wherever it’s coming from.
[PAULA] Whose opinion actually gets to you, even if you wish it didn’t?
[JÜRI] In my weaker moments, I can be affected by almost anyone’s opinion, especially if it’s negative. I know it kills creativity, but sometimes you just can’t help it.
But I’m also good at imagining things… let’s just say that.
[PAULA] What helps you reset after a bad day?
[JÜRI] Watching History Channel and eating too much popcorn.
[PAULA] You released an independent track dedicated to Tallinn in 2024. What made that the right moment, and what would need to happen for you to keep going?
[JÜRI] When I left my former record label, I felt a huge sense of release. I wanted to do things on my own. I don’t think I’m done with music. I still love going to the studio – maybe even writing for someone else.
I just need a break to recalibrate the idea of me as a musician. I’ve changed a lot as a person, and I need to fully understand how to bring that version of myself into music. I’m patient in that sense.
[PAULA] If you imagine a random day in your life five years from now, what do you see?
[JÜRI] I’m pretty happy with who I am right now and with what I do. I hope that flow continues. Of course, I’d love to see more creative work in the design world and be involved in interesting projects.
But in five years, I mostly see myself in a damn car – since I still haven’t finished driving school.
[PAULA] And finally, what’s something simple you wish people did more often?
[JÜRI] Spend some time alone, with yourself. Magic will happen!
Credits:Interview by PAULA-STINA TASANEPhotography by MIA TOHVERMUAH by ELINA KUHTAArt direction & styling by DIANDRA REBASE