Isaiah Firebrace

Isaiah Firebrace
Firebrace at the 2017 Eurovision Song Contest
Background information
Born (1999-11-21) 21 November 1999 (age 24)
Portland, Victoria, Australia
OriginMoama, New South Wales, Australia
GenresPop
Soul
OccupationSinger
Years active2016–present
LabelsSony
Websiteisaiahofficial.com

Isaiah Firebrace (born 21 November 1999) is an Australian singer who won the eighth season of The X Factor Australia in 2016. He then represented Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 with the song "Don't Come Easy", where he finished 9th.[1]

Early life

One of twelve children, Firebrace was born in Portland, Victoria, and raised in Moama, New South Wales. He is an Aboriginal Australian; his father is Yorta Yorta and his mother Gunditjmara.[2] Firebrace first came to public attention when he entered the Fast Track Singing Competition in Melbourne.[3] This led to a scholarship at the David Jaanz School of Singing.[2]

Career

2016: The X Factor and debut album

Main articles: The X Factor (Australia season 8) and Isaiah (album)

Isaiah auditioned for the eighth season of The X Factor Australia, singing a cover of Adele's "Hello". Making it through to Bootcamp, he performed a cover of Alicia Keys' "If I Ain't Got You". From the live shows, he advanced to the Grand Final.[4]

On 21 November 2016, at the Grand Final, Isaiah performed Avicii's "Wake Me Up" with Jessica Mauboy, and his winner's single "It's Gotta Be You", winning the contest. His winner's single peaked at number 26 on the Australian Singles Chart. The song also charted in Denmark, Netherlands, New Zealand, and Sweden.[5]

On 9 December 2016, Isaiah released his debut studio album Isaiah. The album peaked at number 12 on the Australian Albums Chart.[5]

2017–present: Eurovision Song Contest and subsequent projects

Main article: Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest 2017
Isaiah at Kyiv (2017)

Following his X-Factor win, Firebrace reported that he was interested in representing Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest, and put his name forward for possible participation in the 2017 contest.[6] On 7 March 2017, broadcaster SBS announced that they had internally selected Firebrace to represent Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2017 in Kyiv, Ukraine. His entry, "Don't Come Easy", was written by DNA Songs, who also composed Dami Im's entry "Sound of Silence".[1]

On 9 May 2017, he qualified from the first semi-final and competed in the final on 13 May, finishing in 9th place.

Throughout 2019, Firebrace completed a 55-date 'Spirit and Beyond' tour through central and regional Australia, where he made it a priority to speak with as many Aboriginal school children as possible to pass on powerful messages about working hard to achieve goals and the importance of finding a passion.[7]

In 2019, Firebrace sang the Australian National Anthem at the TAB Million Dollar Chase greyhound race[8] at Wentworth Park.

In July 2020, Firebrace released "Know Me Better". He said "This song actually means a lot to me because I finally feel like I'm starting to know myself better and I am heading in the direction I want to with my music. I've been in the studio a lot over the last three years and have experimented with lots of styles but 'Know Me Better' is a song that I'm really proud to release. I love the song, I love the production and I just can't wait to be able to show people this song".[7] Firebrace also announced that he was writing a children's book, "The Purple Platypus", which pushes a positive message for kids who feel different.[7]

In August 2020, Firebrace was revealed to be competing as the "Wizard" on the second season of The Masked Singer Australia. He was the sixth contestant eliminated, placing 7th overall.[9]

Isaiah Firebrace performs at Avondale School, 1 December 2019.
Firebrace performing in December 2019

In 2022, Firebrace participated in Eurovision - Australia Decides for a chance to represent his country in the 2022 contest. He duetted with singer Evie Irie with the song "When I'm With You", ultimately finishing in 10th place.

