After the announcement of her participation in this year’s Polish national final, Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hity na Eurowizję, Daria talks exclusively to EurovisionFun reporters, Apostolos Bogiannos and George Zefteridis.
Daria is one of the finalists of the Polish national final for Eurovision 2022, bidding to represent her country with the song “Paranoia”.
When I was writing it, it was August, seeking for my second single, amongst numerous songs. “Paranoia” discusses the way how someone can manipulate you, in such a way, so that you finally believe that you are crazy. Actually, about how can someone force you into a mental state when you no longer recognise yourself and become self-obsessed, having that feeling of totally losing your mind..
She didn’t hesitate mentioning that she’s kinda related to the message that the song conveys.
When I was shooting the videoclip for “Paranoia” I had just ended such a toxic relationship. Therefore, I had to become a psychopath for the clip, something I wouldn’t have to prepare for. These were my real emotions. If the song manages to make an impact and gets selected to represent Poland at the Eurovision Song Contest, then that would be a real story that I’ve once lived.
However, “Paranoia” was not initially written, targeting the Polish national final:
My first single was a massive success and we had to prepare the next one. We had so many demos, however, I was thinking that the next one had to be somehow matching to my first single. Then, when I had to experience all that, it felt like they all happened to the right time, we chose “Paranoia” without thinking much about it. We weren’t planning my participation at any contest, at all. When I was asked by my label, what were my thoughts about Eurovision, I was really anxious at first, to be honest. We didn’t have a clue if there would be a national final or not. For two months I was not sure if they’d submitted it or not. My participation at Eurovision, would be a great chance to expand my career. The contest has so much impact lately, we’ve all witnessed how Måneskin skyrocketed last year.
Daria, even though she has already performed her song live a lot of times, for example at this year’s Polish new-years-show, she states that performing it at a competition is something totally new for her.
Singing live is really interesting for me. At TV shows, most artists sing playback and it is very weird because the feedback from the viewers is mostly negative, but at least all artists are professional. Pop songs sound different when performed live, due to their production and mastering, you always have to present something more than just sing. And this is also something new for me, as I’m used to being a solo artist and opera singer.
Regarding her staging at the national final, Daria mentions:
I’ve never had dance class. But now I have to prepare for something like that. I have to be mentally there, I have to be charismatic on stage and convey my entire truth to the masses. I’d prefer being well prepared for everything than being too stressed. Maybe there’s going to be a bit of dancing, but everything should be done for a reason when I will perform my song.
Obviously excited about her competing at the national final, she doesn’t deny the fact that she was scared in the beginning and was wondering whether she would like to be a part of it or not. Every artist will try to communicate their story with the world. Whether she gets the chance to represent Poland at Eurovision with “Paranoia” or not, she is grateful that she will take part in the national final of her country, with a song that is already topping the Polish charts and wows a lot of fans.
At first, my label was discussing internal selection. And I was thinking that if that was the way they would select a song for Poland, then nobody would know that I failed, in case I was not selected eventually. They were asking me if I wanted to do that, but I didn’t know that they had submitted this song in specific, for the national selection process. Now I am happy, because the result would be determined by televoting. I had been accused in the past of paying to appear at Polish TV and I was thinking “who do you think I am? I’ve just released a couple of songs”. And that is totally rude. I was told that I know for sure that I would represent Poland at Eurovision, they treated me like I already know everything that would happen and I didn’t even know that I would have to compete for that. And I am happy, because this is actually an answer to all those people. Whoever gets selected, will be selected by the public vote.
“Paranoia” tops Polish charts for several weeks already.
Eurovision was always a strange topic for me, as you have to represent your country. All the previous Polish representatives didn’t even have a place at Polish charts, they hadn’t proved that they can do it. I am the only one of the contestants that I have already released two radio hits and Paranoia is one of them and I am really happy because it is like an investment, when you see that the masses love your song. For example, in Germany and Russia it already does a great job. I would really like it if Poland gave me the opportunity, as it seems like people here love my song, numbers speak for themselves. I don’t say this in a demeaning way for the other contestants, I haven’t heard most of the songs yet.
Her favourite Polish act at the contest is Donatan & Cleo (2014) while amongst other countries’ representatives, she loves Måneskin (Italy 2021) and Senhit (San Marino 2011 & 2021).
A few moments before the end of the interview, Daria sang for us a small part of her song acapella.
You can watch the entire exclusive interview with Daria at the video below:
You can listen to “Paranoia“, Daria’s song for Tu bije serce Europy! Wybieramy hity na Eurowizję, at the video below!
