An Aussie artist's song is in the running to represent Austria at Eurovision 2026

Danielle Lamb pictured (credit: Monica Pronk Photography) with ORF national final graphics

This weekend, Austria will select their home entry for Eurovision 2026, and an Australian songwriter is in the running.

Danielle Lamb, who is a singer-songwriter from Sydney, has co-written the song Julia which is in the running to represent Austria this year.

The Austrian national final Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich? takes place Friday night (Saturday morning for Australia), where the winner will be decided by a 50/50 split between jury and public voting.

From Australia Decides to the international stage

The 12-song line-up includes the entry JULIA by Julia Steen which is co-written by Aussie artist Danielle Lamb together with Bob Inski, Ela Steinmetz and Julia Wastian.

Danielle Lamb is an independent Australian songwriter, vocalist and performer known for her powerful yet delicate voice and dynamic live presence.

Her music blends eclectic influences, from Stevie Wonder to Sia, and often reflects personal experience and vivid imagery.

Danielle’s collaborations have seen international success, including a chart-topping hit in Switzerland, and her songs have featured in film and significant music contests.

With over two decades of performing around the world and releases leading up to her debut EP, she continues to captivate audiences both live and through her recordings.

Back in 2019 she made her mark in the Eurovision world where she was shortlisted for Australia Decides. Danielle just missed out on one of the 10 spots, but her entry Ready to Love was featured during the show.

Our chat with Danielle Lamb

Given the exciting news seeing another Aussie make their mark during the Eurovision national final season, we spoke to Danielle about the song entry, her connections with Eurovision and more!

Congratulations on making to a Eurovision national final as a songwriter! How did the opportunity arise?

Thank you so much, I am thrilled about it and so excited for Julia's performance tonight. It's a pretty crazy story of how I came to be there in that room that day, but basically it all started in 2022 when my songwriter friend Justine Eltakchi called me to fill in as a songwriter for a session with a young Swiss artist named Linda Elys.

I joined via Zoom; Linda & producer Tom Oehler were in a studio in Zurich and I was in my bedroom in Sydney. We wrote House On Fire which came in second place for Switzerland's Eurovision entry in 2023. The song went #1 there in 2024, was nominated for best hit at the Swiss Music Awards 2025 and has over 6M streams.

Following that song's success, I have traveled to Europe each year for the last 3 years to write with lots of different artists. Last October, Julia's manager, Pele Loriano, asked me to join a session, and of course I was a "HELL YES" for that!

What was it like working with Julia Steen and the team behind the song JULIA?

Julia is an absolute sweetheart with such a unique and powerful voice. A rising star! The team in the writing session that day were seasoned pros who have been involved in other Eurovision hits from past years, and we all just clicked and had a fun day coming up with ideas and shaping the song. Watching Julia tracking her vocals for the initial demo was so inspiring. That girl can SING!!! It was my first time co-creating a song in a language other than English, which was certainly a great challenge. By the end of the day, I think we all felt we had made a super catchy song that had personal relevance to Julia, which was the goal. Smiles all round!

Your song Ready to Love was shortlisted for Eurovision - Australia Decides back in 2019, just missing out on one of the 10 spots! Have you worked on other Eurovision related projects since then?

The following year, my song Tell Me Something True was also shortlisted for Australia, but unfortunately, it didn't make it to the Top 10. Since the success of Linda Elys's House On Fire in Switzerland—which placed second in the Swiss internal selection for 2023. This year I have also had a song in Switzerland's top 5 for ESC, as well as JULIA for Austria's National Final.

What do you have planned for the year ahead as an artist and song writer?

My new song Whistle Song comes out on 30 March, which is a call back to childhood wonder and simpler times and features a catchy whistle chorus you can whistle along to. I'll also be heading to Europe for writing sessions at various Eurovision focussed songwriting camps as countries and artists start preparing for 2027! If JULIA wins the final tonight, I'll be flying to Vienna for the 2026 Eurovision Song Contest too. VOTE #1 for JULIA by Julia Steen!

What is your favourite Australian Eurovision entry, and why?

This is a really tough question. I have to say I can't choose just one. Here's my 3 favourites. Sound Of Silence by Dami Im has that everlasting power and emotion, which just takes you over. Zero Gravity by Kate Miller Heidke was so visually unique and bold with stunning vocals to match. One Milkali (One Blood) by Electric Fields has such a powerful message of unity while showcasing the storytelling and songwriting traditions of the oldest continuous living culture on earth. I mean, Australia has had some absolutely killer ESC entries!!! I can't wait to see what we've cooked up for this year.

Thank you so much for taking the time to talk to Aussievision and all the best with the Austrian national final Vienna Calling – Wer singt für Österreich? We hope to see JULIA selected and see you in Vienna!!

Where to watch Vienna Calling - Wer singt für Österreich??

You can watch the livestream via the Eurovision Song Contest YouTube channel here. For those on CET time, it starts at 8:15pm. In Australia, you can watch at the following times:

• Perth: Saturday 21 February at 3.15

• Darwin: Saturday 21 February at 4.45

• Brisbane: Saturday 21 February at 5.15

• Adelaide: Saturday 21 February at 5.45

• Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Hobart: Saturday 21 February at 6.15.

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