perth band voyager members

• ALBUM REVIEW: It Beckons Us All – Darkthrone
• Morta Skuld: Creation & Annihilation
• My Favourite Nemesis release new music video for ‘Chimera’
• Lamentari release new song ‘Tragoedia In Domo Dei’
• Ready The Prince release new music video for ‘Still Believe’

INTERVIEW: Daniel Estrin & Ashley Doodkorte – Voyager

Bloodstock   Festival 2018 was easily one of the best festivals we have been to in recent years, it was genuinely incredible. Now that our review of the full weekend is officially live, it’s time to start sharing the interviews we had with some of the amazing bands over the weekend. We had the chance to chat with  Daniel Estrin [Vocals]  and  Ashley Doodkorte [Drums]  from Australian progressive metal veterans  VOYAGER to discuss the pains of touring the land from down under, and how the band have developed past the standard writing blocks as their career has progressed!

Thank you for bringing the Perth sun with you! 

Daniel: You’re most welcome

Ashley: It’s funny, the guys we spoke to at the last festivals we went to said the same thing, last month!

VOYAGER have had a very busy festival season this year. Where have you played in total? 

Daniel:  Yeah we’ve been all around this year. We’ve done Tech-Fest , Ramblin’ Man . Ramblin’ Man was a cool one, it’s kinda like bluesy, much older crowd.

Ashley: I think it was THE CULT  that were headlining

Daniel:  Yeah THE CULT  were headlining so it was that kinda vibe. It was weird cause we were easily the heaviest band on the line up, and people were kinda taken back but you could see them get into it!

Ashley:  It was weird being the heaviest band on that line up and then over here we’re probably one of the lightest bands!

Would you rather be a band that can play anywhere or be a true scene hero? 

Ashley: I think being able to play anywhere is one of our strengths. I’d always rather be a band that can have all different kinds of shows rather than playing the same stuff.

Being at a through and through metal festival like Bloodstock, do you think prog is a bit of a dirty word? 

Daniel: Dirty word is probably a bit much, I don’t think people pay too much attention to the labels.

Ashley: Everyone I’ve spoken too has seemed to have no issue with the labels at all!

Daniel:  Yeah I think it’s a label that describes something different, something a bit more out there. But I don’t think it’s a dirty word, we’ve always just been playing what we want to play.

You probably get asked this a lot but what is it about Australia that makes it have such a thriving music scene? 

Ashley: I think a lot of it has to do with the isolation. For the longest time we had to entertain ourselves, we didn’t have bands flying over and international touring was almost unheard of, so we had to do something, and I think that has really helped the music scene over there grow into what it is now. It’s crazy, you see festival line ups with like six-seven Australian bands on there and it’s almost like when did this happen?!

With the death of Soundwave in Australia, what do you think it is about the country that makes it difficult to have a festival? 

Daniel:  Geographically and logistically it’s very very hard. The country is just so massive, it’s a five/six hour flight from Perth to Sydney and you’re still in the same country!

Ashley:  There was recently a festival that had nothing but Australian bands on it. Bar LEPROUS  I’m pretty sure every band on the line up was Australian, which is awesome y’know!

Coming back to the eclectic sound you guys have, you still maintain a real sense of structure and catchy melody. Is this intentional? 

Ashley: When we go to write, we never think we have to do anything at all. We just let it happen and let ourselves create.

Daniel: We write what we want to hear and what we like. I love catchy choruses so I write them and put them in the songs!

Ashley: Sometimes we write something takes us off guard though. Makes us kinda go ‘oh’ a little bit.

Daniel: Yeah but then the sound becomes us.

Being in a band for so long, where do the struggles lie in the writing process? 

Ashley: I don’t actually know, I don’t think there are any real problems at all!

Daniel:  Yeah I don’t know! You’re a perfectionist so we know where your difficulties lie!

Ashley: I think one of the biggest problems is too many cooks spoil the brew! If all five of us are working on a song, it can be far less productive than if just three of us were say.

