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| One of Australian’s most loved artists and nominated by revered music legends as one of the great voices of Australia, Guy Sebastian was born in Malaysia to a multicultural Sri Lankan family, which moved to Australia where all sons became involved in music through their Para |
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One of Australian’s most loved artists and nominated by revered music legends as one of the great voices of Australia, Guy Sebastian was born in Malaysia to a multicultural Sri Lankan family, which moved to Australia where all sons became involved in music through their Paradise church in Adelaide. Guy’s elder brother Oliver Sebastian has written many recorded gospel songs, while Chris, a younger brother has also commenced his musical career.
At 4, Guy taped and sang along to his favourite songs. Eventually, despite several setbacks in his teens, he became a drummer in a band and only after a couple of years when he found the band another drummer was he permitted to sing. Finally the urge to make his own music became so strong that despite his own familys disapproval he gave up university and commenced classes as a vocal coach, while he also studied music and music technology. During this time he was also part of the great Australian band, The Planetshakers, with whom he travelled Australia and overseas and also recorded. There is also a track or two available with SA Youth Alive albums. Early in 2003 Guy Sebastian submitted the song “NO MORE” for an Australia wide competition held by PilotPen and was awarded the winner’s prize.
In 2003 he was talked into attempting to try out for the inaugural Australian Idol contest, which format was completely new to Australia. During the competition, when he re-arranged songs into his own unique format which also displayed his almost 4 octave range, musicians and critics of reality shows – and the judges – were vocal in their appreciation of his superb musical talent and it was no real surprise when he won, despite the very great talents displayed by the other competitors. Some comments included “I think your voice is the most beautiful instrument I have ever heard” (Marcia Hines, celebrated US/Australian artist), “I simply never tire of hearing you sing, a true joy and privilege - you are a sublime talent” (Mark Holden, musician/singer and writer of numerous No. 1 hits), “You’re the best unsigned talent I’ve ever heard – you’re destined for enormous success” (Ian Dickson former marketing director of BMG record company).
Guy Sebastian was given “Angels Brought Me Here” as his debut limited edition single, which almost broke all speed barriers in sales, and his DEBUT ALBUM “JUST AS I AM” , which features three of his own original songs, reached almost 7 platinum, due to the frenzy of obtaining something of his voice. It sold over 2 ½ platinum in the first week. (However, there are many other tracks available from pre-competition, including two solos and of course “No More” for those lucky enough to obtain that). He not only had no.1s in Australia but also in New Zealand and several Asian countries, where other singles reached the top 3.
It appears that no-one was quite prepared for the incredible whirl of fame that continued in 2004. Guy toured with the group to huge sell-out crowds in entertainment centres and theatres, he appeared in Asia and New Zealand to continuous accolades, took part in his church’s recording of GOSPEL ALBUM “PARADISE LIVE – ADORE” cd/dvd album (in which he sings the major part in three tracks, on of which he wrote with his Pastor). He even flew back from Malaysia to take part in an Easter Gospel Festival at Toowoomba, before flying back again to Malaysia the same day. He was then sent overseas to write for the 2nd album, writing with such well knowns as Robin Thicke, Beau Dozier, David Ryan Harris, Brian McKnight etc. Unfortunately, the timing for the 2ND ALBUM BEAUTIFUL LIFE (October 2004) coincided with the amalgamation of Sony/BMG record labels and while the launch was tremendous, and overseas interest was immense (see www.alexa.com), that very successful tour was rushed and lost momentum (only 4 weeks from the announcement of the tour and its start, and the album), with New Zealand and Asia ignored, they felt snubbed.
Guy continued to tour and write for his 3rd album, and meanwhile he was in huge demand for private corporate gigs and TV appearances, barely able to field everything that was offered. Guy again took part in the recording of the 2nd Paradise GOSPEL ALBUM – PARADISE – SET ME FREE (cd/DVD) and toured Asia with that group.
He also became a World Vision Ambassador as well as being a McDonalds ambassador, and was nominated for Young Australian of the Year.
