As the United Kingdom’s national selection approaches, the six Eurovision-hopefuls receive a lot of media attention. One of the six acts to compete in the British selection are Joe & Jake. Magazine Gay Times interviewed the young artists.

Both Joe Woolford and Jake Shakeshaft were contestants in season four of The Voice UK, Joe being part of Team Rita Ora, while Jake featured in Team will.i.am. Now, they team up as potential British representatives at the Eurovision Song Contest 2016 in Stockholm, Sweden. Gay Times magazine caught up with the duo to interview them about all things Eurovision.

Joe & Jake were first asked about whether they have been long fans of the Eurovision Song Contest as well as asking about their favourite winners:

Jake: Yes! It’s a big tradition to watch it at home with the family, with a take away and a few drinks. Måns wih Heroes [is my favourite]. An amazing upbeat song (I’ve always liked dance music) and the staging was incredible!

Joe: Yes, it’s a big deal for my entire family. My cousin even had a Eurovision themed hen night two years-ago. Loreen, Euphoria [is my favourite]. A great song and a great vocal performance.

Discussing what they believe makes their act different to others the United Kingdom have had before, Jake revealed:

We’re both young, love good pop music and hopeful that we can change some peoples’ perception of the competition in the UK.

Jake went on to discuss his inspiration behind their entry, You’re not alone:

The inspiration is the sentiment of togetherness – having support in times of need and being there for others.

The duo we’re asked why the UK should entrust them to steal back the Eurovision crown this year:

We’re fully committed to giving an incredible performance in this year’s competition and going on to have a successful music career. The song is a massive, feel good anthem, which we think people will love. We’ve given up our jobs and are putting everything we have into ensuring we give the performance of our lives.

Read the interview with Gay Times here, and also enjoy exclusive photographs of the artists.

Joe & Jake’s song You’re not alone was co-written and produced by Matt Schwartz, the man behind Kylie Minogue‘s US number 1-song Timebomb.

Joe & Jake, along with five other acts, will participate in Eurovision: You Decide, Friday 26 February 2016. The show will be broadcast live on BBC Four, and is hosted by Mel Giedroyc.

Listen to Joe & Jake’s song You’re not alone:

Stay tuned to ESCToday.com for all the latest news on the Eurovision Song Contest!