ORF TV Director Mag Kathrin Zechner :
We have set ourselves the goal to present sophisticated, internationally competitive and Austrian artists in the preliminary round, which need not fear comparison of the highest level. This country has produced great singers and songwriters and will continue to do so. For the Eurovision Song Contest 2013, a team led by Thomas Rabitsch along with ORF have nominated five different artists that demonstrate the variety and quality of contemporary musical creativity in Austria and of which we can be proud of.
ORF TV Head of Entetainment Edgar Böhm:
With the reduction to five acts and the active search for these talents, we wanted to put the essence of the song contest back in the center: Great talents with international stature and distinctive voices. My thanks to the scouting team around Thomas Rabitsch that this exciting talent has found for our preliminary decision.
Yela – the Soul Surprise
Falco Luneau – the boundless Singer-Songwriter
The Bandaloop – the hip Electric Popper
Natália Kelly – the international R & B and pop voice
Elijah– the self-made rocker