SBS and production partner Blink TV today announced Isaiah Firebrace’s duet partner, Evie Irie, and the first two songs to compete in Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022, setting the stage for a show like no other.
Hosted on the Gold Coast and broadcast live and exclusively on SBS on Saturday 26 February, the national selection show will feature some of Australia's biggest acts, singing original compositions, for their chance to represent the country at the Eurovision Song Contest 2022 in Turin, Italy.
Rounding out a diverse line-up of artists from across the musical spectrum, and joining Isaiah Firebrace on stage is the endlessly charismatic, pop-punk newcomer Evie Irie. Evie Irie and Isaiah Firebrace will perform their self-penned anthem , which will be released February 4, alongside the TikTok Wildcard winner.
Evie Irie said: "If there’s one thing I like as much as creating music for my own project, it's writing with other artists for their projects: it's not work, it's just fun! So when Isaiah and his team asked me to do Eurovision with this random wonderful song called, When I’m With You, that we had such a great time writing together, I was seriously shook. I never EVER thought I’d have the chance to play at Eurovision and I just can’t say no to Isaiah."
Isaiah Firebrace said: “Sometimes life takes you on a very unusual journey. Never in my wildest dreams could I have imagined doing Eurovision – Australia Decides with Evie Irie but I am so thankful that our planets aligned and we get to do this together. We wrote the song together, we jumped out of a plane together and we want to represent Australia together. Being together is what the song is all about and what the world needs right now. I’m incredibly proud to being doing this with Evie - she’s so unique and so special… wait until the world gets to know her like I have!!!”
Evie joins pop newcomer Charley, the fabulous Seann Miley Moore, Perth’s metal quintetVoyager, singer-songwriter Jude York, avant-garde performance artist Sheldon Riley, six-piece girl group G-NAT!ON,charismatic pop star Andrew Lambrou, powerhouse entertainer PAULINI, multi-media artist Jaguar Jonze, and of course her duet partner, Isaiah Firebrace.
SBS can also reveal two new songs following their exclusive teaser drops on TikTok last week: Voyager’s 80’s electro pop meets metal anthem, and Jude York’s inspirational .
Danny Estrin, Vocals & Keytar for Voyager, said: “As humans, we tend to look to the stars and glorify what could be. Simply, Dreamer is about looking at the here, the now and valuing what we have around us. Especially over the last two years, hopes and dreams vs the tiny locked down bubble we live in has been a constant push and pull... It's good to be a dreamer, but the grass isn't necessarily always greener. We're bringing this track to Eurovision - Australia Decides as our official entry and we can’t wait to finally be on stage again!”
Jude York said: “I Won't Need to Dream was written by Billy Stonecipher and myself as the message we needed to hear. During this time when the future seems so precarious and it's impossible to make plans, I couldn't help but feel a little hopeless - about my life, relationships and career. Billy and I toyed around with a few different ways of translating that emotion into music but it all fell together when I played that first line on piano. The song practically wrote itself from there. We were really inspired by songs of the 30's and 40’s like Dream by the Pied Pipers and Over The Rainbow by Judy Garland. The lyrics are simple and optimistic and writing it felt like I was consoling myself, singing a lullaby to help me get through this difficult patch. We've all had an incredibly tough two years and it's so easy to feel hopeless. I want this song to be like a warm hug to anyone who listens to it, a gentle reminder that things can get better and that dreams eventually become reality. For me, this song has already taken me further than I thought possible."
Voyager Source: Mike Dann
Jude York Source: Kintoshoot
SBS Head of Entertainment, Emily Griggs, said of the announcement of Evie Irie and Isaiah Firebrace performing together: “Historically, duets create magical and memorable moments so SBS are thrilled to have Evie Irie team up with Isaiah Firebrace. This duet is no exception - it’s an impressive and catchy song. It will have you singing along in no time.
"It’s also an exciting time as the Eurovision - Australia Decides songs are starting to be released. The first songs from Voyager and Jude York highlighting what an important event this is in showcasing original Australian music.”
Creative Director of Eurovision – Australia Decides, Paul Clarke, said: “It’s wonderful to make public the first two of our songs, in what is a very strong song year. Hope everyone enjoys the first two - Dreamer and I Won’t Need to Dream. We also can’t wait for you to hear Isaiah and Evie together - smooth soul and punk edge show opposites attract.”
Joel Creasey and Myf Warhurst will be at the helm of SBS’s Eurovision – Australia Decides coverage to bring Australians every angle of the contest as they explore the razzmatazz, kitsch, showbiz and heart of Eurovision – the artists and songs.
In association with the Queensland Government via Tourism and Events Queensland, Major Events Gold Coast, Screen Queensland, APRA AMCOS, TikTok, and official artist accommodation partner Dorsett Gold Coast, Eurovision – Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention and Exhibition Centre on Friday 25 and Saturday 26 February. The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, is proud to support Eurovision – Australia Decides, which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar,
The winner will be revealed during the Live TV Final which will be broadcast exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.
Tickets for the Jury Preview Show, Matinee Preview Show and Live TV Final are now on sale.
OPENING NIGHT SHOW
Friday 25 February, 7.30pm AEST (Not televised – Tickets available)
(Jury Preview Show) Jury Vote
MATINEE SHOW
Saturday 26 February, 1.00pm AEST (Not televised – Tickets available)
LIVE TV FINAL
Saturday 26 February, 7.30pm AEST (Live and Exclusive TV Broadcast on SBS – Tickets available)
Public Vote and Winner Announced
Watch it on SBS and SBS On Demand!
Eurovision – Australia Decides 2022 airs live and exclusively on SBS and SBS On Demand on Saturday 26 February.
Broadcast times across Australia:
NSW/VIC/TAS/ACT 8:30pm – 11:00pm AEDT
QLD 7:30pm – 10:00pm AEST
SA 8:00pm – 10:30pm ACDT
WA 5:30pm – 8:00pm AWST
NT 7:00pm – 9:30pm ACST
#Eurovision #AusDecides