Daniel: Yeah absolutely, I would also say one of the hardest things is getting to grips with a song. I was talking about this recently, and there was this one song we had that I was jamming last year and just couldn’t get it into it, just nah. And then this year…

Ashley:  Oh this was a couple of days ago!

Daniel:  Yeah, and I listened to it in the hotel room and I just got it, it all made sense finally, and that’s a really hard thing.

Ashley:  Yeah there have been songs that I’ve hated, but only after I’ve recorded and heard the final mix that I’m like “ahhh now I get it. This song makes sense now”.

Daniel: ‘Kinda like the Bohemian Rhapsody effect of song writing. “ Freddie , what the hell are you doing now?”

We have to talk about crowdfunding because it went so well for VOYAGER. Would you ever do it again? 

Daniel: No I don’t think we would…

Why’s that? 

Daniel: It’s just so much work. All of the work falls onto you, and it is so rewarding but it’s also a massive strain on creativity. Admin is the death of creativity and crowdfunding is just all admin.

Ashley:  I think it’s really great for bands to start out, but I think it should be a platform for bands to eventually stand on their own feet. We did it the once and now we’ve progressed and evolved past it. So it’s great, but for younger bands it should be just that, a platform for them to utilise in order to stand up.

Daniel:  It’s just the worst when you’re down the post office with a thousand CDs and it’s just like oh my god.

Ashley:  Nah what’s worse is when the cashier is just like “what the fuck”. I became very good friends with my local post office!

Like VOYAGER on Facebook .

• Vulcain release new song ‘Héros’
• PREMIERE: Serpent Eyes – Dayshifter

Fearless in Love

V [2023 Reissue]

Promise (House Remix)

Promise - Producer Pack

Promise/Dreamer

A Voyage Through Time

Voyager - 'Dreamer' Remix and Creator Pack

Colours in the Sun

The Meaning of I

I am the reVolution

Voyager Perth, Australia

Get ready to witness a genre-transfiguring quintet take the stage like never before! Hailing from Australia, Voyager has shattered expectations with their resilient and determined attitude. The new album 'Fearless in Love' is next-level prog metal mastery that shatters all archetypes and expectations. Available NOW! ...   more

• voyagerau.com

contact / help

Contact Voyager

Streaming and Download help

Shipping and returns

Redeem code

Report this account

• terms of use
• switch to mobile view

Voyager: Meet the Band

Sunday 5 May | 3pm – 4pm

Included in General Admission | Registration required

It's time to meet WA born, Eurovision legends, Voyager!

To celebrate the Keytar Solos on a Mountaintop exhibition across March and April in the Community Exhibition Showcase, join the band at Boola Bardip to discuss their experiences at Eurovision and ask all your burning questions.   

Australia has had a long love affair with The Eurovision Song Contest stretching back to the first broadcast of the competition by SBS in 1983. Australian artists such as Oliva Newton John and Gina G competed for other nations across the years and in 2014 Jessica Mauboy was invited to perform as a non-competing artist. 

In 2015 (despite not being a European country) Australia was invited to participate in the competition adding our voices to the stage. Since then the Australian fascination with the event has only grown and take pride in competing in each event. 

In the lead up to the 2024 Eurovision Song Contest come and meet 2023 finalists, Voyager !      

About Voyager

As much as you can rely on the Earth’s elliptical orbit, you can depend on Voyager to consistently evolve. The band’s interplanetary balance of virtuosic pyrotechnics and skyscraping radio-ready hooks morphs at the speed of sound from one era to the next. In bursts of bright light, luminous keys, neon guitar wizardry, and stratosphere-shaking rhythms, they elevate hard rock to another realm. The group blasts off on a signature hybrid of prog, rock, and metal possibly best described as the musical equivalent of Guardians of the Galaxy.