In September 2022, Firebrace released "Come Together" with Lee Kernaghan and Mitch Tambo.[10] The song coincides with Firebrace's new children's book, also called Come Together, published on 16 November 2022.[10][11] Illustrated by Jaelyn Biumaiwai, the book was shortlisted for the 2023 CBCA Eve Pownall Award.[12]

In November 2022, Firebrace released the self-composed Christmas song "First Christmas".[13]

Discography

Studio albums

Title Details Peak chart positions
AUS
[5] 		NZ
Heat.
[14]
Isaiah 12 5

Singles

As lead artist

Title Year Peak chart positions Certifications Album
AUS
[5] 		BEL
(Fl)
Tip
[16] 		DEN
[17] 		NLD
[18] 		NZ
Heat.
[19] 		SWE
[20]
"It's Gotta Be You" 2016 26 —[A] 21 60 6 15 Isaiah
"Don't Come Easy" 2017 69 47 — — — 50 Eurovision Song Contest 2017
"Streets of Gold"[24] — — — — — — TBA
"Close to Me"[25] 2018 — — — — — —
"Spirit"[26] 2019 — — — — — —
"What Happened to Us"[27] — — — — — —
"Thinking About You"[28] 2020 — — — — — —
"Know Me Better"[29][30] — — — — — —
"You"[31] — — — — — —
"Blame on Me"[32] 2021 — — — — — —
"More Than Me"[33] — — — — — —
"When I'm With You"
(with Evie Irie)[34] 		2022 — — — — — —
"Come Together"
(with Lee Kernaghan and Mitch Tambo)[10] 		— — — — — —
"First Christmas"[13] — — — — — —
"Have You Ever?"[35] 2023 — — — — — —
"All I Can Give"[36] — — — — — —
"Balance" 2024 — — — — — —
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that territory.
List of singles as featured artist
Song Year Album
"You're the Voice"
(as part of United Voices Against Domestic Violence)[37] 		2017 Non-album single

Notes

  1. ^ "It's Gotta Be You" did not chart on the Flemish Ultratop 50, but did register on the Ultratip chart.[16]

Non-single album appearances

Title Year Album
"Something Stupid"
(with Jessica Mauboy) 		2017 The Secret Daughter Season Two: Songs from the Original 7 Series[38]
"Don't Change" 2018 Countdown: Live At The Sydney Opera House[38]
"Dont Dream Its Over"
"Solid Rock"
(with Shane Howard)
"Dont Dream Its Over"
(with Stan Walker) 		2020 Deadly Hearts: Walking Together[39]

Awards and nominations

Country Music Awards of Australia

The Country Music Awards of Australia is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival. Celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They commenced in 1973.

Year Nominee / work Award Result Ref.
2023 "Come Together" (with Lee Kernaghan and Mitch Tambo) Vocal Collaboration of the Year Nominated [40]
Heritage Song of the Year Nominated

