Isaak strives to avoid placing 14th at the Eurovision Song Contest.

Isaak aims to avoid placing 14th in the Eurovision Song Contest.

Isaak was doubted by many before even stepping onto the Eurovision Song Contest (ESC) stage. Surprisingly enough, the betting odds for him and "Always on the Run" are now increasing. "I told you so," he says in an interview with ntv.de about his drive to Malmö.

ntv.de: You were said to not want to fly to Malmö but travel by car instead. Did you actually go through with it?

Isaak: Yes, we came here by car.

The car held up...

Definitely! We changed the oil, checked everything and even got the car blessed by a mechanic. Everything was fine!

What has happened since you parked your car?

I can't specifically recall! (laughs) Yesterday, we attended a rooftop event at a shopping center hosted by a large fan website featuring meet & greet, photo ops with fans, and a Q&A session on stage. We also went on a boat tour, which was great. A random person even threw us drinks from the bridge. (laughs)

And that was in Sweden, where alcohol is quite pricey...

Yes, we also made a visit to the "Euro Club". It's in our hotel and only plays ESC music daily between 5am. Additionally, there have been numerous rehearsals, the semi-final performance, and a multitude of interviews. I can no longer grasp the concept of time. Everything goes by so fast. Weather is supposed to be nice, but I haven't seen much of it. Rooms with windows in the hallways have been taped up for safety reasons. It doesn't matter what time it is; if someone tells you it's 4am, you're inclined to believe them. That's insane. (laughs)

Did you expect this experience to be exactly as it is now?

It's difficult to say. I didn't have a clear image, as everyone told me it was a wild world. Therefore, I opted to take whatever comes my way without worrying about how it would transpire.

Lord of the Lost desires to remain part of the ESC community in some capacity. Do you hold a similar view?

Yes, indeed. It's a very beautiful and connected environment. All the while, I'm also a person with social batteries. That's why I think I'll need a break from socializing after the ESC, where I won't encounter anyone. Just being at home with my family and doing nothing in my house for a week will be enough for me. Then maybe I'll be ready to socialize again.

Your life has altered significantly since the preliminary round. How does it feel going from 0 to 100 and being in the spotlight?

I don't find it intense - except when I'm in Malmö. Sure, it's quite demanding here. When I go shopping, for instance, it takes me a long time to walk 100 meters because I'm continuously stopped. But it's fine back home; I can handle it. I love that my approach to work has changed. Previously, I managed most tasks myself. Now, I simply focus on the music or interviews. I no longer stress about getting where I need to go, finding a hotel, or eating. Having these insignificant tasks taken off my hands makes it much simpler for me to focus on other tasks.

"Always on the Run" has been getting a lot of airplay since the preliminary round. Do you remember the first time you heard it on the radio?

Not at all! Maybe when I was visiting a radio station. However, that doesn't count. I don't purposely tune in to the radio for it to occur. Instead, I desire it to happen unexpectedly - like in a store or something. It hasn't happened to me yet.

Appearance on the turquoise carpet - just one of the many program items in Malmö.

In the semifinals, you had the opportunity to perform a complete German song for the very first time. This is when many people discovered that the stage design was significantly different from the preliminaries. How did this come about?

It was an extensive and tiring process. At first, I was displeased with the various suggestions during the initial meeting for the performance in Malmö. I always remarked, "No. I don't like it. I think it's horrible. I don't want that either," which was quite draining. I find it difficult to say no, and I'm not particularly knowledgeable about these matters or one who would say, "I want it to be this or that, and at such-and-such a time, please do this or that." However, as further gatherings were held, ideas arose that steered us in the right direction.

So, you could say it's quite a fiery scene these days...

True, in the end, we came up with fire. Infernos and the underlying meaning were our chosen direction. I was very satisfied with this initial concept. With Marvin Dietmann, we have a skilled professional who handles everything brilliantly. We stepped back and allowed him to take the reins. And all I can say is: Wow, what an overall plan!

Your performance in the semi-final was well-received, earning positive feedback from spectators and creating a buzz on social media. Oddly enough, your odds for winning increased, and those who had previously dismissed you are now giving you another chance. Is this a consolation prize?

I was quite disappointed by the comments after the preliminary round's decision. I believe it's unfair – not just for me, but in general. People such as Spain are always patriotic and say, "This is our representative – no matter how we finish." I did not feel this camaraderie. I was surprised by that attitude. Thinking back, I can only say, "I told you so." I'm not sure how I feel about that, but that's the way it is.

You're certainly aware of the other entries competing in Malmö. Which ones do you find particularly noteworthy?

There are a few, but I can't truly identify the one that excites me the most. However, I find Italy, Switzerland, France, and Latvia to be quite powerful.

The protest against Israel's participation has evolved to the point where there are fears of chaos or even terrorism in Malmö. How does this affect you?

It doesn't faze me. I'm quite insulated from this situation. The entire team is also mindful of this. I've been reassured that I will likely not experience any major disruptions in person, apart from what is reported in the media. I'm not intimidated by this.

Naturally, you've fielded this question many times before. What is your objective for the final?

Of course, my goal is to win. I enjoy answering this question: "Which place would you like to take at ESC 2024 if you could choose?" What would anyone say, "14th would be fantastic?" (laughs) No one genuinely thinks that, do they? The primary goal is to take something home for the future. But I'm also working tirelessly to achieve the best possible outcome. The ideal scenario is, of course, a first place.

Your wife Loreen is part of your team and currently in Malmö with you. Who is caring for your two sons?

My parents arrived with my five-year-old son, who will also be present at the final. We decided not to bring our two-year-old because he's still too young for the chaos of this event. He's staying with our aunt. Now that I've seen the report from Ireland, we'll need to determine if my parents can take their older son out of their home. (laughs) This event is supposed to be family-friendly, but in reality...

You and your wife have just commemorated your eighth wedding anniversary in Malmö. Honestly, what motivates your heart to beat faster right now – the wedding anniversary or the ESC?

The eighth wedding anniversary has passed. However, we didn't have much time to celebrate it properly, what with the first semi-final occurring on the same day. Therefore, we decided to focus on the event, as it's a once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. Even after the ESC, we'll engage in quality time together.