Australia: SBS reveals two more contestants for Eurovsion: Australia Decides 2020

The clock is ticking days are going by and the national finals in many countries are getting closer on the calendar.With the Australian national final set to take plac eon February 7,2002 ,the Australian national broadcaster has unveiled two more Eurovsion: Australia Decides acts.

Mitch Tambo and iOTA are the two new acts that will be comepting in the 2nd edition of Eurovsion: Australia Decides,  the Australian national final for Eurovision 2020. They will be joining Casey Donovan and Vanessa Amorosi who were revealed some days before. 

As already announced Australia has opted for a second year to hold a national final , which is set to take place on  February 7 at the Gold Coast Exhibition and Convention Centre on the Gold Coast, Queensland. The national final will see 10 acts compete for the right to represent the country in Rotterdam next May. Responsible for the show are the two broadcasters,  SBS and Blink TV Australia while the televised show will be pesented to us by and will be hosted by TV presenter Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey.

Let’s go and see who are Australia’s two neo potential hopefuls for Eurovision 2020:

Mitch Tambo

The Gamilaraay/Birri Gubba man is known for his Yidaki (Didgeridoo) playing, traditional dancing and singing. His journey has enabled him to make his way from country Australia to around the world stage, blending traditional sounds with contemporary music. The essence of Tambo’s music is his heritage, he sings songs in his language of Gamilaraay and traditional instruments to create modern music of a contemporary Aboriginal man.

The 29 yo act wore  his trademark headpiece of Dhinawan feathers and the crest of the Murray, a totem of his people, in this year’s edition of  Australia’s Got Talent .

Mitch Tambo commenting his national final participation says:

I’m thrilled to be part of Eurovision Australia Decides in 2020 and to get the chance to perform on the world’s biggest stage

Eurovision songs often mix elements of traditional and contemporary sounds, which is exactly what I set out to do in my own music. Most importantly, it brings different cultures together all under the banner of music, which is a beautiful thing!

iOTA

Iota is a New Zealand-Australian singer-songwriter and actor. As a musician he has issued six studio albums and was nominated for Best Independent Release for The Hip Bone Connection (1999) at the ARIA Music Awards of 2000. He has won four Helpmann Awards: Best Male Actor in a Musical in 2007 for Hedwig in Hedwig and the Angry Inch (2006 Australian cast) and Best Cabaret Performer, Best New Australian Work and Best Original Score for his work in Smoke and Mirrors in 2010.

iOTA’s first album The Hip Bone Connection was released in 1999 and earned an ARIA nomination for Best Independent Release in 2000. Following the release of the album, iOTA was labelled as an acoustic/blues/roots musician, a label he does not like. His second, Big Grandfather, was considered less accessible, more atmospheric and was not as successful as his first. His third, La Caravana, “is about the nomadic life of a musician”. His fourth and most recent is Beauty Queen of the Sea and uses a full electric band, moving towards rock and away from his previous roots label

iOTA says:

I’m not your typical music competition kind of guy, but I am attracted to the Eurovision Song Contest for the colour and movement, music and performance, light and shade, creativity and self-expression, singing and working an audience.

Mr. Paul Clarke ( Australian Head of Delegation/ Creative Director Eurovision Australia Decides) commneted on these two new contestants:

Mitch Tambo has 500-watt charisma in person, it’s like meeting Robbie Williams. But most importantly, when he sings it’s with great passion and inclusive spirit.

Regarding iOTA Paul Clarke adds:

We have a brilliant song and stage moment in mind with him, which I can promise will deliver plenty of drama, along with more than a touch of mischief and danger.

The national broadcaster has six more acts to complete the full line up for the country’s second national final

Source: SBS Australia