Ireland's Eurovision hopeful, Brendan Murray, has officially touched down in Kiev and is preparing for a gruelling and intense few days ahead of his semi-final performance.

Some luggage may have been lost along the way, but that hasn't knocked the spirit of the 20-year-old singer from Tuam, Co. Galway.

The former Hometown star talks to RTÉ Entertainment about going solo; battling nerves and growing up in a musical family.

How are you feeling? Are you nervous?

I haven't really had time to think about it too much because I've been busy doing gigs for the pre-parties in Israel, Spain and Amsterdam over the last few weeks.

I suppose Israel was a bit nerve-wracking, especially because all of the countries encountered sound issues. Amsterdam was fine as soon as I stepped out and Madrid was perfect as well. I think I'm getting there.

The rehearsals will keep on stepping up as well. I think on the night, hopefully, I'll overcome the nerves.

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What do you make of the other contestants?

I thought going over that there was going to be a lot of competitiveness. But, we are actually like a little family. We all know each other now which is great.

I was doing covers with the Austrian entrant Nathan Trent. We start doing them and putting them up on social media.

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I've also done covers with the Spanish entrant Manel Navarro. I'm planning on doing more with them when I get over there. It's been great so far.

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Is it still weird being without the Hometown boys?

I'm so used to bouncing off someone else. I was always beside someone when I was performing on stage. The last time I performed by myself I was 16 and I was busking in Galway.

Brendan Murray (second from the left) back in his Hometown days

I've been doing Junk Kouture gigs the last few months. I didn't know what to make of the first one but afterwards it did sink in that I'm now a solo performer. The Eurovision pre-party gigs have also been a great experience. I'm getting there.

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Is Eurovision big in your household?

It's always been a huge tradition in my house. My parents would have grown up listening to Dana, Johnny Logan, Linda Martin and Niamh Kavanagh.

"My first memory of Eurovision is probably Mickey Joe Harte and then Jedward, Ryan Dolan and Molly Sterling. I'm a huge Westlife fan  so it was great to see Nicky Byrne flying the flag for Ireland last year."

Your friends and family must be so proud?

I suppose it hasn't sunk in yet. When I'm out there and I'm performing on stage on front of everyone, it's going to just hit them then.

Music has always been a big tradition in my house. My dad used to sing in cabaret bands when he was younger.

My brother is a writer and he has won a few competitions with RTÉ. He sent a few songs in for Eurovision a few years ago but they didn't come up.

My sister has performed on Glór Tíre on TG4. Music has always been there in the family. They are all excited.

My brother will be coming over to support me, as is my sister and my uncle. It's brilliant.

I come from a musical town too. In the town I'm from we've the likes of The Saw Doctors and Padraig Stevens, who wrote for Christy Moore recently enough. There are a few legends from where I come from alright.

Can you tell us anything about your performance?

I'm afraid it's all top secret. I've seen the plans the last few weeks and it's all great. It's nearly there now and we're all happy with it.

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Have any musicians given you any advice or wise words?

I was talking to Jimmy Rainsford from Picture This because he drummed for Mollie Sterling in 2015. He just messaged me on Twitter and said 'Just enjoy these next few weeks'.

He said that they've still been the best two weeks of his life so far.

Even to hear that from him along with all of the kind words from Linda Martin and Louis is great. I've received plenty of advice from them all.

What do you make of your new and old fans?

They've been great since I started in Hometown. We just built that fan base as best we could. We lived in London for three months and we were up at 5am every morning going around to schools all around the country.

We've gigged in Dubai and Madrid and have recorded in Sweden and anywhere we went there were always fans there to meet us. They've stuck by me ever since we split. It's so nice and lovely to see.

The first Eurovision Song Contest Semi-Final takes place on May 9 with Ireland in the second Semi-Final on May 11. The Grand Final is on May 13. 

Get to know even more about Brendan Murray in our Fire-Round Quiz.

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