Warrnambool standard 6th Dec, 2019
Singer-songwriter Didirri Peters is making a bid for the Eurovision stage.
The Warrnambool music export has penned an original song and is one of a handful of renowned musicians who will compete at the Eurovision - Australia Decides competition in February where the audience votes to decide who will head to the world song contest in May.
Despite the glitz Eurovision has become known for, Didirri is planning to stay true to himself and his music.
"I'm going to be myself, just with a piano," he said.
"I finished the song and it sat really naturally; I'd put all the flowers in place and was like 'don't touch it, it's done'.
"I'd love to lead people into a quiet place and make someone go 'it doesn't matter what's going on out there right now, we're going to be here for three minutes'.
"I'd be honoured to be that person for someone else."
Didirri said he hopes to create "an intimate moment" for Eurovision.
"It's inspired by missing my first Christmas," he said.
"It's a song about opening up.
"Yet to be released, it's one of the closest songs to my heart."
Announced in the third round of musicians through to Eurovision - Australia Decides alongside Montaigne, Didirri joins Vanessa Amorosi, Casey Donovan, Mitch Tambo, iOTA and four more artists yet to be revealed.
Eurovision will be a first for Didirri having not been a part of the millions who tune into the annual competition, but he hopes to bring something new to the international stage and keep chasing his music dream.
"I have always been interested in writers and although the world of Eurovision is new to me, from the outside it seems to respect a well written song above all else," he said.
"People seem to be free to express their art in whatever way they want.
"I'm a fan of ABBA, they wrote unfiltered, iconic anthems. My sister and I used to sing their stuff together in the bathroom - who knows how they have influenced me, I'm quite a mix bag of ideas.
"I used to sit in front of piano when I was about 10 and I used to picture the audience inside the piano and I would get these little heart flutters.
"I think a lot of people's dreams change but mine's been the same the whole time."
