In less than a week from today, 11 acts will take the Vidbir stage to compete for the prestigious ticket for Eurovision 2024 in Malmö. As we build up to the final of Vidbir, we had the chance to get to know the participants a little better and sit down for a chat. Today, for our first Vidbir interview, we have the lovely Ziferblat band, who talked us through their preparations for Vidbir and their lives in Ukraine as a band during these difficult times.
I’m delighted that we have the chance to bring Ziferblat here to ESCUnited for an interview! Welcome, Danyil, Valentyn, and Fedir. How are you doing today?
Valya: Hello everybody! Everything is fine, we are preparing for the performance, we go to all kinds of radio, interviews, such things.
Danyil: Hi! We had a very difficult day. But we are satisfied with the work we have done.
That sounds like some intense preparations! Now, this is your first time participating in the Ukrainian national final Vidbir. What motivated you to submit an entry this year? When was the first time you considered entering the selection?
Valya: Yes, indeed, this is our first final, although last year we also tried, but stopped at the “long list stage”.
Danyil: I am motivated by my personal goals. It is impossible to achieve these goals without new experiences and the involvement of a larger audience. My biggest goal in my youth is to make a big album in Ukraine, which will be similar in level to world musical masterpieces, like “The Wall” by Pink Floyd.
Your entry, ‘Place I Call Home’, is your first song released in English. How did that change your experience of writing the song? What made you decide to enter with a song in English?
Valya: To be honest, when we were still at school, we had our first musical group, it was called Runnin’Blue (after a Doors song), and back then all our songs were in English, so I wouldn’t say that this is something new for us… It’s more like a forgotten old thing 🙂
So you’re experienced in both languages, very impressive! Let’s do some rapid-fire questions to help our readers get to know you better – how would you describe your music and sound to someone who’s never heard your music before? Are there any musicians who influence or inspire you musically?
Valya: In Ukraine, we are constantly asked about this, and I don’t know what to say. We just write music, combine different styles. But the influence of the bands of the 70s and 80s is obvious, it’s hard to argue with that. Although we listen to a lot of modern music.
Danyil: I am inspired by music with unusual harmony. We try to do the same. My idols are Greg Lake and Maurice Ravel, but they have no influence on our work.
When you’re not performing or working on music, how do you each spend your free time? Do you spend a lot of time together while not working on music?
Valya: Yes, we are always together. But you must understand that we still have to work in parallel. Right now, music gives us enough money to keep the band going. But not for personal needs. I work in sales. But I can’t say that I like it 🙂 That’s life.
Danyil: I spend most of my time at work. This applies to music, but it also applies to office work. In my free time from music, I like to read books and watch sports events. I especially like to play and watch tennis and football.
What message do you hope your Vidbir entry sends to the Eurovision community?
Valya: There is a war in Ukraine. Life is very difficult. Our song is for all people who have lost their homes for one reason or another. But they keep it in their hearts. Obviously, we wrote this song because of our own experiences, it’s more for Ukrainians. But the loss of home is a topic that is close to many people in Europe and around the world.
Our main message is: don’t forget home. Don’t forget the place you came from. We also want everyone to understand that people do not become refugees because they chose to. So we would like everyone to remember them and continue to help them.
A very strong message, for many people in the world. I also have a question for Fedir. As our readers may know, Danyil and Valentyn are twins! How is it like working with them as a team, given you joined the band a few years later?
Fedya: Now I feel almost like a ninth cousin…
The boys have a rather interesting relationship, like any twins they have a special bond with each other, but often in a rush of emotions they forget about it and I have to act as a fire extinguisher.
Working with the boys is not always easy, but we always find a way to understand each other when everyone is involved in the process, and that’s when synergy emerges.
That sounds like a very entertaining dynamic! I know you probably can’t say much, but can you tell us something about your plans for the Vidbir stage? What style of performance can we expect from you?
Valya: We would like to tell you, but we cannot. I can only say that it should be large-scale but concise:) We’ll see on February 3.
We definitely will! As we wrap up, where can our readers find you both before and after Vidbir 2024? Feel free to plug in any upcoming projects as well!
Valya: We are currently focusing all our efforts on the selection process. Then everything will go according to our schedule. So far, we are performing only within Ukraine, as we are not allowed to cross the border. And we’ll see:)
Right after the final, we will release a new song. So if you like our work, follow us on Instagram or TikTok, or even on Facebook.
Last question – is there any message you’d want to share with the ESCUnited readers?
Valya: All Ukrainians are going through very difficult times. And not just the last two years. The war has been going on for 10 years, in fact. Now I would like to wish everyone a peaceful sky and lots of love. Stay safe and secure. And respect each other.
Thanks so much, Fedir, Valentyn, and Danyil! – we wish you the best of luck on the Vidbir stage!
If #YOU want to support Ziferblat’s entry for Eurovision 2024, make sure you tune in to the final on Saturday, February 3rd, and vote!
