Daniel Žižka takes Eurovision stage with Crossroads
Eurovision kicked off this week and Czechia’s hopes now rest on 23-year-old singer and actor Daniel Žižka, who will take to the stage in Thursday’s second semi-final in Vienna. Performing Crossroads, Žižka will be hoping to secure a place in Saturday’s grand final.
Twenty-three-year-old singer, songwriter and actor Daniel Žižka became the fourteenth Czech representative in the history of the contest after being selected by an international jury and public vote from 260 domestic submissions.
He worked on his song, called Crossroads, for around a year and a half, writing much of it during a work stay in Japan. In an interview for Czech Radio, Žižka described how the song slowly took shape:
“I usually start composing at the piano – some harmony comes to me, some key words – and as the song slowly took shape, I realised I wanted it to be about decision-making and life crossroads. Only later did I start thinking, ‘I’ve always wanted to try Eurovision, and this could actually be the thing I send there,’ so over that year and a half it gradually all came together.”
However, Žižka stresses that he deliberately avoided writing what he saw as “a Eurovision song” and instead approached Crossroads as music intended for his upcoming debut EP. The main compromise, he said, was shortening the track to Eurovision’s strict three-minute limit.
“I made a rule for myself that I wouldn’t write ‘a Eurovision song.’ I told myself I would make the song exactly the way I would if I were putting it on my own EP.”
“Of course, the fact that it was intended for Eurovision influenced it in some ways, mainly because it had to fit into three minutes. Otherwise the song would probably be three and a half or four minutes long.”
Žižka says the song was not inspired by one dramatic turning point, but rather by the feeling that life itself is made up of constant choices and uncertainty, an idea that gradually became central to the lyrics.
“It was more about the ongoing process and the awareness that in life we are constantly going through crossroads. We’re always making decisions, wondering whether to choose this or that.”
“There were definitely lots of seemingly important decisions happening, but there wasn’t one specific crossroads that inspired the song. It was more the whole process itself.”
Žižka has been involved in music since childhood and began writing his own songs at the age of ten. He studied musical theatre at the Jaroslav Ježek Conservatory and is currently continuing his studies in pop singing and composition. He says years of intensive vocal training helped him fully discover and develop the possibilities of his voice.
“Over those eight years, my voice gradually became an instrument. Without that training, I simply wouldn’t have the range of possibilities I have today.”
His music blends indie pop with atmospheric electronic and ambient influences, creating a sound that is distinctly his own. Earlier in his career he performed under the stage name Daniell before switching to his real name.
Žižka is currently preparing his debut EP, which he describes as symbolising a new chapter in his artistic journey. Alongside music, he also works as an actor and has appeared in several Czech television series and films.
Czechia has had mixed results at Eurovision since debuting in the contest in 2007. The country’s best result so far came in 2018, when Mikolas Josef finished sixth with the song Lie to Me. This year’s contest, hosted in Vienna by Austrian broadcaster ORF, marks the 70th edition of Eurovision.
The competition has again been overshadowed by controversy surrounding Israel’s participation. Israel has already secured a place in Saturday’s final alongside countries including Sweden and Ukraine. Whether Czechia will join them will become clear after Thursday night’s semi-final.
