Today, SBS and production partner Blink TV are proud to announce the artist who will represent Australia at the 68th Eurovision Song Contest in Malmö, Sweden, is South Australia’s powerful, ethereal duo Electric Fields.
The extraordinary voice of Zaachariaha Fielding and brilliance of producer and keyboardist Michael Ross unite in a way that can only be described as magic, merging traditional living culture with music that ranges from soulful pop to epic-scale electronica.
Electric Fields are the first duo to represent Australia at the song contest. Released today via Wonderlick Recording Company and Sony Music Entertainment Australia, their song One Milkali (One Blood) also incorporates Yankunytjatjara; an Aboriginal language of the Anangu peoples, one of the oldest living cultures on earth.
From the moment their 2024 Eurovision song One Milkali (One Blood) starts it will stop you in your tracks. Zaachariaha’s arresting vocals immediately command attention against a twinkling chorus of instruments as he states, “I stand in the eye of the spiral,” as if on the precipice of something great. Something so infinitely beautiful, it’s almost unimaginable.
Perhaps inspired by the breathtaking surrounds of Zaachariaha’s home, Anangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara Lands (also known as the APY Lands of South Australia), or the dreams which are forever in their reach, each beat of One Milkali (One Blood) is like a homecoming and awakening at once.
You can’t help but smile as its melody gathers momentum in a swell of musicality that makes you want to dance, jive, and have the time of your life!
It’s as if the journey from Mimili to Malmö was written in the stars. Born 10 years and one day apart, kismet is the key to their constellation of song. Their influences so broad and sweeping, it would be an injustice to put a label on their sound.
Storytelling that honours Zaachariaha’s connection to his Country, cultures, and peoples – singing in Pitjantjatjara, Yankunytjatjara, and English – fuses with Michael’s finesse for futuristic compositions so effortlessly their music feels truly fresh and modern. The co-writing duo’s motto to “bypass the barriers” extends to every element of their being in pure celebration.
Eurovision fans will remember Electric Fields from SBS’ 2019 national selection show, Eurovision – Australia Decides (E-AD), where they came a close second to Kate Miller-Heidke with their unforgettable, upbeat track 2000 And Whatever. They’re elated to join the Eurovision universe once more, and this time, represent Australia on the global stage.
Their entry, One Milkali (One Blood), loosely translates to ‘One Blood’ and is their dream for a world where we are all united. It’s a world disco in the face of the vast universe, mirroring the kinship we all share with the repeating patterns of nature.
Like two halves of a whole, the lyric video sees Zaachariaha and Michael side by side, baring their souls to reflect that without all our armour, we are all more similar than we are different. As neon lights shine around them, it shows how we’re made of atoms and cosmic dust, at one with ourselves, each other, and the planet.
Seasoned producers and performers, Zaachariaha and Michael live up to their name, electrifying audiences with their dance moves and beaming smiles on national headline tours, extravagant collaborations with symphony orchestras, and star turns at some of the biggest festivals throughout Australia, Asia, New Zealand, United States, UK, and Europe.
With the world at their feet, Electric Fields are ready to dance to their own tune and invite everyone to the party.
Electric Fields said:
“We are buzzed with euphoria at our chance to share this music with the world. Our music comes from the deepest place in both of us and Eurovision is the most exciting opportunity to bring together our cultures and share the joy of our global connection.”
SBS Head of Entertainment Emily Griggs said:
“Electric Fields are set to captivate Europe with their genre-defying music. By blending catchy beats with a beautiful sentiment, they have crafted an uplifting dance anthem One Milkali (One Blood).”
“With their unparalleled passion and infectious energy SBS is proud to have Electric Fields amplify Australian voices and leave audiences yearning for more.”
Director of Blink TV and Australia’s Creative Director for Malmö Paul Clarke said:
“Since hearing their brilliant song 2000 And Whatever, we have always had our eye on Electric Fields for Eurovision.”
“They came close to winning E-AD back then, but they are far stronger a few years down the track. Electric Fields will bring something never seen before on the Eurovision stage. They will be deadly in Malmö!”
Sweden’s Loreen took out the title with a historic win at the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, United Kingdom, with her song Tattoo – a strong successor to her popular Eurovision anthem from 2012 Euphoria.
In 2023, the United Kingdom hosted the competition on Ukraine’s behalf, with the theme ‘United by Music’ now a permanent slogan for the contest to reflect the power of music to bring people together across the world.
This year marks the seventh time Sweden will host Eurovision after previously hosting three times in Stockholm (1975, 2000, 2016), twice in Malmö (1992, 2013) and once in Gothenburg (1985). It will also be 50 years since ABBA won the contest with their song Waterloo, setting them on course for global success.
SBS’s exclusive coverage will once again be in the capable hands of music buff Myf Warhurst and comedian Joel Creasey.
SBS and Blink TV’s production of 2023’s Eurovision Song Contest Grand Final won the AACTA Award for Best Entertainment Program, and this year will mark Australia’s ninth year participating in the event.
Eurovision Song Contest is held from Tuesday 7 May – Saturday 11 May 2024 (CEST). Details of SBS’s broadcast will follow in the coming months.
