Ahead of this week’s Croatian national final, Dora, we got to chat to the band The Splitters, who’ll be taking part in the race to represent their country for the second year in a row, this time with the song Od kad te sanjam. In this interview, the band rehashed feelings about coming in the Top 5 at Dora 2023, as well as how this year’s entry came about and the different side to the band we might expect on stage.

The Splitters will perform in the second semi-final of Dora 2024 on Friday 23rd February. You can remind yourself of their song HERE:

Thanks so much for talking to ESCBubble again, The Splitters – long time, no see! How are preparations for Dora going?

Preparations are going really well! We are having rehearsals almost every day and we are planning a lot for this year’s Dora!

Usually, when we do these interviews, we’d have to start with a brief introduction to the artist, their music style, origin story etc. However, you chatted to our very own Marco ahead of Dora 2023, which you entered with the song “Lost and Found”. How did it feel to come 4th out of 18 songs? Did you expect to do so well on the night?

We didn’t have any expectations because we really went for fun – and the days we spent there rehearsing or even having fun with other performers were amazing. We were very happy when we came out fourth but that was the least important thing of them all. We were all proud of ourselves to do such a big project with such an amazing team!

Did you all decide immediately that you wanted to come back this year? Whose idea was it to enter Dora 2024?

We didn’t plan to enter this year. Actually, the song just came about a few days before the deadline and we decided to send it. Last year we went with a song from a different writer so, we thought, why not try this year with our own? 😉

You’re a band that has a history of singing both English and Croatian-language songs. This year, you’re bringing a song in Croatian, “Od kad te sanjam”. Which language do you prefer to sing in, and was it important for you to bring a song in your own language to Dora this year?

We really like both, but we feel more natural singing songs in our language. Maybe that is the reason we decided to participate again.

The smooth rock ballad styles of “Od kad te sanjam” and “Lost and Found” are very similar, and you’ve said before that you’ve been heavily influenced musically by The Beatles (which made sense considering you competed at Dora in the year Eurovision was in Liverpool). What does this new song mean to you, and what feelings do you hope it will bring out in listeners?

Our song is kind of a love song, but it brings out a lot of other emotions. We think it is important for everyone to dream or even daydream in their life and believe in love of any kind. We hope listeners will understand exactly that.

When it comes to staging, can we expect more of the same from you guys this year at Dora, or are you going to perform this one differently?

We are preparing something completely different to 2023, except the band members 🙂 all other things should be a surprise!

Have you had a chance to listen to any of the other 23 songs in the running this year? Which other Dora songs are standing out to you as your favourites?

We listened to every song competing. We really like every artist that entried and everyone has something unique so we don’t like to seperate. But, after we see everyone on stage, we are sure some artists will stand out!

One of the competing acts at this year’s Dora is the one that won last year, Let 3, who brought Croatia back to the Eurovision final for the first time since 2017. How well do you know those guys, and have they given you any advice or performance tips?

We met them last year on Dora and they are very nice people who have their minds and views set up on their goals. You can see and feel that from them as well as learn.

When we asked you about your history with Eurovision last year, you admitted to being fans of Måneskin’s “Zitti e buoni” and ABBA’s “Waterloo”. What was your view on the Contest last year, and do you have any new favourite performances?

The Contest was interesting and amazing to watch. But, not only because they are Croatian, we must say we were voting for Let 3 because they were really different and interesting.

What would it mean for you to win Dora and represent your country at Eurovision in 2024?

There are no words that can explain even thinking about that feeling, but we really are not expecting anything besides fun and entertainment! Everything else comes naturally.

Regardless of what the result is this year, what are your plans for the future? Can we expect another return to Dora in 2025 or do you have other things planned?

We doubt we will go to Dora 2025, but we also were not planning this year’s entry so you never know. But you can definitely expect more concerts and hopefully another album!

And now some quick-fire questions for the fans to get to know you better…

What do you all like to do to relax when you’re not performing?

We are all keen on playing and singing so that is what we also do in our free time. The most beautiful thing you can do is make your hobby also your job.

Does any of you have any pets?

Yes. Josip, the singer, and his brother have a dog!

If you could be doing a profession that wasn’t music, what would it be and why?

Also something artistic, but that is a very hard question. We all do a lot of performing and that is what we really love.

Thanks so much for chatting to us again. Before we round up, do you have a quick message for all your new fans who’ve discovered you through the last two editions of Dora?

Be happy, dream, love and never give up on things! Life is beautiful just the way it is and be thankful for every moment. And, of course, listen to a lot of music and follow your passions!

Thank you so much to The Splitters and team for setting up this interview, and best of luck at Dora 2024!