After much teasing by SBS and Blink TV the first four artists to compete in Australia Decides have been announced.
More artists are expected to be announced shortly for the February show that will decide who Australia sends to Eurovision in 2019.
Below is a bio of those announced and a song or performance to watch to get an understanding of their style.
Sheppard
Sheppard are a six-piece pop group from Brisbane. They core of the band is made up by three siblings – George, Amy and Emma Sheppard, hence the name. They are known for producing catchy, up-beat pop.
They rose to fame with their song ‘Geronimo’ that went number one in Australia, was as a top 10 hit across Europe and also charted in the United States.
Since then their success has been more limited to Australia with their recent hit ‘Coming Home’ reaching no.22 and was nominated for an ARIA Award for Song of the Year.
They told SBS: "“We’re excited at the prospect of representing Australia in what feels like the pop music Olympics. The fact that this is the first time the show has ever taken part in Australia and letting the public decide who gets to go to the Eurovision Song Contest 2019 is really exciting for us. It will be an historic television event that we look forward to being a part of!”
Song to watch - 'Coming Home':
Kate Miller-Heidke
Kate Miller-Heidke is a singer-songwriter who was classically trained at the Queensland Conservatorium of Music, where Dami Im also studied.
Her genre is best described as indie-pop but has worked in diverse industries including Opera and musical theatre. She recently co-wrote the music and lyrics for the Muriel’s Wedding musical where she was a Helpmann Award (Australia’s Tony Awards) for best original score.
Chart wise her biggest hit ‘The Last Day on Earth’ reached no.3 back in 2009 while her album ‘Live at the Sydney Opera House where she performed with the Sydney Symphony Orchestra reached no.31.
Kate told SBS: “I’ve never done anything like this before. I do feel vulnerable putting myself out there in a competitive setting. I’m trying to ignore that element, and thinking of it as a very eclectic celebration of Australian music. I think there will be a lot of solidarity amongst the performers.”
Song to watch: 'Last Day on Earth':
Electric Fields
Electric Fields are a duo made up of vocalist Zaachariaha Fielding and producer Michael Ross. Their music often features lyrics from Fielding’s traditional language of the Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara people from remote north west South Australia.
Their genre could be definied as pop-electro but has been described as ‘Daft punk meets Nina Simone in the Deep Forest.’
Self-described as ‘two feminine brothers’ but before labelling them as an ‘indigenous’ or ‘queer’ group they are ardent in ‘not being put into a box’. The best way to learn and discover them is by listening to their music and watching their live performances.
They told SBS: “The Eurovision Song Contest is the Olympics of camp! It’s a flamboyant spectacle and we’re excited to be part of the first ever Eurovision selection show on home soil. We want to tell a story on stage with fierce energy that will hopefully shoot through the cameras and out of the TV screens at home.”
Performance to watch - Live at the NIMA Awards 2017:
Mark Vincent
Vincent is a tenor who won Australia’s Got Talent in 2009. Since his win he has released eight albums with five of them reaching the top 10 in Australia.
He also worked in musical theatre making his debut in the Australian production of Dirty Dancing.
He told SBS: “This opportunity to compete in Eurovision - Australia Decides means everything to me. I’ve been a Eurovision fan since I was young and love the incredible voices and talents that have emerged. I’m going to bring everything I’ve got to the stage. I’ve been working my entire life for this moment, and I can’t wait to perform for you.”
Song to watch - cover of 'Halo':
Listen to our first Eurovision Weekly Update podcast episode of the 2019 season where we chat about these four artists and other happenings across Europe including songs from Estonia and Latvia.
Listen below or search us out on Apple Podcasts, Spotify or where ever you listen to your podcasts.