After piling up millions of streams, earning acclaim from the likes of The Guardian, and wowing the globe on the Eurovision Song Contest, the Perth, Australia quintet — Danny Estrin (vocals), Simone Dow (guitar), Scott Kay (guita)], Alex Canion (bass), and Ashley Doodkorte (drums) are here to meet you! Hear their stories and ask all about their Eurovision experience!

Related exhibitions

Keytar Solos on a Mountaintop

In 2023 Voyager took the international stage by storm as the Australian entry in the Eurovision Song Contest. See this collection of items, costumes and memorabilia from their time at Eurovision.

Subscribe to be the first to know about all the latest in exhibitions, events, discoveries and much more!

Join our newsletter

We recognise and respect the Traditional Owners of this Country and their connection to the lands, waters and skies.

• SYDNEY, NSW
• MELBOURNE, VIC
• HOBART, TAS
• BRISBANE, QLD
• ADELAIDE, SA
• CANBERRA, ACT

Perth band to represent Australia at Eurovision

Send your stories to [email protected]

Auto news: $400k luxury car recall with 'risk of an accident causing death'.

Top Stories

Sydney bishop given standing ovation two weeks after alleged attack

TODAY IN HISTORY: Historic Australian site becomes a killing ground

Latrell's Origin future unclear in bid to 'repay' Souths

Havana syndrome: The mysterious illness striking down US officials

• Visit Perth
• Public Notices

Building and Planning

Voyager doing the city of perth proud.

The eyes of the world will be on Perth band Voyager as they represent Australia at the iconic Eurovision Song Contest 2023 later this week.

• Media Releases

The City's old parking meters are retiring

Record Breaking Start to 2024 For City of Perth Economy

Explore the hidden histories of Boorloo this April

Grants now open for city businesses

CBD office vacancy at near decade low

City celebrates biggest December on record proving Christmas lives in the City of Light

Remembering our ANZACs in 2024

City of Perth launches historic Clontarf Foundation partnership 2024 Clontarf Cup

Subscribe for the latest updates.

Get in Touch

Media enquiries.

Do you have a media enquiry for the City of Perth? Submit an enquiry and include your name, contact details and any questions that require a response. If you would like to discuss your enquiry, please email the media line at [email protected].

Related News

Voyager's lead singer Danny Estrin reveals cancer diagnosis and cancels European tour

Australian progressive metal band Voyager's frontman, Danny Estrin, has revealed a "life-altering" cancer diagnosis, as the band cancels its upcoming European tour. 

Key points:

• Estrin, who is the Perth band's lead singer, shared his "life-altering" cancer diagnosis 
• The band has cancelled an upcoming European tour with hopes to reschedule in October 2024
• Its last performance will be at the America's Cup Event in Fremantle on Sunday

Estrin, who is the Perth band's lead singer, shared the announcement on the band's official Instagram account on Friday. 

"Last week I was dealt some life-altering news: I've been diagnosed with cancer that requires immediate treatment," he wrote.

"I am absolutely devastated that we cannot perform on our forthcoming European tour, especially after this incredible Eurovision year we've had.

"I am on strict doctors' orders to not take this lightly, put my health first and get this sorted so we can be on stage again as soon as possible." 

Estrin said it had been an "extremely hard decision to make" and the band's upcoming European tour would be rescheduled to October 2024. 

"Voyager will perform our last show for a while at the America's Cup Event in Fremantle, Western Australia this Sunday 24 September 2023, so come and party with us before I start treatment," he added.

"I'm surrounded by my incredible bandmates and team who are navigating all things Voyager whilst I am out of action."

The band was  Australia's lead contender at the 2023 Eurovision , making the grand final and eventually finishing ninth. 

The band has had its fair amount of changes throughout its lifetime. 

Voyager parted ways with bass player Jennah Greaig in 2004 and his replacement, Melissa Fiocco, was later replaced with Alex Canion after the release of the album uniVers.

In June 2008, guitarist Mark De Vattimo quit Voyager due to personal and professional differences.

Guitarists Chris Hanssen and Scott Kay and drummer Mark Boeijen soon followed.

