She’s the multi-platinum selling and award-winning singer-songwriter who was one of the first to be announced for Australia’s inaugural national final, Eurovision: Australia Decides.
After teasing us all week with snippets of her dramatic track, Kate Miller-Heidke has finally dropped her entry “Zero Gravity”. Written by Kate with her collaborator Keir Nuttal, it’s left us saying, wow — what a roller coaster of feels.
Opening with Miller-Heidke’s strongly identifiable ethereal and almost-haunting vocals, the Australian songstress takes us on a complete musical journey — from piano to popera to drum and bass. This is not monotone in the slightest, rather an eclectic collection of sounds, feelings and words blended together for the richest of flavour.
Miller-Heidke’s strength is not just in her song’s composition, but in her own vocals. She hits notes that would make 2018’s Elina Nechayeva from Estonia balk with jealousy, while also experimenting with some sizzling staccato in the chorus. She combines music genres so fluidly that she almost reinvents the musical wheel. Roll on, sister!
“Zero Gravity” is anything but the Swedish pop you see permeating many national finals — it is pure artistic flair that keeps you gripped for three minutes and beyond. In short, this is real good and a testament to Miller-Heidke’s ability.
In a statement sent to wiwibloggs, Miller-Heidke says she’s excited to perform — despite the song being a technically difficult one to sing.
“Zero Gravity is a song about emerging from a depression. I went through a very low period after the birth of my son. The song tries to capture the feeling of coming back to life. I really wanted to write a song that seamlessly blends pop and opera in a non-cheesy way. It’s ultimately a very empowering and uplifting song to perform (as well as a very challenging one with its long high D flat! Why the hell did I put that in??!!).”
Who is Kate Miller-Heidke?
A Brisbane native like 2016’s Dami Im, Kate Miller-Heidke has a prolific and successful back catalogue, even since leaving her record label and making it as an independent artist.
Trained as a classical singer at the Queensland Conservatorium, Kate has performed at the Metropolitan Opera in New York and held several roles for the English National Opera.
She’s been nominated for multiple ARIA Awards and has also performed on stage. Her most famous track is “The Last Day on Earth”, which hit #3 in Australia and has been used in numerous TV shows as well.
With her collaborator Keir Nuttall, she has written the music and lyrics to Muriel’s Wedding: The Musical, which premiered at the Sydney Theatre Company and will play a return season in Sydney and Melbourne throughout 2019. It won five Helpmann Awards in 2018, which celebrates Australia’s performing arts, including Best Original Score.
Speaking about her participation in Eurovision: Australia Decides, Miller-Heidke spoke of her vulnerability in entering such a contest:
“I’ve never done anything like this before. I do feel vulnerable putting myself out there in a competitive setting. I’m trying to ignore that element, and thinking of it as a very eclectic celebration of Australian music. I think there will be a lot of solidarity amongst the performers.”
Australia’s finalists for Eurovision 2019 are Sheppard, Aydan, Mark Vincent, Electric Fields, Leea Nanos, Courtney Act, Kate Miller-Heidke, Alfie Arcuri, Ella Hooper and Tania Doko. Australia Decides will be presented at the Gold Coast Convention Centre on Friday 8 and Saturday 9 February.
Really? Have you actually listened to Elina’s high notes? There’s a massive difference in KMH and Elina’s voice control and power, KMH is nowhere near Elina…
This has to win!
I’ve heard a little rumour that the staging for this is going to be very, very memorable. Nothing more than that, but it’s pique my interest 🙂
It always changes. It starts slowly, then it gets more pop and the operatic chorus, then beat is added. It’s interesting but maybe it’s too messy. Many things blended together.
It’s too… extra. Maybe it’s perfect for Eurovision? Not a fan tho.
This is *too* good
Sounds good. A bit too Swedish for me, though. Kudos to Kate for hitting those high notes, but this one it’s not for me. Still an interesting pop-opera song, but I can’t feel it.
Wig snatched officially. Absolutely love this. Winner vibes. Please send this Australia.
