ORF, the Austrian national broadcaster has revealed the name of the 2018 Austrian Eurovision representative today. Cesár Sampson will have the honour of flying the Austrian flag at the forthcoming 2018 Eurovision Song Contest in Lisbon next May.

The Austrian broadcaster has once again opted for an internal selection in order to select its Eurovision act and entry. Cesár Sampson will be following Nathan Trent‘s footsteps next year in defending the Austrian colours at Europe’s favorite television show.

The 2018 Austrian Eurovision entry will be released in February next year.

About Cesár Sampson

Cesár is Rhythm:

I initially came in contact with music through rhythm and dance. Both came to me very naturally, and I thought of myself as a percussionist long before I was a professional vocalist. To this day I start my songwriting process by singing rhythmical gibberish, getting the groove and vibration of it all right, until suddenly actual words flow in.

Cesár is Humanity:

When I turned twenty, I reached a point where I felt I wanted to be more than just a musician, I needed a deeper motivation. So I centered the following years around social work as a physical therapist, and in particular, working with people with disabilities and handicaps. After that I came back to music with a totally different approach to it all.

Cesár is Voice:

My voice is the most developed instrument I own, it is the result of a long journey. While I did start off with a fairly good instrument, I really didn’t understand it, it was just kind of there. I feel, to sing with the awareness and experience I have today, makes a world of difference.

Cesár Sampson will represent Austria at the 2018 Eurovision Song Contest next May.

Cesár Sampson and the Eurovision Song Contest are already a success story. As a member of Symphonix International, he was part of the Vienna based producers collective that lead Bulgaria to their historical fourth and second places in Eurovision 2016 and 2017. Together they created Austria’s entry for Lisbon, which will be released in the beginning of 2018.

Cesár Sampson isn’t an unknown quantity in the domestic music scene either. At the age of seventeen he started touring the world as the lead singer for some of Austria’s most internationally acclaimed alternative music acts (Kruder & Dorfmeister, Sofa Surfers, Louie Austen).

After that he mainly worked from behind the scenes of the music business, as a songwriter, lyricist and vocal producer in various international productions. In Austria he wrote Louie Austen’s latest album What a comeback among others.

Ms. Kathrin Zechner (ORF Television Director) says:

Cesár is rhythm, he is a child of humanity, he is a voice! Cesár lives and breathes music and is an emphatic artist! He understands how to use his voice, as a singer and as a human being. His musicality, devotion to his artistry and his holistic approach to his musicianship are contagious. He is equally authentic and unique, just an outstanding Austrian artist, who is sure to make our country proud in Lisbon.

Just as last year, song contest savvy music expert Eberhard Forcher and the ORF-team scouted through the Austrian musical landscape. Their choice fell on the artist, songwriter and producer, born in 1983 in Linz, Austria.

Mr. Eberhard Forcher says :

This year we chose an artist, who only at first glance appears to be a newcomer, as he has successfully participated in the ESC twice already (as vocal producer and support singer for Bulgaria). With his dark, soulful voice and a background, that lies equally in classic gospel as it does in modern electronic-pop, he has all the necessary tools to possibly become a standout in this competition. He is the complete package.

Austria in Eurovision

Austria debuted at the Eurovision Song Contest in 1957 and has won the competition twice in 1966 with Udo Jürgens and in 2014 with Conchita Wurst.

The nation has only made it 7 times to the Top 5 of the leader in its 50 participations in the contest which including: 2 victories (1966 and 2014), 1 fourth placing (1965) and 4 fifth placings (1958, 1972, 1976 and 1989).

Vienna has hosted the competition twice in 1967 when Sandie Shaw gave the United Kingdom its first Eurovision victory and recently in 2015 when Måns Zelmerlöw gave Sweden its 6th Eurovision triumph.

The 2018 Eurovision Song Contest is scheduled to be held on 8, 10 and 12 May at the Altice Arena in Lisbon, Portugal.