A June Australian tour saw sold-out shows nationwide, with the Perth performance needing to move to a larger venue to accommodate demand.

• X (formerly Twitter)

Related Stories

This could be our last year competing in eurovision, but why is australia in eurovision in the first place.

From Runaway to Dreamer to Promise, how Voyager finally made it to Eurovision

Australia's Voyager is through to the Eurovision 2023 grand final

• Bands and Artists
• Music (Arts and Entertainment)
• Music Industry
• Popular Culture

Perth Prog-Pop Band Voyager Will Represent Australia at Eurovision 2023

By August Billy

SBS ditched its Australia Decides format this year in favour of making an internal decision on who should represent Australia at the 67th Eurovision Song Contest in Liverpool, UK. The chosen act is Voyager , a Perth-based quintet with a thing for keytar solos and progressive rock melodrama.

Voyager will perform their new song ‘Promise’ , which the band’s Danny Estrin said was “made for the Eurovision stage.” Liverpool is hosting the 2023 event as a result of last year’s winning country, Ukraine, being unable to meet the demands of staging the contest due to the ongoing Russian invasion.

Voyager – ‘Promise’

Voyager have been trying to make it to Eurovision ever since Australia was added to the program in 2015. They finished second in SBS’ Australia Decides contest in 2022, despite their song ‘Dreamer’ leading the public vote. Sheldon Riley ultimately represented Australia in Turin, Italy, finishing 15th with the song ‘Not the Same’.

“As a long-time Eurovision fan, this is the pinnacle – Voyager gets to play the greatest show on earth,” said Estrin.

SBS’ head of entertainment Emily Griggs hyped up the on-brand qualities of ‘Promise’. “Voyager bring together my love for the ‘80s and catchy lyrics that you can’t stop singing,” she said. “I can’t wait to see Eurovision fans the world over embrace them as much as Aussie crowds have.”

The final of the 2023 Eurovision Song Contest is happening on Saturday, 13th May (UK time). The SBS broadcast will be hosted by Myf Warhurst and Joel Creasey.

As the ABC reports, Australia’s contract with Eurovision’s organisers, the European Broadcast Union (EBU), will run out this year, meaning this could be Australia’s last year as a contestant.

Further Reading

Sheldon Riley Will Represent Australia At The Eurovision Song Contest 2022

Perth Metal Band Voyager Unveil Their Eurovision Song, ‘Dreamer’

Love Letter To A Record: Voyager’s Simone Dow On Nirvana’s ‘Nevermind’

Share article

A Guide to Every Australian Music Festival Happening in 2023/24

A Guide to Every International Tour Coming to Australia in 2023/24

The Top 50 Australian Songs of 2023

AJ Tracey, RAYE, Faye Webster + More Announce Laneway 2024 Sideshows

Golden Plains 2024: The Streets, Yussef Dayes, Cymande + More

WOMADelaide Announces 2024 Lineup: Gilberto Gil, Arooj Aftab, Yussef Dayes, WITCH + More

triple j’s Like A Version – The Complete List

Triple J’s Hottest 100 of 2023: 100-1

SA Duo Electric Fields To Represent Australia At Eurovision 2024

Voyager Reschedule the 2024 ‘Fearless In Love’ Australian Tour

Voyager Lead Singer Danny Estrin Diagnosed with Cancer

Voyager Announce 2024 National ‘Fearless in Love’ Tour

• International edition
• Australia edition
• Europe edition

Voyager take Australia to ninth place in Eurovision grand final

Fans of song contest hail ‘a brilliant result’ as Perth synth metal rock band perform track Promise in Liverpool

• Follow our Australia news live blog for the latest updates
• Get our morning and afternoon news emails , free app or daily news podcast

Australia’s Eurovision hopefuls Voyager have performed strongly at the song contest, placing ninth out of a tight field of just 26 acts in the grand final.

The synth metal rock band from Perth delivered a flawless performance of their track Promise, with lead singer Danny Estrin appearing in an 80s car flanked by other band members.

