Meet EoT: The Band Bringing Power and Passion to Dora 2025

 

EoT is ready to bring the fire to Dora 2025 with their explosive entry, "Bye Bye Bye." The trio, known for their high-energy performances and electrifying sound, have crafted a song that blends modern production with an empowering message—one that perfectly fits the spirit of Eurovision. In this exclusive interview, they share the story behind "Bye Bye Bye," their inspirations, and what fans can expect from their Dora performance. Could this be the song that takes Croatia to Eurovision? Let’s find out!

Can you tell us the story behind Bye Bye Bye? What inspired you to create this song?

Well, we actually planned on writing this song specifically for Dora and potentially Eurovision. We've been huge fans of both since we were little kids and felt it was time to create this song. My brother Boris brought the idea into our studio, we recorded the music, and then we let the song "simmer" for about two weeks. I thought it reminded me of FIFA—you know, when you play the game and the audience is chanting—and I absolutely loved it. At that point, I started humming a melody, and I could feel something emerging. I went to see Deadpool in the meantime, and as you might know, in the intro, Deadpool is dancing to Bye Bye Bye by NSYNC. I love that song, and I love Deadpool, and I felt as if it was destiny's way of saying it should be called Bye Bye Bye. The NSYNC song is about a love quarrel, and we talk about the inner, everyday struggles of being human—social matters, existential matters. Why not write something in the spirit of Dora and Eurovision? Something that would hopefully empower people, make them dance, sing, and feel good about themselves.

And that’s how Bye Bye Bye was born. It talks about how we should focus on our personal development and inner (r)evolution, which, in the long term, leads to living in satisfaction and gratitude. It’s about stopping the habit of living behind screens and embracing our beautiful, authentic selves. I recorded the vocals, Boris and Goran loved it, and here we are.

Many fans describe your song as energetic, modern, and perfect for Eurovision. How do you feel about this feedback?

We are so happy and grateful that people recognized the song in that way. It’s hard to be objective when it’s your own song, so seeing that the audience felt our intention is very rewarding and motivating.

What made you decide to participate in Dora this year? Was competing in Eurovision always a dream for the band?

We felt it was the right time, especially since we formed our own studio, Hooligan Mauz Studio, and have been independently recording and producing our music. My brother Boris and I participated in Dora 2019 as artists and authors, and in Dora 2020 as authors. We loved it as kids, watching the show with our parents in the living room.

Participating with EoT is a different kind of story because we started EoT from scratch, just the three of us. The fact that we were selected to participate in Dora and might potentially go to Eurovision is a dream come true.

How important is staging and live performance for you, and do you have any hints about what we can expect during your Dora performance?

Usually, for us, staging is important not because it’s necessary but because it’s fun—it elevates the music. That said, the music itself should always be the most important factor. If it’s interesting when stripped down to basics—just you singing and playing it with an acoustic guitar—everything else should be a bonus.

Now, in a format like Dora, staging and live performance are very important. It’s about presenting your vision of the song and your technical abilities as a whole package. Our performance will be fun, exciting, and dynamic. We call it the “apocalypse,” but not in a negative sense. It’s more of an indicator of the visual effects you’ll see in the show. Think of it as a DragonForce's “through the fire and flames we carry on” kind of message. Wink.

If you win Dora, how do you plan to elevate the performance for the Eurovision stage in Switzerland?

There’s always room for improvement in everything in life, and the same goes for the performance. We’d be open to analyzing what needs to be done to take the performance to the next level while preserving the essence of the original performance.

Some fans mention that your vocals remind them of British rock influences. Are there specific artists or genres that inspire your music?

That’s really interesting! It would be cool to know specifically which British artists they’re referring to because we can’t objectively listen to our own song. If the audience picks up on something like that, it’s a beautiful thing when you think about it. Artists who influenced us live on through us now, and through music, you can live forever.

We have a wide range of musical influences, from classical music to modern 21st-century music, because we are, first and foremost, huge fans of music. Of course, during different periods of our lives, certain music has impacted us more than others, but our personal playlists are a rollercoaster of amazing music.

Finally, what would you like to say to your fans who are rooting for you to represent Croatia at Eurovision?

We’re sending love from Croatia—a big thank you to our fans for all the love and support! As the hopeless romantics we are, we like to say that we will carry your words of encouragement and your love for the song in our hearts on stage at Dora and, hopefully, in Basel.