GØYA Interview: “Darkness is a friend, and we should thank it more often.”

In late 2024, singer GØYA (Marija Grabštaitė) performed with producer Ten Walls (Marijus Adomaitis) on top of the Vilnius TV Tower. Having conquered Lithuania’s tallest structure, she now sets her sights on the Eurovision stage. GØYA took some time out of her schedule this week to talk to us about competing in Eurovizija.LT, the importance of surrounding yourself with a good team, and why we should embrace darkness. 

How has your Eurovizija.LT experience been?

It’s been intense, but exciting. I’m glad that this experience has really bonded me with my team. We have proved to ourselves how much we can do in a short period of time, and I can really see where the true support is. This experience will help me to move forward, as I will already know better where my and my team’s strengths and weaknesses are. 

You’ve described your Eurovizija.LT song “After Storm” as your “mantra of darkness.” What do you mean by that?

We are somehow taught and programmed that darkness is something to be scared of, or it’s a bad thing. But we forget that without the darkness there is no light. We can’t really grow without darkness. Darkness shows us where our fears are, our traumas, something to heal – and that’s how we can overcome it. Darkness is a friend, and we should thank it more often. So yes, I also think it deserves its own mantra. 

“After Storm” in general is linked to what I have been going through lately, and a reminder that there’s always the next storm coming up, which is also in the song name “After Storm” – not “After the Storm.” There’s also always light and a new day coming, of course, but that’s the beauty of life – to let both the light and the darkness coexist and dance with each other, without us judging or hating on one or the other side. It’s all part of us.

How did you come up with the concept for your live staging?

I have a great team. With the LEDs and lights, it just happened very naturally. The LED designer I work with, Barbora, very quickly read my vision and idea, and from the first go she just got it right. For my outfit, I have to thank my designer, Raimedas Latvys, who makes custom pieces for my stage looks. And of course, the whole show wouldn’t be possible without the dancer/choreographer, Egle. It really has been a team effort to make this vision come alive. 

Tell us about your musical background!

I started to live and be with music when I was very little. I never imagined doing anything else. Really writing and making music, I started maybe 12-15 years ago. As GØYA, however, I started only in May 2024. 

Let’s talk Eurovision: What are some of your all-time favorite entries, and why do you want to go to Eurovision for Lithuania?

Nemo’s performance had something very powerful in it, so I liked that a lot. Of course it’s iconic how Loreen won two times, so huge respect towards her. If we speak more about legacy artists, then of course I have to mention Celine Dion; she is a global superstar, and her Eurovision legacy is timeless. I think moments like these are a good reminder of how special this platform can be.

As GØYA, I aim for the global/ international market mostly, as I feel like that’s where my audience is. However, Lithuania will always be my home – it will always be my country, my blood and my spirit, no matter where I go; no matter what language I use. I will always keep writing songs also in the Lithuanian language, and I will always belong. So for me it comes naturally to also want to give back to the place I am from. 

You recently performed on top of the Vilnius TV Tower. Can you tell us a bit about that experience? Are there any nerves about possibly performing on the Eurovision stage after that?

This was one of my dreams coming true – again, in a very natural and actually “not planned” way. It was a moving moment – not just because it is a bit scary to stand and sing on the literal edge of Vilnius, Lithuania – but because I really could show my “little” self: “look – everything is possible. Look where you are standing, and WHO you are standing there with.”

About Eurovision: of course there are a lot of nerves, no matter if it’s the semi-finals, national finals, or global finals. I think, similar to many other artists, no matter how often I will be on stages, and no matter how big the stages, there will always be nerves working overtime. 

Besides the national selection and possibly Eurovision, what are your goals for this year? Any announcements or final messages for our readers?

The main goal is to establish my new stage name, GØYA, establish the whole concept around it, and introduce myself to new and bigger audiences as an artist. So many releases are coming up, and some international and local gigs are already confirmed, so I’m excited. 

For the readers, all I can say is to remember to become friends with your own darkness and shadows, and never underestimate the importance of who you let around yourself, and your dreams. [Your] team matters, no matter if it’s for your business or your personal life.

GØYA is competing in the Final of Eurovizija.LT, which will air on Saturday, February 15 at 20:30 CET. The winner will go on to represent Lithuania at the 2025 Eurovision Song Contest this May. 

What do #YOU think of “After Storm?” Let us know on our socials (@escunited), Discord, or at our forum.