Australia landed a respectable 151 points, picking up 12 points from both Portugal and Iceland’s jury votes, and 21 points from the public vote.

The result put them ahead of last year’s Australian entrant, Sheldon Riley, who came 15th at Turin 2022. It is the third time Australia has finished in ninth place, but this year’s result doesn’t match the country’s 2016 performance, where Dami Im came in second place with her song Sound of Silence.

Voyager made it through to the grand final after qualifying in Thursday’s second semi-final which saw, among others, Greece, Denmark and Iceland knocked out, leaving the qualifying acts to go through to the grand final, along with the Big Five – France, Germany, Spain, Italy and the United Kingdom.

Reacting to the result, Emily Griggs, head of the Australian Eurovision delegation, said: “Voyager are truly electric on stage and their performances from the pre-parties to the grand final has been incredible to see … We’re so incredibly proud to have them represent Australia this year and look forward to cheering on their continued success.”

Die-hard Australian fans travelled to Liverpool to watch the show. Despite tickets for the final being hard to come by, many watched in bars and fan zones around the city. Dale Roberts, who was watching in Liverpool, said it was an “incredible result”.

Sign up for Guardian Australia’s free morning and afternoon email newsletters for your daily news roundup

Beto Popocatepetl from Melbourne, a longtime fan attending Eurovision for the fifth time, was watching in Liverpool.

“The reaction from the public [to Australia] was amazing … no one was sitting down, everyone was jumping. The people here love Voyager, it was an amazing response!”

Liv Webster, also in Liverpool, said a top 10 result for Voyager was “a huge moment for Australia”.

after newsletter promotion

She was happy for the winners too, and said “Sweden will do a fabulous job of hosting Eurovision 2024”.

Despite the time difference meaning the show was broadcast in the early hours of the morning in Australia, committed fans watched at organised viewing parties across the country in Brisbane, Sydney and Perth.

In Perth, where the show started at 3am and the result was announced at 7am, many had stayed up all night but were not disheartened that Voyager didn’t win.

“Ninth place is a brilliant result, we’re so proud of Voyager,” said Kate Hansen, organiser of EuroClub Perth, a viewing party attended by the parents of Voyager’s lead singer Danny Estrin.

“This year was extra special for us, they’re our friends. The best thing is, about a month and a half ago I booked accommodation in Sweden for next year because I thought they might win!”

Australia has participated in Eurovision since 2015 and has had relative success, placing in the top 10 four times prior to this year.

The country’s participation in Eurovision is only guaranteed until this year, but those close to the Australian team are hopeful the country will be invited back next year, although no announcement has been made.

Paul Clarke, creative director of the Australian delegation to Eurovision, said he was “confident” Australia would return again.

The rules of Eurovision mean it must be hosted within Europe, so if Australia were to win it would mean another country would have to host for them, as the UK have done for Ukraine this year.

Fans are hopeful that Australia will return next year, “but even if not, I’ll still be supporting”, said Hansen.

• Eurovision 2023
• Pop and rock
• Australian music

Most viewed

Voyager: The Australia band from Perth selected for Eurovision 2023

Growing calls for government to help bring detained Australian home from Syria

Sam Mostyn appointed as Australia's next Governor-General

International outrage after Australian among aid workers killed in Gaza

Australia's autism strategy

New details on Voice referendum campaign

WA woman continues late brother's football dream

Calls for government to invest in the arts amid festival cancellations

Two men drown trying to save toddler on the Gold Coast

Former NRL star helping Indigenous teens break the cycle

AFL community's show of support for Eddie Betts after racist attack

Recommended for you

Points test system for skilled migrants set for overhaul

This country claims to have not recorded any COVID-19 cases

Bondi attacker was known to police, no early indication of terrorism

Emergency Evacuations

Europe is in 'a new era' of war. Is Australia ready?