References

  1. ^ a b Escudero, Victor M. (7 March 2017). "Isaiah is Australia's artist for Kyiv!". eurovision.tv. European Broadcasting Union. Retrieved 7 March 2017.
  2. ^ a b Durham, Penny (6 May 2017). "Q&A: Isaiah Firebrace, singer, 17". The Australian. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  3. ^ "X Factor favourite Isaiah Firebrace living the dream". Bendigo Advertiser. Bendigo. 4 November 2016. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  4. ^ "The X Factor Australia: Isaiah Firebrace takes out grand final". The Sydney Morning Herald. 22 November 2016. Retrieved 20 May 2017.
  5. ^ a b c d Peaks in Australia:
  6. ^ Granger, Anthony (29 November 2016). "Australia: Isaiah Firebrace Puts Name Forward For Eurovision 2017". Eurovoix.com. Retrieved 1 December 2016.
  7. ^ a b c "Isaiah Firebrace drops radio-ready single "Know Me Better"". The Music Network. 29 July 2020. Retrieved 1 August 2020.
  8. ^ "TAB Million Dollar Chase – TAB Million Dollar Chase Hub – MDC Event Information". The Dogs. Retrieved 23 October 2019.[permanent dead link]
  9. ^ Whitehead, Mat (26 August 2020). "Isaiah Firebrace Couldn't Tell His Dad He Was On The Masked Singer". 10 Play. ViacomCBS ANZ. Retrieved 26 August 2020.
  10. ^ a b c "Isaiah Firebrace, Mitch Tambo and Lee Kernaghan release new song "Come Together"". Aussie Vision. 16 September 2022. Retrieved 16 September 2022.
  11. ^ "Come Together". HardieGrant. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  12. ^ "CBCA Awards 2023 shortlists announced". Books+Publishing. 28 March 2023. Retrieved 29 March 2023.
  13. ^ a b "Isaiah Released New Single "First Christmas"!". My Euro Freaks. 20 November 2022. Retrieved 26 December 2022.
  14. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Albums Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 19 December 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  15. ^ "Isaiah by Isaiah". iTunes Australia (Apple). Retrieved 27 November 2016.
  16. ^ a b "ultratop.be – Discografie Isaiah". Hung Medien. Retrieved 3 June 2017.
  17. ^ "danishcharts.dk – Discography Isaiah". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  18. ^ "dutchcharts.nl – Discografie Isaiah". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  19. ^ "NZ Heatseekers Singles Chart". Recorded Music NZ. 5 December 2016. Retrieved 30 January 2017.
  20. ^ "swedishcharts.com – Discography Isaiah". Hung Medien. Retrieved 11 May 2017.
  21. ^ "ARIA Charts – Accreditations – 2018 Singles". ARIA. 2018. Retrieved 17 June 2018.
  22. ^ "CERTIFICERINGER Danish single certifications". IFPI Denmark. p. 104. Retrieved 29 June 2017.
  23. ^ "Sverigetopplistan – Sveriges Officiella Topplista" (Enter "Isaiah" in the search bar, click on "Visa" below "It's Gotta Be You"). Sverigetopplistan. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  24. ^ "Streets of Gold – Single by Isaiah on Apple Music". iTunes Store. 28 July 2017. Retrieved 28 July 2017.
  25. ^ "Close to Me by Isaiah on Apple Music". Apple Music. 5 October 2018. Retrieved 7 October 2018.
  26. ^ "Spirit by Isaiah on Apple Music". Apple Music. 5 July 2019. Retrieved 5 July 2019.
  27. ^ "What Happened to Us on Apple Music". Apple Music. 15 November 2019. Retrieved 24 November 2019.
  28. ^ "Thinking About You – Single by Isaiah". Apple Music. 17 January 2020. Retrieved 17 January 2020.
  29. ^ "Know Me Better on Apple Music". Apple Music. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  30. ^ "Singles to Radio". The Music Network. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 24 July 2020.
  31. ^ "You – Single by Isaiah Firebrace on Apple Music". Apple Music. 11 December 2020. Retrieved 4 January 2021.
  32. ^ "Blame on Me – Single by Isaiah Firebrace". Apple Music. 4 June 2021. Retrieved 4 June 2021.
  33. ^ "More Than Me – Single by Isaiah Firebrace". Apple Music. 12 November 2021. Retrieved 12 November 2021.
  34. ^ "Evie Irie joins Isaiah Firebrace on the 'Eurovision – Australia Decides' stage". Special Broadcasting Service. 22 January 2022. Retrieved 24 January 2022.
  35. ^ "New music this week (part 2): Songs from Marco Mengoni, Loïc Nottet, Eldar and more". Wiwibloggs. 28 May 2023. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
  36. ^ "ALL I CAN GIVE - OUT NOW". Facebook. 29 September 2023. Retrieved 1 October 2023.
  37. ^ "You're the Voice (single)". Apple Music. 30 May 2017. Retrieved 23 January 2021.
  38. ^ a b "Secret Daughter Season Two, The – Otv (Songs From The Original TV Series)". JB Hi-Fi. Retrieved 29 September 2017.
  39. ^ "VA Deadly Hearts 3". JBHiFi. Retrieved 1 November 2020.
  40. ^ "Tamworth Toyota Golden Guitar Award Nominees Announced". The Music. 22 November 2022. Retrieved 23 November 2022.
Wikimedia Commons has media related to Isaiah Firebrace.
Awards and achievements
Preceded by The X Factor Australia
Winner
2016 		Succeeded by
N/A (show cancelled)
Preceded by Australia in the Eurovision Song Contest
2017 		Succeeded by