Today is Isaiah Firebrace’s 18th birthday.
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The date also marks one year since the Echuca-Moama singer claimed victory on the seventh season of The X Factor Australia.
In the time between the two milestones, Isaiah has performed for an audience of millions at Eurovision, released platinum-certified singles and rubbed shoulders with Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban.
“There's a lot of things that I never thought would happen, it's crazy to think about it,” he said.
Some teens might find living up to those expectations overwhelming, but not Isaiah.
“I don't feel pressured; I'm more just excited,” he said, explaining he knew not every year would be as stellar as the last.
“There are going to be hurdles at some point I'll have to face, because that's inevitable in this industry,” he said.
“When the time comes, you just have to jump (over them).”
That level-headed attitude is something the 18-year-old respected about Urban, who he met at a function in Los Angeles.
The country singer was still humble, despite his success, Isaiah observed.
Read more: Live Q&A with our Isaiah
Another recent highlight for the Don’t Come Easy artist was a performing in Mildura at the Return to Country festival, part of recent celebrations around the repatriation of Mungo Man. For Isaiah, who is Indigenous, the occasion was a special one.
“Just the atmosphere was really warm and really joyous, and the crowd were really amazing,” he said.
”The reason why I did it was because it's such a historic moment for Aboriginal people and I wanted to, in a few years’ time, reflect back on it, and say I was a part of that moment.”
Asked if he had plans to celebrate turning 18, Isaiah said he would have a quiet night with friends and family before a party next month.
For now, work was his priority. Among tasks on his to-do list was to finish his forthcoming album. Chunks of the record were ready, he said, describing the tracks as “more upbeat, more fun”.
Self-penned songs were also likely to feature, tracks that began life as piano melodies before he found the lyrics to match.
“If I play something on the piano, whatever that type of chord progression makes me feel, that's what I write about,” he said.
Isaiah plays Mulwala on January 4 and his hometown, Echuca-Moama, on January 5. Visit isaiahofficial.com for tickets.