Electric Fields competed for Australia at the Eurovision Song Contest 2024 in Malmö. Unfortunately, the synth-pop duo launched “One Milkali” (One Blood) in Malmö without success.
Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross are behind Electric Fields. Singer Fielding is an Australian Aboriginal artist. Keyboarder Ross has made a name for himself as a DJ and producer. Both are linked by the cultural diversity of the fifth continent.
VIDEO: Australia: Electric Fields – “One milkali (One Blood)” | First ESC semi-final 2024 (3 min)
Zaachariaha Fielding: Whitney Houston as a musical idol
Fielding comes from the small town of Quorn in the state of South Australia. As a child, he moved with his family to the indigenous community of Mimili. Fielding was already singing at school, impressed by Whitney Houston. At the age of 13 he went to a boarding school in Adelaide; the rules and structures were a challenge for the boy with indigenous roots. He describes growing up as very problematic; the other children made it difficult for him. After leaving school, Fielding studied Indigenous Australian music and produced his own music at the Center for Aboriginal Studies in Music at the University of Adelaide. Painting developed into his second passion. He sees art as an emotional experience; he can use it to process painful episodes in his life therapeutically.
Electro sounds combine with the language of the Aborigines
Both Zaachariaha Fielding and Michael Ross’ music is about authenticity and identity.
Like many ESC acts, Fielding and Ross go through casting shows: both take part in “Factor X”. Fielding made it to the finals of “The Voice” in 2014. A year later, the two teamed up to form the duo Electric Fields. Ross electronic sounds combine with Aboriginal language. Following the release of their debut EP Inmá in 2016, Daniel Browning, presenter and producer of public broadcaster ABC Radio National, enthuses: “The beauty and sheer power of their musicality is simply breathtaking. They often use Zaachariaha’s traditional language, the language of the Aṉangu Pitjantjatjara Yankunytjatjara people, in her songs, her genre, her art she spans a wide spectrum, from pop to haunting electronic works to quite intense, intimate stories.”
The Anangu people are one of the oldest living cultures on earth. In recognition of their work and development, Electric Fields received the 2016 Emily Burrows Award, a music prize for South Australian artists and bands. A year later, they received the 2017 National Indigenous Music Awards.
“We had to fit into a box”
Both Fielding and Ross do not allow themselves to be forced into gender roles; both show masculine and feminine sides. And in their music they celebrate exactly who they are. “One thing that really brought us together was… we weren’t allowed to be ourselves, natural, authentic – we had to fit into a box. We’re both so tired of that,” Ross tells the Australian broadcaster “SBS”.
Melting pot of musical and cultural influences
We’re excited about our chance to share this music with the world. Our music comes from deep within us both and Eurovision is the most exciting opportunity to bring our cultures together and share the joy of our global connection. Electric Fields
In “One Milkali” singer Fielding and keyboardist Ross fuse catchy beats and soulful pop with the traditional. They are about overcoming barriers. Her song “One Milkali” (One Blood) reflects her dream of a world in which everyone is united. “As we entertain the gods, it rains love”. Luke assisted Million Electric Fields in the production. Among other things, he is responsible for the theme music for the successful “Netflix” series Stranger Things, which went viral in 2016.
Electric Fields finish behind Kate Miller-Heidke in 2019
At the ESC in Israel 2019, Kate Miller-Heidke floated four meters above the stage.
As in the previous year, the Australian broadcaster SBS and its production partner Blink TV Electric Fields nominated internally. The South Australian duo already got a taste of the ESC in 2019. In the preliminary decision “Eurovision – Australia Decides”, Fielding and Ross narrowly lost to Kate Miller-Heidke. In Israel, the singer achieved ninth place with her soaring on a swinging pole. Incidentally, Ross is not afraid of unexpected heights: he easily rides on the giant swing at the fair seven times in a row. Not a bad training for the sometimes dizzying ESC hype.
Further information
Australia made its ESC debut at the 60th Eurovision Song Contest in Vienna. Australians have been enthusiastic about ESC since 1974. more
3 Min
Electric Fields compete for Australia at the ESC with “One Milkali (One Blood)”. Here is the official music video for the song. 3 mins
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ONE | Eurovision Song Contest | May 7, 2024 | 9:00 p.m