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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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Interesting Interview - UK/OZ
Guy Sebastian - The RHP interview!!!
He was the big haired, big voiced winner of
the inaugural Australian Idol and he’s gone
on to become Australia... He was the big
haired, big voiced winner of the inaugural
Australian Idol and he’s gone on to become
Australian Idol's most successful pin-up
boy. Along with the likes of Shannon Noll,
Damien Leth and Jessica Mauboy, Guy Sebastian
has ridden the Idol fast track to fame and
fortune.
Six years on, as many winners and finalists
from the subsequent series have faded into
the annals of irrelevant pop culture history,
Guy Sebastian has removed himself from the
Idol machine and built his own persona as a
talented and passionate writer, producer and
performer.
2009 sees Sebastian returning to Australia
after a stint in New York where he wrote
album number four “Like It Like That”. Now,
with his feet firmly planted on Terra
Australis, the singing sensation is taking
some time to regroup and look to the future.
We got on the line with Guy while he was in
his Sydney home to chat about the journey
thus far.
(Guy Sebastian) G’day
(RedHotPie) Hi mate, you sound a bit husky
down the line
Yeah, I’ve got a bit of a sore throat, it’s
all caught up with me I think, I’ve been
working my butt off for the last few months
and yeah I’m a bit buggered
A sore throats not really what you want in
your profession
No, it’s funny though, my voice can be like
this and I can somehow still sing
Have you had your throat insured?
No I haven't, but I should
So is the wife taking good care of you, are
you getting looked after?
Yeah she is, she’s been cooking and doing all
sorts of stuff, she’s great, when I’m
actually sick, if I feel legitimately crook,
I am the worst sick person. I’m such a baby,
I’m very dramatic but she’s been awesome.
Like a bear with a sore head eh
Exactly
So you’re back in Sydney now, you were in New
York for quite a while yeah?
I was, yeah we spent most of the year there
but we’ve been back here for nearly three
months just finishing the record which was
released on Friday, so now I'm just
promoting and we’ve got a tour in February
and a bunch of little gigs here and there
until then, so yeah just preparing for all of
that.
And did you end up in a New York state of
mind after your time there?
Oh man we loved New York, all our stuff is
still in storage there but I'm thinking
after our tour in February Ill head to either
L.A or New York, I think it will most likely
be L.A but I miss New York. I really love
that place, it’s just got such a great soul.
Once you get past the initial hurdle of just
how freaking hard it is there, like it’s a
really tough city, it’s super expensive and
everything but once you get past that it
becomes a really cool place to live,
everyone’s super helpful, it’s just really
cool. It’s almost like everyone’s got your
back because they all know how hard it is
there.
And you’ve spent a bit of time in L.A, how’s
that vibe?
L.A to me, it’s just... it seems like
everyone’s trying to make it, like it’s all
about who you know; you can’t get in anywhere
unless you know somebody. The first question
in L.A is 'what’s your name' and then
it’s followed up with 'what do you do'.
I don’t know; it would be easy to get
isolated there I think but yeah, the weather
there is great, New York weather sucks, it’s
just so cold. But yeah I’m thinking L.A is
gonna be the destination.
So the new record Like It Like That has just
dropped, how was the process bolting that
together?
It’s been quite involved actually because
I’ve got a record deal in the States and they
were going to release this record, but they
were actually going to release my last record
first which was like a tribute to Memphis,
but I kept sending songs back over to
Australia for this new album (Like It Like
That) and the label guys in the States kept
going, hey we really like that, let’s put
that on the Memphis album and they said that
for every song, so they’d ditch a Memphis
cover and put one of the originals on.
So it ended up being this whole original
album, but they wanted me to produce it like
the Memphis album but I didn’t want that to
be the sound for here, so I ended up with a
new record of original songs that didn’t have
quite the right production, like it all
sounded quite old school, it didn’t really
have a modern edge to it.
I ended up going back and reproducing
everything which was quite a nightmare. I
mean Like It Like That for example was really
old school, like real drums, real organic, so
we reproduced that and we got it to sound a
little more modern, in your face I guess, the
way it is now and we did that with a lot of
the tracks so yeah, it was a bit of a
nightmare getting to the final product but
I’m stoked with how it turned out.
Well you can hear a lot of the Memphis album
in this new record; did you consciously allow
some of that to stay with you for this
project?
I don’t think it was a conscious thing, I
think it’s just that it started sounding like
what I’ve been listening to a lot, it’s like,
the success of the Memphis album, I mean I
didn’t think that would do well at all
because it’s not like pop Motown, it’s a bit
more obscure, it’s a bit more bluesy and
gritty you know, so when that went well I
thought ‘well maybe people here do dig that
style” because that’s what I would always
choose to do.