Your student loan debt could be about to increase by hundreds of dollars

What was thought to be a 'significant' COVID-19 milestone wasn't at all

Dying mother's bravery and other stories of courage emerge after Bondi stabbing attack

Police Investigation

Think $5.50 is too much for a flat white? The price of coffee may soon need to change

Coffee Culture

Get SBS News daily and direct to your Inbox

Sign up now for the latest news from australia and around the world direct to your inbox..

Morning (Mon–Fri)

Afternoon (Mon–Fri)

By subscribing, you agree to SBS’s terms of service and privacy policy including receiving email updates from SBS.

SBS World News

The West Australian

• Confidential
• Best Short Film
• Competitions

Eurovision 2023: Perth band Voyager falls agonisingly short of winning grandfinal after Sweden crowned

Perth band Voyager has fallen agonisingly short of winning the Eurovision grand final after Sweden was crowned this year’s winners.

Sweden’s Loreen was favourite to win the song contest ahead of Finland’s Kaarija and Ukraine’s Tvorchi, however bookmakers had also liked the chances of the Aussie synth-rockers with their tune Promise after their appearance in the semi-final.

In the end, they finished in ninth place out of the 26 nations which made the final.

It was a record-equalling seventh win for Sweden who will now host next year’s event and it Loreen is now only the second artist to win the contest twice.

Get in front of tomorrow's news for FREE

Journalism for the curious Australian across politics, business, culture and opinion.

Perth supporters and family members of the band were watching from the wee hours on Sunday morning to see how the home-grown favourites fared, with many dressing up for the occasion.

Register and have your say.

Already have an account?

Your Local News

• Entertainment
• Music Festivals

Australian band Voyager qualify for Eurovision grand finale

Perth band Voyager has pushed through to the grand finale of Eurovision on Sunday, emerging as an unlikely favourite with their catchy rock tune.

Why this festival photo is sparking outrage

Star’s brutal accident mid-Coachella set

Aussie music festival’s ‘massive’ reveal

Australia’s representation at this year’s Eurovision Song Contest has made it through to the all-important grand finale.

Five-member Perth synth metal group Voyager excelled at Friday’s second semi final with their song Promise, booking them an unexpected spot in Sunday’s final in Liverpool, UK.

Australia pushed through as one of 10 acts who managed to qualify for the finale, with six countries being knocked out in the second semi. All up, there are 26 acts performing in the final showing, which kicks off tomorrow at 5am AEDT.

Voyager’s lead singer Daniel Estrin is perhaps the most unlikely rock star to emerge from the 67th annual contest, holding a day job as a partner at a law firm.

“I think I might be the first lawyer to take part in Eurovision,” he told SBS.

Voyager’s appearance marks the eighth time Australia has been involved in Eurovision, and follows Sheldon Riley placing 15th in last year’s contest.

2023 could well be our first and last chance at winning the title, as Australia’s contract with the European Broadcasting Union expires this year with doubts over whether or not it’ll be renegotiated.

Former The X Factor winner Dami Im is, so far, has proved Australia’s closest shot at taking out Eurovision, coming a close second in 2016 with her ballad Sound of Silence .

The UK is hosting Eurovision this year after placing second at last year’s contest.

Ukraine took out the title in 2022, and while the winner usually hosts the following year’s competition, it was deemed unsafe due to the ongoing war between the country and Russia.

All the countries performing in the Eurovision 2023 grand final

In running order:

2. Portugal

3. Switzerland

10. Albania

12. Estonia

13. Finland

14. Czech Republic

15. Australia

16. Belgium

17. Armenia

18. Moldova

19. Ukraine

21. Germany

22. Lithuania

More Coverage

24. Slovenia

25. Croatia

26. United Kingdom

A photo taken at a popular music festival in Sydney yesterday has sparked outrage for one very clear reason.

Rapper Kid Cudi was rushed to hospital midway through his Coachella set after a brutal accident played out in front of everyone.

The largest hip-pop and R&B music festival in the southern hemisphere has revealed a “massive” line-up for Aussie fans.