In 2016, it was Dami’s Army and in 2017, Australia will be recruiting for Isaiah’s infantry as teenage sensation and Australian X Factor winner Isaiah takes to the Kyiv stage to compete in the Eurovision Song Contest. Isaiah will be the first Indigenous male to perform at the contest and his entry, “Don’t Come Easy”, has close to one million views on YouTube and climbing.
The song comes from award-winning songwriting and production duo DNA (David Musumeic and Anthony Egizii), who were responsible for last year’s phenomenal second place-getter, “Sound of Silence”, together with Grammy-nominated Michael Angelo. “Don’t Come Easy” is a deliciously slick and contemporary ballad that does not stray too far from the formula that brought Dami Im success last year and suits Isaiah’s voice perfectly.
Once he hits Kyiv, Isaiah will need to be on the charm offensive instantly. Im successfully won over Stockholm with her daggy charm, and Isaiah should employ as many smouldering looks and eyebrow raises as possible to woo the audience at the variety of appearances he’ll be subjected to as he “sells” our entry.
What appears to be surprising to so many of the other countries participating at Eurovision is how seriously we take our position in the contest. What’s most impressed them is our determination to send contemporary, accessible songs that showcase the diversity of the Australian musical landscape.
