Wow! We’re getting close to 700,000 views on our “Chica Chico” music video! This is such an incredible gift from all of you. The song is now playing not only on Lithuanian radio stations but has also started its journey in Spain and other countries. This is unreal! Thank you for being a part of this!
Wow! Almost 400k Views! 💃🕺
Wow! We’re almost at 400,000 views on the video! It’s only been 5 days, and the love has been unreal! Thank you all for dancing, sharing, and vibing with us! Let’s keep the energy going with that “Chica Chico” rhythm!
Momentum Vinyl Is Here!
FINALLY!
Our new album Momentum is now available on VINYL!
It features our latest track “Chica Chico”, the powerful “Steal Me”, and your beloved “Simple Joy.”
We signed a bunch of records and have already sent them out to our amazing fans.
Thank you for all the love and support!
Thank You Chicos!
We’ll be honest – we’re surprised and smiling wide, because so many people like “Chica Chico”! At one point, we even considered not releasing the song at all. We thought we were too late for summer and maybe wouldn’t be understood at all.
But there was energy bubbling inside, wanting to break free. And an inner voice kept saying: “It doesn’t matter if anyone understands, it doesn’t matter if anyone likes it — what matters most is if it brings you joy. Create what your inner self tells you to, for yourself.”
So that’s exactly what we did. Thank you all for the support, the messages, and the kind words! And we keep singing from our hearts.
Chica Chico Is Here!
Our latest music video "Chica Chico" is here, and it’s a journey straight to the heart of Seville’s Feria de Abril festival!
We were blown away by the stunning architecture and the infectious energy of the festival. Everywhere we looked, there were smiles, vibrant outfits, and a true sense of freedom and friendliness.
The warmth and openness of the people truly inspired us, and we captured the perfect vibe to match the song's spirit: "One love, one life, one sun”.
Big thanks to the amazing director Indrė Juškutė, who also worked with us on "On Fire”, “Love Is All We Got” music videos!
Check out the video and let the sunshine in!
Chica Chico Music Video!
It’s finally time to share the news!
This Wednesday, we’re dropping the official music video for “Chica Chico” – and revealing our brand-new look! Let the summer vibes hit even harder!
You Moved Us to Tears
Hello, this is Vaidotas. I want to tell you a few stories about people that show how much we all need each other. The first story is from Germany.
A young man sent a private message via Instagram that took my breath away. He shared that his wife was in the final stage of cancer when they discovered THE ROOP’s music.
Day after day, she listened to our albums, and after learning the lyrics, she would sing along with her husband. In those moments, they both forgot about the illness. They felt much happier.
A few months later, they had to part ways—he remained in the world of the living, and she passed on. They both knew the end was inevitably approaching, but the last months filled with our music were brighter for them. He thanked us for that. As I read his message, I got chills and tears fell.
Let us cherish one another and understand that we often influence those around us. Let that influence be kindness.
We Are More Alike Than Different
As we celebrate Joninės in Lithuania, we join millions across the globe who honor the longest day of the year with fire, nature, and connection.
From Sweden’s Midsommar with flower crowns and maypoles , to Latvia’s Jāņi with songs and bonfires, Finland’s Juhannus by the lakes, and even St. John’s Eve in Spain and Brazil — people come together to welcome light, life, and summer.
Despite borders and traditions, we all dance under the same sky.
This is a reminder that we are MORE ALIKE THAN DIFFERENT, and the ancient rhythms of nature still connect us all.
🎶 Why Major Labels Are Failing Artists Today?
From our weekly Roopsletter:
Hello, this is Vaidotas. I watched a Netflix music documentary and was really struck by a comment from Blur’s legendary drummer, Dave Rowntree:
“We made several missteps in our career, you know, it has to be said. Nowadays, if your first single doesn’t chart, you can forget it. That’s a shame because it means that bands like us probably wouldn’t succeed now. And obviously for me, I think that’s tragic.”
Lately, however, it seems labels lure artists in, use them while they’re valuable, and at the first obstacle—they let them go and won’t invest. They turn their backs and plunge into new relationships.
Short-Term Thinking Is Killing Long-Term Artists.
What should artists do? Is there hope that major labels and the global music industry will change?
Dilemma
We’re currently facing a dilemma — whether to release a new single with a music video soon, or save it for the fall. At first glance, it seems like a no-brainer, right? But sometimes, poor timing can completely “bury” a song — it simply won’t be heard. And the opposite is also true: the right timing and circumstances can lift a song up.
That’s exactly what happened with “On Fire”. At the time, we were a little-known band. But by deciding to enter the Eurovision selection, we automatically gained attention. That allowed a good song to shine.
Let’s be honest — and we agree with many global showbiz professionals — unfortunately, a good song alone is not enough. There are tons of potential hits lying in the drawers of unknown musicians. Their songs never broke through the flood of daily information. That’s the reality. If we had released “On Fire” outside the context of the contest, it likely would have only interested a handful of local listeners.
But we already used that contest platform back then. Now we have to find other ways to be heard. And that’s no small task. From the outside, it might look easy — but we’re not looking for easy paths.
We’re sharing these thoughts and our real-life journey because we want to speak honestly. To share not only the joys and successes, but also the challenges and the search for solutions. And we’ll keep doing that — we’ll continue to update you on our journey toward the international stage. 💪🫡🎶
Thank You LATGA!
Vaidotas: Let’s talk honestly — no filters. I’ll share 3 episodes when things were tough for us, but LATGA (the Lithuanian Copyright Protection Association, which collects royalties for the use of creative works) extended a helping hand.
