Lukas Oscar: On Touring, Eurovision, and Rediscovering Joy

It takes some practice to become a master, and he's certainly practiced a lot. Now based in Vienna, Austria, singer, songwriter, and producer Lukas Oscar has been experimenting with music since childhood. He began playing the piano at the age of six and started exploring music production as a young teenager, which led to him writing and producing for other artists at just 17. Now, at 23, he has kicked off his first-ever headlining tour, Lukas’ Layers Tour, across Germany, Austria, and the UK.

From the moment up-and-coming singer-songwriter Lukas Oscar stepped onto the stage at Kantine am Berghain on Wednesday, April 15th, 2026, it was clear to everyone that the stage is where he belongs. Arriving on stage in a car, he set the tone for an intimate night full of music.

The day after the show, Lukas Oscar sat down with THE UNSEEN Magazine for an interview, discussing his experiences in the music industry, his inspirations and ambitions as well as his sense of belonging.

HERE’S THE FULL INTERVIEW:

You won one of Germany's biggest talent shows for young artists at just 13 years old, and you've been active in the music industry ever since. How did this early success shape and prepare you for the realities of this industry?

Lukas Oscar: I don't think it prepared me at all. It was great to gain first experiences. I'm from a very small, very conservative, close-minded town. So for me, coming to Berlin was very, very beautiful; meeting new people and finding such an open way of communicating together.

Everyone was so friendly and I made a lot of friends. I think it helped me in that way that I realized I really need to chase the city. I want to live in the city. I want to be in Berlin. As for the music industry, that didn't prepare me or anything, but it made me realize what I need to work on.

With what you know now: What advice would you give your younger self or young creatives in general who want to be in this industry? Is there anything you would do differently?

Lukas Oscar: No, I think I really tried everything looking back. And I think that's also the advice that I would give to people: be open, try everything, and don't be scared to try everything, basically.

Maybe I would tell myself to chill out. Because back then, and also now, I would be very hard on myself and overthink everything. And there was a lot of regret throughout the journey. But I think I'm just now realizing that it's really inevitable. When you're shedding layers and skin like that, you will inevitably regret the earlier version of you. That's just part of growing up, isn't it?

Andy: Yeah, exactly.

Lukas Oscar: So, "chill out."

You just said yourself that you've tried many different things. After you finished school, you explored many areas of the music industry, such as working behind the scenes, from assistant to being a part of songwriting and production teams. What inspired you to return to the industry as an artist and step into the spotlight?

Lukas Oscar: At first, I thought that my place and calling would be being a songwriter for others and I really loved that experience so much. I found a cool label to work with, and they introduced me to a lot of people. I was in a lot of sessions and writing camps.

And in many writing camps, there is a clear expectation to perform and for you to deliver. In a way, I got to learn so many things, and I'm so, so grateful for that period of my life. But also, it brought me to a point where I realized that the whole structural or intentional writing got me to a place where I was kind of scared to lose that childlike approach that I really love having in my music.

I care a lot about intuition. I love how when a child feels sad, they cry, and when they're angry, they scream. That's really how I want to write my songs. I love it when it's just raw emotion. 

I was in Eurovision circles a lot back then. That's a very specific industry which is very tailored to TV moments. It kind of brought me to a point where I realized I needed to take a step back because I was scared of losing my childlike approach and started thinking too much in boxes already.

I got really scared that that was too wired into my brain already. But when I took that step back and told myself that I would only write for myself going forward, I rediscovered my love for writing. It was the most beautiful experience ever. 

And basically, I just decided not to care about how it's going to be received, and to only focus on whether it's fun or not. That's why my first album is called The Fun Never Ends! because throughout that process I realized not only is this what I want to do but it's also what I need to do to stay alive. Writing is such a fundamental part of my being, of my existence. I don't know how I would deal with my emotions otherwise.

You were a big part of Eurovision, especially in 2020. In the end, it didn't happen because of the pandemic. Is this something you regret?

Lukas Oscar: I'm still so sad about it. I mean, I'm fine with it now. It was my last year in high school and I had everything prepared, even planning on postponing my A-levels.

I would have been a background singer on stage. And my 18-year-old self was so obsessed with the idea because I never really saw myself on the Eurovision stage as a main act. I mean, I grew up with it, and I was really, really heartbroken when it got cancelled, I'm not going to lie. But, you know, it is what it is.

Andy: It is what it is, and you never know what the future brings.

Lukas Oscar: Yeah, and the song was still very well received. And I'm still so happy that it resonated with people because that song has a very special place in my heart.

Andy: That's beautiful. I did see you live on stage yesterday!

Lukas Oscar: Oh, you did?

Andy: I was really able to see your passion for music. You're really made to be on stage.

Lukas Oscar: Thank you very much. I feel very at home on the stage.

This is your first ever solo tour as a headliner. Is touring life what you imagined it would be like so far?

Have you developed any pre-show rituals before the show starts?

Lukas Oscar: I definitely need to hug every single one of my band mates. That's very important. And otherwise, I do a lot of stretches. Definitely make sure I'm not hungry, because I get really, really crazy when I'm hungry. So yeah, have some food.

On stage yesterday, you said that there's nothing better than performing with your best friends. However, are there any other hobbies or outlets outside of music that help you switch off and clear your head whenever you need some time off?

Lukas Oscar: I love sketching. And I go by the approach that there's no such thing as bad art. I basically smear something on the paper and I'm like: "Oh yes, this is art." Doing a one-stroke painting is always fun. It's like peeking into your mind, kind of, and it helps me switch off.

