Ava sits down with Isaiah Firebrace and Evie Irie, who will be competing in Australia Decides 2022 with their song “When I’m With You.” They talk about things such as their favorite Eurovision acts, and about their entry for this year’s competition.
When you were younger, did you always want to be a singer?
Isaiah: Yes! My dad was always listening and playing music so that is just what I grew up around. I was a pretty shy kid but around when I was 13 years old, I had an opportunity to sing at a school assembly and that really cemented my love for music. I then spent the next few years competing in singing competitions and then suddenly, I was winning X-factor on my 18th Birthday!
Evie: Surprisingly no! But so glad to be here
Do you have any memories growing up with Eurovision?
Isaiah: I remember first watching Guy Sebastian in 2015, When Australia first went over and just thinking, OMG I want to do this.
Evie: There used to be a street party on my street growing up when I was little to watch Eurovision! Loved it.
What are some of your favourite non Australian acts and winners that have competed in the contest?
Isaiah: Måns from Sweden, really loved his song and ABBA, come on!
What is your favourite Australian Eurovision artist?
Isaiah: Dami Im, cause i’m a big fan of her and her voice and think the song was great
Evie: I have to say that I loved Isaiah’s performance so much!
Evie, when Australia first announced their participation, did you think “yes, I want to do that”
Evie: It’s something I never imagined me doing because I never would have thought I would have the chance but here I am! It’s so surreal.
Isaiah, how did you feel going straight from X Factor to Eurovision? Was that a big step for you?
Isaiah: I think it was a really big step and it was at a crazy big time for me, just coming off x-factor and then going to Eurovision. It was big whirlwind of a time but I loved every second of it and so thankful for the experience.
What drew you to competing in Australia Decides (and Isaiah, potentially in Eurovision again). Why a duet? Why now.
Isaiah: I think I wanted to compete again because I love the song that I wrote with Evie and Eurovision Australia Decides is a great way to debut something that you’re proud of. I really want to enjoy being on stage again as Eurovision was such a memorable moment for me in 2018, that to do it again would be amazing! So lucky to be where I am.
Evie: Isaiah! I wouldn’t be doing this if it weren’t for this sweet guy. I am so grateful to be doing this alongside someone with similar creative visions as me.
Isaiah, if you go to Eurovision again, what will you do differently, besides competing as a duet?
Isaiah: I would be more present and have my head wrapped around the whole event a bit better. It all happens so fast that it’s hard to truly understand where you are, what you are doing and to how many people. Be present definitely would be what I’d do differently.
Evie, what drew you to Isaiah as an artist? Have you wanted to collaborate for a while?
Evie: I’d heard about him from mutual friends and producers so I always was curious to know who he was. Then we were put into a writing session together and I was like oh shiiii this is THE Isaiah!
About your song, what is your song writing process? Do you have any musical inspirations when it comes to your songs?
Isaiah: It always changes, depending on the song or who i’m writing it with, There is no real way on how I start the song – It can start with the beat or the music the producer is making. That’s what inspires an idea and then i’m just running with it, creatively. Sometimes it can just be that I go into the studio with an idea and It just flows out of me.
Evie: I was honestly really inspired by Isaiah and the energy he exudes when hes in the studio, creating something that he loves. Same as Isaiah, it changes depending on who I am writing and collaborating with.
How does your live performances enhance the messages of your music?
Isaiah: We really want to show the dynamic and relationship between us as two performers. We want to take the audience on a journey into sharing both our stories as one but still as two separate artists. The overall message is about sharing your world and being close to someone.
Evie: It will show people how much passion and realness there is in the music and in us. I am so excited for everyone to see our performance and how that carries our message across.
What do you hope people will get from “When I’m With You”?
Isaiah: Hopefully the feeling that I got in the studio the day we finished it, I just want people to have fun, this is a fun and positive record and that’s what I want people to feel when listening to it or watching us perform it live.
Evie: I hope people feel how real and raw our connection is and I hope they think about their person.
What can we expect from you on the night of Australia Decides? Will there be any surprises with your staging?
Isaiah: Our lips are sealed at the moment! All I can say is expect the unexpected and get ready for a UNIQUE performance from the lighting, staging and costuming!
What does music mean to you?
Isaiah: What music means to me is really hard to put into words. It means everything to me, it’s such a huge part of who I am and it’s the only thing i’ve been good at my whole life. Music is in my blood, everything from writing songs to singing and performing, I’ve just always connected to it.
Evie: Literally everything. I live it, sleep it, breathe it and love it.
To round things off, what would you liek to say to your fans who are reading this?
Isaiah: Thanks for all the support, remember to vote for us and hopefully see you in Italy 😉
Evie: See you in Italy *cross fingers*
Australia’s Eurovision 2022 National Final “Eurovision Australia Decides” will take place on the 26th of February. The winner will be selected via a mixture of Jury and Public Voting.
About Isaiah Firebrace & Evie Irie
Isaiah Firebrace is known to Eurovision fans as Australia’s Eurovision representative in 2017, where he represented the nation in Kyiv with “Don’t Come Easy”, which placed 9th Overall with 173 points.
Evie Irie is a critically acclaimed singer from New South wales. Evie first released her EP in 2019 titled “5 Weeks in LA”, and has released two more EPs since then. Recently she was also featured on the soundtrack of the Netflix animated film “Back to the Outback” on the songs “Beautiful Ugly” and “Hello World”.
Australia’s Eurovision Journey
Australia is the newest country to debut at the contest. First joining in 2015 as part of the contest’s 60th anniversary, Australia has amassed a total of four top ten finishes – including a second-place finish in 2016 with Dami Im’s “Sounf of Silence”.
Along with Dami Im, Australia finished fifth on its debut with Guy Sebastian’s “Tonight Again” as well as ninth in both 2017 and 2019 with Isaiah Firebrace and Kate Miller-Heidke, respectively. Miller-Heidke won the first edition of Australia Decides, while Montaigne won the second edition in 2020.
Due to the cancellation of Eurovision 2020, Montaigne was internally selected for Eurovision 2021 with her song “Technicolour”. Unfortunately, Montainge was unable to travel to Rotterdam due to travel restrictions and her live-on-tape performance was used instead. She ultimately placed 14th in the first semi-final with 28 points, but has remained a queer icon in the Eurovision community.
Are you excited to hear Isaiah and Evie perform their entry on stage? Do you think they can bring the Eurovision trophy home to Australia? Let us know in the comments or on social media. Be sure to follow ‘THAT Eurovision Site’ on Facebook, Twitter, and Instagram.
News Source: That Eurovision Site
Photo Source: SBS
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