Daniel Kajmakoski: “I’m thinking about singing in English more and more” (Macedonia 2015 – interview)

Back in November, Macedonian singer Daniel Kajmakoski won the big final of Skopje Fest with his song “Lisja Esenski”, and was chosen to represent his country at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna.

Esc+Plus can now present an exclusive interview with Daniel, where he tells us a bit about his preparations for the contest, his amazing story about going from a regular employee in Vienna to participating in Eurovision for his country, and he even dishes on which song is his personal favorite in ESC throughout the years, and much more. Read on below to find out exactly what he told us

ESC+Plus: First of all, congratulations for winning Skopje Fest, and representing your country at Eurovision. Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and your musical career so far?

Daniel: Thank you! Any kind of support it means a lot! About me . . Born in Macedonia, at the age of 7 my family and I moved to the city, where this year, I am going to represent Macedonia on Eurovision Song Contest. I love and respect the music as art. For me the music was, and always will be more than business – it’s obsession, love and nourishment. Every artist wants to work with what they truly love, but for me I can say music is more than just work. Four years ago, I decided to back off from music. I felt very disappointed in many things, happening around the music and the show business. Thank God, my faith and self-confidence reestablished, and I found my way back on the road, and realized that I should, and can share my gift given from God. In one year only, many things changed – from a regular employee in Vienna, I became Eurovision Song Sontest representative for Macedonia!!! Nothing more and nothing less, that happened with my first official song “Lisja Esenski”.

ESC+Plus: How did you come up with idea to participate in Skopje Fest?

Daniel: As a matter of fact, I was invited to take part on Skopski Festival. The possibility to represent Macedonia in Vienna made me feel very optimistic and energized. I am a very big fan of Eurovision, and it was always one of my dreams to perform on that huge stage in front of so many people… I decided to listen to that feeling! And of course I did not want to miss the chance to represent Macedonia in the country, where I have grown up.

ESC+Plus: How did you feel in that moment, when you realized you had won Skopje Fest, and would represent Macedonia at Eurovision?

Daniel: I was telling my self “Ok Daniel, this means you have the support, now it’s the time to give something back to your supporters”. This is the thought that goes through my mind all the time, since the moment I won Skopski Festival. I feel like a boomerang now hahaha. I left Vienna to be part of the X factor Adria, and after I won that competition, I won Skopje fest, and now I am going back to Vienna for Eurovision – this is such a unbeliveble story. I really feel like Alice in wonderland, and if this is just a dream, please don’t wake me up ok?? Just let me sleep 🙂

ESC+Plus: Your song is called Lisja Esenski, please tell us what is about?

Daniel: When I received the invitation for Skopje Fest, we decided to try with this song. For the first time in my life I’ve heard a methaphor describing the falling of the autumn leaves with the positive vibes that love brings, which really made me think about the cycle of life, and the perception of love that we have globally. I believe that infinite Love is the only truth in this world, everything else is just an illusion!

ESC+Plus: Are you going to make any changes to the song from the version you sang at Skopje Fest?

Daniel: This month we are working on that issue, hope to get the best possible version. We’ll see . . .

ESC+Plus: Have you decided in which language, you will sing the song at Eurovision in Vienna?

Daniel: There is still time to make the final decision but with each day passing, I’m thinking about singing in English more and more…

ESC+Plus: Have you started working on the staging for Eurovision, and if you have, can you reveal anything about it?

Daniel: We have started to discuss ideas, but too early to reveal anything. For sure, we will stay in touch for news!

ESC+Plus: Have you watched Eurovision in the past, and do you have any favorite songs?

Daniel: I am a Eurovision fan. I am watching this show since I was a little boy. Always making a list of top five songs and performances. All time favourite is “Hold me Now” by Johnny Logan.

ESC+Plus: You participated in, and won X Factor Adria, where you were mentored by Zeljko Joksimovic, who has participated in Eurovision several times. Has he given you any advice for the contest?

Daniel: I am very grateful that I had the chance to work with him. I really learned a lot from him, and the most important thing; that this business is very hard, and you have to stay focused and trust yourself. We are both really busy at the moment, he lives in Serbia, and I’m traveling a lot, so there are unfortunately not many opportunities to see each other.

ESC+Plus: Who are some of your musical inspirations, and what kind of music do you listen to at home?

Daniel: Well to be honest I love Hip hop and rnb 🙂 I love rap music and good rnb singers like Usher, Chris Brown and 112. I have also grown up with BIG and Tupac, so thats what I am listening at home 🙂 I also love dancehall and reggae – that kind of music will never disappear from our world, it’s a part of our planet 🙂

ESC+Plus: What are your hobbies besides music?

Daniel: My hobbies are sport, like football, swimming, climbing, I love to be connected with the nature, so I am trying to spend more time outside 🙂 It feels good to be part of the planet where I am living and I love that!!!

ESC+Plus: In the end, do you have a message for your fans and the readers of ESC+Plus?

Daniel: First of all, I wanna say thank you, thank you for your time, for your attention, and for your love!! It feels really great to be part of ESC for the first time in my life. I feel like every nation is so close to me, and I feel like I can reach out to the world, thank you for that 🙂 one love :*

We want to thank Daniel Kajmakoski and his team for this interview, and the pictures, and we wish Macedonia the best of luck at Eurovision in Vienna.

You can watch Daniel Kajmakoski’s winning performance of “Lisja Esenski” at Skopje fest below.