Croatia continues their preparations for Dora 2023. As the contest draws closer, Rosie is joined by Nenad Borgudan from Detour, who are taking part in the selection with their song “Master Blaster”.
Hi Nenad! Thank you so much for taking the time to speak with us! You are taking part in Dora with your song “Master Blaster”. Could you tell us a little bit about your song and what the process was like creating it?
I wrote instrumental part back in 2012, and it took almost ten years to write lyrics. Idea of the song is the power in our hand to destroy any kind of relationship. It could be the power to destroy love or friends’ relationship, but it can also be the power to destroy the whole world if it’s in the hands of someone like Master Blaster. Song is trying to make aware that fact and responsibility that comes with that power.
You’ve mentioned in an interview with Journal that “Master Blaster” is about “the power in the hands of each of us” You also described the song as having an “apocalyptic atmosphere”. How have these ideas inspired you and the song?
Lyrics have been written in a period of Covid pandemic on top of which Croatia was stroke by two big earthquakes followed by the war in Ukraine and all these events produced that apocalyptic atmosphere which inspired lyrics and it all just came together perfect with existing instrumental part of the song.
Detour as a band has been creating music since 2006, but this is the first time we are seeing you participate in the Croatian selection process! What was it that made you want to take part this year?
It was a set of circumstances. Our music is considered quite alternative, so I never saw as participant in this kind of event. But during last years I noticed that the whole contest become much opened for different musical styles and the thought of applying wasn’t that far away anymore. This year we had the song ready, we heard that some of our colleagues with similar music directions are applying, so we thought: why not?! Also, this is fantastic opportunity to expand our reach and create new fan base.
Are you a Eurovision fan yourself? Do you have any favourite memories or songs connected to the contest?
I wouldn’t call myself a fan, but I’ve always watched Dora (Eurovizija) and ESC when I was a kid and I remember some of the great moments for Yugoslavia, our country at that time, and I really enjoyed it. I remember Daniel Popović with song „Đuli“which reached fourth place on ESC, then Novi Fosili „Ja sam za ples“, Doris Dragović „Željo moja“, Riva „Rock me baby“ which won ESC in 1989., than Tajči „Hajde da ludujemo“ and it was always fun and exciting experience.
Croatia has yet to win Eurovision, and sadly hasn’t qualified to the final since 2017. What do you think they need to do to make it back to Saturday night and maybe lift the trophy for the first time?
I really don’t know the answer because there is no winning pattern anymore. But we are here trying to do that; taking a chance and hoping our song has what it takes to break that spell and perform on that Saturday night.
Who inspires you musically?
Mostly music from last century.
If someone were to hear Master Blaster and want to then check out more of your music, what songs of yours would you recommend they listen to first?
Snijeg, Plešem sama, Srce veliko, Zaljubila sam se, Tvoje lice se promijenilo, Biram, Bez tebe, Nekad je bilo bolje…
You have a new album coming out soon, also called “Master Blaster”! What sort of music can we expect to hear on it?
Album, as well as I already described Master Blaster song, is dystopic and apocalyptic. It was written and recorded in last three, very hard and terrifying, years for whole world, so all that thoughts, fears and atmosphere are built in it. But beneath all that darkness, lies hope and belief that everything’s going to work out at the end.
Is there anything you can tell us about what we might expect from your performance at Dora this year?
Performance will illustrate the feeling of dystopic and apocalyptic times we live in.
When you’re not busy working on music, what do you each like to do to relax?
I like to practice Korean martial arts, Ivana is hiking, Laura step dancing, Vibor sailing, Edi riding bike and Marino fishing.
Finally, do you have any last words or messages that you would like to share with your fans over at That Eurovision Site?
Stay cheerful and beautiful!
Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to us, Detour! We wish you the best of luck in Dora this year and can’t wait to see your performance.
We also can wait to see our performance, thank you very much. 😊
About Detour
Detour formed in 2006. While they have gone through a number of line-up changes since their formation, their current group consists of founder and leader Nenad Borgudan, singers Laura John and Ivana Radan, keyboard player Vibor Čerič, drummer Edi Grubišić, and bassist Marino Vinja. Their music has spanned multiple genres, including electropop, baroque pop, funk and jazz. Recently, they have been nominated for two prizes at the Rock&Off Independent Music Journalism Awards, including Song Of The Year for their track “Nekad je bilo bolje”.
Croatia’s Eurovision Journey
Croatia has been a part of the Eurovision family since 1961, as part of Yugoslavia. Ten Croatian artists went on to represent Yugoslavia in the Contest – the most famous of which being Riva, who gave Yugoslavia its only win in 1989. The 1990 Contest was held in Zagreb as a tribute to their Croatian heritage.
Croatia debuted in the Contest as an independent nation in 1993 with the band Put and their song “Don’t Ever Cry”. Since then, Croatia has gone on to score as high as 4th place in 1996 and 1999. Last year, Mia Dimšić won Dora 2022 to represent Croatia at the Contest in Turin with her song “Guilty Pleasure”. However, at the close of voting, Mia failed to qualify for the final, finishing in 11th place with a total of 75 points.
What do you think of our interview with Detour? Do you think “Master Blaster” will represent Croatia in Liverpool? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow “That Eurovision Site” on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter and Tiktok as we prepare for Eurovision 2023!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: Detour