🎵 2003 - I was in the pop group “Kosmo,” things were going up and down, I was studying directing in Klaipėda, and money was tight. Funny thing—I was making music but didn’t even have a tape recorder to listen to it myself. I simply couldn’t afford one. One day, the phone rings, I pick up, and I’m told that LATGA has collected royalties for me. It was the first time I ever heard about LATGA. The next day, I used my last money to take a bus to the capital, signed a membership agreement, and received the royalties. That same week, I bought a stereo system! Finally!
🎵 2015 - With THE ROOP, we wanted to release our debut album “To Whom It May Concern”, but we didn’t have the funds. Then an acquaintance told me that LATGA has a support fund and suggested we submit an application. LATGA’s support fund stepped in. Without it, the album might’ve never seen the light of day.
🎵 2017–2018. I quit my day job and voluntarily became unemployed. Why? Because I wanted to dedicate the most productive hours of the day to music. I wanted music to become my main job, not just a hobby. It was a very bold move (not one I highly recommend), because I only had enough savings for one month. At that time, THE ROOP’s popularity was microscopic. But I felt I couldn’t stay in other jobs—otherwise, the feeling of meaninglessness and depression might return. Still, the path I chose was no easier. Reality hit hard: no one needed the band, gigs were almost nonexistent, and I barely had money for food. So I can admit that during that time, the royalty payments from LATGA every three months (though not large) helped me survive.
Thank you, LATGA, for supporting artists when it truly matters.
In the photo are the albums that were supported by LATGA.
🎉 TOMORROW!!! On June 13, we’re celebrating LATGA’s 35th birthday with a THE ROOP concert at Vingrių skveras, during Culture Night in Vilnius. Come celebrate with us! 🖤🎶
Let Them Talk - I’ll Do Me
Hello, this is Vaidotas. How afraid are you of others’ opinions? How afraid are you to stand out from the crowd?
I began to understand that people’s opinions can shift quickly - and that if they admire you today, it might end tomorrow. At the same time, if they don’t understand you today, they might suddenly admire and praise you tomorrow. I’ve seen this my whole life.
How to be stronger? How to maintain a good opinion of yourself?
A bit of Jean Paul Gaultier vibes
Style by Milda Metlovaitė
Make up by Eva Marija
Photos by Vaidas Jokubauskas
For ŽMONĖS magazine
Eurovision Class Of 2020
Ok, the last time – the Class of 2020 graduated from Eurovision University and received excellent evaluations for their final project. Thank you @gjon.s_tears @destinyofficial_x @efendi_music . Let’s move on!
Today Is Vaidotas's Birthday
Vaidotas: Today is my birthday. I made myself some coffee and sat down to quietly reflect on the past year. I remember that last year it felt like I didn’t know what to do with my life next. After being drained by illness in the spring of 2024, losing the band’s financial stability, and feeling a deep sense of meaninglessness, I was still in recovery. Although by my last birthday, positive changes were already visible — I had met and started spending time with Ieva, who was healing my wounds just by being there.
I remember thinking that the coming year would be one of the worst, and as I lay in bed, I was just talking to the Universe - “I don’t know what to do. I surrender to your flow. Show me the way.” Maybe I was heard, because somehow, the year turned out to be one of the best! Our summer concert schedule filled up, Ed Sheeran’s team chose us to open for his two stadium shows, I regained my health and strengthened my body, we consistently worked on and finished songs, toured Europe and even Australia in the fall with “Eurovision on Tour,” released a new album called “Momentum”, and stepped onto the grand Eurovision stage in Basel as honored guests.
I’m deeply grateful to my loved ones, my bandmates, friends, and fans who support me. It means a lot. Even though I may sometimes seem closed off or distant from everyone, inside I feel very warm knowing that I’m not alone in this life I’ve been given. Thank you for being a part of it.
Open Thoughts On Eurovision
Excerpt from our Roopsletter.
Hi, this is Vaidotas. This time I want to speak honestly about Eurovision. For many people, it’s just a TV show to watch with friends. But for artists, this event means much more.
When you’re chosen to represent your country at Eurovision, from that moment on you’re not just representing yourself – you’re representing your voters, the Lithuanians (in our case). We took that seriously. We didn’t complain about being tired – we simply tried to enjoy the moment and constantly asked ourselves, “What more can we do?”
Eurovision’s Traps - like everything else, Eurovision has another side, one in which some artists get stuck and end up just lingering. What do I mean?
📸 Skirmantas Lisauskas / 15min
Steal Me Meaning?
It often seems like we’re living a perfect life: we’re fed, we have a roof over our heads, and maybe even things are going well at work, yet inside there’s a nagging feeling that we aren’t truly living our lives. The song “Steal Me” is about that.
It feels like we’re trapped in a cycle from which we can’t break free.
And sometimes, you meet someone who turns your entire story upside down - a person who brings so much color and emotion that suddenly you find yourself begging: “Steal me. Please, steal me from this bleak life of mine. Save me, call me to walk with you…”
On Fire Eurovision Crowd POV 🔥
What “On Fire” looked like from the audience's perspective at Eurovision. Thank you to everyone who united together! An unforgettable feeling!
Steal Me, Heal Me
The Song “Steal Me” brings out emotions. For many, it’s still a surprise that in the video, I, Vaidotas, appear shirtless in some scenes and that my physical appearance has changed. Yes, it has changed. A year ago, I started training more seriously and began to restore my health after the effects of Lyme disease.
With the help of a personal trainer, I’ve been rebuilding my body. I’ve been strengthening myself not only physically but also mentally. I’ve been developing the will to achieve goals.
The two main goals were: to finish recording the album and to strengthen my body. Both have been achieved.