By far
1. Happy 2000 and Whatever 9.9/10
2. Zero Gravity 9.4/10
3. This is not the End 8.5/10
4. Set me Free 7.5/10
5. To Myself 6.5/10
6. Dust 6/10
5. Fight for Love 5.5/10 (https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H4og985UOrs) (A trully genuine song)
Wow! I’m flashed! This is different in a positive way. The pop verses, the Z-E-R-O opera part and the “epic feeling”. For me the last minute is meant to be repetitive like a mantra: Uplifting, powerful, epic. Powerful staging and we have a winner. Top 10 in Tel Aviv for sure! 😀
It feels like this decade’s La Voix! Interesting and promising but messy . Like three songs in one!
I appreciate the vocals, but the song is really messy.
Not sure if I like it, probably a positive sign
I just found this. Her rendition of Britney Spear’s Toxic is so fun! She has an amazing vocal.
https://youtu.be/q6wIxSE3GVI
Australia, you better vote for this gurl. He slayin’ the pack!!! Good luck 🙂
It seems that eurovision-fans are excited about just anything this year! This song is just a mess.
The best song of the Eurovision season so far. Did NOT expect this.
Could not agree more
It’s a really interesting song. Never heard one like that before. It could be a bonus for Kate, she’s standing out from the other constestants with ‘Zero Gravity’ 🙂
But for now, Electric Fields still have the best song for me 😉 Followed by Aydan and ‘Dust’ 😛
What a cool, surprising entry.
I’m thrilled by Australia Decides. So many fun, vibrant, sincere entries. It’s a shame only one can go to Eurovision, because there’s many strong entries here.
I’m so refreshed listening to this release after the utterly depressing “Freaks” from the UK.
If Freaks wins, I’m gonna riot!
i didn’t know jacque houdek had a sister
Yaaaas! Totally awesome. 🙂
The “stone in my shoe” is an unresolved piano chord, nice.
I love the “Magic Flute”-esque hook. With vocal harmonies. And is that “drum n bass” in the middle of the song? Just wow. Perhaps we should set more Mozart to drum n bass and see what happens? 😀
Purple Mask, soul sister. Happily, I completely agree with you here too 🙂
SO TOTALLY NOT GENERIC 🙂
Im jealous of Australia decides. Macedonia, Slovenia, San Marino and some other usual bottom countries should have one of Australias songs. Sad just only one can go to ESC :(. At least 5 deserve to go.
Just like last year’s “Lost and Found”, this is a beautiful mess (not comparing it to Bulgaria’s successful entry, obviously). I liked the result, kudos to Kate for coming with something that creative. Though I agree with Loin dici, the ending is the weakest part and broke the flow a little bit for me. I would like it better if it had at least 20 seconds less of that “Nothing holding me down” repetition. Anyway, another good entry from a promising national final.
“Lost and Found” meets “La Forza”
Let’s hope it works more like the second when performed live.
Don’t forget “No prejudice”. She may stutter when she sings: Ze-e-e-e-e-ro Gra-a-a-a-a-a-avity.
I actually want to love this one, but towards the end I start looking at the time. I can’t take off and I want to because it started out in such a promising way.
I know the feeling. Maybe the staging will make the third act feel less repectitive?
Hopefully. It’s actually winning me over and becoming my favorite in this NF.
Oddly satisfying mix of pop, opera and… film music, I guess? I can totally picture jury going for this.
This is more of a Televote song in my opinion.
Yes. This is definitely televote bait entry.
It’s indeed very cinematic. I’m curious about how they’ll stage it.
wut 0.o
So happy with this song, I think it’s a song aussies could be so proud of if it becomes our entry. Douze points from me!
I don’t like opera but I really enjoy this which has modern taste. Plus, it’s important to be different to stand out. I can see this being divisive but it’s better to be talked about than to be ignored.
I mean, this is a big mess but I’m kinda digging it lol. But it’s just too much going on, I don’t know girl…
I don’t know if this is really that eclectic or has too much elements for me to like it. The first verse sounded like Ellie Goulding, then we got a stuttering hook, it started to go upbeat, and suddenly fell down with a bassline. It repeated the cycle from the start, we got an operatic bridge, and the weakest part might be the ending. It’s interesting, but doesn’t catch people at first listen.
Hey you, take me with ya to that place.
Hmm, I certainly like the topic and I am intrigued but ultimately, the song does not make take off to that desirable place of zero gravity. For me, the focus is too much on showing off her vocals and less on the songwriting, which is alway a big no-no for me.