FEATURE
OUR 12 POINTS GO TO...
ISAIAH FIREBRACE We first encountered gorgeous Isaiah on X-Factor in 2016. Since then, he’s represented Australia at Eurovision in Kyiv in 2017 with Don’t Come Easy. DNA: What made you decide to return to Eurovision? Isaiah Firebrace: C’mon it’s Eurovision! I was like, if I get another chance, one-hundred percent, I’m back! Also, coming out of covid and the entertainment industry opening up again is super exciting. What can you tell us about the new song? The stars aligned with the song that I have for Eurovision, which is a duet. I wrote it and collaborated on it with my [as yet unrevealed] duet partner. When we heard about Eurovision – Australia Decides starting up again, we put it forward and SBS wanted us onboard. If I get to debut this song, with this incredible duet partner, and put it out there on a big stage, that’s awesome as a music artist. If we make it to Italy, then fuck yeah! That’ll be cool. Your duet partner is being kept secret for now; what can you reveal about the song? It’s mid-tempo but it’s got a big chorus. It’s got a ballad feel but it’s also boppy. It’s not easy to sing, and with my duet partner adding their own flair to it, it creates this very cool dynamic. This time I’ve written a song that is Eurovision-worthy. It sounds like you want to just come out with it already… I can’t wait to have this song out. I can forget about keeping it a secret. I think they’re announcing my duet partner on the night of the show… or right before, I don’t know! So, someone with a big profile? I’m leaving all the queries for everyone else to decide. But we’ve already been talking about stage production, what we’re going to do, look like, what we’re going to wear. I’m keen to see how people react to it. It’s a song that I love. 76 DNA
Eurovision is this big, creative, fun time! What fond memories do you have from Kyiv, and of Don’t Come Easy? It’s a blur. I’d just won X-Factor and then I got approached to do Eurovision. That whole whirlwind was crazy, non-stop, and soon enough I was on the plane to the Ukraine, doing all this press… I look back now and wonder how I did all that. I was so young. There are fond memories, though. Being someone from the country, being on a plane, never having been out of Australia, it was cool. The iso version of Don’t Come Easy on your YouTube sounds more mature. For sure. When I first did Eurovision I was only 17. When I look back and listen to some of my X-Factor performances I was like a deer in the headlights! I’ve grown from all of that, vocally and as a person. I can see how much I’ve grown from 17 to now turning 22. So much has happened. What advice would you give your younger self, or young artists being propelled to fame early and quickly? I was this kid who had his life turned on its head. Everyone was telling me how good I was that I’d won this show! I couldn’t even believe that about myself, that I had this “career”, was someone “well-known”. I now have more of a sense of worth and pride, and I’m proud of myself and the things I’ve done. I’ve always loved having a voice and the gift I have. A big part of someone’s self-growth is taking ownership of who you are and what you have. Music has honestly saved me. The songs I listened to and the artists I was inspired by, they were authentic in their songs for their story, and it helped me. If I can do that, I’m going to help other people out there. That’s my big goal for music anyway. What do you see for yourself postEurovision? I want to keep writing my own authentic songs, my stories, and not be so middle-of-the-road. Be deeper, dive into my artistry and make the music I love. Earlier in my career I was influenced to go in a certain direction, pick songs that weren’t necessarily me. Now
I’m focused on my stories, what I want to tell, and I want to stand by that. That’s what music is about: being vulnerable and sharing those things. That’s how you connect with people. Is releasing music when it’s ready reflective of how people consume music now? Streaming is so crazy these days; how easy it is to get a song up on platforms, even for independent artists. Besides your haircut, what will be different about performing live after the pandemic? Eurovision is a pretty big stage and a big audience so I’m gonna be nervous! But I’ll be more confident, more grounded in myself. I look back at my performances in the past and I’m really into it, giving it my all… that will always remain the same. Maybe, with more swagger now! There’re some cheeky shirtless photos on your Instagram. When can we have you over for a DNA photoshoot? Ha! We’ll have to organise that. Maybe. It’s cool to embrace your sexy side. That’s all I’m going to say! [Laughs] What message do you have for DNA readers? I’ve got a lot of fans in the community and I’m such a big supporter. I’m very grateful to have fans from the LGBTQI+… A… I feel rude when I get it wrong! We all want the same thing: love, positivity. We’re all human. I encourage everyone to keep being you, keep being authentic. Shine bright! Shine bright!
PHOTO GSM YOYO MUSIC
Eurovision – Australia Decides is the nation’s chance to choose who we send to The Eurovision Song Contest, happening this year in Turin, Italy. Cain Cooper caught up with three fabulous contenders…