Other than that, I really love to go on a run. Honestly, I think all my hobbies are kind of music-related or in some way creatively in that direction. But to fully switch off, I love gaming. I grew up as a Nintendo boy, but now I'm into Xbox as well.

What's your favorite Nintendo game?

Lukas Oscar: It's a very specific one, and I really rarely meet people who know it. It's called Professor Layton.

Andy: No way! I love this one.

Lukas Oscar: You're joking.

Andy: I remember The Curious Village or something like that? I think there's also a new one out for the Nintendo Switch.

Lukas Oscar: It's about to come out! They've had me waiting for two years already.

Which Professor Layton game is your favorite?

Lukas Oscar: The Pandora's Box. I recommend it so much. But no one knows this game.

Let's talk a little bit about playing shows. You just talked about having to eat before your show. Is there anything specific on your rider?

Lukas Oscar: I think I only have bananas on my rider. But I should expand on that, because yeah, that's not a good dinner. However, for now, it's only water and bananas.

On stage yesterday, you had a little car prop. How did that idea come about?

I'm so happy that I got to work together with my friend Nora. And it also makes me so excited to do even more and to expand and have the whole stage as a stage concept soon. But also, Nora and I go way back. She actually drew my very first single cover for my EP. So this feels like a very full circle moment to have this car with me on tour.

Is there any stage you dream of playing one day? What's a dream venue of yours that you want to fill one day?

Lukas Oscar: I definitely want to play in arenas.

Andy: Arenas? Any specific ones?

Lukas Oscar: I heard about the Uber Arena. My motto with dreaming is: Dream big. Reach for the stars. Also, the Las Vegas Sphere. I mean, having visuals on that would be insane.

Let's talk a little bit about inspirations. You have a very unique and interesting style. It's very expressive, I would say. Who would you say is your style icon? Where do you draw inspiration from?

Lukas Oscar: I feel honored that you asked me that because I feel like my style is so unhinged in a way. To be honest, most of the things that I wear may seem punk or something because they're either bought secondhand or stolen from my parents. I wear a lot of hand-me-downs until they're worn out.

Some of my things are like 20 years old. Some of them have holes. I love when clothes tell a story. And also, I'm too lazy to go shopping. So, I guess my style icons would be my parents. That's why I accidentally dress a little Y2K. I guess it just happened.

How about musical icons? Who are your musical inspirations?

I feel like Adele is talking super casually at her shows. She has her tea, she's joking around, and still plays a great show. Whereas for Beyoncé, you know, everything is perfectly planned out. Nothing is left to chance. And so I feel like they're kind of the same spectrum but on different ends. I love that. Those are my musical icons.

We were just talking about your parents a little bit. You have a very diverse cultural background: you have Filipino roots, grew up in Austria and often work in Germany, and you sing in English. How do you think this cultural mix has influenced your sense of identity? And where do you feel most at home?

Lukas Oscar: Oh, that's a great question. I think about that a lot because I haven't really figured it out yet. But I think what I've come to realize is that growing up in the countryside in a very close-minded community, all I thought about was, "How do I leave this? How do I get away?" which made me crave city life so badly. I moved to the city right after I finished school, and it took me about five years or something to really learn to appreciate that I actually did grow up in the countryside and not in the city.

The first years in Vienna, I would think, "Why haven't I spent my whole life here? Why didn't I choose to go to school here?" But there's something really special about growing up without having the whole world at your fingertips. You kind of romanticize everything, even the crappy or boring things.

And I think that's a big part of what I am now, how I walk through the world. I think I have a different appreciation maybe, or I find it easier to appreciate things in the city than people who grew up there and are so used to it. I think in the end, I will need both the countryside and the city and also the Philippines and Austria. But yeah, I feel most at home where my loved ones are. So, wherever they are.

Have you ever considered writing German songs?

Lukas Oscar: I have considered that, especially right now. After the last releases, I always knew the next step. So that was kind of a secure feeling because I felt like I was already a step ahead.

But to be completely honest, right now I have no clue. I don't know what I'm going to be doing next. I know I will be making music for a fact. This uncertainty kind of makes me nervous. But at the same time, it's beautiful, because you could go anywhere. So right now I'm kind of a fully blank canvas, ready to explore. And who knows, maybe that includes switching up the language.

I was going to throw in a fun pun and ask, "What's next?", but I think you just answered my question without me having to ask it. So, you're just going to let it happen? Are there certain things that fans can look forward to?

Lukas Oscar: Oh, I mean, yeah. I just don't know what it is yet. But do look forward!

At THE UNSEEN Magazine, we have a playlist curated with artists' recommendations. Which songs would you like to throw in?

Lukas Oscar: I would put in "Lowkey Life" by me. Recently, I have been really obsessed with "Martini" by Coco & Clair Clair. They're so cool. And then I would pick "MAGAZINE" by Milune.

Are you more of a playlist person or an album person when listening to music?

Lukas Oscar: Oh, I do both, but I really love my playlists, for sure.

Is it like one very big one, or do you create smaller playlists that fit your mood?

Lukas Oscar: I do have one huge one from when I was 13, and that one is the best for long car rides, really. The funny thing is that most of the music in there would be music that I would have been embarrassed to listen to at 13 but now I can own that. Yes, I love pop. There's nothing uncool about liking pop. I'm obsessed with pop.

Whenever you're on a long car ride, are you the person with the AUX cord?

Lukas Oscar: It depends. I mean, if I'm behind the steering wheel, then for sure, I'm going to need to be in charge. Other than that, I'm very happy to be a passenger princess, too.

Andy: Thank you, Lukas, for taking your time to speak with us today!

LISTEN TO LUKAS'S NEWEST ALBUM "EVERYTHING'S BUILT TO LAST" HERE!