Tom Neuwirth alias Conchita Wurst: Then he would compete in the ESC again

From August 16, Tom Neuwirth (35), better known as his fictional character Conchita Wurst, will be looking for the best tribute band. In the Sat.1 show “The Tribute – The Show of Music Legends”, the ESC winner will sit on the jury with Yvonne Catterfeld (44) and Bertram Engel (66). Together with the singer and the drummer of Udo Lindenberg (78) and Peter Maffay (74), the Austrian musician will judge 12 cover bands. The broadcast will start on Friday, August 16 (8:15 p.m.). The episodes will be available a week earlier on the streaming service Joyn.

In an interview with the news agency spot on news, the singer talks about his expectations of tribute bands, his idea of ​​a perfect summer and another ESC participation. He also reveals how he pulls himself together in difficult times and what his acting debut in the play “Luziwuzi” taught him.

In the show you want to find the best cover bands. You have already released a few covers, but which artist would you like to sing one of their songs with and which one?

Tom Neuwirth: Cher is at the top of the list because we have been in contact before. Although that is a bit of an exaggeration. She tweeted about me once and that’s it. That’s why I naturally think we are best friends. “Believe” by Cher in the piano version: That always works. I would like to do that.

What do you think a good cover band should bring to the table? How do you make sure it doesn’t become a poor copy of the original?

Neuwirth: The answer is contradictory because I think it requires authenticity. You have to incorporate your own style, your own personality, so that it becomes emotional and connects with people. If you just work it down, you might be a good cover performer. But for it to really work, you have to find your own side in the other person’s art.

You won the Eurovision Song Contest 10 years ago. Would you rather compete there today or would you have preferred to have been able to set an example for diversity back then?

Neuwirth: Everything happens as it should. I am of course very grateful that I had this moment and everything that happened afterwards or during it or with a whole community. It was a huge privilege for me to be in this situation in the role that I played. Nevertheless, after Loreen won again, I thought to myself: “Great, do I have to do it again?” (laughs). I am also such a competitive person that I think to myself: “Now I want to try again.” When the right song comes along – back to authenticity – I think it has to come really naturally. If I think to myself, this is the song and this is the vision, then I would compete again. But not until then. To answer the question: I see an extreme appeal in taking part in the Eurovision Song Contest in the current situation. But I am also glad that it happened the way it did.

The time around the ESC was very stressful for you, as one could tell from interviews. You were functioning well on stage, but privately it was no longer working. You are still releasing music and traveling a lot – are you feeling better now?

Neuwirth: Thank you very much. Yes, I’m doing very well. I think it’s also part of getting older. We all have experiences that challenge us, that probably have to happen. Anyway, I was still young back then, I have to say, in my mid-20s. Now I would make decisions differently, I would have a different self-image and a different standing as a person. I think it’s good that everything happened the way it did and good that I learned from it and can reflect on what I would do differently today or how I would behave differently in situations. But yes, thank you, I’m doing very well. I feel very centered.

Do you have a specific situation in mind in which you would have acted differently?

Neuwirth: On the one hand, in many professional respects I didn’t have the know-how back then to say: “Well, that’s my opinion and I want it that way and I trust myself when I make a decision with advertising partners.” Be it from a business perspective or musically. On the other hand, my ego doesn’t stand in the way anymore. I think a lot of things developed that way because I was defiant or hurt my ego and didn’t feel seen. Looking back, you think, well, I was in my mid-20s and sometimes everything is a bit more dramatic than it actually is. I developed out of that.

In your new single “Any Day From Now On” you sing about solidarity and look to the future with hope. You talk about leaving dark clouds behind. Who or what gives you support in difficult times?

Neuwirth: Of course my environment, my circle of friends, the people I surround myself with, my family. And I have always had a strong will, because one of my main motivations is to develop myself. And if I notice that something is blocking me or something is making me unhappy, then I am not too proud to evaluate myself. It is a combination of everything. I learned a little bit from my grandmother. You are responsible for yourself. If you are not feeling well, you can of course look for a supporting hand or a “shoulder to cry on” from those around you, but you have to do the work yourself. That is what I always try to do.

To talk about another song: three years ago you released the summery “Malibu”, which still puts you in a good mood when the weather is warm. You sing about days on the beach and summer flirts. How much do the lyrics reflect your summer this year?

Neuwirth: (Laughs) Well, I don’t have any – I have to think about it for a moment – but I’m already flirting, but… I haven’t been to the seaside yet and I hope to manage it this year. I’m a bon vivant. There are people around me who say: “Wow, I can’t lie somewhere for two weeks.” Then I say: “Of course I can.” I can read a book and not move for two weeks. I’m looking forward to that.

You also made your acting debut in a play this year. How was that for you? Do you enjoy discovering new sides of yourself?

Neuwirth: That’s exactly it. I love getting to know myself and, in the process, working with really great people who have studied acting and who teach me a lot. I always thought I was a very uninhibited person, especially on stage. Then I noticed that in acting you have to open up a bit more, be more permeable. Don’t put on a performance in the sense that that blocks you. In the theater in particular, you can’t rely on what you have prepared yourself being what is required. Because the person acting opposite you can give you something else. I also use this openness and flexibility that I have acquired through acting in other performances and it has brought me a bit closer to myself again. It’s really very exciting. In acting, you have to know yourself well if you want to be really free in your acting.