Representing Lithuania in this year’s Eurovision Song Contest, alternative rock band Katarsis is stepping into the spotlight with emotional vulnerability and a commitment to artistic authenticity. At the heart of the group is lead vocalist Lukas Radzevičius, who says his music stems from a deep, introspective journey that began in his teenage years.
“I went through a big phase trying to understand what happiness is and what the meaning of life might be,” Radzevičius said in an interview with LRT Klasika.
Katarsis’s Eurovision entry, Tavo akys (Your Eyes), wasn’t an obvious choice for the band. Radzevičius admitted he had doubts about the song, even considering withholding its release until the national selection show.
“I wasn’t completely sure about it, which is unusual for me. I usually know what I want to release,” he said. “Eventually, we thought, ‘Why overthink it?’ We filmed a quick visual, released the track – and unexpectedly, it got a lot of support.”
Despite some public feedback suggesting the band’s vocals could be “cleaner”, Radzevičius remains unapologetic. “The vocals are totally fine. If people don’t like them, there’s no point in explaining. It just feels like wasted energy.”
The singer, who was born and raised in Klaipėda, began his musical journey in childhood studying trumpet. He later left music school, finding its rigid structure stifling.
Music education didn’t help him as much as it limited him, the singer said. “I value open thinking – when you judge music based on how it feels, not theory. When I dove too deep into theory, it started to constrain me.”
Radzevičius is no stranger to musical competitions, having been a laureate in contests such as Dainų dainelė. These days, however, he rarely watches television. “I only tuned in again when the Eurovision selections started,” he said.
Authenticity, he believes, is essential to creativity. “You have to assess how much you’re willing to fight for your vision. If you truly believe in it, go all in,” he said. “In my teens, I skipped school and took risks for what I loved – and I’m glad I didn’t give up.”
A fan of both folk and classical music, Radzevičius speaks fondly of Lithuania’s traditional multipart singing style known as sutartinės. “There’s a powerful sense of unity when people sing the same phrase over and over. It can be euphoric,” he said. “Modern pop music doesn’t always reach those depths.”
While his lyrics often carry a melancholic tone, Radzevičius sees sadness not as a burden but as a powerful emotional tool. “Sadness isn’t a bad thing. It’s deep and valuable. Most of my realisations about life have come through sadness,” he said.
He argues that drama, in both art and music, leaves a more lasting impact than comedy. “Joy is fleeting. Sad art stays with you.”
Looking ahead, the band hopes Eurovision will serve as a springboard for broader opportunities. “If it goes well, we’d love to travel, perform in other countries and explore new waters,” Radzevičius said.
Katarsis is set to depart for Basel this Saturday as they prepare to take the Eurovision stage.
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