Ahead of their return to Vidbir this year, Shiloh spoke to Ziferblat. After their second-place finish in 2024, they are competing with the song “Bird of Pray” in 2025.
For our readers who may not know you, tell us about yourselves! What has your history as a band been like so far?
Danylo: Our story is about two kids who listened to a lot of music and dreamed of writing their own one day. Then, when the stars aligned, we found like-minded people and started playing in a band.
Who are your musical inspirations? What singers or bands do you look up to?
Danylo: Music has been playing in our house since childhood. I was most in love with classical music — it was my first inspiration and still helps me to this day. I mostly listened to Ravel, Chopin, and Holst. As a teenager, I fell in love with rock and roll, especially art rock, so my main idols became Peter Gabriel, Kate Bush, and Robert Fripp.
You have previously submitted songs to Vidbir for 2023 and 2024, and placed second in the final last year. How is your song this year different?
Valentyn: This song is more dynamic, I think. It combines different styles; it is a blend of folk motifs, modern sounds, and sometimes classic rock. This composition is much more complex.
What is your song “Bird of Pray” about? What was the songwriting process like?
Valentyn: When I started preparing the song for this year, I wanted to create something more impressive — something that would evoke emotions and deliver different sensations over three minutes. I wrote this song over a couple of weeks at home on an acoustic guitar. Then, the boys and I worked on the arrangement for a couple of months. And here is the result!
Can you tell us anything about the plan for the live performance?
Danylo: I would love to share more about our performance, but due to contract restrictions, I can’t reveal much. Plus, it’s still a work in progress, going through many changes and improvements. The only thing I can say is that it will be unpredictable and epic.
Have you listened to the other competing songs at Vidbir this year? Do you have a favourite?
Danylo: Yes, I have some favorite songs from this year’s selection. But out of respect for the other artists, I’ll keep that a secret.
Why do you want to represent Ukraine at Eurovision?
Danylo: Because it’s our childhood dream. I grew up watching Eurovision, and I want to showcase Ukrainian music as diverse and deep as it truly is.
What are your favourite Eurovision entries?
Danylo: My favorite Eurovision performances have always been melodic songs. One that stands out is Secret Garden’s Nocturne from the ‘90s. I also often return to Lena Meyer’s Taken by a Stranger, which, unlike her other Eurovision song, didn’t win but was ahead of its time in terms of sound.
And finally, what would you like to say to anyone discovering your music for the first time through Vidbir 2025?
Valentyn: We truly want you to immerse yourself in our creativity. We create diverse and deeply emotional music. Our music tells the story of our lives, and I would love for it to become a part of yours too.
About Ziferblat
Ziferblat is a Ukrainian band formed in 2015, consisting of Danylo Leshchynskyi, guitarist Valentyn Leshchynskyi, and drummer Fedir Khodakov. They released their first EP in December of 2017 and competed on the Ukrainian version of X-Factor in 2019. Their first album, Перетворення, was released in 2023. They made it to the longlist for Vidbir 2023 but were not selected; they then competed in Vidbir 2024 with the song “Place I Call Home”, placing second.
Ukraine’s Eurovision journey
Ukraine is one of the most successful countries to participate in the Eurovision Song Contest. The country has scored nine top-five placements, with an extra four top-ten finishes. Ukraine won the Contest three times – in 2004, 2016 and 2022 respectively. Ukraine made history for being the first ex-Soviet country to win the Contest more than once.
In 2024 alyona alyona and Jerry Heil represented Ukraine in Malmö with their song “Teresa and Maria”. The duo finished in 3rd place, scoring 453 points – 146 points from the jury, 307 from the televote.
Informally known as “Vidbir”, Ukraine’s national selection has been around since 2016, when it picked a Eurovision winner–Jamala’s “1944”–right off the bat. It’s a small selection with generally between six to ten entries competing each year, and is traditionally held in February. Vidbir features a three-person jury panel, and recently an online vote as well.
Will Ziferblat make it to Eurovision this year? What do you think of their song “Bird of Pray”? As always, let us know what you think by commenting below. Also, be sure to follow ‘That Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, TikTok, Threads and Bluesky as we prepare for Eurovision 2025!
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Credit: Ziferblat
Giwrgos Oiko