I was going as pop as I could because I
always thought that kind of stuff doesn’t
sell here and it just doesn’t connect here
and I mean I went on Idol for crying out
loud, I’m not going to turn around and make
some obscure album. The Memphis Album, it
almost gave me permission to make a soul
record, so I did. I went away and wrote a
whole bunch of tracks, we got some great horn
players and some great musos in so yeah.
Speaking about great musos, you had John
Mayer play on a couple tracks, the great man
himself
Yeah that was pretty cool, he was actually
just gonna come in and do a guitar solo...
So how does that happen, you just call John
Mayer up on the phone eh?
Yeah I’ve met John a bunch of times and we’ve
got a very close mutual friend, his guitar
player is someone he’s been hanging out with
and playing music with for a very long time,
a guy called David Ryan Harris and he’s
brilliant man, this guy’s and amazing singer,
great guitar player, great songwriter. David
wrote a song for me on my second record
called Sweetest Berry and we just clicked.
We’ve remained really good mates, we’ve
written half of this new album together.
There’s a bunch of songs which I wrote by
myself and there’s a bunch of songs that we
kind of co-wrote.
I guess David and I have produced a lot of
stuff together as well so one day he just
said ‘you know, I might just give John a call
and see if he wants to sit in with the band,
you know, we all get along so he might be
keen’. So John came in, he ended up staying
for two whole days and played on three songs
or something so yeah, that was awesome.
So obviously you’ve got a few things going on
in the States, I see your new single Like It
Like That has been picked up by NBC in the
States for use on their promos?
Yeah I’m stoked; they used it for all their
summer promos and other things like the grand
final of the Celebrity Apprentice and Biggest
Loser and a few other things...
Is America your priority right now?
I wouldn’t say it’s my priority, I just feel
like giving it a go you know. I haven’t
really tried to go overseas with my stuff
much so I just feel like it’s time, like I’m
ready. I just wanna give it a bash.
Have you experienced the big fish going to an
even bigger pond thing, is it like you’re
starting again?
Oh yeah, absolutely, it’s like I’m at the
very bottom, like I’ve been doing some
residency gigs there and there’ll be like
eight people are there and you just got to
build it from the ground up you know, you
have to start from the bottom. But it’s
awesome; it’s a great challenge because my
journey here was a lot different. I went on a
TV show and that was the thing that gave me
my platform to build on you know?
How do you see Idol these days, do you think
it’s still a worthwhile format?
I think the format’s great. Yeah I think the
format’s great but there’s this preconception
that it’s a massive failure if the winner
doesn’t go on to release massive albums. The
music industry is a lot more complicated than
that, you can’t just have a music show that
guarantees musical connection because that
boils down to songs. It’s very hard if you’re
not a song-writer or really in charge of your
music, you can’t think, ‘well I’ll just win
the show and let Sony make me a record”, it
just doesn’t work like that. But I think the
format of the show is great, I mean look at
America - they’ve got such a massive pool of
talent to draw from.
Do you think you were in the minority being a
songwriter as well as a performer?
Yeah definitely, I think for a show like that
it’s probably a plus, I mean I write, I
produce, I engineer, I’m very involved in my
music, I’m a bit of a control freak but there
are these other people who are a bit more
easy going, like you know ‘I’m a singer and
you guys can find me songs and I’ll sing
them’. I just can’t operate like that, but
some people can.
And have you ever experienced the other side
of things, the Idol stigma?
Absolutely, there will always be a stigma, I
think I’ll always be the guy that won that TV
show, do you know what I mean? There are
select people who would write you off just
because of that but I think if you’re the
sort of person who would write someone off
because you don’t like the show or something
and you’re totally ignorant to their musical
ability, well I don’t think anything’s going
to change your mind, nothing’s going to sway
you.
For me Idol was just a platform; some bands
do the battle of the bands thing or Triple J
unearthed, at the end of the day, they’re all
using media as their platform and that
doesn’t stop, you then use the radio, or
anything really, I’m doing an interview with
you now, I’m using that media to get my music
out there you know so I don’t know where you
draw the line on what’s credible and what’s
not. People can either, write, or sing or
whatever or they can’t’, I mean you look at
Kelly Clarkson, she’s just a cracking singer,
I just think it’s a bit of a useless debate,
it’s almost like people love watching other
people fail.
Well we’re pretty well known for our tall
poppy syndrome
Yeah but it’s like that everywhere though
it’s definitely an issue, I mean you see it a
lot when you travel which I’ve done a lot
over the last few years and I see these
stories. Even talking with John, he was
saying he’d read a story about me and people
had said this or that about me and was like
‘I can’t believe that, we’d get nothing like
that here’. But Australia is just such an
amazing place, it’s an amazing place to live,
an amazing place to be a musician and I’ve
had such overwhelming support for this album
in such a small country I can only say good
things.
http://www.redhotpie.co.uk/Article/Guy-Seb...
P-interview-805
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