Go-Jo from Australia: "I want to be the mascot of confidence"

Booking interviews with the Australian acts is always the yearly challenge for every Eurovision journalist due to the time difference. When Europeans are waking up, Australians are wrapping up their stuff to go home after work.

This time around, it was slightly different as Go-Jo, this year's Australian representative, made himself available no matter the time. When he joined our Zoom meeting, it was almost 23:00 in Australia and you could tell he was exhausted. Still he made the effort and delivered nothing but kind words which is part of his main goal by participating in Eurovision:

– I believe that, and it's something my mother always taught me, we're on this earth to try to help people to get through the human experience as comfortably as possible... As happy and positively as possible and that's something I try to reinforce with my songs.

"Milkshake Man" is a good example of that. Go-Jo, or as he prefers Marty, wrote the song with a group of people having in mind the possibility of inspiring others:

– It's all about creating this environment of fun, confidence and expression... It's about wanting other people to see that and hopefully it'll inspire them to embrace their loudest and proudest version of themselves, he explains.

– The "Milkshake Man" is a character who is larger than life and vibrant. It comes from a concept that I've wanted to write about for so long and it stemmed back from my childhood.

Speaking of which, Go-Jo grew up on a remote area of Australia. His father is French and that was the trigger to start watching Eurovision:

– He was the one who introduced me to Eurovision when I was around four, he recalls.

– He had a cassette tape of ABBA's "Waterloo" and I remember glimpses of the moments I'd watch it. For example, Björn's guitar.

It was at the age of 13, when Marty received his first a guitar, that his interest in making music increased:

– I've been playing guitar since I was 13 and that's when I started thinking about the creation of songs because up until then, I hadn't really thought about it. I then found out that a song can be made on a computer and became obsessed and fascinated. I didn't realise it was so accessible, he says.

– I would spend 12 hours straight in my room trying to learn everything I could about producing.

YouTube was the main source for Marty's discovery and development:

– It took a lot of time but I think the best way to do it is by doing it on your own. It crafts this very individual road that you don't really get when you've lessons.

Go-Jo's Eurovision journey

The thought of doing Eurovision came to him last year when his guitarist hinted he should participate:

– He doesn't even remember telling me this but we were in Germany and he said that. Up until then, I had never thought about participating. It was all that I needed for it to circulate and loop in my brain, he says.

– It's nuts what a sentence can do in your life.

He made it and SBS, Australia's Eurovision broadcaster, invited him to represent the nation in Basel. He's honoured and excited and believes Eurovision is the coolest thing he could ever do as a musician:

– I was invited for a few meetings and interviews with SBS and, if not mistaken, on the third one they announced me as their representative. I just stood there in disbelief but all I wanted to do was call my mom and dad.

It's nuts what a sentence can do in your life.

The response has been incredible:

– The song's being doing so well in Australia. We've been reaching really cool milestones, breaking records and I've even had the Prime Minister of Australia sending me a message, Go-Jo shares.

– It's been making me feel very warm and supported, he concludes.

It's not too long until we find out if the rest of the world will follow up on the success as Eurovision is barely a month away. The staging will play a crucial part on that possible success and, as of now, we know little to nothing about Go-Jo's staging. His lips continue sealed:

– I want to keep everything a secret. I think there's such a magic in the unexpected and in surprises. Whenever you're getting a present that is a wrapped, if you open it beforehand, it will lose its magic, he compares.

Will the music video inspire the performance?

– [Silence]

A mascot of confidence

We continue to speak about Eurovision and we travel to last year's contest in Malmö, a rather controversial year:

– I am just very focused on getting on the ground, meeting everyone and just spreading positivity as far as I can. It's something I will always do until my last breath, he quickly responds.

Even so, Go-Jo considers himself a very competitive person and admits that his goal is to bring the trophy home:

– I'll do everything in my power to bring it home for us, he confidently says.

Throughout our interview, Marty blinks his eyes multiple times and not in a natural way... It looks as if his eyes are dry. They most likely are... It's late and he's tired.

How do you cope with this busy schedule?

– I have a big team behind me that's simply incredible. Everyone's really good and supportive of everything that I need.

Before we let him go, we clarify a few curiosities such as how he wants to be remembered after all is said and done:

– It all ties back to positivity. I want to be the mascot of confidence. I get DMs about that all the time and about how "Milkshake Man" gave someone courage to overcome something. That's the reason I make music, he says.

– I am so glad that I have an avenue through art of music where I can help people go through their human experience, it's an honour for me.

It's time to say goodbye. Before Go-Jo disconnects, he shares that Lucio Corsi's "Volevo essere un duro", Zoë Më's "Voyage" and Kyle's "Lighter" are some of his favourite and that a spearmint milkshake is his favourite.

– What's yours?, he asks me.

Surely not spearmint, I thought to myself.

Go-Jo is scheduled to open Eurovision 2025's second semi-final with his song "Milkshake Man"on 15 May.