In 2006 Guy Sebastian’s star was continuing to rise even higher and he was asked to appear in the series “It Takes Two”, where he showed Australia once again why he is considered such an innate artist. A well known journalist penned an article, the gist of which was while Guy brought his extraordinary talents to the show which was greatly enhanced by his presence on it, he was simply too ‘big’ and ‘too popular’ to take part in such competitions. The TV media however continued to ask him to appear whenever they could.
At the finale of that show Guy sang an inspirational song penned by him, Gary Pinto and Phil Turcio, “Taller Stronger Better” which received such huge acclamation that it was decided to make it the first single off the 3RD ALBUM (CLOSER TO THE SUN). However, while it may have been cool to play similar songs by ‘gritty bands’, radio was loath to play it as Guy is a committed Christian and has a major ‘nice guy’ image which they apparently felt was not cool enough. And yet during this same period those same stations might play “My Sweet Lord” by the late George Harrison. However, even despite the lack of airplay the single went gold and is generally considered around the world as one of the true anthems of recent years. It is available on the World Youth Day Album 2008
So much is he in demand that quite often around the busier parts of the year he will be doing two gigs per night, especially at Christmas time.
Guy Sebastian’s stunning shows early in 2007 set a new height for artistic and musical integrity, pulling in even more fans. The Australian Philharmonic Orchestra approached him and he had two shows at the Sydney Opera House and one in Melbourne, which again showed his continued evolution as a musician / singer. UK conductor Gavin Sutherland accorded him the highest label of ‘a musician’s musician’ as an artist, and gave him the accolade of ‘streets ahead of the rest!’ During these shows different groups and individuals in the audience would simply be overcome and gave standing ovations, with finales reaching a peak of seven standing ovations by the entire audience at the end of the shows in Sydney. Unfortunately due to new prior commitments Guy was unable to do more of these shows, as after a world wide search by the WYD organisation, his song written with Gary Pinto had been applauded as the theme song for the World Youth Day 2008, with all the recording, filming and appearances that was thereby entailed. The song “Receive the Power” is available from the WYD08 site and Itunes, and the song and video are open to the public on many sites. The WYD 2008 ALBUM, “RECEIVE THE POWER” is available from Sanity.
Guy travelled to the US, and was accorded the absolute honour of recording with (Booker T and) the MGs house band at Ardent Studios, where they recorded with 14 tracks out of the 15 as first takes, including his own “I’d Like to Get to Know You”; jammed with Steve Cropper and Duck Dunn at BB Kings Restaurant, following Sheryl Crow and her father; sang in New York to an explosion of applause as people rushed the stage and tours with his legendary band the MGs. Steve Cropper describes Guy (see youtube) as “mind boggling”. John Fry of Ardent Studios is so impressed with his 4TH ALBUM “THE MEMPHIS ALBUM” and Guy that he is already suggesting that it be placed in the Stax Museum in the Here and Now. The Memphis Album has already gone 2P in 10 weeks.
Spoken fondly of as “the coolest guy”, “the nicest guy on the planet”, the “most beautiful person I’ve ever met”, and “my favourite person in the whole world” by the cool media, Guy Sebastian has only just started to soar! We look forward to his own 5TH ALBUM (expected around mid 2008) and he has been writing with David Ryan Harris.
THE MEMPHIS ALBUM has been reviewed as astonishing and authentic, oozing freshness and excitement, technically amazing, fresh, electrifying, an awesome jam session and superb, while Guy’s supreme talent and gravelly voice shows joyous individuality. Even the Memphis Flyer bowed down!
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Discussion Topic
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Creator
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Fab. new band Happenstance -
these may have just what it
takes
Happenstance are two charismatic front-men
Ben Grace & Nick Woodford, the virtuosic
David Grant on bass & dynamic drummer Ali
Foster (winner of the 2007 Jann Rutherford
Memorial Award for women instrumentalists in
jazz.) Happenstance’s on-stage sound has been
likened to the Beatles, Crowded House, Maroon
5, Queen, early Whitlams, Phish, Supergrass
and Jellyfish.
