We’re closing the Q&A sessions with Croatian artists in Dora 2025 with Martha May!
To start, tell us more about your music. Do you have anybody who inspires you and how did you start producing your first songs?
I am 100% a pop girl which means I love a good catchy pop song, but with an emotional twist hehe. Some of my biggest inspirations are Lorde, Marina, and Lady Gaga. To be completely honest, when I first started writing my own songs, I never thought about the influence of any artist I listened to, I just wrote what came from the heart.
This is not your first appearance in Dora. Two years ago you competed with the song “Distance”. What made you decide to return to the competition?
I think 2 years ago I did the best I could with the knowledge I had, and ever since I knew I wanted to come back and do something bigger, better. Let’s hope my performance this year is all that and more!
This year, your song is entitled “Running to the Light”. What can you tell us about the song writing process of the song and what does the song mean to you?
I wrote this song with my amazing co-authors Matteo Depares and Cormac Todd specifically with Dora in mind. It’s a song about the bitter-sweet feeling of living away from your country, but RTTL is also my love letter to Croatia.
Let’s step away from Dora for a moment and talk about you. Currently, you are based in The United Kingdom, right? You are studying Musical Theatre at The University of Chichester. How did you decide to leave home at the age of 18 and what did you learn from that?
Yes, I studied Musical Theatre till 2021, but then I also got my Masters degree in Composition. I chose to go to the UK because I wanted to develop my skills as an artist, and see what the music scene is like over there. I’ve learned so much from living in London and I never ever regret my decision.
How would you compare the British music scene to the Croatian? Where do you see yourself more and what fascinates you about London the most?
Hm, I think in London there are more opportunities for upcoming artists, whereas in Croatia the scene is kind of tailored for the record label artists. Both have their good and bad sides of course! I see myself making music in English because my goal has always been international recognition, but who knows, I am never opposed to trying new things.
Back to your attempt to win the ticket for Basel… our readers would surely love to know something about your plans for Dora. Can you tease anything about the performance or staging you’re preparing?
It’s gonna be magical hehe.
If you could collaborate on a project with any Eurovision artist, who would that be and why?
I’d love a collaboration with Käärijä. I’m sure the song would be really fun!
As we close out, if our readers want to connect with you and support your musical career ahead of or after the national final, where can they find you?
All my music is out on Spotify, and all my social media platforms are @martha_may_music.
Thank you Martha for this lovely conversation. Do you have any final words for our readers at ESCUnited?
All I can say is that there’s no such thing as dreaming too big, never give up on your dream!! Thanks for all the love and support, can’t wait to show you what I’ve been working on for months!!
Thank you so much, Martha and we wish you the best of luck in Dora 2025!
If #YOU want to support Martha on her Dora 2025 journey, make sure you tune in to the Dora first semi-final show on February 27th and vote! Share your thoughts with us on Discord, or on our forum page!#YOU
