Isaiah
17 year old Isaiah is an Indigenous Australian artist with big dreams. He will represent Australia in the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest with the song Don't Come Easy.With a population of only 5,000 people, Moama, just outside of Melbourne Australia, is hardly the kind of place you'd expect to find a superstar. Wel, no one told Isaiah that. In just two years, the talented teen has transformed from a small town singer with big dreams, to one of Australia’s most promising artists. Along the way he’s won The X Factor Australia and released a debut single, It’s Gotta Be You, that charted all over the world and notched up millions of international streams. All that at just 17 years of age.
"I get really emotional when I sing and I think that comes through no matter what language you speak," Isaiah says of his international success, having cracked the Spotify charts in Scandinavia, Asia and beyond including a Platinum single in Sweden. Having successfully completed his own headline tour in Australia earlier this year, Isaiah hits the road with Jessica Mauboy. Although Isaiah’s success may have begun in a small town, the world is listening!
Things you should know about Isaiah
What are the most interesting aspects about your entry?
I am the first indigenous male to represent Australia at Eurovision. I have never been to Europe - my first flight was travelling to Sydney so I could compete in The X Factor. The songwriters of Don’t Come Easy won the Marcel Bezençon Composer Award for best and most original composition at Eurovision 2016.
What are the most impressive facts about you?
I come from a large family of 11 brothers and sisters, I’m very sporty and am a good runner. I also love thrill seeking activities and can’t wait to go skydiving!
Do you have a (lucky) routine before going on-stage?
I like to breathe deeply, think and speak positive things, move around and keep active, say a little prayer and gargle water.
Why is the Eurovision Song Contest important?
Because it's the biggest stage in the world! It’s an extra special honour as an indigenous teenager to represent my country of Australia and inspire young kids around Australia (and the world) that no matter how young you are or where your from you can dare to dream. It's also super important because it's so uniting and it's amazing that we are all together, joyfully celebrating music from around the world.
About the song writers & composers
Don’t Come Easy is composed and written by DNA (David Musumeci & Anthony Egizii) and Michael Angelo. Australian songwriters David Musumeci and Anthony Egizii signed a music publishing deal with EMI Music Publishing in 2011 and an exclusive production deal with Sony Music for the world in 2012 – they have achieved amazing success with 7 number 1 ARIA singles in Australia with over 7 million units sold as writer-producers. DNA also secured the debut winner’s singles from The X Factor Series for five years running with Isaiah’s single, It’s Gotta Be You, reaching #1 on Australian iTunes on release, awarded Platinum status in Sweden and over 44 million streams worldwide on Spotify.
DNA wrote and produced Sound Of Silence, performed by Dami Im at the 2016 Eurovision Song Contest which saw Australia take second place. DNA collected the prestigious Marcel Bezençon Composer Award in 2016. DNA worked with Grammy nominated Michael Angelo (Sam Smith, Hilary Duff, Tove Lo) on Don’t Come Easy.
