From Vienna With Love, the new album from the unstoppable Conchita Wurst, features the diva pairing with the Vienna Symphony Orchestra for an emotional rollercoaster of classic covers and heartbreaking standards. Conchita sat down with GCN to chat about the experiences which have led to the albums release as well as plans for the future.

So, Conchita Wurst! Have you ever been to Ireland before?

I’ve been to Dublin twice. Maybe that’s a lie, maybe it was three times. I would so love to come back to Ireland because I really had a great time in… what was the name of the bar? If I don’t remember that means I really had a great time!

What can fans expect with From Vienna With Love?

This album is such a gift for me and such a big dream that came true that I really want to sing it to everybody. This is the soundtrack to my life. All of the songs I chose I’ve known them for so many years, each one has a memory and a story and certain emotions – being a young boy and dreaming of being Pocahontas and singing ‘Colours Of The Wind’, finally I can do that!

Which of the songs are you most looking forward to performing live?

Each one has its own special moment. I love ‘Sound Of Music’ because it’s so over the top and I love that, but I think performing live would be ‘Get Here’ by Oleta Adams. It’s heartbreaking and I love to break hearts, it’s my favourite thing!

When you won Eurovision, could you feel how important it was for the LGBT+ community or were you caught up in the moment?

I think both are true, I was definitely caught up in the moment, it was so overwhelming and really in a way too much to take. But I always feel a little uncomfortable when people connect something so big with that moment because at the end of the day it was just me, and I just did what I thought was right. I receive many messages with people thanking me, and I always think ‘don’t thank me, thank yourself.’

What do hope for the album, will you make any music videos?

We don’t have any music videos planned, but I would love to perform it live with an orchestra as many times as I possibly can, but it’s not that easy because an orchestra is very expensive.

Now that you’ve achieved such a huge dream, what’s next?

All of my career I’ve concentrated on a certain type of music that I would categorise as glam pop or dramatic ballads, and I love that, but in the future, I want to evolve and try new things. For example, I’m a huge trip hop fan and this is probably how I would describe my new music style. It’s dark and it’s also very authentic because it’s the first time I’m telling my story and the things that have happened to me personally rather than singing phrases.

Do you feel as an artist you always have to be reinventing in order for even yourself to stay interested?

Yes, definitely, that’s the most important part. I need to be excited and I need a challenge, I need new things to do and I think moving forward is the only way you can continue. I want to grow in every kind of way.

Do you ever look back at your work and think ‘maybe I shouldn’t have done that’ or do you think it was all a necessary step to get where you are today?

I would lie if I said I never thought to myself, ‘Oh my god, this is so cheesy and I need to stop’, but then, that’s a side of me. I am over the top and I am dramatic and I am cheesy and I love it! But I think it’s also a journey to get there. You want to please everybody but that’s just not possible and you have to embrace yourself as well.

Finally, Conchita Wurst, do you have a message for your Irish fans?

First of all, thank you for your support! I would love to come back to Ireland as soon as possible because I only have great memories. That I don’t really remember. But I remember having a good time!

‘Conchita Wurst: From Vienna With Love’ is available now.