Happenstance have been playing the Sydney
scene for less than a year and have wasted no
time producing their first EP along side ARIA
award winning producer/engineer Anton Hagop
(Silverchair, Powderfinger, the
Dissociatives). This stylistically varied
debut serves as an entree to Happenstance’s
extensive repertoire. Two of the EP tracks
recently made into the top 30 in the national
New Artists 2 Radio (2007) competition and in
September 'If I'm Not Mistaken'
debuted in the newly launched mp3.com.au
charts at number 1.
Happenstance have received airplay as well as
being interviewed and playing live, on
community radio in Sydney (including FBI),
Newcastle, Hawkesbury & the Southern
Highlands.
What people are saying about Happenstance:
“With a strong following, good looks and the
right attitude Happenstance are out to
refresh the mainstream with their very fun
and slightly addictive sound. Including the
catchy number ‘If I’m Not Mistaken’ – with a
chorus that you just can’t get out of your
head this track perfectly blends rock with
the energetic pop melodies that we all love.”
– MP3.COM.AU
“This local quartet have got impressive
musical chops ... and in a world where Maroon
Five and Thirsty Merc have found significant
audiences there's absolutely no musical
reason why Happenstance couldn't enjoy the
fruits of daytime mainstream radio play” –
Andrew P. Street, Drum Media
"Their funky, bluesy take on indie
rock recalls Hanson's recent material -
which is a good thing in this case. Long
story short: I like Happenstance, you will
too" - Liam Casey, Drum Media, 6 Nov
"Happenstance create a sound that
keeps it purity but manages to crossover into
the pop genre. The band's infectious
melodies and repetitive choruses are very
akin to some of the Whitlams earlier work.
The songs 'Do You Wanna?' and 'Here
I am again' would not be out of place on
commercial radio and I wouldn't be
surprised if happenstance was a name we heard
a lot of in the near future." - Robert
Hazel, Southern Highland News, 26 Oct
“Happenstance already stand out as unique
unlike the plethora of sound-alike Sydney
bands” – Dave Reynolds, Producer for Red
Recordings and former member of Lime, Skin,
Wrecking Crew and Mother Hubbard
"An intelligent outfit, generously
feeding the masses with a storehouse of
uplifting sounds, melodies and eclectic
themes" – Luke Jurevicius, Award
winning Director and Composer for ABC's
'Dust Echoes' Series
“Your music sounds great ... when are coming
to Melbourne?” - Angie Hart, Frente, Splendid
& Holidays on Ice
"Taking classic pop as their signpost,
happenstance are a very competent and tight
outfit, employing great harmonies and some of
that sparkle that comes from old-fashioned
songwriting" – HQ
Jun 27 2008 8:00P
Helensburgh Workmens Club supporting Mental
as Anything Helensburgh, New South Wales
Jun 30 2008 1:00P
Interview on Homegrown With Monica, 92.7 Bay
& Basin FM South Coast, New South Wales
Jul 6 2008 11:45A
Stanhope Gardens Market Day Sydney, New
South Wales
Jul 12 2008 8:00P
The Lansdowne Hotel with White Light +
others Sydney, New South Wales
Jul 17 2008 5:00P
Interview on KCHY FM with Sparky Coffs
Harbour, New South Wales
Jul 17 2008 8:30P
Macquarie Hotel (Port Macquarie) with Dave
Calandra Port Macquarie, New South Wales
Jul 18 2008 8:00P
Armidale Club with Blake Saban Armidale,
New South Wales
Jul 19 2008 8:00P
Hoey Moey (Coffs Harbour) with Ben Francis
Coffs Harbour, New South Wales
Jul 30 2008 8:00P
Musical Chairs @ Will & Toby’s Taylor
Square, New South Wales
Aug 15 2008 8:00P
Jolly Frog Hotel Windsor, New South Wales
Sep 5 2008 8:00P
Ben’s birthday bash @ Gaelic Club Surry
Hills, New South Wales
Sep 5 2008 8:00P
Bradley Hathaway tour postponed Sydney, New
South Wales
Oct 4 2008 8:00P
TBC Sydney, New South Wales
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