Natalie Balmix is a Croatian singer from Zagreb. She rose to fame to the wider audience of former Yugoslavia after she competed in the Serbian music contest “IDJ Show” in 2022. In the show, her mentor was the composer Darko Dimitrov, who is also the author of her first song – “Lomi me” and he is also the one behind her Dora 2024 entry “Dijamanti”

Hello Natalie, your music career has started as a singer of one band from Zagreb and later on you pursued your career as a solo musician by taking part at the Balkan music contest IDJ show. Can you tell us more about yourself and your musical beginnings?
Yes, I kicked off my music adventure by being the singer in the band. I’ve always aimed for greater heights, and I made the choice to pursue a solo career which means doing things on my own. I jumped into the Balkan music contest “IDJShow”, which turned out to be a big deal for me. It was like a stage where I could show everyone my own way of making music.

Being a solo artist gave me the chance to try out all sorts of music styles. I mixed the traditional sounds of Balkan music with some newer stuff. It’s like making a tasty recipe with different ingredients. This made my music unique and special. Looking forward, I’m super excited about what’s coming next. I want to try out even more kinds of music, work with different artists and share my tunes with lots of people. It’s like a journey, and each step is like a new chapter in my music story.

What inspired you to take part at this year’s edition of Dora?
Dora is the biggest and most famous festival in Croatia. It’s a big honor for me to perform at such an important event. Lots of people in Croatia watch Dora, and for me, just starting in music, it’s a big deal. People can get to know me, and maybe they’ll start liking my music and following my journey.

Can you tell us a bit about “Dijamanti” how did it came to life and what does the song mean for you?
“Dijamanti” was specifically crafted as a song for Eurovision. The idea took shape back in 2022 during my performance at the IDJ Show. Darko recognized my potential for Eurovision, but at that time, I wasn’t fully prepared. We waited for the right moment, and this year, we decided to take a shot at Dora with the hopes of capturing the audience and winning them over.

For the creation of “Dijamanti” you worked with one of the mentors at IDJ show and famous composer Darko Dimitrov who was the one behind 6 North Macedonian, 3 Serbian and 3 Albanian Eurovision entries including the song which Besa will sing for Albania this year. How did that cooperation start?
Our collaboration began during my participation in the IDJ Show, where the journey of our musical partnership kicked off with the creation of my debut song, “Lomi me.” Following that, Darko and I stayed connected after show. The bond we formed led to an exciting decision in the summer of 2023—to create a song specifically for Dora.

In Darko’s eyes, I became his “diamond,” a symbol of something precious and unique. This sentiment laid the foundation for the creation of “Dijamanti.” The song, like a gem, reflects not only our collaborative effort but also the depth of our artistic connection. It’s a testament to the journey we’ve shared, evolving from acquaintances in a music competition to creative partners with a shared vision for success.

What can we expect from your performance at Dora 2024?
I get asked this question quite often, but I’ll have to keep it under wraps for now. It’s understandable that everyone is curious about what to expect, so let’s keep it a secret for the time being. Stay tuned for the live performance—it will be worth the wait! (laugh)

Do you watch Eurovision regularly, what is your favourite song from the contest?
I like some songs from Eurovision, like “Unicorn” from Israel, “Slomo” from Spain, and Måneskin. I’m not someone who has been a Eurovision fan forever, but I appreciate the different kinds of music it brings to the stage.

If you could choose a musician to record a duet with who would it be and which style of the song would the two of you perform?
While I have a genuine love for all kinds of music, there are three artists I hold dear, and collaborating with them in a duet is a dream of mine. It is Severina, Sanja Vučić, and Henny. Each of them brings a unique flavor to the music scene, and the prospect of creating something special together would be truly exciting for me.

What do you do when you are not creating music and singing? Any hobbies?
During my free time, I enjoy crafting and decorating, sharing precious moments with my son, and indulging in the art of cooking.

What are your plans after Dora 2024?
After Dora 2024, whether I win or not, I have big plans. I want to keep making music that people connect with. I might try different types of music and work with other talented artists. It could be through albums, tours, or other creative things. My goal is to make a lasting impact in the music world and connect with fans in a special way.

Thank you so much for your time Natalie. Natalie will perform as 11th act of the second semi-final which is set to take place on Friday 23rd of February. You can listen to “Dijamanti” below